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Trip from Missoula, MT to Miles City, MT

Compiled and reviewed by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Apr 19, 2026 · Editorial standards

Drive Time

8h 12m

Distance

488 mi

785 km

Drive Score

9/10

Great drive

Same Day?

2-day trip

Fuel Cost

$77

one way

EV Charging

Good

8 stations

Best Time to Leave

Save up to 24 min
4 AM
8h 4m ★
6 AM
8h 12m
8 AM
8h 28m
10 AM
8h 18m
12 PM
8h 16m
3 PM
8h 18m
5 PM
8h 27m
8 PM
8h 7m

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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county seat of Missoula County, Montana, United States

Missoula, MT

Wikimedia Commons

city in and county seat of Custer County, Montana, United States

Miles City, MT

Wikimedia Commons

Trip Overview

Spanning 488 miles across Montana, this trek from Missoula to Miles City is a significant cross-state journey that takes approximately 8 hours and 12 minutes of pure driving time. Because of the distance, I recommend treating this as a two-day trip rather than a grueling single-day push. You will primarily navigate via I-90, I-94, and the Jeannette Rankin Memorial Highway, making for a straightforward, highway-focused experience. Expect to budget around $77 for fuel, though you should keep an eye on local prices as you transit between regions. Whether you are moving across the state or simply exploring the Mountain West, splitting the drive allows you to manage the long hours behind the wheel more effectively.

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

244 miles from Missoula, MT

A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 3h 58m into the drive .

Main Roads

Road Distance Duration
I 94 134.7 mi 2h 20m
I 90 123 mi 2h 3m
Jeannette Rankin Memorial Highway 115.1 mi 1h 49m
I 15 110.8 mi 1h 51m
I 94 Business 3.6 mi 6m
East Broadway Street 0.6 mi <1m
I 90 Business 0.2 mi <1m
Van Buren Street <0.1 mi <1m
Longest stretch: I 94 — 134.7 mi, about 2h 20m

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between Missoula, MT and Miles City, MT.

1

Start on North Higgins Avenue

19 ft · 7 sec · North Higgins Avenue
2

Turn left onto I 90 Bus; US 12 Bus

0.6 mi · 58 sec · East Broadway Street
3

Turn left onto I 90 Bus; US 12

435 ft · 5 sec · Van Buren Street
4

Take the exit onto I 90 Business; US 12

0.2 mi · 29 sec · I 90 Business; US 12
5

Merge onto I 90; US 12; MT 200

115 mi · 1 hr 49 min · Jeannette Rankin Memorial Highway
6

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.
7

Continue on I 90; US 89; US 191

6.9 mi · 6 min · I 90; US 89; US 191
8

Continue on I 90; US 191

113 mi · 1 hr 53 min · I 90; US 191
9

Continue on I 90; US 87; US 212

3.1 mi · 3 min · I 90; US 87; US 212
10

Keep slight left at fork onto I 94

135 mi · 2 hr 20 min · I 94
Toward I 94 East: Bismark
11

Take the exit onto I 94 Business

3.6 mi · 6 min · I 94 Business
Toward I 94 Business: Miles City, Jordan
12

Arrive at destination

MT 59

Trip Plan

To make the most of your 488-mile trip, aim to depart early in the morning to avoid fatigue during the afternoon hours. I suggest planning for at least two dedicated stops to break up the drive, as these intervals are vital for staying alert during the long highway stretches. Given that the longest uninterrupted segment is 134.7 miles, monitor your fuel gauge closely before heading into that portion of I-94 to ensure you aren't caught off guard. Since this is an 8-hour journey, look for a midway point to overnight so you can arrive in Miles City fresh rather than exhausted. Prioritize checking your tire pressure and fluid levels before you leave Missoula, as the consistent highway speeds place a unique demand on your vehicle.

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 244 miles from Missoula, MT, or about 3h 58m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 134.7 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 107 miles or 1h 42m in

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

Halfway reset

Around 244 miles or 3h 58m 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 244 miles or 3h 58m

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 7h 7m

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

Before You Leave

+

Open the route before leaving Missoula, 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 Missoula, MT

Aim for roughly 244 miles and 4.1 hours of wheel time on this day.

