Kalispell to Colstrip is 575.9 miles and takes about 10h 20m via I 90, I 15, and MT 83, with a fuel budget near $92 and likely requiring an overnight stay. This long-haul drive spans the Mountain West region, taking you from northwestern Montana to the southeastern corner of the state. Given the 10-hour driving time, it's best planned as a two-day trip to avoid fatigue. You'll spend most of your time on major highways, making it a straightforward, if 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
2 planned breaks
Plan on a short reset every 3 to 4 hours to stay fresh behind the wheel.
Midpoint
287.9 miles from Kalispell, MT
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 5h 14m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
I 90
222 mi
3h 36m
I 15
110.8 mi
1h 51m
MT 83
91.1 mi
1h 43m
US 212
42.5 mi
50m
State Highway 141
32.5 mi
35m
MT 200
23.8 mi
25m
State Highway 39
22.2 mi
33m
US 12
12.9 mi
14m
Longest stretch:
I 90
— 222 mi, about 3h 36m
Traffic on I-90
Hour-of-day weekday pattern from 28 FHWA count stations on your route.
Peak
4 PM
~713 veh/hr typical
· worst 909
Quietest
2 AM
~42 veh/hr
Peak-to-quiet ratio
17×
busier at peak than in the quiet hours
12a6anoon6p11p
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 Kalispell, MT and Colstrip, MT.
1
Start on 3rd Street West
427 ft·15 sec·3rd Street West
2
Turn right onto 1st Avenue East
0.8 mi·2 min·1st Avenue East
Use the straight / right lanes.
3
Turn left onto US 93
2.7 mi·4 min·US 93 South
4
Turn left onto Snowline Lane
1.0 mi·3 min·Snowline Lane
5
Turn right onto Demersville Road
0.2 mi·58 sec·Demersville Road
6
At end of road, turn right onto Rocky Cliff Drive
292 ft·19 sec·Rocky Cliff Drive
7
Turn left onto US 93
3.6 mi·4 min·US 93 South
8
Turn left onto MT 82
6.9 mi·8 min·MT 82
9
Turn right onto MT 35
0.3 mi·36 sec·MT 35
Use the straight lane.
10
Turn left onto MT 83
91 mi·1 hr 43 min·MT 83
Use the left lane.
11
Turn left onto MT 200
24 mi·25 min·MT 200
12
Turn right onto MT 141
32 mi·35 min·State Highway 141
13
Turn sharp right onto US 12
13 mi·14 min·US 12
14
Turn left
0.5 mi·42 sec
15
Continue on this road
0.2 mi·13 sec·this road
16
Take the ramp
0.9 mi·1 min
17
Merge onto I 90
45 mi·42 min·I 90
18
Keep slight right at fork onto I 15; I 90
111 mi·1 hr 51 min·I 15; I 90
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
19
Continue on I 90; US 89; US 191
6.9 mi·6 min·I 90; US 89; US 191
20
Continue on I 90; US 191
113 mi·1 hr 53 min·I 90; US 191
21
Continue on I 90; US 87; US 212
3.1 mi·3 min·I 90; US 87; US 212
22
Keep slight right at fork onto I 90; US 87; US 212
54 mi·50 min·I 90; US 87; US 212
Toward I 90 East: Sheridan
23
Take the exit onto US 212
0.4 mi·53 sec·US 212
Toward US 212 East: Little Bighorn Battlefield, Broadus
24
Turn left onto US 212
42 mi·49 min·US 212
25
Enter roundabout onto MT 39
328 ft·5 sec·Cheyenne Avenue
26
Continue on MT 39
0.5 mi·42 sec·Cheyenne Avenue
27
Continue on MT 39
22 mi·33 min·State Highway 39
28
Turn right onto Box Elder Avenue
0.4 mi·1 min·Box Elder Avenue
29
Arrive at destination
Park Street
Trip Plan
With a 10h 20m estimated drive time, this route is best split over two days. Aim to depart early in the morning to maximize your daylight driving hours. You'll want to plan for at least two stops for fuel and rest, especially considering the 222-mile stretch on I 90. Consider breaking the drive roughly in half, perhaps stopping overnight around the halfway point of your journey. This pacing will make the 575.9-mile trip much more manageable and safer.
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 287.9 miles from Kalispell, MT, or about 5h 14m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 222 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 127 miles or 2h 30m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 287.9 miles or 5h 14m 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 287.9 miles or 5h 14m
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 1m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Colstrip, MT than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving Kalispell, 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 Kalispell, MT
Aim for roughly 288 miles and 5.2 hours of wheel time on this day.
Day 2
Finish the approach into Colstrip, MT
Aim for roughly 288 miles and 5.2 hours of wheel time on this day.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 127 miles from Kalispell, 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 222 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 20
5 decision points cluster between mile 0.1 and 222.5 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
6
0.1 mi into trip|~0m in|1st Avenue East
Turn right onto 1st Avenue East
Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / right lanes.
