How far is Polson, MT from Sidney, MT?
The driving distance from Polson, MT to Sidney, MT is about 612.5 miles (985.8 km), with a travel time of about 10h 10m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 465 miles (748.3 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 20h 20m of driving time before adding stops, traffic, or weather delays.
- A comfortable departure window is usually 6:00 AM to 7:30 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 10h 10m.
Starting early still helps, but most travelers will want a longer stop or an overnight stay on a route this long.
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.
City in and county seat of Sweet Grass County, Montana, United States
Route Weather Snapshot
Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.
Patchy Fog then Sunny
Mostly Cloudy
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Polson and Sidney.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Polson and Sidney.
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1
Start on Main Street
94 m · 10 sec · Main Street
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2
Turn right onto 2nd Avenue East
60.6 mi · 1 hr 15 min · 2nd Avenue East
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3
Continue on West Broadway Street
925 ft · 24 sec · West Broadway Street
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4
Continue on West Broadway Street
733 ft · 18 sec · West Broadway Street
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5
Take the exit slight right toward I 90 East: Missoula
124.6 mi · 2 hr
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6
Keep slight right
110.8 mi · 1 hr 51 min
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7
Continue straight
6.9 mi · 6 min
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8
Continue straight
113 mi · 1 hr 53 min
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9
Continue straight
3.1 mi · 4 min
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10
Keep slight left to continue on I 94 East: Bismark
212.2 mi · 3 hr 33 min
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11
Take the exit slight right toward MT 16: Glendive, Sidney
1422 ft · 38 sec
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12
Turn left
49 mi · 56 min
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13
Enter the roundabout and take exit 2 toward South Central Avenue
40 m · 2 sec · South Central Avenue
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14
Exit the roundabout onto South Central Avenue
2.5 mi · 3 min · South Central Avenue
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15
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · North Central Avenue
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Polson and Sidney.
Long-distance drive
This route is long enough that fuel, rest stops, weather, and timing matter more than any single maneuver.
I 94 East
Keep slight left to continue on I 94 East: Bismark
212 mi · 03h 33m
Route Summary
A quick read on whether this route feels easy, ambitious, or worth planning around.
Better with a longer stop
This route is long enough that most travelers will be better off planning an overnight stay or a more deliberate stop window.
Patchy Fog then Sunny leaving Polson and Mostly Cloudy near Sidney.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Polson to Sidney?
The road trip is about 612.5 miles (985.8 km) and usually takes 10h 10m in normal driving conditions.
Is this a same-day trip or an overnight route?
This route is long enough that most travelers will be better off planning an overnight stay or a more deliberate stop window.
What is the halfway point on this route?
Big Timber is a useful midpoint, sitting about 340.1 miles from Polson and 272.3 miles from Sidney.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 465 miles (748.3 km), while the road route adds roughly 147.5 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 7:30 AM MDT. Starting early still helps, but most travelers will want a longer stop or an overnight stay on a route this long.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $97.12 one way or $194.23 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 192 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Patchy Fog then Sunny around Polson and Mostly Cloudy near Sidney.
Stop Ideas Near Big Timber
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 Big Timber.
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Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Polson and Sidney. Straight-line distance: 464.96 mi (748.28 km).
#1 Polson
City in Lake County, Montana, United States
| Population | 5,181 |
| Coordinates | 47.6935500, -114.1631700 |
| Altitude | 892 |
| Country | United States |
#2 Sidney
City in Montana, United States
| Population | 6,297 |
| Coordinates | 47.7166800, -104.1563300 |
| Altitude | 594 |
| Country | United States |
End: North Central Avenue (-104.156325, 47.716678)
Estimated Travel Time
Distance: 986 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 20h 24m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 15h 18m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 12h 15m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 10h 12m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 08h 45m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 07h 38m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $4.49 | $97.12 | $194.23 |
| Mid-grade | $4.83 | $104.27 | $208.54 |
| Premium | $5.19 | $112.22 | $224.44 |
| Diesel | $6.11 | $132.04 | $264.07 |
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 · Oct 15, 2026