How far is Townsend, MT from Missoula, MT?

The driving distance from Townsend, MT to Missoula, MT is about 147.1 miles (236.7 km), with a travel time of about 02h 25m by car.

  • The straight-line flight distance is about 123.5 miles (198.7 km).
  • For a round trip, plan for roughly 04h 50m of driving time before adding stops, traffic, or weather delays.
  • A comfortable departure window is usually 8:00 AM to 10:00 AM MDT.
Trip Tools

Reverse, save, or send this route

This route works well as a day trip with time at the destination. Copy the route link, send it to another device, or print a clean version before you head out.

Reverse Route
Quick Snapshot
Road
147.08 mi
02h 25m
Flight
123.47 mi
198.71 km direct

This route works well as a day trip with time at the destination.

Learn Distance

Choose another destination from Townsend.

Flight Distance

Direct air line
123.47 mi
Kilometers
198.71 km
Flight Time
00h 14m

Driving Distance

Road route
147.08 mi
Kilometers
236.71 km
Drive Time
02h 25m

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 02h 25m.

Arrival Snapshot
Arrive in Missoula
Wed, Apr 22, 11:31 PM MDT
Return by in Townsend
Thu, Apr 23, 1:56 AM MDT
Useful when you're deciding between a quick errand, a day trip, or a longer stop.
Leave Townsend
2026-04-22T21:06
Arrive Missoula
Wed, Apr 22, 11:31 PM MDT
Route Timing
02h 25m
One way by road
Best Departure Window
8:00 AM to 10:00 AM MDT
Aim for a morning departure
Arrive between
10:25 AM to 12:25 PM MDT

A morning start gives you useful time at the destination and keeps the return out of the late evening.

Leave by
1:40 PM MDT
Keeps a same-day return open with about 03h 00m at the destination.
Back in Townsend
9:30 PM MDT
Morning start is best

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
Deer Lodge
MT

City in and the county seat of Powell County, Montana, United States

From Townsend
73.5 mi
01h 12m
To Missoula
73.6 mi
01h 12m

Route Weather Snapshot

Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.

Origin
67°F
Wednesday

Mostly Sunny then Showers And Thunderstorms Likely

Starts
Wed, Apr 22 6:00 AM MDT
Wind
9 to 23 mph SSW
Destination
62°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 Townsend and Missoula.

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between Townsend and Missoula.

  1. 1

    Start on the route

    34 m · 10 sec

  2. 2

    Turn right onto South Front Street

    33.1 mi · 40 min · South Front Street

  3. 3

    Turn right onto North Montana Avenue

    2555 ft · 1 min · North Montana Avenue

  4. 4

    Continue on East Lyndale Avenue

    1.6 km · 2 min · East Lyndale Avenue

  5. 5

    Continue on Euclid Avenue

    111.6 mi · 1 hr 55 min · Euclid Avenue

  6. 6

    Take the exit slight right toward US 12 West, I 90 Business

    1037 ft · 26 sec

  7. 7

    Enter the roundabout and take exit 3 toward Van Buren Street

    63 m · 3 sec · Van Buren Street

  8. 8

    Exit the roundabout onto Van Buren Street

    65 m · 4 sec · Van Buren Street

  9. 9

    Enter the roundabout and take exit 1 toward Van Buren Street

    28 m · 1 sec · Van Buren Street

  10. 10

    Exit the roundabout onto Van Buren Street

    583 ft · 11 sec · Van Buren Street

  11. 11

    Turn right onto East Broadway Street

    3078 ft · 55 sec · East Broadway Street

  12. 12

    Turn right onto North Higgins Avenue

    6 m · 1 sec · North Higgins Avenue

  13. 13

    Arrive at your destination

    0 m · 1 sec · North Higgins Avenue

Car Route Details

A richer read on the saved driving route between Townsend and Missoula.

OSRM road route
Drive Character

Interchange-aware route

The drive includes several ramps, exits, or merges, so checking the next few maneuvers before busy interchanges is useful.

