Rest Area
0 mi from route
Trip from Baker, MT to Whitefish, MT
Pin this tripCompiled and reviewed by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Jun 3, 2026 · Editorial standards
Drive Time
12h 18m
Distance
641.3 mi
1,032 km
Drive Score
6/10
Good drive
Same Day?
2-day trip
Fuel Cost
$113
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
12h 8m
★
6 AM
12h 19m
8 AM
12h 41m
10 AM
12h 27m
12 PM
12h 24m
3 PM
12h 28m
5 PM
12h 40m
8 PM
12h 12m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Baker, MT
Wikimedia Commons
Whitefish, MT
Wikimedia Commons
Trip Overview
Baker, MT to Whitefish, MT is 641.3 miles and takes about 12 hours 18 minutes via MT 200 S, US 87, and US 2, with a fuel budget near $103 and likely requiring an overnight stay. This long-haul drive takes you across the breadth of Montana, moving from the Mountain West region to another part of the Mountain West. Given the 12-hour estimated driving time, it's best to plan for at least two days to comfortably complete this trip. You'll spend most of your time on major highways, making it a straightforward, albeit lengthy, transit across the state.
Trip Pace
Best split across 2 days
Treat the return leg as its own travel day rather than an afterthought.
Break Rhythm
3 planned breaks
Plan on a short reset every 3 to 4 hours to stay fresh behind the wheel.
Midpoint
320.7 miles from Baker, MT
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 6h 7m into the drive .
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| MT 200 S | 217.9 mi | 3h 58m |
| US 87 | 107.1 mi | 1h 57m |
| US 2 | 80.2 mi | 1h 32m |
| United States Highway 89 | 49.2 mi | 53m |
| Lake Street | 44.3 mi | 1h 5m |
| US 89 | 40.5 mi | 45m |
| I 94 | 29.8 mi | 27m |
| US Highway 87 | 14.7 mi | 15m |
Longest stretch:
MT 200 S
— 217.9 mi, about 3h 58m
Traffic on I-94
Hour-of-day weekday pattern from 4 FHWA count stations on your route.
Peak
2 PM
~135 veh/hr typical · worst 212
Quietest
3 AM
~13 veh/hr
Peak-to-quiet ratio
10.4×
busier at peak than in the quiet hours
12a
6a
noon
6p
11p
Averaged across 46 weeks of 2023 FHWA Travel Monitoring Analysis System data. Weekday hours only (Mon–Fri).
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Baker, MT and Whitefish, MT.
1
Start on 6th Street West
329 ft
·
16 sec
·
6th Street West
2
Turn right onto US 12
0.4 mi
·
43 sec
·
US 12
3
Turn left onto MT 7
0.1 mi
·
12 sec
·
Main Street
4
Continue on MT 7
0.1 mi
·
12 sec
·
North Main Street
5
Continue on MT 7
44 mi
·
1 hr 5 min
·
Lake Street
6
Turn left onto 2nd Avenue North
0.2 mi
·
15 sec
·
2nd Avenue North
7
Continue on MT 261
0.3 mi
·
35 sec
·
MT 261
8
Take the ramp
0.3 mi
·
32 sec
9
Merge onto I 94
30 mi
·
27 min
·
I 94
10
Take the exit
0.3 mi
·
35 sec
11
Turn right onto MT 200 S
218 mi
·
3 hr 58 min
·
MT 200 S
12
Continue on US 87; MT 200
23 mi
·
26 min
·
US 87; MT 200
13
Turn right onto 1st Avenue North
0.3 mi
·
29 sec
·
1st Avenue North
14
Continue on US 191
2.6 mi
·
3 min
·
Truck Bypass
15
Continue on US 87; US 191; MT 200
15 mi
·
15 min
·
US Highway 87
16
Continue on US 87; MT 3; MT 200
64 mi
·
1 hr 9 min
·
US 87; MT 3; MT 200
17
Turn slight right
0.3 mi
·
20 sec
18
Enter roundabout
172 ft
·
2 sec
19
Continue
0.1 mi
·
7 sec
20
Continue on US 87; US 89; MT 3; MT 200
19 mi
·
