How far is West Glacier, MT from Saint Mary, MT?

The driving distance from West Glacier, MT to Saint Mary, MT is about 50.1 miles (80.6 km), with a travel time of about 01h 50m by car.

  • The straight-line flight distance is about 30.2 miles (48.6 km).
  • For a round trip, plan for roughly 03h 41m 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
50.1 mi
01h 50m
Flight
30.22 mi
48.63 km direct

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

Learn Distance

Choose another destination from West Glacier.

Flight Distance

Direct air line
30.22 mi
Kilometers
48.63 km
Flight Time
00h 03m

Driving Distance

Road route
50.1 mi
Kilometers
80.63 km
Drive Time
01h 50m

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 01h 50m.

Arrival Snapshot
Arrive in Saint Mary
Thu, Oct 15, 7:22 PM MDT
Return by in West Glacier
Thu, Oct 15, 9:12 PM MDT
Useful when you're deciding between a quick errand, a day trip, or a longer stop.
Leave West Glacier
2026-10-15T17:31
Arrive Saint Mary
Thu, Oct 15, 7:22 PM MDT
Route Timing
01h 50m
One way by road
Best Departure Window
8:00 AM to 10:00 AM MDT
Aim for a morning departure
Arrive between
9:51 AM to 11:51 AM MDT

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

Leave by
2:48 PM MDT
Keeps a same-day return open with about 03h 00m at the destination.
Back in West Glacier
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
Columbia Falls
MT

Town in Montana, United States

From West Glacier
25 mi
00h 55m
To Saint Mary
25.1 mi
00h 55m

Route Weather Snapshot

Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.

Origin
27ยฐF
Overnight

Widespread Frost

Starts
Thu, Oct 15 5:00 AM MDT
Wind
1 mph NNE
Destination
24ยฐF
Overnight

Mostly Clear

Starts
Thu, Oct 15 5:00 AM MDT
Wind
2 mph NE

Driving Route Map

The map below follows the saved road route between West Glacier and Saint Mary.

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between West Glacier and Saint Mary.

  1. 1

    Start on the route

    53 m ยท 8 sec

  2. 2

    Continue on Albright Circle

    983 ft ยท 45 sec ยท Albright Circle

  3. 3

    Turn right onto Mather Drive

    838 ft ยท 41 sec ยท Mather Drive

  4. 4

    Turn left onto Grinnell Drive

    1477 ft ยท 1 min ยท Grinnell Drive

  5. 5

    At the end of the road, turn right onto Going-to-the-Sun Road

    1.4 mi ยท 3 min ยท Going-to-the-Sun Road

  6. 6

    Continue on Going-to-the-Sun Road

    48 mi ยท 1 hr 45 min ยท Going-to-the-Sun Road

  7. 7

    Turn left

    42 m ยท 10 sec

  8. 8

    Arrive at your destination

    0 m ยท 1 sec

Car Route Details

A richer read on the saved driving route between West Glacier and Saint Mary.

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
8 steps
4 turns on the saved route
Ramps & Exits
0
0 merges, 0 ramps or exits
Navigation Density
16 / 100 mi
Decision points by distance
Main Roads
Going-to-the-Sun Road
49.4 mi ยท 99%
Grinnell Drive
0.28 mi ยท 1%
Albright Circle
0.19 mi
Mather Drive
0.16 mi
Longest Stretch

Going-to-the-Sun Road

Continue on Going-to-the-Sun Road

48 mi ยท 01h 45m

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
01h 50m
Day trip friendly
Same-Day Return
03h 42m
Round-trip wheel time
Road vs Air
+19.9 mi
30.2 mi direct line
Halfway Stop
Columbia Falls
00h 55m from West Glacier
Leave By
2:48 PM MDT
Morning start is best
Weather Watch

Widespread Frost leaving West Glacier and Mostly Clear near Saint Mary.

Trip Questions

Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.

How long does it take to drive from West Glacier to Saint Mary?

The road trip is about 50.1 miles (80.6 km) and usually takes 01h 50m 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?

Columbia Falls is a useful midpoint, sitting about 25 miles from West Glacier and 25.1 miles from Saint Mary.

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

The direct path is about 30.2 miles (48.6 km), while the road route adds roughly 19.9 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 8:00 AM to 10:00 AM MDT. If you want a more comfortable same-day return, try to leave by 2:48 PM MDT.

How much will gas cost for this route?

Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $7.95 one way or $15.91 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 15.7 kg one way.

What should you check before leaving?

Before you leave, expect Widespread Frost around West Glacier and Mostly Clear near Saint Mary.

Stop Ideas Near Columbia Falls

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

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

RAIL

Whitefish station

12 mi away
500 Depot Street
RAIL

West Glacier

21 mi away
Hwy 2 and Going-to-the-Sun Rd.
RAIL

Essex

44 mi away
290 Izaak Walton Inn Rd
RAIL

East Glacier Park

72 mi away
400 Highway 49 North

Flight Path Map

This map shows the direct air route between West Glacier and Saint Mary. Straight-line distance: 30.22 mi (48.63 km).

Photo coming soon

#1 West Glacier

Situated in Flathead County at an elevation of approximately 3,169 feet, this northwestern Montana community lies along the Middle Fork of the Flathead River in the Rocky Mountains.

Population0
Coordinates48.4999700, -113.9787300
Altitude966
CountryUnited States
Photo coming soon

#2 Saint Mary

Situated at the eastern boundary of Glacier National Park in Glacier County, Montana, this unincorporated community lies along the shore of Saint Mary Lake at an elevation of 4551 feet.

Population0
Coordinates48.7438700, -113.4295500
Altitude1387
CountryUnited States
Start: West Glacier (-113.97873, 48.49997)
End: Saint Mary (-113.42955, 48.74387)

Estimated Travel Time

Distance: 81 km by road

SpeedTime
30 mph (48.3 km/h)01h 40m
40 mph (64.37 km/h)01h 15m
50 mph (80.47 km/h)01h 00m
60 mph (96.56 km/h)00h 50m
70 mph (112.65 km/h)00h 42m
80 mph (129 km/h)00h 37m

Fuel, Round Trip and CO2

Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.

One-way fuel
1.77 gal
6.69 L ยท about $7.95
Round trip
$15.91
3.54 gal ยท 13.38 L
Estimated CO2
15.7 kg one way
Round trip: 31.5 kg / 69 lb CO2, using regular gasoline.
Fuel$/galOne wayRound trip
Regular gas $4.49 $7.95 $15.91
Mid-grade $4.83 $8.54 $17.08
Premium $5.19 $9.19 $18.38
Diesel $6.11 $10.81 $21.63

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 ยท Oct 15, 2026

There is no time difference between West Glacier and Saint Mary. The current time is 17:31:21.

Distance to Other Cities

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