Kalispell, MT Road Trips
With 9 routes heading out and 17 heading in, Kalispell, MT works well as a modest departure point in the Mountain West. Most drives stay under 103 miles, making this area well-suited for day trips and weekend getaways. Routes from Kalispell, MT spread mainly south and east, covering a wide geographic range.
Photo: Wikimedia Commons
Trip Routes
26
Longest Drive
575 mi
Glendive, MT
Quickest Drive
23m
Whitefish, MT
Plan Around Kalispell, MT
Popular Incoming Routes
Useful if Kalispell, MT is the arrival point and you want the strongest routes into the city first.
Continue From Kalispell, MT
Good next legs if this city is only one stop in a longer road trip.
Trips from Kalispell, MT
Kalispell, MT to Deer Lodge, MT
Kalispell, MT to Stevensville, MT
Kalispell, MT to Cut Bank, MT
Kalispell, MT to Missoula, MT
Kalispell, MT to South Browning, MT
Kalispell, MT to Browning, MT
Kalispell, MT to Eureka, MT
Kalispell, MT to Polson, MT
Kalispell, MT to Columbia Falls, MT
Driving from Kalispell, MT
On average, trips departing from Kalispell, MT run 103 miles with a drive time of roughly 2h 7m. The majority of routes are short drives — quick enough to finish before lunch and be back for dinner. The longest mapped route runs 188 miles (3h 38m), while the shortest is just 16 miles.
Popular Destinations
The most popular drives from Kalispell, MT include Deer Lodge, MT (187.7 mi, 3h 38m), Stevensville, MT (149 mi, 3h 14m), Cut Bank, MT (134.9 mi, 2h 41m), Missoula, MT (121.7 mi, 2h 36m), and South Browning, MT (100.6 mi, 2h 2m). Most destinations stay within the same state, perfect for exploring the local region thoroughly.
Planning & Costs
For the average 103-mile drive from Kalispell, MT, expect to burn about 4.1 gallons of fuel one way at 25 MPG. Check local pump prices before you go to lock in your budget.
The majority of destinations are to the south. Morning starts help you avoid the midday heat on longer drives. With an average drive under three hours, you have plenty of flexibility — leave whenever it suits you.
Frequently Asked Questions
There are 9 mapped routes leaving Kalispell, MT and 17 routes heading into Kalispell, MT, covering 26 total connections. Distances range from 16 to 188 miles.
The longest mapped route from Kalispell, MT covers 188 miles and takes approximately 3h 38m. Shorter options start at just 16 miles.
The average route from Kalispell, MT runs about 103 miles with a drive time of roughly 2h 7m. This includes both short day trips and longer multi-day drives.
The most popular road trip destinations from Kalispell, MT include Deer Lodge, MT, Stevensville, MT, Cut Bank, MT and Missoula, MT. Each route page has detailed drive times, fuel estimates, stop suggestions, and turn-by-turn directions.
Kalispell, MT by the Numbers
Recent demographic snapshot from the US Census Bureau's American Community Survey.
Population
26,830
Median Income
$61,590
Median Home Value
$381,400
Median Age
35.6
Source: US Census Bureau ACS 5-year (public domain). See our methodology for details.
Traveler Guide to Kalispell, MT
Kalispell is a town in Montana, near Glacier National Park. The name of the town means "flat land above the lake" in Salish, a Native American language. The population is about 23,000 (2016).
Kalispell is the largest city in the Flathead Valley. The Flathead Valley is a unique area of Montana created by the forces of glacier processes. The valley is a testament to the wonders nature can create. Today, the Flathead Valley offers a variety of recreational activities including skiing (considering world class Whitefish Mountain Resort is nearby), fishing, camping, water sports, climbing and old fashioned exploring. The city of Kalispell is full of shopping and restaurants and is also just north of Flathead Lake, which is the USA's largest freshwater lake west of the Mississippi. A number of smaller towns surround Kalispell giving visitors a chance to explore. Find additional restaurants and picturesque views in Evergreen, Lakeside, and Somers.
1 Conrad Mansion, 330 Woodland Ave, ☏ +1 406 755-2166. Tours May-Oct: 10AM-5PM. 2 Flathead Lake. 15 miles south of Kalispell on US Hwy 93. Largest natural freshwater lake west of the Mississippi. 3 Glacier Range Riders, 25 McDermott Ln, ☏ +1 406 519-4115. See website for current season schedule. Enjoy a Pioneer League baseball game at Glacier Bank Park. (updated Aug 2023) 4 Hockaday Museum of Art, 302 2nd Ave E, ☏ +1 406 755-5268. Tu-Sa 10AM-5PM. Price: $5. (updated Jun 2023)
1 Northern Pines Golf Club, 3230 Highway 93 N (5.5 mi (8.9 km) north of Kalispell along US Hwy 93), ☏ +1 406 751-1950. 18 holes, built in 1996, designed by Andy North and Roger B. Packard. 2 Blacktail Mountain Ski Area, 13990 Blacktail Rd (in Lakeside, turn west at Blacktail Grocery), ☏ +1 406 844-0991, [email protected]. Family friendly downhill ski area with 26 runs. (updated Jul 2023) 3 Blacktail Mountain X-Country Ski Trails, Blacktail Rd (about 8 miles up from US 93, upper parking area another 1.5 miles), ☏ +1 406 250-8025, [email protected]. daily, Dec 1-Mar 31. Classic and skate skiing trails groomed daily. Maintained by the non-profit North Shore Nordic Club. (updated Jul 2023) 4 Lone Pine State Park, 300 Lone Pine Rd, [email protected]. 7.5 miles of trails available for hiking, mountain biking, snowshoeing, and horseback riding. Visitor Center. Action Trackchair all-terrain wheelchair available for reservation. 5 Somers Fishing Access Site (1 mile south of Somers). Concrete dock for boat launch. Can also fish from shore (with license). (updated Jan 2024) 6 West Shore State Park, 17768 MT Hwy 93 (6 miles south of Lakeside), [email protected]. 129 forested acres with hiking trails. Extensive shoreline is excellent for picnicking and swimming. Rental stand-up paddleboards, kayaks, and pedal boats during summer. Deep water boat launch. Camping available. 7 Woodland Water Park.
