Missoula, MT to West Yellowstone, MT is 264.4 miles and takes about 4h 36m via Jeannette Rankin Memorial Highway and US 287, with a fuel budget near $43 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This route stays within the Mountain West, transitioning from the Missoula area to the landscapes surrounding Yellowstone. With just one recommended stop and a manageable duration, it's a straightforward trip for a single day. Plan for a mix of highway cruising and surface roads as you make your way toward your destination.
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
132.2 miles from Missoula, MT
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 2h 7m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
Jeannette Rankin Memorial Highway
115.1 mi
1h 49m
US 287
90.9 mi
1h 42m
I 15
33.9 mi
34m
MT 359
14.6 mi
17m
Gallatin Road
8.2 mi
9m
East Broadway Street
0.6 mi
<1m
I 90 Business
0.2 mi
<1m
Firehole Avenue
0.2 mi
<1m
Longest stretch:
Jeannette Rankin Memorial Highway
— 115.1 mi, about 1h 49m
Traffic on I-90
Hour-of-day weekday pattern from 16 FHWA count stations on your route.
Peak
3 PM
~373 veh/hr typical
· worst 571
Quietest
2 AM
~34 veh/hr
Peak-to-quiet ratio
11×
busier at peak than in the quiet hours
12a6anoon6p11p
Averaged across 104 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 Missoula, MT and West Yellowstone, 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
34 mi·34 min·I 15; I 90
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
7
Take the exit
0.3 mi·38 sec
Toward MT 359: Cardwell, Boulder
8
Turn right onto MT 2
152 ft·3 sec·MT 2
9
Continue on MT 359
15 mi·17 min·MT 359
10
At end of road, turn right onto US 287
28 mi·33 min·US 287
11
At end of road, turn left onto US 287
63 mi·1 hr 9 min·US 287
12
At end of road, turn right onto US 191 US 287
8.2 mi·9 min·Gallatin Road
13
Continue on US 191; US 287
0.2 mi·32 sec·North Canyon Street
14
Turn right onto US 20
0.2 mi·45 sec·Firehole Avenue
15
Turn left onto Electric Street
39 ft·1 sec·Electric Street
16
Arrive at destination
Electric Street
Trip Plan
Starting your drive from Missoula in the morning is ideal, allowing ample daylight for the 4h 36m trip. With just one recommended stop and a fuel cost estimated around $43, you won't need to break this up unless you prefer a more relaxed pace. Keep in mind that the longest stretch is over 115 miles, so plan your needs before embarking on that section. Pay attention to the transition from highway to surface roads, as this can alter your average speed.
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 132.2 miles from Missoula, MT, or about 2h 7m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 115.1 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 58 miles or 55m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 132.2 miles or 2h 7m 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 West Yellowstone, 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.
Day 1
Settle into the route from Missoula, MT
This is one driving day of about 264.4 miles and 4h 36m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 58 miles from Missoula, 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 Jeannette Rankin Memorial Highway for about 115.1 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 12
5 decision points cluster between mile 116 and 255.8 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
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
149.9 mi into trip|~2h 25m in
Take the exit toward MT 359: Cardwell, Boulder
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Toward MT 359: Cardwell, Boulder
5
164.9 mi into trip|~2h 43m in|US 287
At end of road, turn right onto US 287
Navigation decision point
5
192.9 mi into trip|~3h 16m in|US 287
At end of road, turn left onto US 287
Navigation decision point
5
255.8 mi into trip|~4h 25m in|US 191 US 287 / Gallatin Road
At end of road, turn right onto US 191 US 287 / Gallatin Road
Navigation decision point
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$45.85 one way
$91.71 round trip
$4.41/gal25.4 MPG avg93 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.61
$47.96
$95.91
premium
$4.95
$51.53
$103.05
diesel
$5.60
$58.28
$116.57
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$46
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$71–$96
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 92.5 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-08-31.
Driving Electric?
