Crossing Montana from Baker to Missoula is a significant undertaking, covering 566.5 miles across the Mountain West. Clocking in at approximately 10 hours and 1 minute of pure drive time, this journey is best approached as a two-day trip to avoid driver fatigue. You will rely primarily on I-90, US 12, and East Broadway Street to complete the transit. Budget roughly $90 for fuel to cover the distance comfortably. While it is technically possible to push through in a single day, breaking the trip into two days makes for a much more manageable experience. Expect a consistent interstate pace as you traverse the state from the eastern plains toward the mountainous western region.
Trip Pace
Best split across 2 days
Treat the return leg as its own travel day rather than an afterthought.
Break Rhythm
2 planned breaks
Plan on a short reset every 3 to 4 hours to stay fresh behind the wheel.
Midpoint
283.3 miles from Baker, MT
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 5h 23m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
I 90
348.5 mi
5h 42m
US 12
217 mi
4h 17m
East Broadway Street
0.6 mi
<1m
Van Buren Street
0.2 mi
<1m
I 90 Business
0.2 mi
<1m
6th Street West
<0.1 mi
<1m
North Higgins Avenue
<0.1 mi
—
Some road-level metrics are being recalculated.
Longest stretch:
I 90
— 348.5 mi, about 5h 42m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Baker, MT and Missoula, MT.
1
Start on 6th Street West
329 ft·19 sec·6th Street West
2
Turn left onto US 12
76 mi·1 hr 52 min·US 12
3
Take the ramp onto US 12
141 mi·2 hr 24 min·US 12
4
Merge onto I 90; US 87; US 212
2.8 mi·3 min·I 90; US 87; US 212
5
Continue on I 90; US 212
113 mi·1 hr 51 min·I 90; US 212
6
Continue on I 90; US 89; US 191
7.0 mi·6 min·I 90; US 89; US 191
7
Continue on I 90; US 191
113 mi·1 hr 54 min·I 90; US 191
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
8
Keep slight left at fork onto I 90
113 mi·1 hr 46 min·I 90
Toward I 90 West: Missoula
9
Take the exit onto I 90 Business; US 12
0.2 mi·26 sec·I 90 Business; US 12
Toward US 12 West, I 90 Business
10
Enter roundabout onto I 90 Bus; US 12
206 ft·2 sec·Van Buren Street
11
Continue on I 90 Bus; US 12
212 ft·3 sec·Van Buren Street
12
Enter roundabout onto I 90 Bus; US 12
92 ft·1 sec·Van Buren Street
13
Continue on I 90 Bus; US 12
0.1 mi·11 sec·Van Buren Street
14
Turn right onto I 90 Bus; US 12
0.6 mi·55 sec·East Broadway Street
Use the straight / left / right lanes.
15
Turn right onto North Higgins Avenue
19 ft·0 sec·North Higgins Avenue
16
Arrive at destination
North Higgins Avenue
Trip Plan
Given the 566.5-mile distance, plan your departure early in the morning to maximize daylight hours for the majority of the drive. With two planned stops recommended, pace yourself to ensure you stay alert during the long 348.5-mile interstate stretch. Keep a close eye on your fuel gauge, as the $90 estimated cost can fluctuate depending on your vehicle's efficiency and local market prices. Since this is a long haul, try to balance your driving time equally over two days to maintain your energy. A helpful tip for this specific route is to treat the transition from the interstate onto US 12 and East Broadway Street as your final segment, so factor in a little extra time for navigating local traffic as you approach Missoula.
Morning Departure
Start early — leave by 6-7 AM to arrive at a reasonable hour.
Evening Departure
This is a long drive — plan for a morning departure or consider splitting it into two days.
This drive is better paced as a 2-day trip.
Plan roughly 2 meaningful breaks for fuel, food, and rest.
The halfway point lands around 283.3 miles from Baker, MT, or about 5h 23m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 348.5 miles.
Consider an overnight stop or starting very early.
