How far is Whitefish, MT from Fort Benton, MT?
The driving distance from Whitefish, MT to Fort Benton, MT is about 250.5 miles (403.2 km), with a travel time of about 04h 54m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 174.2 miles (280.3 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 09h 49m 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 54m.
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.
City in Glacier County, Montana, United States
Route Weather Snapshot
Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.
Rain And Snow Likely
Rain And Snow Likely
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Whitefish and Fort Benton.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Whitefish and Fort Benton.
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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
2584 ft · 56 sec · US 93 South
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5
Turn left
4.5 mi · 6 min
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6
Continue on US 2
1.6 km · 1 min · US 2
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7
Continue on 9th Street
2 mi · 5 min · 9th Street
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8
Continue on US 2
3 mi · 4 min · US 2
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9
Continue on US Route 2
80.1 mi · 1 hr 31 min · US Route 2
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10
Enter the roundabout and take exit 1 toward the route
7 m · 1 sec
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11
Exit the roundabout
3.7 mi · 7 min
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12
Turn straight
54.9 mi · 1 hr 4 min
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13
Continue on 5th Avenue North
138 m · 17 sec · 5th Avenue North
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14
Turn left onto Main Street
1.2 km · 2 min · Main Street
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15
Continue on Roosevelt Highway
41.6 mi · 46 min · Roosevelt Highway
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16
Turn right onto 5th Street West
2814 ft · 56 sec · 5th Street West
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17
Continue on MT 223
52.3 mi · 56 min · MT 223
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18
Turn right onto US 87
1.6 mi · 2 min · US 87
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19
Turn left onto MT 386
1.4 mi · 3 min · MT 386
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20
Continue on Saint Charles Street
117 m · 13 sec · Saint Charles Street
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21
Turn right onto 12th Street
1366 ft · 1 min · 12th Street
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22
Turn left onto Main Street
1237 ft · 57 sec · Main Street
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23
Turn right
83 m · 21 sec
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24
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Whitefish and Fort Benton.
Straightforward drive
The saved road route has a manageable number of maneuvers and should be easy to follow with normal attention to signs.
US Route 2
Continue on US Route 2
80.1 mi · 01h 31m
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.
Rain And Snow Likely leaving Whitefish and Rain And Snow Likely near Fort Benton.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Whitefish to Fort Benton?
The road trip is about 250.5 miles (403.2 km) and usually takes 04h 54m 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?
Cut Bank is a useful midpoint, sitting about 125.1 miles from Whitefish and 125.5 miles from Fort Benton.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 174.2 miles (280.3 km), while the road route adds roughly 76.3 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 7:10 AM MDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $34.41 one way or $68.83 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 78.6 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Rain And Snow Likely around Whitefish and Rain And Snow Likely near Fort Benton.
Stop Ideas Near Cut Bank
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 Cut Bank.
Cut Bank
Shelby
Browning
East Glacier Park
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Whitefish and Fort Benton. Straight-line distance: 174.17 mi (280.3 km).
#1 Whitefish
City in Flathead County, Montana, United States
| Population | 8,713 |
| Coordinates | 48.4110800, -114.3376300 |
| Altitude | 923 |
| Country | United States |
#2 Fort Benton
City in Montana, USA
| Population | 1,442 |
| Coordinates | 47.8183000, -110.6674400 |
| Altitude | 799 |
| Country | United States |
End: Fort Benton (-110.66744, 47.8183)
Estimated Travel Time
Distance: 403 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 08h 20m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 06h 15m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 05h 00m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 04h 10m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 03h 34m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 03h 07m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $3.89 | $34.41 | $68.83 |
| Mid-grade | $4.23 | $37.40 | $74.80 |
| Premium | $4.55 | $40.21 | $80.43 |
| Diesel | $5.41 | $47.84 | $95.68 |
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.