How far is Three Forks, MT from Kalispell, MT?

The driving distance from Three Forks, MT to Kalispell, MT is about 279.6 miles (449.9 km), with a travel time of about 04h 33m by car.

  • The straight-line flight distance is about 205.4 miles (330.6 km).
  • For a round trip, plan for roughly 09h 07m of driving time before adding stops, traffic, or weather delays.
  • A comfortable departure window is usually 6:00 AM to 8:00 AM MDT.
Trip Tools

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.

Reverse Route
Quick Snapshot
Road
279.55 mi
04h 33m
Flight
205.46 mi
330.65 km direct

This drive is better planned with a longer stop or an overnight stay.

Learn Distance

Choose another destination from Three Forks.

Flight Distance

Direct air line
205.46 mi
Kilometers
330.65 km
Flight Time
00h 24m

Driving Distance

Road route
279.55 mi
Kilometers
449.9 km
Drive Time
04h 33m

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 33m.

Arrival Snapshot
Arrive in Kalispell
Wed, Apr 22, 10:25 PM MDT
Return by in Three Forks
Thu, Apr 23, 2:59 AM MDT
Useful when you're deciding between a quick errand, a day trip, or a longer stop.
Leave Three Forks
2026-04-22T17:51
Arrive Kalispell
Wed, Apr 22, 10:25 PM MDT
Route Timing
04h 33m
One way by road
Best Departure Window
6:00 AM to 8:00 AM MDT
Leave early for more breathing room
Arrive between
10:34 AM to 12:34 PM MDT

An early departure helps you fit a real stop into the day without turning the return into a late-night drive.

Leave by
7:52 AM MDT
Keeps a same-day return open with about 04h 00m at the destination.
Back in Three Forks
9:00 PM MDT
Early departure recommended

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.

Mid-route stop
Dutton
MT

Town of the United States

From Three Forks
139.6 mi
02h 16m
To Kalispell
139.9 mi
02h 16m

Route Weather Snapshot

Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.

Origin
67°F
Wednesday

Mostly Sunny then Chance Showers And Thunderstorms

Starts
Wed, Apr 22 6:00 AM MDT
Wind
5 to 25 mph S
Destination
59°F
Wednesday

Chance Light Rain then Showers And Thunderstorms

Starts
Wed, Apr 22 6:00 AM MDT
Wind
2 to 8 mph W

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.

  1. 1

    Start on Main Street

    1.5 km · 1 min · Main Street

  2. 2

    Continue straight

    1932 ft · 40 sec

  3. 3

    Take the ramp left

    1623 ft · 40 sec

  4. 4

    Merge slight left

    58.6 mi · 58 min

  5. 5

    Keep slight left to continue on I 90 West: Missoula

    42.6 mi · 40 min

  6. 6

    Take the exit slight right toward US 12 East: Helena, Garrison

    1.2 mi · 2 min

  7. 7

    At the end of the road, turn right

    12.9 mi · 14 min

  8. 8

    Turn sharp left

    32.5 mi · 35 min

  9. 9

    At the end of the road, turn left

    23.8 mi · 26 min

  10. 10

    Turn right

    91.1 mi · 1 hr 44 min

  11. 11

    At the end of the road, turn right

    1821 ft · 39 sec

  12. 12

    Turn left

    6.9 mi · 9 min

  13. 13

    Turn right onto US 93 South

    7.1 mi · 9 min · US 93 South

  14. 14

    Turn right onto 1st Avenue East

    1.3 km · 2 min · 1st Avenue East

  15. 15

    Turn left onto 3rd Street East

    130 m · 14 sec · 3rd Street East

  16. 16

    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.

OSRM road route
Drive Character

Straightforward drive

The saved road route has a manageable number of maneuvers and should be easy to follow with normal attention to signs.

Directions
16 steps
9 turns on the saved route
Ramps & Exits
3
1 merges, 2 ramps or exits
Navigation Density
5.7 / 100 mi
Decision points by distance
Main Roads
Main Street
60.2 mi · 22%
I 90 West
42.6 mi · 15%
US 93 South
7.14 mi · 3%
US 12 East
1.21 mi
1st Avenue East
0.81 mi
3rd Street East
0.08 mi
Longest Stretch

Longest stretch

Turn right

91.1 mi · 01h 44m

Route Summary

A quick read on whether this route feels easy, ambitious, or worth planning around.

Trip Read

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.

Drive Time
04h 33m
Long day trip
Same-Day Return
09h 08m
Round-trip wheel time
Road vs Air
+74.2 mi
205.4 mi direct line
Halfway Stop
Dutton
02h 16m from Three Forks
Leave By
7:52 AM MDT
Early departure recommended
Weather Watch

Mostly Sunny then Chance 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 279.6 miles (449.9 km) and usually takes 04h 33m 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?

Dutton is a useful midpoint, sitting about 139.6 miles from Three Forks and 139.9 miles from Kalispell.

How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?

The direct path is about 205.4 miles (330.6 km), while the road route adds roughly 74.2 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 7:52 AM MDT.

How much will gas cost for this route?

Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $38.38 one way or $76.77 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 87.6 kg one way.

What should you check before leaving?

Before you leave, expect Mostly Sunny then Chance Showers And Thunderstorms around Three Forks and Chance Light Rain then Showers And Thunderstorms near Kalispell.

Stop Ideas Near Dutton

Useful break, food, and waypoint ideas within about 15 miles of the route midpoint.

Mid-route Guidance
Local place coverage is thin around Dutton, so nearby transit and meeting points are shown instead.
Reviewed stop coverage is still thin around this midpoint, so practical transit waypoints are shown on the right.

Transit and Meeting Points

Useful pickup, handoff, or rendezvous points close to Dutton.

BUS

Butte, MT

74 mi away
1324 Harrison Avenue
BUS

Missoula, MT

87 mi away
1660 West Broadway Street

Flight Path Map

This map shows the direct air route between Three Forks and Kalispell. Straight-line distance: 205.46 mi (330.65 km).

Photo coming soon

#1 Three Forks

City in Gallatin County, Montana, United States

Population1,926
Coordinates45.8924300, -111.5521900
Altitude1242
CountryUnited States
Kalispell

#2 Kalispell

City in Flathead County, Montana, United States

Population25,329
Coordinates48.1957900, -114.3129100
Altitude901
CountryUnited States
Start: Main Street (-111.55235, 45.892431)
End: 3rd Street West (-114.312918, 48.195812)

Estimated Travel Time

Distance: 450 km by road

SpeedTime
30 mph (48.3 km/h)09h 18m
40 mph (64.37 km/h)06h 59m
50 mph (80.47 km/h)05h 35m
60 mph (96.56 km/h)04h 39m
70 mph (112.65 km/h)03h 59m
80 mph (129 km/h)03h 29m

Fuel, Round Trip and CO2

Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.

One-way fuel
9.86 gal
37.34 L · about $38.38
Round trip
$76.77
19.72 gal · 74.68 L
Estimated CO2
87.6 kg one way
Round trip: 175.3 kg / 386 lb CO2, using regular gasoline.
Fuel$/galOne wayRound trip
Regular gas $3.89 $38.38 $76.77
Mid-grade $4.23 $41.72 $83.44
Premium $4.55 $44.85 $89.71
Diesel $5.41 $53.36 $106.72

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

There is no time difference between Three Forks and Kalispell. The current time is 17:51:30.

Distance to Other Cities

Planning a road trip? See the full trip guide on Trip.ovh — stops, fuel costs, weather, and departure timing.

How did we calculate? Place names are translated into coordinates. The Haversine formula calculates straight-line distance; driving distance uses road network data.