How far is Whitefish, MT from Missoula, MT?

The driving distance from Whitefish, MT to Missoula, MT is about 137.9 miles (222 km), with a travel time of about 02h 33m by car.

  • The straight-line flight distance is about 107.5 miles (173 km).
  • For a round trip, plan for roughly 05h 07m 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
137.92 mi
02h 33m
Flight
107.53 mi
173.05 km direct

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

Learn Distance

Choose another destination from Whitefish.

Flight Distance

Direct air line
107.53 mi
Kilometers
173.05 km
Flight Time
00h 12m

Driving Distance

Road route
137.92 mi
Kilometers
221.96 km
Drive Time
02h 33m

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 33m.

Arrival Snapshot
Arrive in Missoula
Thu, Apr 23, 4:28 AM MDT
Return by in Whitefish
Thu, Apr 23, 7:01 AM MDT
Useful when you're deciding between a quick errand, a day trip, or a longer stop.
Leave Whitefish
2026-04-23T01:54
Arrive Missoula
Thu, Apr 23, 4:28 AM MDT
Route Timing
02h 33m
One way by road
Best Departure Window
8:00 AM to 10:00 AM MDT
Aim for a morning departure
Arrive between
10:34 AM to 12:34 PM MDT

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

Leave by
1:22 PM MDT
Keeps a same-day return open with about 03h 00m at the destination.
Back in Whitefish
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
Polson
MT

City in Lake County, Montana, United States

From Whitefish
69 mi
01h 16m
To Missoula
68.9 mi
01h 16m

Route Weather Snapshot

Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.

Origin
49°F
Thursday

Rain And Snow Likely

Starts
Thu, Apr 23 6:00 AM MDT
Wind
6 mph NNE
Destination
51°F
Thursday

Chance Light Rain then Chance Rain And Snow

Starts
Thu, Apr 23 6:00 AM MDT
Wind
2 to 7 mph NW

Driving Route Map

The map below follows the saved road route between Whitefish and Missoula.

