Rest Area
0.1 mi from route
Trip from Missoula, MT to Wolf Point, MT
Pin this tripCompiled and reviewed by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Jun 3, 2026 · Editorial standards
Drive Time
9h 8m
Distance
485.4 mi
781 km
Drive Score
9/10
Great drive
Same Day?
2-day trip
Fuel Cost
$85
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
9h 1m
★
6 AM
9h 9m
8 AM
9h 25m
10 AM
9h 15m
12 PM
9h 13m
3 PM
9h 15m
5 PM
9h 25m
8 PM
9h 4m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Missoula, MT
Wikimedia Commons
Wolf Point, MT
Alex Moliski
Trip Overview
Missoula to Wolf Point is 485.4 miles and takes about 9 hours 8 minutes via US 2, MT 200, and 15th Street Northeast, with a fuel budget near $79 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This route stays within Montana, traversing the Mountain West region from its western mountains to its eastern plains. Expect a predominantly highway experience, making it a straightforward, albeit long, single-day trip if you start early. It's a practical choice if you need to get from the western part of the state to the northeast corner efficiently.
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
242.7 miles from Missoula, MT
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 4h 32m into the drive .
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| US 2 | 210.4 mi | 4h |
| MT 200 | 148.5 mi | 2h 48m |
| 15th Street Northeast | 107.3 mi | 1h 58m |
| First Special Service Force Memorial Highway | 9.5 mi | 8m |
| Jeannette Rankin Memorial Highway | 3.9 mi | 4m |
| 3rd Street Northwest | 1.4 mi | 1m |
| Central Avenue West | 1.3 mi | 1m |
| Old Havre Highway | 0.9 mi | 1m |
Longest stretch:
US 2
— 210.4 mi, about 4h
Traffic on I-15
Hour-of-day weekday pattern from 4 FHWA count stations on your route.
Peak
5 PM
~391 veh/hr typical · worst 507
Quietest
1 AM
~14 veh/hr
Peak-to-quiet ratio
27.9×
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 Missoula, MT and Wolf Point, 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
3.9 mi
·
4 min
·
Jeannette Rankin Memorial Highway
6
Take the exit onto MT 200
148 mi
·
2 hr 48 min
·
MT 200
Toward MT 200 East: Bonner, Great Falls
7
Take the exit onto US 89; MT 200
0.3 mi
·
32 sec
·
US 89; MT 200
Toward I 15 South: Great Falls
8
Merge onto I 15; US 89; MT 200
9.5 mi
·
8 min
·
First Special Service Force Memorial Highway
9
Take the exit onto I 15 Business
0.2 mi
·
30 sec
·
I 15 Business
Toward I 15 Business
10
Turn left onto I 15 Business
1.3 mi
·
1 min
·
Central Avenue West
11
Turn left onto 3rd Street Northwest
1.4 mi
·
1 min
·
3rd Street Northwest
12
Continue on Smelter Avenue Northeast
0.5 mi
·
45 sec
·
Smelter Avenue Northeast
13
Turn left onto Old Havre Highway
0.9 mi
·
1 min
·
Old Havre Highway
14
Turn left onto US 87
107 mi
·
1 hr 58 min
·
15th Street Northeast
15
Turn right onto US 2
3.9 mi
·
4 min
·
US 2
16
Continue on US 2
207 mi
·
3 hr 55 min
·
US 2
17
Turn right onto MT 25
365 ft
·
6 sec
·
4th Avenue North
18
Continue on MT 25
0.2 mi
·
15 sec
·
3rd Avenue
19
Arrive at destination
MT 25
Trip Plan
Given the 9-hour duration, starting your drive from Missoula early in the morning is advisable to make it to Wolf Point before dark. With two recommended stops, plan to break up the 485.4 miles to stay refreshed. The longest stretch without a significant break is over 200 miles on US 2, so ensure you're fueled up and ready for that segment. The estimated fuel cost is around $79, so factor that into your budget for this cross-state trek.
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 242.7 miles from Missoula, MT, or about 4h 32m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 210.4 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 2h 2m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 242.7 miles or 4h 32m 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 242.7 miles or 4h 32m
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 8h
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Wolf Point, 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 243 miles and 4.6 hours of wheel time on this day.
Day 2
Finish the approach into Wolf Point, MT
Aim for roughly 243 miles and 4.6 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 US 2 for about 210.4 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Mid-route town
Overnight candidate
243 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 Three Forks, MTOvernight Options
Night 1
243 mi · about 4.6h in
A practical overnight split lands near Three Forks, MT after about 243 miles or 4.6 hours of driving.
Find hotelsPacing Suggestions
Fuel and coffee
A short stop after about 107 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 242.7 miles from Missoula, MT, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Before the longest stretch
Fuel checkTop up before US 2 if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 210.4 miles.
Overnight split
Hotel stopFor a steadier pace, wrap day one after about 243 miles or 4.6 hours on the road.
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
Service Plaza
2.4 mi from route
Place data sourced from public business listings. Hours and availability may vary.