20 min
·
US 87; US 89; MT 3; MT 200
21
Turn right onto US 87 Bypass
0.9 mi
·
1 min
·
57th Street South
22
Turn left onto 2nd Avenue North
4.3 mi
·
7 min
·
2nd Avenue North
23
At end of road, turn left onto I 15 Business
240 ft
·
4 sec
·
Park Drive North
24
Turn right onto I 15 Business
0.2 mi
·
23 sec
·
1st Avenue North
25
Continue on I 15 Business
0.2 mi
·
17 sec
·
First Avenue North Bridge
26
Continue on I 15 Business
1.4 mi
·
1 min
·
Central Avenue West
27
Take the exit onto I 15 Business
0.2 mi
·
32 sec
·
I 15 Business
28
Merge onto I 15; US 89; MT 200
9.4 mi
·
9 min
·
First Special Service Force Memorial Highway
29
Take the exit onto US 89; MT 200
8.3 mi
·
9 min
·
US 89; MT 200
Exit 290
30
Turn right onto US 89
32 mi
·
35 min
·
US 89
31
Enter roundabout onto US 89
514 ft
·
17 sec
·
West Division Street
32
Continue on US 89
143 ft
·
4 sec
·
West Division Street
33
Turn slight right onto US 89
6.0 mi
·
8 min
·
Main Avenue North
34
Continue on US 89
13 mi
·
15 min
·
13th Lane Northwest
35
Continue on US 89
49 mi
·
53 min
·
United States Highway 89
36
At end of road, turn left onto US 2; US 89
3.9 mi
·
6 min
·
US 2; US 89
37
Enter roundabout onto US 2
246 ft
·
3 sec
·
US 2
38
Continue on US 2
72 mi
·
1 hr 19 min
·
US 2
39
Turn right
0.2 mi
·
1 min
40
At end of road, turn left onto Old US 2
0.4 mi
·
1 min
·
Old US 2
41
Turn right onto US 2
7.5 mi
·
10 min
·
US Route 2
42
Continue on US 2
3.0 mi
·
4 min
·
US 2
Use the straight lane.
43
Continue on US 2
2.0 mi
·
4 min
·
9th Street
44
Continue on US 2
1.0 mi
·
1 min
·
US 2
Use the straight / right lanes.
45
Continue on MT 40
4.5 mi
·
5 min
·
MT 40
Use the straight / right lanes.
46
Turn right onto US 93
0.5 mi
·
50 sec
·
US 93 South
47
Continue on US 93
1.7 mi
·
3 min
·
Spokane Avenue
Use the straight lane.
48
Turn left onto US 93
0.1 mi
·
22 sec
·
East 2nd Street
49
Turn right
168 ft
·
12 sec
50
Arrive at destination
Trip Plan
With a total drive time of over 12 hours, splitting this trip over two days is highly recommended. Aim to depart early in the morning on your first day to maximize your driving time. You'll make about 3 planned stops, so factor those into your schedule for fuel and rest. The longest stretch on MT 200 S is nearly 218 miles, so ensure you have sufficient fuel before starting that segment. Consider planning your overnight stop around the halfway point to break up the drive evenly.
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 3 meaningful breaks for fuel, food, and rest.
The halfway point lands around 320.7 miles from Baker, MT, or about 6h 7m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 217.9 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 141 miles or 2h 48m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 320.7 miles or 6h 7m 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 320.7 miles or 6h 7m
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 11h 1m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Whitefish, 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 321 miles and 6.2 hours of wheel time on this day.
Day 2
Finish the approach into Whitefish, MT
Aim for roughly 321 miles and 6.2 hours of wheel time on this day.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 141 miles from Baker, MT.