5
4.8 mi into trip|~11m in|Rocky Cliff Drive
At end of road, turn right onto Rocky Cliff Drive
Navigation decision point
6
15.3 mi into trip|~24m in|MT 35
Turn right onto MT 35
Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight lane.
5
15.6 mi into trip|~25m in|MT 83
Turn left onto MT 83
Lane positioning matters here
Use the left lane.
6
222.5 mi into trip|~4h 8m in|I 15; I 90
Keep slight right at fork onto I 15; I 90
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$101.24 one way
$202.47 round trip
$4.47/gal25.4 MPG avg202 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.67
$105.86
$211.72
premium
$4.99
$113.14
$226.28
diesel
$5.35
$121.30
$242.60
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$101
Hotel (1n)
$80–$140
Meals
$50–$100
Total
$231–$341
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 201.5 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-06-01.
Driving Electric?
About $60 in charging
· 2 stops
· 67% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
172.8
2
$60.47
$27.64
Efficient EV
144
1
$50.39
$23.04
EV Truck/SUV
230.4
2
$80.63
$36.86
Gas CO2
201 kg
EV CO2
67 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 May 24, 2026
Origin
Kalispell, MT
Afternoon
in Kalispell on Wednesday
Local time
12:58 PM
MDT
Current temp
46°F
Chance Light Rain then Partly Cloudy
SSW 3 to 7 mph26% chanceLive forecast
Destination
Colstrip, MT
Afternoon
in Colstrip on Wednesday
Local time
12:58 PM
MDT
Current temp
49°F
Partly Cloudy
SSW 3 to 7 mph4% chanceLive forecast
42°F
Lincoln, MT
190 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
3 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
10h 20m 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.
Little Bighorn Battlefield National Monument
National Monument
This land is a place to honor and reflect on the sacrifices made here on June 25 and 26, 1876, when Lakota, Cheyenne, and Arapaho warriors fought against a deliberate attack by the U.S. Army's 7th Cav...
4 mi from route
~9 min detour
$25
near mile 516.3
Park Closure: The Park is ONLY OPEN Friday, Saturday, and Sunday.
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
You'll be on highways for 99% of this 575.9-mile route, so expect mostly high-speed cruising. The longest uninterrupted stretch you'll encounter is 222 miles along I 90. This means you'll have minimal time on surface roads, which will likely only appear at the very beginning or end of your trip. Expect a consistent driving experience with fewer exits and more rural scenery for extended periods.
99% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
29 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 222 mi on I 90.
How Hard Is This Drive?
6/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 90 and I 15. You will hit about 20 points where you need to pay attention to lane position or signs. The trickiest moment comes around 0.1 miles in near 1st Avenue East.
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 575.9 miles you will encounter 20 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 0.1 miles (1st Avenue East): Lane positioning matters here; at 4.8 miles (Rocky Cliff Drive): Navigation decision point; at 15.3 miles (MT 35): Lane positioning matters here.
Elevation Profile
Gently rolling terrain
4,889 ft2,955 ft
Total Climb
2,934 ft
Total Descent
2,659 ft
Highest Point
4,889 ft
~205.7 mi in
Elevation Range
1,934 ft
Notable High Points
4,889 ft at ~205.7 miles+222 ft prominence
4,780 ft at ~329.1 miles+536 ft prominence
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 Kalispell, MT to Colstrip, MT, road signs begin pointing toward Broadus along the way.
Kalispell is a town in Montana, near Glacier National Park. The name of the town means "flat land above the lake" in Salish, a Native American language. The population is about 23,000 (2016).
Top landmarks
•Charles E. Conrad Mansion — mansion in Kalispell, Montana
•Fisher House — Historic house in Kalispell, USA
•Charles Boles House — single-family detached home in Kalispell, Montana
Colstrip is a city of 2,300 people (2018) in Southeastern Montana. Established in 1924 and incorporated as a city in 1998, Colstrip is the largest city in Rosebud County with 24% of the total population. Colstrip's primary industries are coal mining and electricity production. The entire community celebrates Colstrip Days annually on the weekend prior to the 4th of July.
Moderate complexity with 2 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
10h 20m drive, plan rest stops for pacing.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 222 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 288 miles on day one.
Yes — we found about 18 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 Colstrip, 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. There are 18 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 0.1 miles (1st Avenue East): Lane positioning matters here; at 4.8 miles (Rocky Cliff Drive): Navigation decision point; at 15.3 miles (MT 35): Lane positioning matters here.
Yes — Little Bighorn Battlefield National Monument. See the National Parks section for detour distances and tips on detours.
Not recommended in a single day. At 10.3 hours each way, a round trip means 20.7 hours of driving — that is an unsafe level of fatigue for most drivers. Plan at least one night at Colstrip, MT before the return drive.
