Fall Road Trips in Montana

Routes

Avg Distance

564 mi

Avg Drive

10h 11m

Destinations

Methodology

Routes filtered by drive score and typical seasonal conditions. Historical hazard counts pulled from FEMA disaster declarations and USGS seismic feeds; monthly weather context from NOAA 1991–2020 normals.

Data sources: OSRM • NOAA NCEI climate normals • FEMA OpenFEMA • USGS Earthquake Hazards • EIA weekly fuel survey

Last reviewed

Sep 2, 2026

3 seconds ago

Curated by the US Trip Planner editorial team.
Not sponsored; no affiliate links on this page.

Montana in the fall means crisp air and fewer crowds, perfect for exploring its vast landscapes. With 30 routes averaging 545 miles and nearly 10 hours, you'll find plenty of open road. Expect drives with significant elevation changes, some reaching over 6,000 feet. This season offers a chance to see the state's dramatic scenery painted in autumn hues, with many routes designed for longer exploration.

Fuel snapshot for this state

Regular

$4.41/gal

Diesel: $5.60/gal

Typical trip cost

$87–$118

One-way, ~564 mi avg @ 25.4 MPG

CO₂ per trip

~197 kg

ICE vehicle, one-way average

Source: US Energy Information Administration • week of 2026-08-31

Climate through the year: Montana

Montana peaks at around 85°F in Jul and cools to 31°F / 18°F in Dec. Wettest month is Jun at ~2.1 in of rain. Table highlights Fall months.

Month	High °F	Low °F	Rain in	Snow in
Jan	32	18	1	9.9
Feb	37	21	0.9	8.5
Mar	48	27	0.9	5
Apr	56	32	1.4	1.3
May	66	40	1.8	0.3
Jun	73	46	2.1	—
Jul	85	52	0.9	—
Aug	84	50	0.8	—
Sep peak	73	42	1	0.1
Oct peak	56	32	1.2	0.9
Nov peak	40	25	1.2	5.4
Dec	31	18	1.1	11.6

Source: NOAA NCEI Monthly Climate Normals, 1991–2020 reference period. Sampled at the major-airport station for MT — microclimates along specific routes can vary significantly.

Fall hazards: what the data says

Recent seismic activity (last 7 days)

1 earthquakes M3.0+ — strongest M3.2 in Montana.

Source: USGS Earthquake Hazards Program

Historical context — not a real-time advisory. Always check local road conditions before departing.

Planning Tips

Check the weather forecast for your route, not just your origin and destination.
Bring layers for shoulder-season travel — mornings and evenings can be much cooler than midday.
Montana routes can vary in condition depending on the time of year. Check for construction zones.

Frequently Asked Questions

We've identified 30 routes in Montana that work well for fall travel, based on drive quality, typical weather conditions, and distance (averaging 564 miles).

Current regular gas averages $4.41/gallon in Montana (week of 2026-08-31). Diesel: $5.60/gallon. A typical one-way trip on these routes costs between $87 and $118. Source: US Energy Information Administration.

Across Sep, Oct, Nov, Montana typically sees daytime highs in the 40–73°F range with about 1.1 in of rain per month on average. Based on NOAA 1991–2020 monthly climate normals.

USGS logged 1 earthquakes above M3.0 (strongest M3.2) in the last 7 days. Always check current road and weather conditions before departing.

Drive times and distances come from OSRM routing over real OpenStreetMap road networks. Fuel costs use weekly US Energy Information Administration state-level gas prices. Drive scores factor in elevation profile, road variety, and terrain. EV charging data is sourced from NREL. Climate normals come from NOAA NCEI (1991–2020 reference period). Hazard data comes from FEMA and USGS public feeds.

Yes. Click any route to see its full trip page with turn-by-turn directions, fuel cost estimates, elevation profile, stop suggestions, weather conditions, and more.

Fall Routes

Explore More

Montana Trips Scenic drives in Montana