How far is Missoula, MT from West Yellowstone, MT?
The driving distance from Missoula, MT to West Yellowstone, MT is about 264.4 miles (425.5 km), with a travel time of about 04h 36m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 206.7 miles (332.6 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 09h 12m of driving time before adding stops, traffic, or weather delays.
- A comfortable departure window is usually 6:00 AM to 8:00 AM MDT.
Reverse, save, or send this route
This drive is better planned with a longer stop or an overnight stay. Copy the route link, send it to another device, or print a clean version before you head out.
This drive is better planned with a longer stop or an overnight stay.
Flight Distance
Driving Distance
Gas Cost Calculator
Leave and Arrive Planner
Pick a departure time to see your estimated arrival and same-day return window.
Drive time stays fixed at 04h 36m.
An early departure helps you fit a real stop into the day without turning the return into a late-night drive.
You are leaving earlier than the recommended window, which gives you extra margin for breaks and traffic.
Halfway Point
A useful midpoint for breaks, coffee, or meeting in the middle.
Town in Jefferson County, Montana
Route Weather Snapshot
Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.
Chance Light Rain then Showers And Thunderstorms
Slight Chance T-storms
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Missoula and West Yellowstone.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Missoula and West Yellowstone.
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1
Start on North Higgins Avenue
6 m · 8 sec · North Higgins Avenue
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2
Turn left onto East Broadway Street
3078 ft · 59 sec · East Broadway Street
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3
Turn left onto Van Buren Street
133 m · 6 sec · Van Buren Street
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4
Take the exit right
1216 ft · 30 sec
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5
Merge slight left onto Jeannette Rankin Memorial Highway
115.1 mi · 1 hr 49 min · Jeannette Rankin Memorial Highway
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6
Keep slight right
33.9 mi · 35 min
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7
Take the exit slight right toward MT 359: Cardwell, Boulder
1555 ft · 39 sec
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8
Turn right
46 m · 3 sec
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9
Continue straight
14.6 mi · 18 min
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10
At the end of the road, turn right
28 mi · 33 min
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11
At the end of the road, turn left
62.9 mi · 1 hr 9 min
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12
At the end of the road, turn right onto Gallatin Road
8.2 mi · 9 min · Gallatin Road
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13
Continue on North Canyon Street
917 ft · 32 sec · North Canyon Street
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14
Turn right onto Firehole Avenue
1182 ft · 46 sec · Firehole Avenue
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15
Turn left onto Electric Street
12 m · 2 sec · Electric Street
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16
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · Electric Street
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Missoula and West Yellowstone.
Highway-focused drive
Most of the mileage stays on named highways, so the important moments are ramps, exits, merges, and the final local approach.
Jeannette Rankin Memorial Highway
Merge slight left onto Jeannette Rankin Memorial Highway
115 mi · 01h 49m
Route Summary
A quick read on whether this route feels easy, ambitious, or worth planning around.
A longer out-and-back drive
This is still possible in one day, but it becomes a long driving day. Leaving early and planning your stop window matters more here.
Chance Light Rain then Showers And Thunderstorms leaving Missoula and Slight Chance T-storms near West Yellowstone.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Missoula to West Yellowstone?
The road trip is about 264.4 miles (425.5 km) and usually takes 04h 36m in normal driving conditions.
Is this a same-day trip or an overnight route?
This is still possible in one day, but it becomes a long driving day. Leaving early and planning your stop window matters more here.
What is the halfway point on this route?
Whitehall is a useful midpoint, sitting about 132 miles from Missoula and 132.4 miles from West Yellowstone.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 206.7 miles (332.6 km), while the road route adds roughly 57.7 extra miles because roads do not follow the straight air line.
When is the best time to leave for this route?
A good departure window is usually 6:00 AM to 8:00 AM MDT. If you want a more comfortable same-day return, try to leave by 7:48 AM MDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $36.32 one way or $72.64 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 82.9 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Chance Light Rain then Showers And Thunderstorms around Missoula and Slight Chance T-storms near West Yellowstone.
Stop Ideas Near Whitehall
Useful break, food, and waypoint ideas within about 15 miles of the route midpoint.
Transit and Meeting Points
Useful pickup, handoff, or rendezvous points close to Whitehall.
Butte, MT
Bozeman, MT
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Missoula and West Yellowstone. Straight-line distance: 206.65 mi (332.57 km).
#1 Missoula
The most populous city in Missoula County, Montana.
| Population | 76,848 |
| Coordinates | 46.8721500, -113.9940000 |
| Altitude | 978 |
| Country | United States |
#2 West Yellowstone
Town of the United States
| Population | 1,372 |
| Coordinates | 44.6621500, -111.1041100 |
| Altitude | 2031 |
| Country | United States |
End: West Yellowstone (-111.10411, 44.66215)
Estimated Travel Time
Distance: 425 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 08h 48m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 06h 36m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 05h 17m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 04h 24m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 03h 46m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 03h 17m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $3.89 | $36.32 | $72.64 |
| Mid-grade | $4.23 | $39.48 | $78.95 |
| Premium | $4.55 | $42.44 | $84.88 |
| Diesel | $5.41 | $50.49 | $100.99 |
Assumes 8.3 L/100 km (about 28.3 MPG). CO2 is an estimate and varies by vehicle, fuel blend, traffic, and terrain.
Prices in Montana · Apr 23, 2026
Distance to Other Cities
Planning a road trip? See the full trip guide on Trip.ovh — stops, fuel costs, weather, and departure timing.