This route usually feels better as a 2-day drive than as one long push.
Plan about 3 real breaks rather than only quick fuel stops.
The longest stretch is on MT 200 S for about 217.9 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
First major stop
Coffee and fuel
212 mi into the route
Best for: Coffee, fuel, and an easy first stretch
This is a natural early stop once the first hours of the drive are behind you.
Second major stop
Overnight candidate
423 mi into the route
Best for: Hotel check-in, dinner, and a fresh start
This lines up well with a realistic day-end stop if you are breaking the drive into stages.
Find hotels in South Browning, MTOvernight Options
Night 1
321 mi · about 6.2h in
A practical overnight split lands near Great Falls, MT after about 321 miles or 6.2 hours of driving.
Find hotelsPacing Suggestions
Fuel and coffee
A short stop after about 141 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 320.7 miles from Baker, MT, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Before the longest stretch
Fuel checkTop up before MT 200 S if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 217.9 miles.
Overnight split
Hotel stopFor a steadier pace, wrap day one after about 321 miles or 6.2 hours on the road.
These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.
Stops Along Your Drive
Picked by where they fit in your drive — first break, midpoint reset, final stretch.
Flowing Wells Road Rest Area
0 mi from route
Rest Area
0.1 mi from route
Pilot Travel Center
0.1 mi from route
Rest Area
0.1 mi from route
Rest Area
0.1 mi from route
MT 200 Rest Area
0.1 mi from route
Pilot Travel Center
0.2 mi from route
Kiwanis Rest Area
0.5 mi from route
Service Plaza
2.4 mi from route
Place data sourced from public business listings. Hours and availability may vary.
Heads-up: tricky spots
5 of 255 decision points cluster between mile 399.4 and 620.6 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
5
399.4 mi into trip
|
~7h 32m in
Enter roundabout
Roundabout - know your exit number before entering
5
424 mi into trip
|
~8h 2m in
|
I 15 Business / Park Drive North
At end of road, turn left onto I 15 Business / Park Drive North
Navigation decision point
5
476 mi into trip
|
~9h in
|
US 89 / West Division Street
Enter roundabout onto US 89 / West Division Street
Roundabout - know your exit number before entering
5
544.2 mi into trip
|
~10h 17m in
|
US 2; US 89
At end of road, turn left onto US 2; US 89
Navigation decision point
5
620.6 mi into trip
|
~11h 45m in
|
Old US 2
At end of road, turn left onto Old US 2
Navigation decision point
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$112.73 one way
$225.46 round trip
$4.47/gal
25.4 MPG avg
224 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.67 | $117.88 | $235.77 |
| premium | $4.99 | $125.99 | $251.98 |
| diesel | $5.35 | $135.08 | $270.15 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$113
Hotel (1n)
$80–$140
Meals
$50–$100
Total
$243–$353
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 224.4 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-06-01.
Driving Electric?
About $67 in charging · 2 stops · 67% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 192.4 | 2 | $67.34 | $30.78 |
| Efficient EV | 160.3 | 1 | $56.11 | $25.65 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 256.5 | 3 | $89.78 | $41.04 |
Gas CO2
224 kg
EV CO2
75 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.
Origin
Baker, MT
Afternoon in Baker on Wednesday
Local time
12:58 PM
MDT
Current temp
58°F
Mostly Clear
SE 16 mph
2% chance
Live forecast
Special Weather Statement
Special Weather Statement issued May 25 at 6:37PM MDT by NWS Great Falls MT
Red Flag Warning
Red Flag Warning issued May 25 at 12:03PM MDT until May 26 at 9:00PM MDT by NWS Glasgow MT
Destination
Whitefish, MT
Afternoon in Whitefish on Wednesday
Local time
12:58 PM
MDT
Current temp
50°F
Chance Light Rain
ENE 1 to 5 mph
41% chance
Live forecast
Special Weather Statement
Special Weather Statement issued May 25 at 6:37PM MDT by NWS Great Falls MT
Red Flag Warning
Red Flag Warning issued May 25 at 12:03PM MDT until May 26 at 9:00PM MDT by NWS Glasgow MT
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
8 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
12h 18m 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.