About $28 in charging
· 0 stops
· 67% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
79.3
0
$27.76
$12.69
Efficient EV
66.1
0
$23.14
$10.58
EV Truck/SUV
105.8
1
$37.02
$16.92
Gas CO2
93 kg
EV CO2
31 kg (67% less)
Plan for 0 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 Sep 2, 2026
Origin
Missoula, MT
Late night
in Missoula on Wednesday
Local time
12:48 AM
MDT
Current temp
91°F
Chance Light Rain
S 2 mph38% chanceLive forecast
High Wind Warning
High Wind Warning issued September 1 at 12:15PM MDT until September 2 at 9:00PM MDT by NWS Great Falls MT
High Wind Watch
High Wind Watch issued September 1 at 12:15PM MDT until September 3 at 9:00PM MDT by NWS Great Falls MT
Destination
West Yellowstone, MT
Late night
in West Yellowstone on Wednesday
Local time
12:48 AM
MDT
Current temp
37°F
Slight Chance Showers And Thunderstorms then Showers And Thunderstorms Likely
SE 1 to 7 mph68% chanceLive forecast
High Wind Warning
High Wind Warning issued September 1 at 12:15PM MDT until September 2 at 9:00PM MDT by NWS Great Falls MT
High Wind Watch
High Wind Watch issued September 1 at 12:15PM MDT until September 3 at 9:00PM 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
54 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
4h 36m 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.
National Parks Near This Route
Worth a detour if your schedule allows.
Yellowstone National Park
National Park
28 mi from route
~69 min detour
$35
near mile 264.4
Park Closure: Biscuit Basin Closed Due to Hydrothermal Explosion
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
You'll spend about 53% of this 264.4-mile drive on highways. The longest continuous stretch on a single road is 115.1 miles on Jeannette Rankin Memorial Highway. Expect to transition from highway driving to surface roads after this initial segment. Given the mixed profile, anticipate varied driving conditions, from open highway to more rural cruising.
53% highway, the rest on surface roads — varied driving throughout.
16 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 115.1 mi on Jeannette Rankin Memorial Highway.
How Hard Is This Drive?
3/10
This route mixes highway mileage with some local-road sections near the start or finish. There are only a few real navigation decisions along the way. The trickiest moment comes around 116 miles in near I 15; I 90.
Driving Effort3/10
Easy - simple navigation with a manageable amount of wheel time
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This is a straightforward 4h 36m drive. You will face about 12 decision points, but nothing that requires special attention if you follow navigation.
Where does it get tricky?
The main spots that need attention: at 116 miles (I 15; I 90): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 149.9 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 164.9 miles (US 287): Navigation decision point.
Elevation Profile
High-altitude sections with notable climbs
6,666 ft3,209 ft
Total Climb
4,671 ft
Total Descent
1,214 ft
Highest Point
6,666 ft
~264.4 mi in
Elevation Range
3,458 ft
Notable High Points
5,472 ft at ~132.2 miles+77 ft prominence
4,945 ft at ~170 miles+19 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 Missoula, MT to West Yellowstone, MT, road signs begin pointing toward Boulder along the way.
Missoula is a medium-sized city in Western Montana with a population of about 73,000 (2020). The hub of five valleys in the northwest region of the state, or Glacier Country, the town boasts the University of Montana, the Rattlesnake Recreation Area, and a multitude of recreational opportunities, along with an active and colorful downtown.
Top landmarks
•Fort Missoula
•Gleim Building — building in Missoula, Montana, US
•Masonic Lodge — Masonic lodge in Missoula, Montanna
West Yellowstone, Montana, is a rustic mountain town nestled between National Forest lands and is the gateway to Yellowstone National Park. It is only a mile from the park entrance, and the town's airport is the closest to the park, and to attractions like Old Faithful.
Top landmarks
•Eagle's Store — historic commercial building in West Yellowstone, Montana, United States
Mixed highway & surface route profile with national parks nearby.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 115.1 miles on Jeannette Rankin Memorial Highway. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Yes — we found about 8 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.
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 116 miles (I 15; I 90): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 149.9 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 164.9 miles (US 287): Navigation decision point.
Yes — Yellowstone National Park. See the National Parks section for detour distances and tips on detours.
Possible but tiring. At 4.6 hours each way, an in-and-out day trip would put you behind the wheel for 9.2 hours — manageable with a long break at West Yellowstone, MT, but most travelers stay overnight.