Day 2

Finish the approach into Miles City, MT

Aim for roughly 244 miles and 4.1 hours of wheel time on this day.

Your first comfortable stop window is around 107 miles from Missoula, 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 94 for about 134.7 miles.

Where to Stop

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

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

Mid-route town

Overnight candidate

Bozeman, MT

244 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 Bozeman, MT

Overnight Options

Night 1

Bozeman, MT

244 mi · about 4.1h in

A practical overnight split lands near Bozeman, MT after about 244 miles or 4.1 hours of driving.

Find hotels

Pacing Suggestions

Deer Lodge, MT

Fuel and coffee

A short stop after about 107 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.

Livingston, MT

Meal break

The midpoint is around 244 miles from Missoula, MT, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.

Before the longest stretch

Fuel check

Top up before I 94 if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 134.7 miles.

Overnight split

Hotel stop

For a steadier pace, wrap day one after about 244 miles or 4.1 hours on the road.

These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.

Nearby Places

Restaurants, cafes, gas stations and more along your route.

Top Restaurant

The Old Post

4.4 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Missoula, Montana

Near the start, right off the route

0.1 mi from route $20 to $30

Hours: 8 am–10 pm

+14065404433

Visit website

Zoo Thai

4.4 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Missoula, Montana

0.1 mi

The Camino

4.3 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Missoula, Montana

0.2 mi

Top Coffee Stop

Yellowstone Coffee and Canvas

4.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Billings, Montana

Later in the drive, right off the route

0.3 mi from route ~1 min detour $1 to $10 mile 348.6

Hours: 7 am–8 pm

+14068942073

Visit website

The Ruby

4.9 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Miles City, Montana

0.3 mi

The Ugly Mug

4.8 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Miles City, Montana

0.5 mi

The Old Post

4.4 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Near the start, right off the route

0.1 mi from route $20 to $30

Missoula, Montana

Hours: 8 am–10 pm

+14065404433

Visit website

Zoo Thai

4.4 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Near the start, right off the route

0.1 mi from route $20 to $30

Missoula, Montana

Hours: 4:30–9 pm

+14065404206

Visit website

The Camino

4.3 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Near the start, right off the route

0.2 mi from route $30 to $50

Missoula, Montana

Hours: 3–10 pm

+14063171260

Visit website

The Greek Pastry Shop - #1 GYROS

4.8 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, right off the route

0.7 mi from route ~2 min detour $10 to $20

Missoula, Montana

Hours: 11 am–8 pm

+14065436843

The Farmhouse Cafe

4.4 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Near the end, right off the route

0 mi from route $10 to $20 mile 488

Miles City, Montana

Hours: 8 am–1 pm

+14062346731

Vintage and Rustics in Montana

4.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, right off the route

0.3 mi from route ~1 min detour mile 488

Miles City, MT

Hours: 7:30 am–4:30 pm

+14062347878

Visit website

Ciao Mambo

4.4 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Near the start, right off the route

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

Missoula, Montana

Hours: 5–8:30 pm

+14065430377

Visit website

Brasserie Porte Rouge

4.4 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Near the start, right off the route

0.2 mi from route Inexpensiv

Missoula, Montana

Hours: 11 am–2 pm

+14065410231

Visit website

Yellowstone Coffee and Canvas

4.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Later in the drive, right off the route

0.3 mi from route ~1 min detour $1 to $10 mile 348.6

Billings, Montana

Hours: 7 am–8 pm

+14068942073

Visit website

The Ruby

4.9 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, right off the route

0.3 mi from route ~1 min detour $1 to $10 mile 488

Miles City, Montana

Hours: 6:15 am–2 pm

+14062347829

The Ugly Mug

4.8 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, right off the route

0.5 mi from route ~1 min detour $1 to $10 mile 488

Miles City, Montana

Hours: 6:30 am–2 pm

+14068748459

Visit website

Clyde Coffee

4.4 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Near the start, right off the route

0.6 mi from route ~1 min detour $10 to $20

Missoula, Montana

Hours: 6 am–6 pm

+14065404481

Visit website

Main Street Grind

4.5 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, right off the route

0.4 mi from route ~1 min detour $10 to $20 mile 488

Miles City, Montana

Hours: 6:30 am–2 pm

+14062344664

Scoop MT

4.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, right off the route

0.3 mi from route ~1 min detour mile 488

Miles City, Montana

Hours: 9 am–5:30 pm

+14062341915

City Brew Coffee

4.1 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Near the end, right off the route