Directions
13 steps
8 turns on the saved route
Ramps & Exits
5
0 merges, 5 ramps or exits
Navigation Density
8.8 / 100 mi
Decision points by distance
Main Roads
Euclid Avenue
112 mi · 76%
South Front Street
33.1 mi · 23%
East Lyndale Avenue
0.98 mi · 1%
East Broadway Street
0.58 mi
North Montana Avenue
0.48 mi
Van Buren Street
0.21 mi
Longest Stretch

Euclid Avenue

Continue on Euclid Avenue

112 mi · 01h 55m

Route Summary

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

Trip Read

A comfortable day-trip route

This route works well as a day trip. You can leave in the morning, spend meaningful time at the destination, and still return the same day.

Drive Time
02h 25m
Day trip friendly
Same-Day Return
04h 50m
Round-trip wheel time
Road vs Air
+23.6 mi
123.5 mi direct line
Halfway Stop
Deer Lodge
01h 12m from Townsend
Leave By
1:40 PM MDT
Morning start is best
Weather Watch

Mostly Sunny then Showers And Thunderstorms Likely leaving Townsend and Chance Light Rain then Showers And Thunderstorms near Missoula.

Trip Questions

Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.

How long does it take to drive from Townsend to Missoula?

The road trip is about 147.1 miles (236.7 km) and usually takes 02h 25m in normal driving conditions.

Is this a same-day trip or an overnight route?

This route works well as a day trip. You can leave in the morning, spend meaningful time at the destination, and still return the same day.

What is the halfway point on this route?

Deer Lodge is a useful midpoint, sitting about 73.5 miles from Townsend and 73.6 miles from Missoula.

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

The direct path is about 123.5 miles (198.7 km), while the road route adds roughly 23.6 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 8:00 AM to 10:00 AM MDT. If you want a more comfortable same-day return, try to leave by 1:40 PM MDT.

How much will gas cost for this route?

Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $20.20 one way or $40.41 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 46.1 kg one way.

What should you check before leaving?

Before you leave, expect Mostly Sunny then Showers And Thunderstorms Likely around Townsend and Chance Light Rain then Showers And Thunderstorms near Missoula.

Stop Ideas Near Deer Lodge

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

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

BUS

Butte, MT

47 mi away
1324 Harrison Avenue
BUS

Missoula, MT

112 mi away
1660 West Broadway Street

Flight Path Map

This map shows the direct air route between Townsend and Missoula. Straight-line distance: 123.47 mi (198.71 km).

Townsend

#1 Townsend

City in Montana, USA

Population2,220
Coordinates46.3191000, -111.5208000
Altitude1171
CountryUnited States
Missoula

#2 Missoula

The most populous city in Missoula County, Montana.

Population76,848
Coordinates46.8721500, -113.9940000
Altitude978
CountryUnited States
Start: Broadway Street (-111.520967, 46.319342)
End: North Higgins Avenue (-113.994022, 46.872156)

Estimated Travel Time

Distance: 237 km by road

SpeedTime
30 mph (48.3 km/h)04h 54m
40 mph (64.37 km/h)03h 40m
50 mph (80.47 km/h)02h 56m
60 mph (96.56 km/h)02h 27m
70 mph (112.65 km/h)02h 06m
80 mph (129 km/h)01h 50m

Fuel, Round Trip and CO2

Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.

One-way fuel
5.19 gal
19.65 L · about $20.20
Round trip
$40.41
10.38 gal · 39.3 L
Estimated CO2
46.1 kg one way
Round trip: 92.2 kg / 203 lb CO2, using regular gasoline.
Fuel$/galOne wayRound trip
Regular gas $3.89 $20.20 $40.41
Mid-grade $4.23 $21.96 $43.92
Premium $4.55 $23.61 $47.22
Diesel $5.41 $28.09 $56.18

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

There is no time difference between Townsend and Missoula. The current time is 21:06:38.

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.