Connecting Dillon to Missoula, this 172-mile journey through the Mountain West is a straightforward transit between two of Montana’s notable hubs. You can expect about 2 hours and 46 minutes of drive time, making this a very manageable one-day trip that rarely requires an overnight stay. Your primary path utilizes I-15 Business and I-90, keeping the route efficient and predictable for those looking to reach their destination without unnecessary detours. Budgeting approximately $27 for fuel should cover your needs for the trip. Since the drive stays entirely within the Mountain West region, the transition between these two points feels cohesive and steady. It is a practical, no-nonsense route ideal for travelers prioritizing speed and reliability over wandering backroads.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.
Break Rhythm
1 planned break
A short stop every 2 to 3 hours is enough for this drive.
Midpoint
86 miles from Dillon, MT
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 1h 23m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
I 90
112.1 mi
1h 46m
I 15 Business
57.4 mi
54m
East Broadway Street
0.6 mi
<1m
Black Tail Boulevard
0.6 mi
1m
East Bannack Street
0.3 mi
<1m
Van Buren Street
0.2 mi
<1m
I 90 Business
0.2 mi
<1m
I 15 Bus
<0.1 mi
<1m
Longest stretch:
I 90
— 112.1 mi, about 1h 46m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Dillon, MT and Missoula, MT.
1
Start on South Idaho Street
350 ft·20 sec·South Idaho Street
2
Turn left onto East Bannack Street
0.3 mi·40 sec·East Bannack Street
3
Continue on Black Tail Boulevard
0.6 mi·1 min·Black Tail Boulevard
4
Turn left onto I 15 Bus
416 ft·7 sec·I 15 Bus
5
Take the ramp onto I 15 Business
186 ft·4 sec·I 15 Business
6
Keep slight right at fork onto I 15 Business
57 mi·54 min·I 15 Business
7
Take the exit
0.5 mi·1 min
Toward I 90 West: Missoula
8
Merge onto I 90
112 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
With a total duration under three hours, you have plenty of flexibility to depart when it best suits your schedule. Planning for one scheduled stop is a smart way to break up the 172-mile distance, especially during the long 112.1-mile stretch on I-90 where you will want to ensure you stay refreshed. Since the entire route is highway-centric, monitor your fuel levels before merging onto the interstate to avoid unnecessary stops in less convenient areas. Because this is a relatively short trip, you can easily complete it in a single morning or afternoon, leaving you plenty of time to enjoy the remainder of your day once you arrive in Missoula. Keeping an eye on your speed is recommended, as the open stretches of interstate can make it easy to drift above the limit.
Morning Departure
Leave by 9 AM and you'll arrive before lunch.
Evening Departure
Even a 4 PM departure gets you there before dark in summer.
You can normally do this drive in one day.
Plan roughly 1 meaningful break for fuel, food, and rest.
The halfway point lands around 86 miles from Dillon, MT, or about 1h 23m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 112.1 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 38 miles or 37m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 86 miles or 1h 23m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 2h 15m
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 Dillon, 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 Dillon, MT
This is one driving day of about 172 miles and 2h 46m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 38 miles from Dillon, 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 112.1 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 11
5 decision points cluster between mile 0.1 and 171.4 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
5
0.1 mi into trip|~0m in|East Bannack Street
Turn left onto East Bannack Street
Navigation decision point
5
171 mi into trip|~2h 44m 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
171.2 mi into trip|~2h 44m 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
171.3 mi into trip|~2h 44m 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
171.4 mi into trip|~2h 45m 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
$27.26 one way
$54.51 round trip
$4.03/gal25.4 MPG avg60 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.22
$28.57
$57.14
premium
$4.53
$30.68
$61.36
diesel
$5.61
$37.98
$75.95
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$27
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$52–$77
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 60.2 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $18 in charging
· 0 stops
· 67% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
51.6
0
$18.06
$8.26
Efficient EV
43
0
$15.05
$6.88
EV Truck/SUV
68.8
0
$24.08
$11.01
Gas CO2
60 kg
EV CO2
20 kg (67% less)
This trip is well within single-charge range for most EVs. No charging stops needed if you start fully charged.
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
Dillon, MT
Night
in Dillon on Saturday
Local time
10:36 PM
MDT
Current temp
33°F
Partly Cloudy
SW 6 mph1% chanceLive forecast
Destination
Missoula, MT
Night
in Missoula on Saturday
Local time
10:36 PM
MDT
Current temp
39°F
Patchy Fog
0 mph7% chanceLive 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
6 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
2h 46m on the road
The weather snapshot is not static. If you are leaving later, give both cities one more quick forecast check before departure.
Weather data from the National Weather Service. Conditions may change; check closer to your travel date.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
Expect a highly efficient experience on this highway-focused drive, as 99% of your journey takes place on high-speed thoroughfares. You will spend the vast majority of your time on I-90, which features a long, uninterrupted stretch of 112.1 miles that allows for steady cruising. The route begins with a transition through I-15 Business before linking up with the interstate, eventually concluding on East Broadway Street as you enter Missoula. Because the road is dominated by major interstates, you will find consistent pavement quality and wide lanes. Behind the wheel, the character of this trip is defined by its speed and directness, offering a predictable rhythm that contrasts with more technical, winding local roads.
99% 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: 112.1 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 15 Business. There are only a few real navigation decisions along the way. The trickiest moment comes around 0.1 miles in near East Bannack Street.
Driving Effort3/10
Easy - simple navigation with a manageable amount of wheel time
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This is a straightforward 2h 46m drive. You will face about 11 decision points, but nothing that requires special attention if you follow navigation.
Where does it get tricky?
The main spots that need attention: at 0.1 miles (East Bannack Street): Navigation decision point; at 171 miles (I 90 Business; US 12): Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 171.2 miles (I 90 Bus; US 12 / Van Buren Street): Roundabout - know your exit number before entering.
Elevation Profile
High-altitude sections with notable climbs
5,864 ft3,209 ft
Total Climb
1,074 ft
Total Descent
2,962 ft
Highest Point
5,864 ft
~49.1 mi in
Elevation Range
2,656 ft
Notable High Points
5,441 ft at ~12.3 miles+307 ft prominence
5,864 ft at ~49.1 miles+341 ft prominence
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 2h 46m. Total distance: 172 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
The longest stretch is about 112.1 miles on I 90. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
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.
The main spots that need attention: at 0.1 miles (East Bannack Street): Navigation decision point; at 171 miles (I 90 Business; US 12): Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 171.2 miles (I 90 Bus; US 12 / Van Buren Street): Roundabout - know your exit number before entering.
Yes. A round trip is manageable in a single day if you plan a break at Missoula, MT before heading back.