National Parks Near This Route
Worth a detour if your schedule allows.
Glacier National Park
National Park
A showcase of melting glaciers, alpine meadows, carved valleys, and spectacular lakes. With over 700 miles of trails, Glacier is a paradise for adventurous visitors seeking a landscape steeped in huma...
19 mi from route
~47 min detour
$35
near mile 619.2
Park Closure: Going-to-the-Sun Road Seasonal Closure
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
What kind of drive is this?
This route involves a significant amount of highway driving, with 86% of the total mileage on major roads like MT 200 S, US 87, and US 2. The longest continuous stretch without a major road change is 217.9 miles on MT 200 S. Expect long periods of rural cruising, especially on the extensive highway segments. The transition from highway to potentially more local roads will occur gradually as you approach your destination.
86% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
50 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 217.9 mi on MT 200 S.
How Hard Is This Drive?
6/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on MT 200 S and US 87. You will hit about 25 points where you need to pay attention to lane position or signs. The trickiest moment comes around 399.4 miles in.
Driving Effort
6/10
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 641.3 miles you will encounter 25 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 399.4 miles: Roundabout - know your exit number before entering; at 424 miles (I 15 Business / Park Drive North): Navigation decision point; at 476 miles (US 89 / West Division Street): Roundabout - know your exit number before entering.
Elevation Profile
Hilly terrain with moderate elevation changes
4,544 ft
2,568 ft
Total Climb
3,033 ft
Total Descent
2,918 ft
Highest Point
4,544 ft
~549.7 mi in
Elevation Range
1,976 ft
Notable High Points
4,422 ft at ~366.5 miles
+305 ft prominence
4,544 ft at ~549.7 miles
+361 ft prominence
Detours Along the Way
Tagged by where each one fits in your drive — first break, midpoint, final stretch.
Huck’s Place
Cafe
Near the end, right off the route
Home stretch
0 mi from route
Cuisine: breakfast
Hours: We-Su 09:00-16:00
Visit websiteAmazing Crepes
Cafe
Near the end, right off the route
Home stretch
0 mi from route
Cuisine: coffee_shop;crepe
Hours: Mo-Su 08:00-16:00
Visit websiteMontana Coffee Traders
Cafe
Near the end, right off the route
Home stretch
0 mi from route
Cuisine: coffee_shop
Cowgirl Coffee
Cafe
Near the end, right off the route
Home stretch
1 mi from route
~2 min detour
Whitefish, MT
Cuisine: coffee_shop
Visit websiteBloom Coffeehouse & Eatery
Cafe
Near the start, short detour
First break
1.3 mi from route
~3 min detour
Cuisine: coffee_shop
Visit websiteStarbucks
Cafe
Near the end, right off the route
Home stretch
0.8 mi from route
~2 min detour
Craggy Range Bar & Grill
Restaurant
Near the end, right off the route
Home stretch
0.1 mi from route
Whitefish
Cuisine: american
Visit websiteTupelo Grille
Restaurant
Near the end, right off the route
Home stretch
0.1 mi from route
Whitefish, MT
Cuisine: cajun
Visit websiteLoula's Cafe
Restaurant
Near the end, right off the route
Home stretch
0.1 mi from route
Whitefish, MT
Cuisine: regional
Hours: 07:00-15:00
Visit websiteMacKenzie River Pizza Co
Restaurant
Near the end, right off the route
Home stretch
0.1 mi from route
Whitefish
Cuisine: pizza
Visit websiteSwift Creek Cafe
Restaurant
Near the end, right off the route
Home stretch
0.1 mi from route
Whitefish, MT
Latitude 48
Restaurant
Near the end, right off the route
Home stretch
0 mi from route
Walts RV Memorial Park
Park
Near the start, right off the route
0.2 mi from route
Steve McClain Memorial Park
Park
Near the start, right off the route
0.2 mi from route
The Bruck Bus-Truck
Attraction
Near the end, right off the route
Home stretch
0.2 mi from route
Senior Citizens Centennial Park
Park
Near the start, right off the route
0.3 mi from route
~1 min detour
Meissner American Legion Baseball Field
Park
Near the start, right off the route
First break
0.6 mi from route
~2 min detour
River Trail Park
Park
Near the end, right off the route
Home stretch
0.7 mi from route
~2 min detour
Stumptown Historical Society Museum
Museum
Near the end, right off the route
Home stretch
0.2 mi from route
MT
Hours: Dec-Apr: Tu-Sa 11:00-15:00; May-Nov: Tu-...