1 mi from route ~2 min detour Moderately mile 488

Miles City, Montana

Hours: 5:30 am–3 pm

+14062346106

Visit website

Mountain Mudd Espresso (Miles City)

4.5 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, short detour

1.2 mi from route ~3 min detour $10 to $20 mile 488

Miles City, Montana

Hours: 5:30 am–8 pm

+14062255657

Visit website

BreatheEV Charging Station

5.0 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, right off the route

0.2 mi from route ~1 min detour

Missoula, Montana

Hours: Open 24 hours

+18442522083

ChargePoint Charging Station

5.0 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, short detour

1 mi from route ~3 min detour

Missoula, Montana

Hours: Open 24 hours

+18887584389

Visit website

ChargePoint Charging Station

3.0 ★ ★ ★ ☆ ☆

Near the start, right off the route

0.7 mi from route ~2 min detour

Missoula, Montana

Hours: Open 24 hours

+18887584389

Visit website

Tesla Supercharger

4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, ~9 min detour

3.4 mi from route ~9 min detour

Missoula, Montana

Hours: Open 24 hours

Visit website

Electrify America Charging Station

3.3 ★ ★ ★ ☆ ☆

Near the start, short detour

2.4 mi from route ~6 min detour

Missoula, Montana

Hours: Open 24 hours

+18336322778

Visit website

ChargePoint Charging Station

Near the start, short detour

1.2 mi from route ~3 min detour

Missoula, Montana

Hours: Open 24 hours

+18887584389

Visit website

EV Connect Charging Station

Near the start, short detour

3.2 mi from route ~8 min detour

Missoula, Montana

+18668167584

Visit website

ChargePoint Charging Station

Near the start, ~9 min detour

3.5 mi from route ~9 min detour

Missoula, Montana

Hours: Open 24 hours

+18887584389

Visit website

Caras Park

4.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, right off the route

0.2 mi from route ~1 min detour

Missoula, Montana

Hours: 6 am–11 pm

+14065434238

Visit website

Dragon Hollow Playground

4.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, right off the route

0.2 mi from route ~1 min detour

Missoula, MT

+14065498382

Visit website

Girl Ran Away With the Spoon

4.9 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, right off the route

0.5 mi from route ~1 min detour mile 488

Miles City, Montana

Hours: 10 am–5 pm

+14062341525

Visit website

Montana Natural History Center

4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, right off the route

0.6 mi from route ~1 min detour

Missoula, Montana

Hours: 10 am–4 pm

+14063270405

Visit website

Unique Creations

4.8 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, right off the route

1 mi from route ~2 min detour $1 to $10 mile 488

Miles City, Montana

Hours: 6 am–8 pm

+14062341008

Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation

4.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, ~9 min detour

3.7 mi from route ~9 min detour

Missoula, Montana

Hours: 8 am–5 pm

+18002255355

Visit website

After Rage

4.9 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Later in the drive, ~11 min detour

4.6 mi from route ~11 min detour mile 348.6

Billings, Montana

Hours: 3:30–9 pm

+14063715114

Visit website

Wise Wonders Science and Discovery Museum

4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Later in the drive, ~12 min detour

5 mi from route ~12 min detour mile 348.6

Billings, Montana

Hours: 10 am–5 pm

+14067021280

Visit website

Place data sourced from public business listings. Hours and availability may vary.

Heads-up: tricky spots

5 of 7

5 decision points cluster between mile 0 and 484.4 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.

