Town Pump Flying J Travel Center
0.1 mi from route
Trip from Ennis, MT to Whitefish, MT
Pin this tripCompiled and reviewed by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Jul 19, 2026 · Editorial standards
Drive Time
5h 51m
Distance
315.6 mi
508 km
Drive Score
8/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$49
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
5h 38m
★
6 AM
5h 51m
8 AM
6h 18m
10 AM
6h 1m
12 PM
5h 58m
3 PM
6h 2m
5 PM
6h 16m
8 PM
5h 44m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Ennis, MT
Wikimedia Commons
Whitefish, MT
Wikimedia Commons
Trip Overview
Ennis to Whitefish is 315.6 miles and takes about 5h 51m via MT 83 and I 90, with a fuel budget near $56 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This trip stays within the Mountain West region, mostly within Montana. It's a straightforward, single-day drive that's ideal if you want to get from point A to point B efficiently. You'll spend the majority of your time on highways, making it a relatively quick connection between these two Montana locations.
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
157.8 miles from Ennis, MT
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 2h 48m into the drive .
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| MT 83 | 91.1 mi | 1h 43m |
| I 90 | 79.2 mi | 1h 17m |
| MT 141 | 32.5 mi | 35m |
| US 287 | 28.1 mi | 33m |
| MT 200 | 23.8 mi | 25m |
| MT 359 | 14.6 mi | 17m |
| US 12 | 12.9 mi | 14m |
| US 93 South | 8.1 mi | 9m |
Longest stretch:
MT 83
— 91.1 mi, about 1h 43m
Traffic on I-90
Hour-of-day weekday pattern from 4 FHWA count stations on your route.
Peak
3 PM
~399 veh/hr typical · worst 630
Quietest
2 AM
~34 veh/hr
Peak-to-quiet ratio
11.7×
busier at peak than in the quiet hours
12a
6a
noon
6p
11p
Averaged across 52 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 Ennis, MT and Whitefish, MT.
1
Start on US 287
138 ft
·
4 sec
·
Main Street
2
Turn straight onto US 287
448 ft
·
15 sec
·
US 287
3
Continue on US 287
28 mi
·
33 min
·
US 287
4
Turn left onto MT 359
15 mi
·
17 min
·
MT 359
5
Continue on MT 2
0.1 mi
·
17 sec
·
MT 2
6
Take the ramp
0.3 mi
·
43 sec
7
Merge onto I 90
37 mi
·
37 min
·
I 90
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
8
Keep slight left at fork onto I 90
43 mi
·
39 min
·
I 90
Toward I 90 West: Missoula
9
Take the exit
1.2 mi
·
2 min
Toward US 12 East: Helena, Garrison
10
At end of road, turn right onto US 12
13 mi
·
14 min
·
US 12
11
Turn sharp left onto MT 141
32 mi
·
35 min
·
MT 141
12
At end of road, turn left onto MT 200
24 mi
·
25 min
·
MT 200
13
Turn right onto MT 83
91 mi
·
1 hr 43 min
·
MT 83
14
At end of road, turn right onto MT 35
0.3 mi
·
38 sec
·
MT 35
15
Turn left onto MT 82
6.9 mi
·
8 min
·
MT 82
Use the left lane.
16
Turn right onto US 93
4.8 mi
·
5 min
·
US 93 South
17
Turn left onto US 93 ALT
0.2 mi
·
24 sec
·
Kalispell Bypass
18
Enter roundabout onto US 93 ALT
150 ft
·
2 sec
·
Kalispell Bypass
19
Continue on US 93 ALT
1.0 mi
·
1 min
·
Kalispell Bypass
20
Enter roundabout onto US 93 ALT
170 ft
·
2 sec
·
Kalispell Bypass
21
Continue on US 93 ALT
6.3 mi
·
8 min
·
Kalispell Bypass
22
Turn left onto US 93
6.8 mi
·
8 min
·
US 93 North
Use the left / straight lanes.
23
Continue on US 93
3.2 mi
·
4 min
·
US 93 South
24
Continue on US 93
1.7 mi
·
3 min
·
Spokane Avenue
Use the straight lane.
25
Turn left onto US 93
0.1 mi
·
22 sec
·
East 2nd Street
26
Turn right
168 ft
·
12 sec
27
Arrive at destination
Trip Plan
Given the 5h 51m estimated duration, leaving Ennis in the morning should allow you to reach Whitefish before evening. With only one recommended stop, you have flexibility to add more breaks if needed. Keep an eye on your fuel gauge, especially during the longest stretch on MT 83, as services might be spaced out. The fuel cost estimate is around $56, so plan accordingly. Since this is a single-day trip, you can depart whenever it suits you best, but an early start will maximize daylight driving.
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 157.8 miles from Ennis, MT, or about 2h 48m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 91.1 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 69 miles or 1h 18m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 157.8 miles or 2h 48m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 4h 41m
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 Ennis, 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 Ennis, MT
This is one driving day of about 315.6 miles and 5h 51m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 69 miles from Ennis, 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 MT 83 for about 91.1 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Mid-route town
Meal stop
158 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
Fuel and coffee
A short stop after about 69 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 157.8 miles from Ennis, MT, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Before the longest stretch
Fuel checkTop up before MT 83 if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 91.1 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.