Departure
Before you leave
Start with fuel, water, and navigation already sorted so the first hour feels easy.
First stop
Around 125 miles or 2h 43m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 283.3 miles or 5h 23m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Overnight split
Day 1 wrap after about 283.3 miles or 5h 23m
Stop before fatigue turns the last few hours into a grind. You want day two to start fresh, not just resumed.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 9h 4m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Missoula, MT than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving Baker, MT so your first major turns are already loaded.
+
Leave with enough water and a charging cable within reach, not packed away.
+
Check your fuel range against the first long segment, especially if you are starting outside city service areas.
+
Pick one backup stop option before the midpoint in case traffic changes your pacing.
+
Treat this as a 2-day road trip and book the overnight stop before the busiest arrival window.
Day 1
Settle into the route from Baker, MT
Aim for roughly 283 miles and 5 hours of wheel time on this day.
Day 2
Finish the approach into Missoula, MT
Aim for roughly 283 miles and 5 hours of wheel time on this day.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 125 miles from Baker, MT.
This route usually feels better as a 2-day drive than as one long push.
Plan about 2 real breaks rather than only quick fuel stops.
The longest stretch is on I 90 for about 348.5 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Place data sourced from public business listings. Hours and availability may vary.
Heads-up: tricky spots
5 of 9
5 decision points cluster between mile 453 and 565.9 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
5
453 mi into trip|~8h 13m in|I 90
Keep slight left at fork onto I 90 toward I 90 West: Missoula
Highway fork - watch signs carefully
Toward I 90 West: Missoula
5
565.5 mi into trip|~10h in|I 90 Business; US 12
Take the exit onto I 90 Business; US 12 toward US 12 West, I 90 Business
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Toward US 12 West, I 90 Business
5
565.7 mi into trip|~10h in|I 90 Bus; US 12 / Van Buren Street
Enter roundabout onto I 90 Bus; US 12 / Van Buren Street
Roundabout - know your exit number before entering
5
565.8 mi into trip|~10h in|I 90 Bus; US 12 / Van Buren Street
Enter roundabout onto I 90 Bus; US 12 / Van Buren Street
Roundabout - know your exit number before entering
5
565.9 mi into trip|~10h in|I 90 Bus; US 12 / East Broadway Street
Turn right onto I 90 Bus; US 12 / East Broadway Street
Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / left / right lanes.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$89.77 one way
$179.54 round trip
$4.03/gal25.4 MPG avg198 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.22
$94.10
$188.19
premium
$4.53
$101.06
$202.11
diesel
$5.61
$125.08
$250.15
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$90
Hotel (1n)
$80–$140
Meals
$50–$100
Total
$220–$330
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 198.2 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $59 in charging
· 2 stops
· 67% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
170
2
$59.48
$27.19
Efficient EV
141.6
1
$49.57
$22.66
EV Truck/SUV
226.6
2
$79.31
$36.26
Gas CO2
198 kg
EV CO2
66 kg (67% less)
Plan for 2 charging stops, roughly every 270 miles. Allow 25-40 minutes per stop at a DC fast charger.
DC fast charging avg $0.35/kWh. Home charging avg $0.16/kWh. US grid CO2: 0.39 kg/kWh.
Travel Intel
Current conditions at both ends of the drive.
Forecast as of Apr 12, 2026
Origin
Baker, MT
Evening
in Baker on Saturday
Local time
7:27 PM
MDT
Current temp
45°F
Chance Rain Showers
WSW 10 to 14 mph48% chanceLive forecast
Destination
Missoula, MT
Evening
in Missoula on Saturday
Local time
7:27 PM
MDT
Current temp
39°F
Patchy Fog
0 mph7% chanceLive forecast
74°F
Whitehall, MT
374 mi in
Seasonal Notes
Summer travel usually means heavier construction, hotter rest stops, and busier weekend traffic around major cities.
Winter travel shortens daylight, so a route that looks manageable on paper can feel much longer after dark.
