How far is Three Forks, MT from Miles City, MT?

The driving distance from Three Forks, MT to Miles City, MT is about 316.7 miles (509.7 km), with a travel time of about 04h 45m by car.

  • The straight-line flight distance is about 275.6 miles (443.6 km).
  • For a round trip, plan for roughly 09h 31m 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
316.69 mi
04h 45m
Flight
275.64 mi
443.6 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
275.64 mi
Kilometers
443.6 km
Flight Time
00h 33m

Driving Distance

Road route
316.69 mi
Kilometers
509.67 km
Drive Time
04h 45m

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 45m.

Arrival Snapshot
Arrive in Miles City
Mon, May 18, 10:33 PM MDT
Return by in Three Forks
Tue, May 19, 3:18 AM MDT
Useful when you're deciding between a quick errand, a day trip, or a longer stop.
Leave Three Forks
2026-05-18T17:47
Arrive Miles City
Mon, May 18, 10:33 PM MDT
Route Timing
04h 45m
One way by road
Best Departure Window
6:00 AM to 8:00 AM MDT
Leave early for more breathing room
Arrive between
10:46 AM to 12:46 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
7:28 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
Laurel
MT

City in Yellowstone County, Montana, USA

From Three Forks
158.2 mi
02h 22m
To Miles City
158.5 mi
02h 22m

Route Weather Snapshot

Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.

Origin
53°F
Monday

Partly Sunny

Starts
Mon, May 18 6:00 AM MDT
Wind
3 to 9 mph N
Destination
48°F
Monday

Chance Rain Showers

Starts
Mon, May 18 6:00 AM MDT
Wind
12 mph N

Driving Route Map

The map below follows the saved road route between Three Forks and Miles City.

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between Three Forks and Miles City.

  1. 1

    Start on Main Street

    1.5 km · 1 min · Main Street

  2. 2

    Continue straight

    1221 ft · 21 sec

  3. 3

    Take the ramp right

    1106 ft · 27 sec

  4. 4

    Merge slight left

    177.4 mi · 2 hr 59 min

  5. 5

    Keep slight left to continue on I 94 East: Bismark

    134.7 mi · 2 hr 20 min

  6. 6

    Take the exit slight right toward I 94 Business: Miles City, Jordan

    3.6 mi · 6 min

  7. 7

    Arrive at your destination

    0 m · 1 sec · Main Street

Car Route Details

A richer read on the saved driving route between Three Forks and Miles City.

OSRM road route
Drive Character

Long-distance drive

This route is long enough that fuel, rest stops, weather, and timing matter more than any single maneuver.

Directions
7 steps
0 turns on the saved route
Ramps & Exits
3
1 merges, 2 ramps or exits
Navigation Density
2.2 / 100 mi
Decision points by distance
Main Roads
Main Street
179 mi · 56%
I 94 East
135 mi · 43%
I 94 Business
3.6 mi · 1%
Longest Stretch

Main Street

Merge slight left

177 mi · 02h 59m

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 45m
Long day trip
Same-Day Return
09h 32m
Round-trip wheel time
Road vs Air
+41.1 mi
275.6 mi direct line
Halfway Stop
Laurel
02h 22m from Three Forks
Leave By
7:28 AM MDT
Early departure recommended
Weather Watch

Partly Sunny leaving Three Forks and Chance Rain Showers near Miles City.

Trip Questions

Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.

How long does it take to drive from Three Forks to Miles City?

The road trip is about 316.7 miles (509.7 km) and usually takes 04h 45m 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?

Laurel is a useful midpoint, sitting about 158.2 miles from Three Forks and 158.5 miles from Miles City.

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

The direct path is about 275.6 miles (443.6 km), while the road route adds roughly 41.1 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 7:28 AM MDT.

How much will gas cost for this route?

Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $43.48 one way or $86.97 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 99.3 kg one way.

What should you check before leaving?

Before you leave, expect Partly Sunny around Three Forks and Chance Rain Showers near Miles City.

Stop Ideas Near Laurel

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

Mid-route Guidance
Local place coverage is thin around Laurel, 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 Laurel.

BUS

Billings, MT

24 mi away
2501 1st Avenue North

Flight Path Map

This map shows the direct air route between Three Forks and Miles City. Straight-line distance: 275.64 mi (443.6 km).

Photo coming soon

#1 Three Forks

City in Gallatin County, Montana, United States

Population1,926
Coordinates45.8924300, -111.5521900
Altitude1242
CountryUnited States
Miles City

#2 Miles City

City in Custer County, Montana

Population8,264
Coordinates46.4083400, -105.8405600
Altitude722
CountryUnited States
Start: Main Street (-111.55235, 45.892431)
End: Main Street (-105.84056, 46.408351)

Estimated Travel Time

Distance: 510 km by road

SpeedTime
30 mph (48.3 km/h)10h 33m
40 mph (64.37 km/h)07h 55m
50 mph (80.47 km/h)06h 20m
60 mph (96.56 km/h)05h 16m
70 mph (112.65 km/h)04h 31m
80 mph (129 km/h)03h 57m

Fuel, Round Trip and CO2

Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.

One-way fuel
11.17 gal
42.3 L · about $43.48
Round trip
$86.97
22.34 gal · 84.6 L
Estimated CO2
99.3 kg one way
Round trip: 198.5 kg / 438 lb CO2, using regular gasoline.
Fuel$/galOne wayRound trip
Regular gas $3.89 $43.48 $86.97
Mid-grade $4.23 $47.26 $94.52
Premium $4.55 $50.81 $101.62
Diesel $5.41 $60.45 $120.90

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 · May 18, 2026

There is no time difference between Three Forks and Miles City. The current time is 17:47:58.

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.