Visit websiteO'Fallon Historical Museum
Museum
Near the start, right off the route
0.6 mi from route
~2 min detour
MT
Visit websiteEarle E Heikka Museum
Museum
Later in the drive, short detour
Final third
1.5 mi from route
~4 min detour
MT
John Frank Stevens
Memorial
Near the end, short detour
Home stretch
1.7 mi from route
~4 min detour
Kid Russell and Monte Statue
Artwork
Later in the drive, short detour
Final third
3 mi from route
~7 min detour
Teddy Bear Fence
Artwork
Later in the drive, ~9 min detour
Final third
3.5 mi from route
~9 min detour
Dupuyer, MT
Whitefish Motel
Motel
Near the end, right off the route
Home stretch
0.5 mi from route
~1 min detour
Starlit Motel
Motel
Later in the drive, short detour
Final third
1.9 mi from route
~5 min detour
Riverview RV Park
Caravan_site
Near the start, short detour
First break
2.7 mi from route
~7 min detour
Best Western Heritage Inn
Hotel
Later in the drive, short detour
Final third
3.2 mi from route
~8 min detour
Visit website
Fox Hollow Inn
Motel
Later in the drive, short detour
Final third
3.1 mi from route
~8 min detour
Points of interest from OpenStreetMap contributors. Listings may not reflect current hours or availability.
About the Cities
Starting in Baker, MT
Full guide →Top landmarks
- • Fallon County Jail — prison in Baker, United States of America
Arriving in Whitefish, MT
Full guide →Whitefish is a small town in Montana, near Glacier National Park. The population was about 8,300 in 2019.
Top landmarks
- • Whitefish station — railway station in Whitefish, the United States of America
- • Ray E. Taylor House — historic house in Montana, United States
City content from Wikivoyage (CC BY-SA 4.0) and Wikidata (CC0).
Who Is This Route For?
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 3 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
12h 18m drive, plan rest stops for pacing.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 217.9 miles on MT 200 S. 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 321 miles on day one.
Yes — we found about 10 rest areas or service plazas within a short detour of the route (from OpenStreetMap). See the Rest Stops tab under Nearby Places for locations and mile markers. Plan to stretch, use the bathroom, and top off fluids every 2–3 hours on longer drives.
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 Whitefish, 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 3 meaningful breaks. There are 10 rest areas along the route for bathroom stops.
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 399.4 miles: Roundabout - know your exit number before entering; at 424 miles (I 15 Business / Park Drive North): Navigation decision point; at 476 miles (US 89 / West Division Street): Roundabout - know your exit number before entering.
Yes — Glacier National Park. See the National Parks section for detour distances and tips on detours.
Not recommended in a single day. At 12.3 hours each way, a round trip means 24.6 hours of driving — that is an unsafe level of fatigue for most drivers. Plan at least one night at Whitefish, MT before the return drive.
How this page is built
Compiled by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy from open government datasets — OSRM over OpenStreetMap for geometry, EIA for fuel prices, USGS 3DEP for elevation, NPS for national parks, and FHWA TMAS for hourly traffic volumes. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.
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