Trip from Bozeman, MT to Polson, MT

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Compiled and reviewed by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Apr 21, 2026 · Editorial standards

Drive Time

4h 43m

Distance

271.6 mi

437 km

Drive Score

8/10

Great drive

Same Day?

Yes, doable

Fuel Cost

$43

one way

EV Charging

Good

8 stations

Best Time to Leave

Save up to 40 min

4 AM

4h 30m ★

6 AM

4h 44m

8 AM

5h 10m

10 AM

4h 53m

12 PM

4h 50m

3 PM

4h 54m

5 PM

5h 9m

8 PM

4h 35m

Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.

Best Time Drive vs Fly

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city and the county seat of Gallatin County, Montana, United States

Bozeman, MT

Wikimedia Commons

City in Lake County, Montana, United States

Polson, MT

Wikimedia Commons

Trip Overview

Embark on a 271.6-mile journey from Bozeman, MT, to Polson, MT, a drive that will take approximately 4 hours and 43 minutes. This route is primarily highway-focused, with 99% of the drive on major roads like I-90 and US-93, making it a straightforward trip within the Mountain West region. With a fuel cost estimated at $43, this drive is easily manageable as a single-day excursion, allowing you to reach your destination without needing an overnight stop. Its efficiency makes it a practical choice for those looking to cover ground comfortably.

Trip Pace

Same-day drive is realistic

A same-day return is possible, but it will make for a full day on the road.

Break Rhythm

1 planned break

Plan on a short reset every 3 to 4 hours to stay fresh behind the wheel.

Midpoint

135.8 miles from Bozeman, MT

A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 2h 16m into the drive .

Main Roads

Road	Distance	Duration
I 90	121.8 mi	1h 56m
I 90 Business	87.4 mi	1h 28m
US 93	60.6 mi	1h 15m
North 7th Avenue	0.9 mi	1m
North Willson Avenue	0.4 mi	1m
West Peach Street	0.4 mi	<1m
Main Street	<0.1 mi	<1m

Longest stretch: I 90 — 121.8 mi, about 1h 56m

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between Bozeman, MT and Polson, MT.

Start on North Willson Avenue

0.4 mi · 1 min · North Willson Avenue

Turn left onto West Peach Street

0.4 mi · 42 sec · West Peach Street

Turn right onto I 90 Business

0.9 mi · 1 min · North 7th Avenue

Turn left onto I 90 Business

87 mi · 1 hr 28 min · I 90 Business

Use the straight / slight right lanes.

Keep slight left at fork onto I 90

122 mi · 1 hr 56 min · I 90

Toward I 90 West: Missoula

Take the exit onto US 93; MT 200

0.2 mi · 24 sec · US 93; MT 200

Toward US 93 North, MT 200 West: Kalispell

Keep slight right at fork onto US 93; MT 200

60 mi · 1 hr 14 min · US 93; MT 200

Toward US 93 North, MT 200 West: Kalispell

Turn left onto S-354

310 ft · 6 sec · Main Street

Arrive at destination

S-354

Trip Plan

To make the most of this 4-hour and 43-minute drive, consider an early morning departure from Bozeman to maximize daylight and minimize traffic. With only one recommended stop and a clear highway focus, you have flexibility in pacing. The estimated fuel cost is around $43, so ensure your tank is full before leaving Bozeman, as the longest stretch without a break is over 121 miles. Keep an eye on US-93 as you get closer to Polson; while still a primary highway, it will guide you into the Flathead Lake area.

Morning Departure

An early start around 7-8 AM gets you there with plenty of daylight left.

Evening Departure

A late afternoon start means arriving after dark. Morning is better.

You can normally do this drive in one day.

Plan roughly 1 meaningful break for fuel, food, and rest.

The halfway point lands around 135.8 miles from Bozeman, MT, or about 2h 16m into the drive.

The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 121.8 miles.

This is a comfortable same-day trip.

Departure

Before you leave

Start with fuel, water, and navigation already sorted so the first hour feels easy.

First stop

Around 60 miles or 1h 2m in

Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.

Halfway reset

Around 135.8 miles or 2h 16m in

This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.

Final approach

Final hour starts around 3h 43m

Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Polson, MT than in the middle of the route.

Before You Leave

Open the route before leaving Bozeman, 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.

Day 1

Settle into the route from Bozeman, MT

This is one driving day of about 271.6 miles and 4h 43m.

Your first comfortable stop window is around 60 miles from Bozeman, MT.

This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.

Plan about 1 real break rather than only quick fuel stops.

The longest stretch is on I 90 for about 121.8 miles.

Where to Stop

Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.

Mid-route town

Meal stop

Seeley Lake, MT

136 mi into the route

Best for: Lunch, fuel, and a longer reset

This sits close to the middle of the route, so it works well for the longest stop of the day.

Pacing Suggestions

Butte, MT

Fuel and coffee

A short stop after about 60 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.

Deer Lodge, MT

Meal break

The midpoint is around 135.8 miles from Bozeman, MT, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.

