How far is Whitefish, MT from Colstrip, MT?
The driving distance from Whitefish, MT to Colstrip, MT is about 592.7 miles (953.8 km), with a travel time of about 10h 38m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 402.1 miles (647.1 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 21h 16m of driving time before adding stops, traffic, or weather delays.
- A comfortable departure window is usually 6:00 AM to 7:30 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 10h 38m.
Starting early still helps, but most travelers will want a longer stop or an overnight stay on a route this long.
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.
City in Gallatin County, Montana, United States
Route Weather Snapshot
Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.
Mostly Sunny
Sunny
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Whitefish and Colstrip.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Whitefish and Colstrip.
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1
Start on the route
51 m · 18 sec
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2
Turn left onto East 2nd Street
536 ft · 24 sec · East 2nd Street
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3
Turn right onto Spokane Avenue
1.7 mi · 4 min · Spokane Avenue
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4
Continue on US 93 South
3.2 mi · 4 min · US 93 South
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5
Continue on US 93 North
6.8 mi · 8 min · US 93 North
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6
Turn left onto West Reserve Drive
3.5 mi · 6 min · West Reserve Drive
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7
Turn right onto Helena Flats Road
1.1 mi · 2 min · Helena Flats Road
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8
Turn left
1.1 mi · 2 min
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9
Continue straight
14.7 mi · 17 min
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10
Turn left
91.1 mi · 1 hr 44 min
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11
Turn left
23.8 mi · 26 min
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12
Turn right onto State Highway 141
32.5 mi · 35 min · State Highway 141
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13
Turn sharp right
12.9 mi · 14 min
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14
Turn left
2539 ft · 43 sec
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15
Continue straight
802 ft · 14 sec
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16
Take the ramp straight
1.4 km · 2 min
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17
Merge slight left
45 mi · 42 min
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18
Keep slight right
110.8 mi · 1 hr 51 min
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19
Continue straight
6.9 mi · 6 min
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20
Continue straight
113 mi · 1 hr 53 min
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21
Continue straight
3.1 mi · 4 min
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22
Keep slight right to continue on I 90 East: Sheridan
54 mi · 51 min
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23
Take the exit slight right toward US 212 East: Little Bighorn Battlefield, Broadus
2032 ft · 54 sec
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24
Turn left
42.1 mi · 50 min
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25
Enter the roundabout and take exit 3 toward Cheyenne Avenue
100 m · 6 sec · Cheyenne Avenue
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26
Exit the roundabout onto Cheyenne Avenue
2522 ft · 43 sec · Cheyenne Avenue
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27
Continue on State Highway 39
22.2 mi · 33 min · State Highway 39
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28
Turn right onto Box Elder Avenue
2176 ft · 2 min · Box Elder Avenue
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29
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · Park Street
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Whitefish and Colstrip.
Long-distance drive
This route is long enough that fuel, rest stops, weather, and timing matter more than any single maneuver.
State Highway 141
Continue straight
113 mi · 01h 53m
Route Summary
A quick read on whether this route feels easy, ambitious, or worth planning around.
Better with a longer stop
This route is long enough that most travelers will be better off planning an overnight stay or a more deliberate stop window.
Mostly Sunny leaving Whitefish and Sunny near Colstrip.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Whitefish to Colstrip?
The road trip is about 592.7 miles (953.8 km) and usually takes 10h 38m in normal driving conditions.
Is this a same-day trip or an overnight route?
This route is long enough that most travelers will be better off planning an overnight stay or a more deliberate stop window.
What is the halfway point on this route?
Three Forks is a useful midpoint, sitting about 295.9 miles from Whitefish and 296.8 miles from Colstrip.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 402.1 miles (647.1 km), while the road route adds roughly 190.6 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 6:00 AM to 7:30 AM MDT. Starting early still helps, but most travelers will want a longer stop or an overnight stay on a route this long.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $81.40 one way or $162.81 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 185.8 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Mostly Sunny around Whitefish and Sunny near Colstrip.
Stop Ideas Near Three Forks
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 Three Forks.
Bozeman, MT
Butte, MT
Livingston, MT
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Whitefish and Colstrip. Straight-line distance: 402.1 mi (647.11 km).
#1 Whitefish
City in Flathead County, Montana, United States
| Population | 8,713 |
| Coordinates | 48.4110800, -114.3376300 |
| Altitude | 923 |
| Country | United States |
#2 Colstrip
Town focused on coal mining and electricity production
| Population | 2,217 |
| Coordinates | 45.8841600, -106.6236400 |
| Altitude | 982 |
| Country | United States |
End: Colstrip (-106.62364, 45.88416)
Estimated Travel Time
Distance: 954 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 19h 44m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 14h 49m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 11h 51m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 09h 52m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 08h 28m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 07h 23m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $3.89 | $81.40 | $162.81 |
| Mid-grade | $4.23 | $88.47 | $176.94 |
| Premium | $4.55 | $95.12 | $190.24 |
| Diesel | $5.41 | $113.16 | $226.33 |
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 18, 2026
Distance to Other Cities
Planning a road trip? See the full trip guide on Trip.ovh — stops, fuel costs, weather, and departure timing.