Cislo's Family Restaurant, 2046 U.S. Hwy 2 E, ☏ +1 406 756-7330. In Evergreen. American diner fare. (updated Jan 2024) Frugals, 1815 US Hwy 93 South. Fast fresh burgers and shakes. Drive thru only. (updated Dec 2018) Norm's News, 34 Main St. A combination soda fountain and newsstand, this establishment offers the usual soda fountain fare (shakes, soda, floats, burgers, etc.) and a wide selection of candy, magazines, and newspapers. Desoto Grill (The Desoto), 227 1st St W, ☏ +1 406 314-6095. Closed Tuesdays. BBQ. Great beers and locally owned. Off the beaten path, where the locals gather. Indoor and outdoor seating. (updated Jul 2020)
1 Bias Brewing, 412 S Main St, ☏ +1 406 730-3020, [email protected]. 11AM-7PM daily. Craft beer. Lots of rotators and experiments. (updated Jul 2023) 2 Moose's Saloon, 179 N Main St, ☏ +1 406 755-2337, [email protected]. Open daily: bar 10AM-midnight; kitchen 11AM-11PM. Patrons seem to be preoccupied with carving their initials into the woodwork while not having a draught or some pizza. Montana mainstay since 1957. (updated Jul 2023) 3 Tamarack Brewing Company, 105 Blacktail Rd, Suite #1 (in Lakeside, 14 miles south), ☏ +1 406 844-0244. Opens daily 11AM. Craft beer and pub fare. Happy hour 3-5PM weekdays. Has creekside patio for summer use and fireplace in colder months. Common in small towns not to have a fixed close time, just call ahead if it is in the evening. (updated Jul 2023)
1 Best Western Plus Flathead Lake Inn & Suites, 4824 US Highway 93 S (US Hwy 93 & MT-Hwy 82), ☏ +1 406 857-2400, fax: +1 406 857-2401. Check-in: 11AM, check-out: 3PM. $84-$130. 2 Red Lion Hotel, 20 North Main St (east end of the Kalispell Center Mall on Center & Main), ☏ +1 406 751-5050, fax: +1 406 751-5051. $75-$135. Rocky Mountain Hi Campground and RV Park, 825 Helena Flats Rd, ☏ +1 406 755-9573, [email protected]. North of Evergreen. Laundry, showers, playground, wifi, dock to creek for swimming/fishing/canoeing (updated Jan 2024)
The 1 Kalispell City Airport FAA LID: S27 is a city-owned airport for public general aviation use. The airport is 1.3 mi (2.1 km) southeast of the city center along US Hwy 93. For commercial flights, the nearest airport to Kalispell, Whitefish and Glacier National Park is: 2 Glacier Park International Airport (FCA IATA) (roughly 10 mi (16 km) northeast of town on U.S. Highway 2.). The nearest U.S. commercial airport to Calgary and Edmonton, served by:Horizon Air as Alaska Airlines (Seattle); Seasonally from PortlandAllegiant (Las Vegas; seasonally from Los Angeles and Oakland)Delta and Skywest dba Delta Connection (Minneapolis-St Paul and Salt Lake City)Gojet and Skywest dba United Express (Denver)There is no public transportation from the airport into town. Alternatives are rental car, taxi or ride sharing. You can take either Exit 96 on I-90 near Missoula and head north on U.S. 93, or take Exit 364 on I-15 at Shelby and head west past Glacier National Park. U.S. 2 continues west through the mountains into northern Idaho and eventually reaches Spokane from the north, while U.S. 93 heads northwest into British Columbia, eventually reaching Cranbrook. Airport Shuttle Express, ☏ +1 403 509-4799. Scheduled bus & shuttle services between Kalispell, Canmore, Banff, Lake Louise, Jasper and Calgary Airport as well as local sightseeing tours for group charters. (updated Sep 2018) Greyhound Lines for travel up to Whitefish from Missoula through Avaro, Arlee, Ravalli, St Ignatius, Pablo, Paulson, Lakeside and Kalispell along US Hwy 93.
Walk, drive, bike, or take the Mountain Climber to get around. The city isn't too large, so you shouldn't get lost.
Roads outside of town are mostly two-lane and winding. Naturally, use extra caution when snowing. It is advisable to turn on lights during the day in any rain. This gives better visibility of your vehicle to oncoming traffic.
Travel tips adapted from Kalispell on Wikivoyage, licensed CC BY-SA 4.0. Content summarized; visit the source for the full article. See our methodology for how we use it.
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