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

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

  1. 1

    Start on the route

    51 m · 18 sec

  2. 2

    Turn left onto East 2nd Street

    536 ft · 24 sec · East 2nd Street

  3. 3

    Turn right onto Spokane Avenue

    1.7 mi · 4 min · Spokane Avenue

  4. 4

    Continue on US 93 South

    3.2 mi · 4 min · US 93 South

  5. 5

    Continue on US 93 North

    6.8 mi · 8 min · US 93 North

  6. 6

    Turn right onto Kalispell Bypass

    6.3 mi · 8 min · Kalispell Bypass

  7. 7

    Enter the roundabout and take exit 2 toward Kalispell Bypass

    49 m · 2 sec · Kalispell Bypass

  8. 8

    Exit the roundabout onto Kalispell Bypass

    1.6 km · 1 min · Kalispell Bypass

  9. 9

    Enter the roundabout and take exit 1 toward Kalispell Bypass

    47 m · 2 sec · Kalispell Bypass

  10. 10

    Exit the roundabout onto Kalispell Bypass

    1303 ft · 29 sec · Kalispell Bypass

  11. 11

    Turn right onto US 93 South

    1967 ft · 32 sec · US 93 South

  12. 12

    Turn left onto Snowline Lane

    1.6 km · 4 min · Snowline Lane

  13. 13

    Turn right onto Demersville Road

    1311 ft · 59 sec · Demersville Road

  14. 14

    At the end of the road, turn right onto Rocky Cliff Drive

    89 m · 20 sec · Rocky Cliff Drive

  15. 15

    Turn left onto US 93 South

    107.4 mi · 2 hr 12 min · US 93 South

  16. 16

    Continue on West Broadway Street

    925 ft · 24 sec · West Broadway Street

  17. 17

    Continue on West Broadway Street

    733 ft · 18 sec · West Broadway Street

  18. 18

    Take the exit slight right toward I 90 East: Missoula

    8.2 mi · 9 min

  19. 19

    Take the exit slight right toward Orange Street

    1178 ft · 30 sec

  20. 20

    Enter the roundabout and take exit 2 toward North Orange Street

    29 m · 2 sec · North Orange Street

  21. 21

    Exit the roundabout onto North Orange Street

    2690 ft · 1 min · North Orange Street

  22. 22

    Turn left onto West Broadway Street

    1172 ft · 29 sec · West Broadway Street

  23. 23

    Turn left onto North Higgins Avenue

    6 m · 1 sec · North Higgins Avenue

  24. 24

    Arrive at your destination

    0 m · 1 sec · North Higgins Avenue

Car Route Details

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

OSRM road route
Drive Character

Highway-focused drive

Most of the mileage stays on named highways, so the important moments are ramps, exits, merges, and the final local approach.

Directions
24 steps
16 turns on the saved route
Ramps & Exits
8
0 merges, 8 ramps or exits
Navigation Density
17.4 / 100 mi
Decision points by distance
Main Roads
US 93 South
111 mi · 80%
I 90 East
8.19 mi · 6%
Kalispell Bypass
7.62 mi · 6%
US 93 North
6.84 mi · 5%
Spokane Avenue
1.75 mi · 1%
Snowline Lane
0.98 mi · 1%
Longest Stretch

US 93 South

Turn left onto US 93 South

107 mi · 02h 12m

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 33m
Day trip friendly
Same-Day Return
05h 08m
Round-trip wheel time
Road vs Air
+30.4 mi
107.5 mi direct line
Halfway Stop
Polson
01h 16m from Whitefish
Leave By
1:22 PM MDT
Morning start is best
Weather Watch

Rain And Snow Likely leaving Whitefish and Chance Light Rain then Chance Rain And Snow near Missoula.

Trip Questions

Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.

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

The road trip is about 137.9 miles (222 km) and usually takes 02h 33m 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?

Polson is a useful midpoint, sitting about 69 miles from Whitefish and 68.9 miles from Missoula.

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

The direct path is about 107.5 miles (173 km), while the road route adds roughly 30.4 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 1:22 PM MDT.

How much will gas cost for this route?

Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $18.96 one way or $37.92 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 43.3 kg one way.

What should you check before leaving?

Before you leave, expect Rain And Snow Likely around Whitefish and Chance Light Rain then Chance Rain And Snow near Missoula.

Stop Ideas Near Polson

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

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

RAIL

Essex

77 mi away
290 Izaak Walton Inn Rd
RAIL

Whitefish station

81 mi away
500 Depot Street
RAIL

West Glacier

91 mi away
Hwy 2 and Going-to-the-Sun Rd.
BUS

Missoula, MT

91 mi away
1660 West Broadway Street

Flight Path Map

This map shows the direct air route between Whitefish and Missoula. Straight-line distance: 107.53 mi (173.05 km).

Whitefish

#1 Whitefish

City in Flathead County, Montana, United States

Population8,713
Coordinates48.4110800, -114.3376300
Altitude923
CountryUnited States
Missoula

#2 Missoula

The most populous city in Missoula County, Montana.

Population76,848
Coordinates46.8721500, -113.9940000
Altitude978
CountryUnited States
Start: (-114.337485, 48.411081)
End: North Higgins Avenue (-113.994022, 46.872156)

Estimated Travel Time

Distance: 222 km by road

SpeedTime
30 mph (48.3 km/h)04h 35m
40 mph (64.37 km/h)03h 26m
50 mph (80.47 km/h)02h 45m
60 mph (96.56 km/h)02h 17m
70 mph (112.65 km/h)01h 58m
80 mph (129 km/h)01h 43m

Fuel, Round Trip and CO2

Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.

One-way fuel
4.87 gal
18.42 L · about $18.96
Round trip
$37.92
9.74 gal · 36.84 L
Estimated CO2
43.3 kg one way
Round trip: 86.6 kg / 191 lb CO2, using regular gasoline.
Fuel$/galOne wayRound trip
Regular gas $3.89 $18.96 $37.92
Mid-grade $4.23 $20.60 $41.21
Premium $4.55 $22.15 $44.31
Diesel $5.41 $26.36 $52.71

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 Whitefish and Missoula. The current time is 01:54:27.

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.