Before the longest stretch

Fuel check

Top up before I 90 if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 121.8 miles.

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.

Best meal stop

Dave's Sushi

4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Bozeman, Montana

Near the start, right off the route

0.2 mi from route ~1 min detour $20 to $30

Hours: 11 am–9:30 pm

+14065561351

Visit website

Bacchus Pub

4.3 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Bozeman, Montana

0 mi

The Porch at Nogans

4.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Manhattan, Montana

0.1 mi

Best coffee break

Wild Joe*s Coffee Spot

4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Bozeman, Montana

Near the start, right off the route

0.1 mi from route $1 to $10

Hours: 6:30 am–6 pm

+14065861212

Visit website

Rockford Coffee

4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Bozeman, Montana

0.1 mi

Nexus Drive Up Coffee

4.9 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Bozeman, Montana

0.4 mi

Dave's Sushi

4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, right off the route

0.2 mi from route ~1 min detour $20 to $30

Bozeman, Montana

Hours: 11 am–9:30 pm

+14065561351

Visit website

Bacchus Pub

4.3 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Near the start, right off the route

0 mi from route $20 to $30

Bozeman, Montana

Hours: 11 am–10 pm

+14064041996

Visit website

4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, right off the route

0.5 mi from route ~1 min detour

Bozeman, Montana

+14064047999

Visit website

Wild Joe*s Coffee Spot

4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, right off the route

0.1 mi from route $1 to $10

Bozeman, Montana

Hours: 6:30 am–6 pm

+14065861212

Visit website

Rockford Coffee

4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, right off the route

0.1 mi from route $1 to $10

Bozeman, Montana

Hours: 6:30 am–6 pm

+14065561053

Visit website

Nexus Drive Up Coffee

4.9 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, right off the route

0.4 mi from route ~1 min detour $1 to $10

Bozeman, Montana

Hours: 7 am–2 pm

+14065458089

Visit website

Sophie's Bakery Cafe Espresso

5.0 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, right off the route

First break 0.3 mi from route ~1 min detour $1 to $10

Manhattan, Montana

Hours: 7 am–2 pm

+14063123452

Visit website

Treeline Coffee Roasters

4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, right off the route

0.7 mi from route ~2 min detour $1 to $10

Bozeman, Montana

Hours: 6:30 am–4 pm

+14062192501

Visit website

Roly-Poly Coffee Co.

4.8 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, right off the route

0.8 mi from route ~2 min detour $1 to $10

Bozeman, Montana

Hours: 7 am–3 pm

+14069228080

Visit website

Harvest Moon Coffee Shoppe

4.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, right off the route

First break 0.6 mi from route ~1 min detour $1 to $10

Manhattan, Montana

Hours: 7 am–6 pm

+14065955122

Visit website

5.0 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Later in the drive, short detour

Final third 2.1 mi from route ~5 min detour

Missoula, Montana

Hours: Open 24 hours

Visit website

Red E Charging Station

2.8 ★ ★ ★ ☆ ☆

Near the end, short detour

Home stretch 2 mi from route ~5 min detour

Polson, Montana

Visit website

ChargePoint Charging Station

1.0 ★ ☆ ☆ ☆ ☆

Near the start, right off the route

0.9 mi from route ~2 min detour

Bozeman, Montana

Hours: Open 24 hours

+18887584389

Visit website

5 of 7

5 decision points cluster between mile 0.4 and 211.1 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.

0.4 mi into trip | ~1m in | West Peach Street

Turn left onto West Peach Street

Navigation decision point

1.6 mi into trip | ~3m in | I 90 Business

Turn left onto I 90 Business

Lane positioning matters here

Use the straight / slight right lanes.

89.1 mi into trip | ~1h 31m 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

210.9 mi into trip | ~3h 28m in | US 93; MT 200

Take the exit onto US 93; MT 200 toward US 93 North, MT 200 West: Kalispell

Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one

Toward US 93 North, MT 200 West: Kalispell

211.1 mi into trip | ~3h 28m in | US 93; MT 200

Keep slight right at fork onto US 93; MT 200 toward US 93 North, MT 200 West: Kalispell

Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one

Toward US 93 North, MT 200 West: Kalispell

Fuel & Cost

Regular Gas

$43.04 one way

$86.08 round trip

$4.03/gal 25.4 MPG avg 95 kg CO₂

Fuel Type	$/gal	One Way	Round Trip
midgrade	$4.22	$45.11	$90.23
premium	$4.53	$48.45	$96.90
diesel	$5.61	$59.97	$119.93

No toll roads detected on this route.

Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)

Fuel

$43

Meals

$25–$50

Total

$68–$93

Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.

Estimated CO2 emission: 95 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.

Driving Electric?

About $29 in charging · 1 stop · 66% less CO₂

Vehicle Type	kWh	Stops	DC Fast	Home Charge
Average EV	81.5	1	$28.52	$13.04
Efficient EV	67.9	0	$23.77	$10.86
EV Truck/SUV	108.6	1	$38.02	$17.38

Gas CO2

95 kg

EV CO2

32 kg (66% less)

Plan for 1 charging stop. A 30-minute DC fast charge mid-route should be enough to complete the trip comfortably.