Holiday weekends tend to make both departure and arrival windows slower than the raw route time suggests.
For long drives, weather on day two can matter just as much as conditions at departure, so check the whole travel window rather than only the first day.
Time zone
Same local time
Origin and destination are on the same clock, so arrival timing is easier to judge at a glance.
Temperature spread
6 degrees cooler at arrival
A meaningful temperature swing is a good cue to rethink layers, water, and how soon you want to arrive.
Road read
10h 1m on the road
This is long enough that the arrival forecast matters almost as much as departure conditions. Recheck both ends before you roll.
Weather data from the National Weather Service. Conditions may change; check closer to your travel date.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
This route is defined by a heavy reliance on high-speed travel, with 100% of the journey consisting of highway driving. You will spend a vast majority of your time on I-90, which features a grueling 348.5-mile uninterrupted stretch that requires steady focus. The road’s personality is dominated by the efficiency of the interstate system, keeping you moving quickly across the vast Montana landscape. As you transition from the eastern start point toward Missoula, the road maintains a straightforward, highway-focused character. Prepare for a long-distance drive where the scenery changes as you move through the diverse topography of the Mountain West.
100% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
16 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 348.5 mi on I 90.
How Hard Is This Drive?
6/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 90 and US 12. You will hit about 9 points where you need to pay attention to lane position or signs. The trickiest moment comes around 453 miles in near I 90.
Driving Effort6/10
Moderate - straightforward overall, but long enough or busy enough to require pacing
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This drive requires moderate attention. Across 566.5 miles you will encounter 9 spots where lane choice or exit timing matters. Not difficult for experienced highway drivers, but worth previewing the tricky sections before you go.
Where does it get tricky?
The main spots that need attention: at 453 miles (I 90): Highway fork - watch signs carefully; at 565.5 miles (I 90 Business; US 12): Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 565.7 miles (I 90 Bus; US 12 / Van Buren Street): Roundabout - know your exit number before entering.
Elevation Profile
High-altitude sections with notable climbs
5,469 ft2,572 ft
Total Climb
4,134 ft
Total Descent
3,547 ft
Highest Point
5,469 ft
~448.5 mi in
Elevation Range
2,897 ft
Notable High Points
5,386 ft at ~354.1 miles+1,010 ft prominence
4,684 ft at ~401.3 miles+120 ft prominence
5,469 ft at ~448.5 miles+685 ft prominence
Who Is This Route For?
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 2 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
10h 1m drive, plan rest stops for pacing.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 348.5 miles on I 90. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Yes — a 2-day pace is more comfortable than one long haul. A sensible stopping point is after roughly 283 miles on day one.
We did not find dedicated rest areas on this route. For a drive this long, plan bathroom and stretch breaks around gas stations, fast-food stops, or small-town downtowns — check the Nearby Places section for options.
It helps. This route has a higher-than-average number of complex decision points, which get harder in the dark. If the last hour of the trip is on surface roads or mountain grades, aim to arrive at Missoula, MT before sunset when you can. Check the Trip Plan for departure windows that land you in daylight.
Only with planning. This is a long drive for kids — consider splitting it into two days rather than pushing through. Plan at least 2 meaningful breaks. Dedicated rest areas are limited, so plan gas or food stops as your bathroom breaks.
Mostly yes along the main roads, but rural stretches through MT can have sparse or no coverage. Before you leave, download offline Google Maps or Apple Maps for the route, and consider downloading music or podcasts instead of streaming. If you depend on data for navigation, keep a paper backup of the turn-by-turn directions.
The main spots that need attention: at 453 miles (I 90): Highway fork - watch signs carefully; at 565.5 miles (I 90 Business; US 12): Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 565.7 miles (I 90 Bus; US 12 / Van Buren Street): Roundabout - know your exit number before entering.
Not recommended in a single day. At 10.0 hours each way, a round trip means 20.1 hours of driving — that is an unsafe level of fatigue for most drivers. Plan at least one night at Missoula, MT before the return drive.