3
0 mi into trip | ~0m in | I 90 Bus; US 12 Bus / East Broadway Street

Turn left onto I 90 Bus; US 12 Bus / East Broadway Street

Navigation decision point

4
0.7 mi into trip | ~1m in | I 90 Business; US 12

Take the exit onto I 90 Business; US 12

Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early

6
116 mi into trip | ~1h 51m 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.
5
349.8 mi into trip | ~5h 45m in | I 94

Keep slight left at fork onto I 94 toward I 94 East: Bismark

Highway fork - watch signs carefully

Toward I 94 East: Bismark
5
484.4 mi into trip | ~8h 5m in | I 94 Business

Take the exit onto I 94 Business toward I 94 Business: Miles City, Jordan

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

Toward I 94 Business: Miles City, Jordan

Fuel & Cost

Regular Gas

$77.33 one way

$154.66 round trip

$4.03/gal 25.4 MPG avg 171 kg CO2
Fuel Type $/gal One Way Round Trip
midgrade $4.22 $81.06 $162.12
premium $4.53 $87.05 $174.10
diesel $5.61 $107.74 $215.49

No toll roads detected on this route.

Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)

Fuel

$77

Hotel (1n)

$80–$140

Meals

$50–$100

Total

$207–$317

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

Estimated CO2 emission: 170.7 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.

Driving Electric?

About $51 in charging · 1 stop · 67% less CO2

Vehicle Type kWh Stops DC Fast Home Charge
Average EV 146.4 1 $51.24 $23.42
Efficient EV 122 1 $42.70 $19.52
EV Truck/SUV 195.2 2 $68.32 $31.23

Gas CO2

171 kg

EV CO2

57 kg (67% 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 12, 2026

Origin

Missoula, MT

Evening in Missoula on Saturday

Local time

7:31 PM

MDT

Current temp

65°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

Destination

Miles City, MT

Evening in Miles City on Saturday

Local time

7:31 PM

MDT

Current temp

48°F

Chance Rain Showers

W 12 mph 32% chance 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.

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

17 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

8h 12m 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.

What kind of drive is this?

Expect a high-speed, interstate-heavy experience with roughly 76% of your journey spent on major highways. The route maintains a consistent pace, though you should prepare for a significant 134.7-mile stretch on I-94 that demands sustained attention. As you transition across Montana, the road personality remains focused on efficiency rather than technical curves or local winding lanes. This is a classic long-haul drive where the primary challenge is maintaining focus during the extended highway segments. You will find that the road surface and traffic patterns remain relatively predictable, allowing you to settle into a steady rhythm as you cover the nearly 500-mile distance.

76% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
12 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 134.7 mi on I 94.

How Hard Is This Drive?

4/10

This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 94 and I 90. There are only a few real navigation decisions along the way. The trickiest moment comes early in the drive near I 90 Bus; US 12 Bus / East Broadway Street.

Driving Effort 4/10

Easy - simple navigation with a manageable amount of wheel time

Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.

The route itself is not hard, but at 8h 12m, endurance matters. Plan breaks every 2-3 hours. The 7 decision points are all manageable with basic attention.

Where does it get tricky?

The main spots that need attention: near the start (I 90 Bus; US 12 Bus / East Broadway Street): Navigation decision point; at 0.7 miles (I 90 Business; US 12): Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early; at 116 miles (I 15; I 90): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.

Elevation Profile

High-altitude sections with notable climbs

5,583 ft 3,055 ft

Total Climb

2,725 ft

Total Descent

2,879 ft

Highest Point

5,583 ft

~122 mi in

Elevation Range

2,528 ft

Notable High Points

5,583 ft at ~122 miles +966 ft prominence
4,821 ft at ~203.4 miles +105 ft prominence

Who Is This Route For?

Family Friendly

Moderate complexity with 2 natural rest stops along the way.

Solo Traveler

8h 12m drive, plan rest stops for pacing.

First-Time Driver

Mostly highway driving (76%). Straightforward navigation.

Frequently Asked Questions

The longest stretch is about 134.7 miles on I 94. 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 244 miles on day one.

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.

It helps. This is a long drive, so arriving tired and in the dark compounds. If the last hour of the trip is on surface roads or mountain grades, aim to arrive at Miles City, 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. Dedicated rest areas are limited, so plan gas or food stops as your bathroom breaks.

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: near the start (I 90 Bus; US 12 Bus / East Broadway Street): Navigation decision point; at 0.7 miles (I 90 Business; US 12): Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early; at 116 miles (I 15; I 90): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.

Not recommended in a single day. At 8.2 hours each way, a round trip means 16.4 hours of driving — that is an unsafe level of fatigue for most drivers. Plan at least one night at Miles City, 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, and USGS 3DEP for elevation. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.

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