Heads-up: tricky spots
5 of 95 decision points cluster between mile 0.7 and 485.1 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
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
5
4.8 mi into trip
|
~6m in
|
MT 200
Take the exit onto MT 200 toward MT 200 East: Bonner, Great Falls
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Toward MT 200 East: Bonner, Great Falls
4
153.3 mi into trip
|
~2h 54m in
|
US 89; MT 200
Take the exit onto US 89; MT 200 toward I 15 South: Great Falls
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early
Toward I 15 South: Great Falls
4
163 mi into trip
|
~3h 3m in
|
I 15 Business
Take the exit onto I 15 Business toward I 15 Business
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early
Toward I 15 Business
4
485.1 mi into trip
|
~9h 8m in
|
MT 25 / 4th Avenue North
Turn right onto MT 25 / 4th Avenue North
Navigation decision point
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$85.33 one way
$170.65 round trip
$4.47/gal
25.4 MPG avg
170 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.67 | $89.23 | $178.45 |
| premium | $4.99 | $95.36 | $190.72 |
| diesel | $5.35 | $102.24 | $204.48 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$85
Hotel (1n)
$80–$140
Meals
$50–$100
Total
$215–$325
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 169.8 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-06-01.
Driving Electric?
About $51 in charging · 1 stop · 66% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 145.6 | 1 | $50.97 | $23.30 |
| Efficient EV | 121.4 | 1 | $42.47 | $19.42 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 194.2 | 2 | $67.96 | $31.07 |
Gas CO2
170 kg
EV CO2
57 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
Missoula, MT
Afternoon in Missoula on Wednesday
Local time
12:58 PM
MDT
Current temp
42°F
Mostly Clear
NNW 0 to 3 mph
3% chance
Live forecast
Severe Thunderstorm Warning
Severe Thunderstorm Warning issued June 2 at 6:24PM MDT until June 2 at 7:15PM MDT by NWS Billings MT
Lake Wind Advisory
Lake Wind Advisory issued June 2 at 12:42PM MDT until June 2 at 7:00PM MDT by NWS Glasgow MT
Destination
Wolf Point, MT
Afternoon in Wolf Point on Wednesday
Local time
12:58 PM
MDT
Current temp
42°F
Chance Showers And Thunderstorms then Partly Cloudy
W 7 to 16 mph
25% chance
Live forecast
Severe Thunderstorm Warning
Severe Thunderstorm Warning issued June 2 at 6:24PM MDT until June 2 at 7:15PM MDT by NWS Billings MT
Lake Wind Advisory
Lake Wind Advisory issued June 2 at 12:42PM MDT until June 2 at 7:00PM MDT by NWS Glasgow 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.
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
Very similar conditions
Both ends of the route are sitting at about the same temperature right now.
Road read
9h 8m 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?
This drive is mostly highway, with 74% of the 485.4 miles on these faster roads. You'll encounter a long stretch of 210.4 miles on US 2, likely offering a consistent cruising experience. After the highway segments, you'll transition to surface roads for the remaining portion of the trip. Keep an eye out for the change in pace as you move from highway speeds to more local travel.
74% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
19 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 210.4 mi on US 2.
How Hard Is This Drive?
4/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on US 2 and MT 200. There are only a few real navigation decisions along the way. The trickiest moment comes around 0.7 miles in near I 90 Business; US 12.
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 9h 8m, endurance matters. Plan breaks every 2-3 hours. The 9 decision points are all manageable with basic attention.
Where does it get tricky?
The main spots that need attention: at 0.7 miles (I 90 Business; US 12): Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early; at 4.8 miles (MT 200): Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 153.3 miles (US 89; MT 200): Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early.
Elevation Profile
Gently rolling terrain
4,403 ft
1,999 ft
Total Climb
1,195 ft
Total Descent
2,404 ft
Highest Point
4,403 ft
~69.3 mi in
Elevation Range
2,404 ft
Notable High Points
4,403 ft at ~69.3 miles
+99 ft prominence
About the Cities
Starting in Missoula, MT
Full guide →“The Garden City” · Founded 1866
Missoula is a medium size 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 Wilderness 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
Arriving in Wolf Point, MT
Full guide →Wolf Point is a town in northeastern Montana. About 2,500 people live there. It is the largest community on the Fort Peck Indian Reservation. The reservation is home to both the Assiniboine and Sioux Nation. It is unusual to have two tribes on the same reservation.
City content from Wikivoyage (CC BY-SA 4.0) and Wikidata (CC0).
Who Is This Route For?
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 2 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
9h 8m drive, plan rest stops for pacing.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (74%). Straightforward navigation.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 210.4 miles on US 2. 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 243 miles on day one.
Yes — we found about 3 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 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 Wolf Point, 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 3 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 0.7 miles (I 90 Business; US 12): Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early; at 4.8 miles (MT 200): Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 153.3 miles (US 89; MT 200): Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early.
Not recommended in a single day. At 9.1 hours each way, a round trip means 18.3 hours of driving — that is an unsafe level of fatigue for most drivers. Plan at least one night at Wolf Point, 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.
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