Clearwater Junction Rest Area
0.1 mi from route
Town Pump Flying J Travel Center
0.2 mi from route
Anaconda Rest Area
0.7 mi from route
Place data sourced from public business listings. Hours and availability may vary.
Heads-up: tricky spots
5 of 185 decision points cluster between mile 43.2 and 303.6 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
5
43.2 mi into trip
|
~51m in
|
I 90
Merge onto I 90
Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
5
79.8 mi into trip
|
~1h 29m 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
122.4 mi into trip
|
~2h 9m in
Take the exit toward US 12 East: Helena, Garrison
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Toward US 12 East: Helena, Garrison
6
284.3 mi into trip
|
~5h 10m in
|
MT 82
Turn left onto MT 82
Lane positioning matters here
Use the left lane.
6
303.6 mi into trip
|
~5h 34m in
|
US 93 / US 93 North
Turn left onto US 93 / US 93 North
Lane positioning matters here
Use the left / straight lanes.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$49.19 one way
$98.38 round trip
$3.96/gal
25.4 MPG avg
110 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.17 | $51.85 | $103.70 |
| premium | $4.47 | $55.59 | $111.18 |
| diesel | $4.80 | $59.59 | $119.18 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$49
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$74–$99
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 110.4 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-07-13.
Driving Electric?
About $33 in charging · 1 stop · 66% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 94.7 | 1 | $33.14 | $15.15 |
| Efficient EV | 78.9 | 0 | $27.62 | $12.62 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 126.2 | 1 | $44.18 | $20.20 |
Gas CO2
110 kg
EV CO2
37 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.
Origin
Ennis, MT
Late night in Ennis on Sunday
Local time
12:52 AM
MDT
Current temp
91°F
Mostly Cloudy then Chance Showers And Thunderstorms
S 0 to 5 mph
57% chance
Live forecast
Flash Flood Watch
Flash Flood Watch issued July 17 at 12:23AM MDT until July 18 at 12:00AM MDT by NWS Great Falls MT
Destination
Whitefish, MT
Late night in Whitefish on Sunday
Local time
12:52 AM
MDT
Current temp
92°F
Mostly Sunny then Chance Showers And Thunderstorms
NE 2 mph
31% chance
Live forecast
Flash Flood Watch
Flash Flood Watch issued July 17 at 12:23AM MDT until July 18 at 12:00AM MDT by NWS Great Falls 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.
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
1 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
5h 51m 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 96% highway, meaning you'll be on high-speed roads for almost the entire 315.6 miles. The longest continuous stretch on a single highway is 91.1 miles on MT 83. Expect mostly highway cruising with few interruptions, transitioning to surface roads closer to your destination. The profile is mostly highway, so you won't encounter many tight turns or frequent exits.
96% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
27 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 91.1 mi on MT 83.
How Hard Is This Drive?
4/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on MT 83 and I 90. There are only a few real navigation decisions along the way. The trickiest moment comes around 43.2 miles in near I 90.
Driving Effort
4/10
Easy - simple navigation with a manageable amount of wheel time
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This is a straightforward 5h 51m drive. You will face about 18 decision points, but nothing that requires special attention if you follow navigation.
Where does it get tricky?
The main spots that need attention: at 43.2 miles (I 90): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here; at 79.8 miles (I 90): Highway fork - watch signs carefully; at 122.4 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Elevation Profile
High-altitude sections with notable climbs
6,003 ft
2,914 ft
Total Climb
2,079 ft
Total Descent
3,990 ft
Highest Point
6,003 ft
~67.6 mi in
Elevation Range
3,090 ft
Notable High Points
6,003 ft at ~67.6 miles
+1,002 ft prominence
4,664 ft at ~135.2 miles
+78 ft prominence
4,209 ft at ~225.4 miles
+244 ft prominence
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
On the drive from Ennis, MT to Whitefish, MT, road signs begin pointing toward Garrison along the way.
Garrison
122.4 mi in
|
~2h 9m
About the Cities
Starting in Ennis, MT
Full guide →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?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 5h 51m. Total distance: 315.6 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
5h 51m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (96%). Straightforward navigation.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 91.1 miles on MT 83. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Yes — we found about 4 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.
Only with planning. This is a long drive for kids — consider splitting it into two days rather than pushing through. Plan at least 1 meaningful breaks. There are 4 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 43.2 miles (I 90): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here; at 79.8 miles (I 90): Highway fork - watch signs carefully; at 122.4 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Not recommended in a single day. At 5.9 hours each way, a round trip means 11.7 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, and FHWA TMAS for hourly traffic volumes. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.
Was this helpful?
Thanks for your feedback!
Your tip has been submitted. Thanks!
/500
Recent Tips
·
Explore More
Continue From Whitefish, MT
More from Ennis, MT
More trips to Whitefish, MT
Explore more options from Ennis, MT or browse trips ending in Whitefish, MT.
Looking for more statewide routes? Browse MT road trips.