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Fall Road Trips in Montana

Routes

30

Avg Distance

491 mi

Avg Drive

8h 49m

Destinations

24

Montana in the fall offers drives that can reach over 6,800 miles with an average duration of nearly 9 hours. Many routes feature high-altitude sections and significant climbs, with some reaching over 6,000 feet. This state's autumn drives provide an expansive experience, with EV charger counts varying from fair to excellent, up to 23 fast chargers available on longer routes. You'll find drives with a score of up to 7.

Fuel snapshot for this state

Regular

$4.47/gal

Diesel: $5.35/gal

Typical trip cost

$65–$120

One-way, ~491 mi avg @ 25.4 MPG

CO₂ per trip

~172 kg

ICE vehicle, one-way average

Source: US Energy Information Administration • week of 2026-06-01

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.

Planning Tips

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 491 miles).
Current regular gas averages $4.47/gallon in Montana (week of 2026-06-01). Diesel: $5.35/gallon. A typical one-way trip on these routes costs between $65 and $120. 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.
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

Editor's pick

Sidney, MT → Polson, MT

682.9 mi 11h 38m Score: 7/10 ~$120 fuel
5 tricky spots

This extensive route, covering 682.9 miles, boasts a drive score of 7 and navigates high-altitude terrain with substantial climbs, topping out at 6,096 feet.

Editor's pick

Baker, MT → Whitefish, MT

641.3 mi 12h 18m Score: 6/10 ~$113 fuel
5 tricky spots

With 8 DC fast chargers and access to parks, this 641.3-mile drive presents hilly terrain and elevation changes up to 4,544 feet, earning a drive score of 6.

Editor's pick

Sidney, MT → Hamilton, MT

600.2 mi 11h 3m Score: 7/10 ~$106 fuel

Through: Opportunity → Phillipsburg

5 tricky spots

This 600.2-mile route includes parks and offers excellent EV coverage with 23 fast chargers, reaching a maximum elevation of 5,405 feet and a drive score of 7.

Evergreen, MT → Miles City, MT

595.9 mi 10h 26m Score: 8/10 ~$110 fuel
5 tricky spots High drive quality

Kalispell, MT → Miles City, MT

594.5 mi 10h 29m Score: 8/10 ~$105 fuel
5 tricky spots High drive quality

Kalispell, MT → Colstrip, MT

575.9 mi 10h 20m Score: 7/10 ~$101 fuel

Through: Broadus

5 tricky spots

Glendive, MT → Kalispell, MT

575 mi 10h 53m Score: 7/10 ~$101 fuel
5 tricky spots

Evergreen, MT → West Glendive, MT

571.9 mi 10h 42m Score: 7/10 ~$101 fuel
5 tricky spots

Lame Deer, MT → Whitefish, MT

568.8 mi 9h 59m Score: 8/10 ~$100 fuel

Through: Garrison

5 tricky spots High drive quality

Baker, MT → Missoula, MT

566.5 mi 10h 1m Score: 8/10 ~$100 fuel
5 tricky spots High drive quality

Evergreen, MT → Forsyth, MT

551.9 mi 9h 42m Score: 8/10 ~$102 fuel
5 tricky spots High drive quality

Miles City, MT → Ronan, MT

543.6 mi 9h 13m Score: 8/10 ~$96 fuel
5 tricky spots High drive quality

Libby, MT → Billings, MT

537.7 mi 9h 37m Score: 7/10 ~$95 fuel
5 tricky spots

Missoula, MT → Wolf Point, MT

485.4 mi 9h 8m Score: 9/10 ~$85 fuel
5 tricky spots High drive quality

Columbia Falls, MT → Billings, MT

457 mi 8h 3m Score: 8/10 ~$84 fuel
5 tricky spots High drive quality

Miles City, MT → North Browning, MT

442.7 mi 8h 45m Score: 8/10 ~$78 fuel
5 tricky spots High drive quality

Columbia Falls, MT → Laurel, MT

442.3 mi 7h 43m Score: 8/10 ~$82 fuel
5 tricky spots High drive quality

Miles City, MT → South Browning, MT

441.4 mi 8h 43m Score: 8/10 ~$78 fuel
5 tricky spots High drive quality

Miles City, MT → Lincoln, MT

440.2 mi 7h 43m Score: 8/10 ~$82 fuel

Through: Ennis

5 tricky spots High drive quality

Lockwood, MT → Bigfork, MT

436.9 mi 7h 38m Score: 8/10 ~$81 fuel

Through: Garrison

5 tricky spots High drive quality

Evergreen, MT → Laurel, MT

436.3 mi 7h 35m Score: 8/10 ~$77 fuel
5 tricky spots High drive quality

Sidney, MT → Belgrade, MT

422.4 mi 7h 10m Score: 8/10 ~$74 fuel
5 tricky spots High drive quality

Libby, MT → Livingston, MT

421.8 mi 7h 41m Score: 9/10 ~$74 fuel
5 tricky spots High drive quality

Lockwood, MT → Polson, MT

418.2 mi 7h 8m Score: 7/10 ~$74 fuel
5 tricky spots

Sidney, MT → Bozeman, MT

412 mi 7h Score: 8/10 ~$72 fuel
5 tricky spots High drive quality

Evergreen, MT → Roundup, MT

403.3 mi 7h 52m Score: 8/10 ~$71 fuel
5 tricky spots High drive quality

Whitefish, MT → West Yellowstone, MT

387.7 mi 7h 12m Score: 8/10 ~$68 fuel

Through: Boulder

5 tricky spots High drive quality

Miles City, MT → West Yellowstone, MT

377.5 mi 6h 49m Score: 9/10 ~$70 fuel
5 tricky spots High drive quality

Billings, MT → Frenchtown, MT

359.1 mi 5h 57m Score: 8/10 ~$66 fuel
5 tricky spots High drive quality

Lockwood, MT → Orchard Homes, MT

352.9 mi 5h 51m Score: 8/10 ~$65 fuel
5 tricky spots High drive quality

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