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 20, 2026

Origin

Bozeman, MT

Late night in Bozeman on Tuesday

Local time

3:08 AM

MDT

Current temp

48°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

Destination

Polson, MT

Late night in Polson on Tuesday

Local time

3:08 AM

MDT

Current temp

53°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

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.

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

5 degrees warmer at arrival

A meaningful temperature swing is a good cue to rethink layers, water, and how soon you want to arrive.

Road read

4h 43m on the road

An early start around 7-8 AM gets you there with plenty of daylight left.

Weather data from the National Weather Service. Conditions may change; check closer to your travel date.

What kind of drive is this?

This drive is predominantly a highway-focused experience, with 99% of the mileage dedicated to major roadways including I-90 and US-93. Expect a mostly uninterrupted flow, with the longest continuous stretch spanning 121.8 miles on I-90. While the majority of the route keeps you on faster roads, be mindful that the transition onto US-93 may offer a slightly different driving feel as you approach your destination. The character of the drive is one of consistent forward momentum across the Montana landscape.

99% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.

9 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.

Longest single stretch: 121.8 mi on I 90.

How Hard Is This Drive?

3/10

This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 90 and I 90 Business. There are only a few real navigation decisions along the way. The trickiest moment comes around 0.4 miles in near West Peach Street.

Driving Effort 3/10

Easy - simple navigation with a manageable amount of wheel time

Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.

This is a straightforward 4h 43m drive. You will face about 7 decision points, but nothing that requires special attention if you follow navigation.

Where does it get tricky?

The main spots that need attention: at 0.4 miles (West Peach Street): Navigation decision point; at 1.6 miles (I 90 Business): Lane positioning matters here; at 89.1 miles (I 90): Highway fork - watch signs carefully.

Elevation Profile

High-altitude sections with notable climbs

5,807 ft 2,926 ft

Total Climb

1,642 ft

Total Descent

3,526 ft

Highest Point

5,807 ft

~77.6 mi in

Elevation Range

2,881 ft

Notable High Points

4,538 ft at ~38.8 miles +128 ft prominence

5,807 ft at ~77.6 miles +606 ft prominence

About the Cities

Starting in Bozeman, MT

Full guide →

Bozeman is a city in Montana's Yellowstone Country. Set in the middle of the Rocky Mountains, this college town is a place for experiencing the great outdoors around the year, and for those days the weather makes you want to stay indoors there are a number of museums and galleries to explore.

City content from Wikivoyage (CC BY-SA 4.0) and Wikidata (CC0).

Who Is This Route For?

Weekend Trip

Doable as a same-day drive at 4h 43m. Total distance: 271.6 miles.

Family Friendly

Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.

Solo Traveler

4h 43m drive, comfortable solo distance.

First-Time Driver

Mostly highway driving (99%). Straightforward navigation.

Frequently Asked Questions

The longest stretch is about 121.8 miles on I 90. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.

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.

Yes, with realistic expectations. Build in a stop roughly every 2 hours, have snacks and activities ready, and check the Nearby Places tabs for kid-friendly stops along the way.

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.

Possible but tiring. At 4.7 hours each way, an in-and-out day trip would put you behind the wheel for 9.5 hours — manageable with a long break at Polson, MT, but most travelers stay overnight.

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, and USGS 3DEP for elevation. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.

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Trip from Bozeman, MT to Polson, MT

Best Time to Leave

Trip Overview

Main Roads

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Trip Plan

Before You Leave

Where to Stop

Pacing Suggestions

Stops Along Your Drive

Dave's Sushi

Wild Joe*s Coffee Spot

Dave's Sushi

Bacchus Pub

The Porch at Nogans

Sweet Chili Asian Bistro

Western Café

MacKenzie River Pizza Co.

Montana Ale Works

RSVP Motel

Wild Joe*s Coffee Spot

Rockford Coffee

Nexus Drive Up Coffee

Sophie's Bakery Cafe Espresso

Treeline Coffee Roasters

Roly-Poly Coffee Co.

Harvest Moon Coffee Shoppe

Broadway Brew

Blink Charging Station

Tesla Supercharger

Rivian Adventure Network

Electric Vehicle Charging Station

Tesla Supercharger

Red E Charging Station

ChargePoint Charging Station

Tesla Supercharger

Ninepipes Museum of Early Montana

Ninepipe National Wildlife Refuge

Heads-up: tricky spots

Fuel & Cost

Travel Intel

Bozeman, MT

Polson, MT

Same local time

5 degrees warmer at arrival

4h 43m on the road

What kind of drive is this?

How Hard Is This Drive?

Elevation Profile

About the Cities

Starting in Bozeman, MT

Who Is This Route For?

Frequently Asked Questions

Which road carries most of the drive?

Are there rest areas on this route?

Is this a good trip with kids?

Will I have cell service along this route?

Where does this route get tricky?

Can I do this as a round trip in one go?

How this page is built

Explore More

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