How far is Townsend, MT from Whitefish, MT?
The driving distance from Townsend, MT to Whitefish, MT is about 243.5 miles (391.8 km), with a travel time of about 04h 17m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 195.6 miles (314.8 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 08h 35m 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 17m.
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.
Census designated place in Montana, USA
Route Weather Snapshot
Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.
Light Snow
Rain And Snow Likely
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Townsend and Whitefish.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Townsend and Whitefish.
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1
Start on the route
34 m · 10 sec
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2
Turn right onto South Front Street
33.1 mi · 40 min · South Front Street
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3
Turn right onto North Montana Avenue
2555 ft · 1 min · North Montana Avenue
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4
Continue on East Lyndale Avenue
1.6 km · 2 min · East Lyndale Avenue
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5
Continue on Euclid Avenue
29.8 mi · 35 min · Euclid Avenue
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6
Turn right
32.5 mi · 35 min
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7
At the end of the road, turn left
23.8 mi · 26 min
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8
Turn right
91.1 mi · 1 hr 44 min
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9
At the end of the road, turn right
1821 ft · 39 sec
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10
Turn left
6.9 mi · 9 min
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11
Turn right onto US 93 South
4.8 mi · 6 min · US 93 South
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12
Turn left onto Kalispell Bypass
1305 ft · 25 sec · Kalispell Bypass
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13
Enter the roundabout and take exit 1 toward Kalispell Bypass
46 m · 2 sec · Kalispell Bypass
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14
Exit the roundabout onto Kalispell Bypass
1.6 km · 1 min · Kalispell Bypass
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15
Enter the roundabout and take exit 2 toward Kalispell Bypass
52 m · 2 sec · Kalispell Bypass
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16
Exit the roundabout onto Kalispell Bypass
6.3 mi · 8 min · Kalispell Bypass
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17
Turn left onto US 93 North
6.8 mi · 8 min · US 93 North
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18
Continue on US 93 South
3.2 mi · 4 min · US 93 South
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19
Continue on Spokane Avenue
1.7 mi · 4 min · Spokane Avenue
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20
Turn left onto East 2nd Street
536 ft · 22 sec · East 2nd Street
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21
Turn right
51 m · 12 sec
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22
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Townsend and Whitefish.
Straightforward drive
The saved road route has a manageable number of maneuvers and should be easy to follow with normal attention to signs.
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.
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.
Light Snow leaving Townsend and Rain And Snow Likely near Whitefish.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Townsend to Whitefish?
The road trip is about 243.5 miles (391.8 km) and usually takes 04h 17m 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?
Seeley Lake is a useful midpoint, sitting about 121.6 miles from Townsend and 121.9 miles from Whitefish.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 195.6 miles (314.8 km), while the road route adds roughly 47.9 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 8:24 AM MDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $33.44 one way or $66.88 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 76.3 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Light Snow around Townsend and Rain And Snow Likely near Whitefish.
Stop Ideas Near Seeley Lake
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 Seeley Lake.
Missoula, MT
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Townsend and Whitefish. Straight-line distance: 195.6 mi (314.79 km).
#1 Townsend
City in Montana, USA
| Population | 2,220 |
| Coordinates | 46.3191000, -111.5208000 |
| Altitude | 1171 |
| 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: 392 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 08h 06m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 06h 05m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 04h 52m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 04h 03m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 03h 28m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 03h 02m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $3.89 | $33.44 | $66.88 |
| Mid-grade | $4.23 | $36.34 | $72.69 |
| Premium | $4.55 | $39.08 | $78.15 |
| Diesel | $5.41 | $46.49 | $92.98 |
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.