How far is Red Lodge, MT from Whitefish, MT?
The driving distance from Red Lodge, MT to Whitefish, MT is about 447 miles (719.4 km), with a travel time of about 07h 42m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 328 miles (527.8 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 15h 24m 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 07h 42m.
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.
Consolidated city-county in Montana, United States
Route Weather Snapshot
Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.
Rain Showers Likely
Chance Light Rain then Showers And Thunderstorms
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Red Lodge and Whitefish.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Red Lodge and Whitefish.
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1
Start on South Broadway Avenue
1 km · 2 min · South Broadway Avenue
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2
Enter the roundabout and take exit 3 toward 3rd Street
61 m · 7 sec · 3rd Street
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3
Exit the roundabout onto 3rd Street
2550 ft · 1 min · 3rd Street
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4
Continue on State Highway 78
31.6 mi · 38 min · State Highway 78
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5
Continue on South Woodard Avenue
1.2 km · 2 min · South Woodard Avenue
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6
Continue on State Highway 78
13.5 mi · 17 min · State Highway 78
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7
Continue on Pratten Street
675 ft · 25 sec · Pratten Street
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8
Turn right onto East Pike Avenue
1140 ft · 44 sec · East Pike Avenue
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9
Turn left onto North 9th Street
1.4 km · 2 min · North 9th Street
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10
Take the ramp left
1530 ft · 37 sec
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11
Merge slight left
188.8 mi · 3 hr 5 min
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12
Keep slight left to continue on I 90 West: Missoula
42.6 mi · 40 min
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13
Take the exit slight right toward US 12 East: Helena, Garrison
1.2 mi · 2 min
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14
At the end of the road, turn right
12.9 mi · 14 min
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15
Turn sharp left
32.5 mi · 35 min
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16
At the end of the road, turn left
23.8 mi · 26 min
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17
Turn right
91.1 mi · 1 hr 44 min
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18
At the end of the road, turn right
1821 ft · 39 sec
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19
Turn left
6.9 mi · 9 min
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20
Turn right onto US 93 South
4.8 mi · 6 min · US 93 South
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21
Turn left onto Kalispell Bypass
1305 ft · 25 sec · Kalispell Bypass
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22
Enter the roundabout and take exit 1 toward Kalispell Bypass
46 m · 2 sec · Kalispell Bypass
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23
Exit the roundabout onto Kalispell Bypass
1.6 km · 1 min · Kalispell Bypass
-
24
Enter the roundabout and take exit 2 toward Kalispell Bypass
52 m · 2 sec · Kalispell Bypass
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25
Exit the roundabout onto Kalispell Bypass
6.3 mi · 8 min · Kalispell Bypass
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26
Turn left onto US 93 North
6.8 mi · 8 min · US 93 North
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27
Continue on US 93 South
3.2 mi · 4 min · US 93 South
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28
Continue on Spokane Avenue
1.7 mi · 4 min · Spokane Avenue
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29
Turn left onto East 2nd Street
536 ft · 22 sec · East 2nd Street
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30
Turn right
51 m · 12 sec
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31
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Red Lodge and Whitefish.
Long-distance drive
This route is long enough that fuel, rest stops, weather, and timing matter more than any single maneuver.
North 9th Street
Merge slight left
189 mi · 03h 05m
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.
Rain Showers Likely leaving Red Lodge and Chance Light Rain then Showers And Thunderstorms near Whitefish.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Red Lodge to Whitefish?
The road trip is about 447 miles (719.4 km) and usually takes 07h 42m 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?
Butte is a useful midpoint, sitting about 236.2 miles from Red Lodge and 210.8 miles from Whitefish.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 328 miles (527.8 km), while the road route adds roughly 119 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 $61.39 one way or $122.79 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 140.1 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Rain Showers Likely around Red Lodge and Chance Light Rain then Showers And Thunderstorms near Whitefish.
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Red Lodge and Whitefish. Straight-line distance: 327.95 mi (527.79 km).
#1 Red Lodge
City in Montana, United States
| Population | 2,359 |
| Coordinates | 45.1857800, -109.2468200 |
| Altitude | 1697 |
| Country | United States |
#2 Whitefish
City in Flathead County, Montana, United States
| Population | 8,713 |
| Coordinates | 48.4110800, -114.3376300 |
| Altitude | 923 |
| Country | United States |
End: (-114.337485, 48.411081)
Estimated Travel Time
Distance: 719 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 14h 53m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 11h 10m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 08h 56m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 07h 27m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 06h 23m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 05h 34m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $3.89 | $61.39 | $122.79 |
| Mid-grade | $4.23 | $66.72 | $133.45 |
| Premium | $4.55 | $71.74 | $143.48 |
| Diesel | $5.41 | $85.35 | $170.69 |
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 22, 2026
Distance to Other Cities
Planning a road trip? See the full trip guide on Trip.ovh — stops, fuel costs, weather, and departure timing.