How far is Whitefish, MT from Three Forks, MT?
The driving distance from Whitefish, MT to Three Forks, MT is about 242.8 miles (390.8 km), with a travel time of about 05h 18m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 169.6 miles (272.9 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 10h 37m 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 05h 18m.
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.
Town of the United States
Route Weather Snapshot
Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.
Chance Light Rain then Showers And Thunderstorms
Partly Sunny then Showers And Thunderstorms
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Whitefish and Three Forks.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Whitefish and Three Forks.
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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
68.3 mi · 1 hr 17 min
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13
Enter the roundabout and take exit 3 toward 1st Street Southwest
526 ft · 19 sec · 1st Street Southwest
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14
Exit the rotary onto 1st Street Southwest
33 m · 2 sec · 1st Street Southwest
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15
Turn straight onto Main Avenue South
1.1 km · 2 min · Main Avenue South
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16
Continue on United States Route 89
16.8 mi · 19 min · United States Route 89
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17
Continue on 1st Road Southeast
14.7 mi · 16 min · 1st Road Southeast
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18
At the end of the road, turn left
7.9 mi · 9 min
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19
Take the exit slight right toward I 15 South: Great Falls
1323 ft · 32 sec
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20
Merge slight left onto First Special Service Force Memorial Highway
9.5 mi · 9 min · First Special Service Force Memorial Highway
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21
Take the exit slight right toward I 15 Business
1262 ft · 31 sec
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22
Turn left onto Central Avenue West
1.5 mi · 2 min · Central Avenue West
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23
Continue on First Avenue North Bridge
1055 ft · 18 sec · First Avenue North Bridge
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24
Continue on 1st Avenue North
1.2 mi · 2 min · 1st Avenue North
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25
Turn right onto 14th Street North
1.3 km · 1 min · 14th Street North
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26
Turn left onto 10th Avenue South
6.2 mi · 8 min · 10th Avenue South
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27
Turn right onto Stockett Road
9.5 mi · 23 min · Stockett Road
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28
Turn left onto Cottonwood Coulee Road
4.1 mi · 16 min · Cottonwood Coulee Road
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29
Continue on Cottonwood Coulee Road
1.8 mi · 7 min · Cottonwood Coulee Road
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30
Continue on Cottonwood Coulee Road
2.4 mi · 9 min · Cottonwood Coulee Road
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31
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · Cottonwood Coulee Road
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Whitefish and Three Forks.
Interchange-aware route
The drive includes several ramps, exits, or merges, so checking the next few maneuvers before busy interchanges is useful.
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.
Chance Light Rain then Showers And Thunderstorms leaving Whitefish and Partly Sunny then Showers And Thunderstorms near Three Forks.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Whitefish to Three Forks?
The road trip is about 242.8 miles (390.8 km) and usually takes 05h 18m 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?
Valier is a useful midpoint, sitting about 121.2 miles from Whitefish and 121.6 miles from Three Forks.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 169.6 miles (272.9 km), while the road route adds roughly 73.2 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 6:22 AM MDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $33.36 one way or $66.73 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 76.2 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Chance Light Rain then Showers And Thunderstorms around Whitefish and Partly Sunny then Showers And Thunderstorms near Three Forks.
Stop Ideas Near Valier
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 Valier.
Cut Bank
Shelby
Browning
East Glacier Park
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Whitefish and Three Forks. Straight-line distance: 169.58 mi (272.91 km).
#1 Whitefish
City in Flathead County, Montana, United States
| Population | 8,713 |
| Coordinates | 48.4110800, -114.3376300 |
| Altitude | 923 |
| Country | United States |
#2 Three Forks
City in Cascade County, Montana, United States
| Population | 2,043 |
| Coordinates | 47.2816300, -111.0902400 |
| Altitude | 1208 |
| Country | United States |
End: Three Forks (-111.09024, 47.28163)
Estimated Travel Time
Distance: 391 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 08h 05m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 06h 04m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 04h 51m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 04h 02m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 03h 28m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 03h 01m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $3.89 | $33.36 | $66.73 |
| Mid-grade | $4.23 | $36.26 | $72.52 |
| Premium | $4.55 | $38.98 | $77.97 |
| Diesel | $5.41 | $46.38 | $92.76 |
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.