How far is Three Forks, MT from Kalispell, MT?
The driving distance from Three Forks, MT to Kalispell, MT is about 252.8 miles (406.9 km), with a travel time of about 04h 31m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 162.5 miles (261.5 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 09h 02m 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 31m.
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 of the United States
Route Weather Snapshot
Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.
Partly Sunny then Showers And Thunderstorms
Chance Light Rain then Showers And Thunderstorms
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Three Forks and Kalispell.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Three Forks and Kalispell.
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1
Start on Cottonwood Coulee Road
8.3 mi · 32 min · Cottonwood Coulee Road
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2
At the end of the road, turn right onto Stockett Road
9.5 mi · 23 min · Stockett Road
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3
Turn left
3 mi · 3 min
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4
Turn right onto 57th Street South
1.5 km · 1 min · 57th Street South
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5
Turn left onto 2nd Avenue North
4.3 mi · 8 min · 2nd Avenue North
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6
At the end of the road, turn left onto Park Drive North
73 m · 4 sec · Park Drive North
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7
Turn right onto 1st Avenue North
1070 ft · 24 sec · 1st Avenue North
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8
Continue on First Avenue North Bridge
1045 ft · 18 sec · First Avenue North Bridge
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9
Continue on Central Avenue West
1.4 mi · 2 min · Central Avenue West
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10
Take the exit right
1311 ft · 32 sec
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11
Merge slight left onto First Special Service Force Memorial Highway
9.4 mi · 9 min · First Special Service Force Memorial Highway
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12
Take the exit slight right
8.3 mi · 10 min
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13
Turn right
32.2 mi · 36 min
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14
Enter the roundabout and take exit 2 toward West Division Street
157 m · 18 sec · West Division Street
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15
Exit the rotary onto West Division Street
44 m · 5 sec · West Division Street
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16
Turn slight right onto Main Avenue North
6 mi · 8 min · Main Avenue North
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17
Continue on 13th Lane Northwest
12.9 mi · 15 min · 13th Lane Northwest
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18
Continue on United States Highway 89
49.2 mi · 53 min · United States Highway 89
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19
At the end of the road, turn left
3.9 mi · 7 min
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20
Enter the roundabout and take exit 3 toward the route
75 m · 4 sec
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21
Exit the roundabout
72.3 mi · 1 hr 20 min
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22
Turn right
842 ft · 1 min
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23
At the end of the road, turn left onto Old US 2
1930 ft · 1 min · Old US 2
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24
Turn right onto US Route 2
7.5 mi · 10 min · US Route 2
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25
Continue on US 2
1.7 mi · 2 min · US 2
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26
Turn left
9.7 mi · 12 min
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27
At the end of the road, turn right
5.7 mi · 8 min
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28
Continue on US Route 2
1.2 mi · 2 min · US Route 2
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29
Turn left onto Woodland Park Drive
2198 ft · 1 min · Woodland Park Drive
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30
At the end of the road, turn right onto Conrad Drive
1451 ft · 40 sec · Conrad Drive
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31
Continue on 2nd Street East
1235 ft · 39 sec · 2nd Street East
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32
Turn left onto 3rd Avenue East
112 m · 12 sec · 3rd Avenue East
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33
Turn right onto 3rd Street East
1169 ft · 34 sec · 3rd Street East
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34
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · 3rd Street West
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Three Forks and Kalispell.
Highway-focused drive
Most of the mileage stays on named highways, so the important moments are ramps, exits, merges, and the final local approach.
United States Highway 89
Exit the roundabout
72.3 mi · 01h 20m
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.
Partly Sunny then Showers And Thunderstorms leaving Three Forks and Chance Light Rain then Showers And Thunderstorms near Kalispell.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Three Forks to Kalispell?
The road trip is about 252.8 miles (406.9 km) and usually takes 04h 31m 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?
Valier is a useful midpoint, sitting about 124.8 miles from Three Forks and 128.1 miles from Kalispell.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 162.5 miles (261.5 km), while the road route adds roughly 90.3 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 7:58 AM MDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $34.73 one way or $69.45 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 79.3 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Partly Sunny then Showers And Thunderstorms around Three Forks and Chance Light Rain then Showers And Thunderstorms near Kalispell.
Stop Ideas Near Valier
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 Valier.
Cut Bank
Shelby
Browning
East Glacier Park
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Three Forks and Kalispell. Straight-line distance: 162.51 mi (261.53 km).
#1 Three Forks
City in Cascade County, Montana, United States
| Population | 2,043 |
| Coordinates | 47.2816300, -111.0902400 |
| Altitude | 1208 |
| Country | United States |
#2 Kalispell
City in Flathead County, Montana, United States
| Population | 25,329 |
| Coordinates | 48.1957900, -114.3129100 |
| Altitude | 901 |
| Country | United States |
End: 3rd Street West (-114.312918, 48.195812)
Estimated Travel Time
Distance: 407 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 08h 25m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 06h 19m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 05h 03m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 04h 12m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 03h 36m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 03h 09m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $3.89 | $34.73 | $69.45 |
| Mid-grade | $4.23 | $37.74 | $75.48 |
| Premium | $4.55 | $40.58 | $81.15 |
| Diesel | $5.41 | $48.28 | $96.55 |
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.