Skip to main content
US Trip Planner Logo
US Trip Planner

Trip from Red Lodge, MT to Kalispell, 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 10m

Distance

456.7 mi

735 km

Drive Score

7/10

Good drive

Same Day?

2-day trip

Fuel Cost

$72

one way

EV Charging

Good

8 stations

Best Time to Leave

Save up to 24 min
4 AM
8h 2m ★
6 AM
8h 10m
8 AM
8h 26m
10 AM
8h 16m
12 PM
8h 14m
3 PM
8h 17m
5 PM
8h 26m
8 PM
8h 5m

Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.

Best Time Drive vs Fly
Google Maps Waze Apple Maps
Download GPX
city in and county seat of Carbon County, Montana, United States

Red Lodge, MT

Wikimedia Commons

seat of Flathead County, Montana, United States

Kalispell, MT

Wikimedia Commons

Trip Overview

This 430.6-mile journey from Red Lodge, MT to Kalispell, MT is estimated to take about 7 hours and 25 minutes of driving time, making it a feasible day trip. You'll primarily navigate on 3rd Street and Highway 78, with a portion on South Woodard Avenue, in a region that's consistently Mountain West. With a fuel cost estimated at $68 and two planned stops, it offers a straightforward drive. The overall feel is a turn-heavy local route rather than a high-speed highway experience, so plan for a more engaging drive. This route is best tackled in a single day, allowing you to reach your destination without needing an overnight stay.

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

228.4 miles from Red Lodge, MT

A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 3h 59m into the drive .

Main Roads

Road Distance Duration
I 90 231.4 mi 3h 44m
MT 83 91.1 mi 1h 43m
State Highway 78 45.1 mi 55m
MT 141 32.5 mi 35m
MT 200 23.8 mi 25m
US 12 12.9 mi 14m
US 93 South 7.1 mi 9m
MT 82 6.9 mi 8m
Longest stretch: I 90 — 231.4 mi, about 3h 44m

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between Red Lodge, MT and Kalispell, MT.

1

Start on US 212

0.6 mi · 1 min · South Broadway Avenue
2

Enter roundabout onto 3rd Street

200 ft · 7 sec · 3rd Street
3

Continue on 3rd Street

0.5 mi · 1 min · 3rd Street
4

Continue on MT 78

32 mi · 38 min · State Highway 78
5

Continue on MT 78

0.7 mi · 2 min · South Woodard Avenue
6

Continue on MT 78

14 mi · 16 min · State Highway 78
7

Continue on MT 78

0.1 mi · 25 sec · Pratten Street
8

Turn right onto MT 78

0.2 mi · 44 sec · East Pike Avenue
9

Turn left onto MT 78

0.9 mi · 1 min · North 9th Street
10

Take the ramp

0.3 mi · 37 sec
11

Merge onto I 90

189 mi · 3 hr 4 min · I 90
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
12

Keep slight left at fork onto I 90

43 mi · 39 min · I 90
Toward I 90 West: Missoula
13

Take the exit

1.2 mi · 2 min
Toward US 12 East: Helena, Garrison
14

At end of road, turn right onto US 12

13 mi · 14 min · US 12
15

Turn sharp left onto MT 141

32 mi · 35 min · MT 141
16

At end of road, turn left onto MT 200

24 mi · 25 min · MT 200
17

Turn right onto MT 83

91 mi · 1 hr 43 min · MT 83
18

At end of road, turn right onto MT 35

0.3 mi · 38 sec · MT 35
19

Turn left onto MT 82

6.9 mi · 8 min · MT 82
Use the left lane.
20

Turn right onto US 93

7.1 mi · 9 min · US 93 South
21

Turn right onto 1st Avenue East

0.8 mi · 2 min · 1st Avenue East
Use the straight / right lanes.
22

Turn left onto 3rd Street East

427 ft · 13 sec · 3rd Street East
Use the left lane.
23

Arrive at destination

3rd Street West

Trip Plan

To make the most of this 7-hour and 25-minute drive, consider an early morning departure from Red Lodge, MT, to account for the 'turn-heavy local drive' profile. With two stops planned, aim for roughly every 2-3 hours of driving to stretch your legs and refuel. The estimated fuel cost is $68, so ensure your vehicle is topped up before leaving. Since this is a single-day trip, flexibility is key. Be mindful of the road conditions on Highway 78, as local roads can sometimes present unexpected challenges. A specific tip: keep your navigation system updated, as the numerous turns on this route make precise directions crucial.

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 228.4 miles from Red Lodge, MT, or about 3h 59m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 231.4 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 100 miles or 1h 54m in

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

Halfway reset

Around 228.4 miles or 3h 59m 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 228.4 miles or 3h 59m

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 6h 58m

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

Before You Leave

+

Open the route before leaving Red Lodge, 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 Red Lodge, MT

Aim for roughly 228 miles and 4.1 hours of wheel time on this day.

Day 2

Finish the approach into Kalispell, MT

Aim for roughly 228 miles and 4.1 hours of wheel time on this day.

Your first comfortable stop window is around 100 miles from Red Lodge, 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 231.4 miles.

Where to Stop

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

city in and the county seat of Powell County, Montana, United States

Mid-route town

Overnight candidate

Deer Lodge, MT

228 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 Deer Lodge, MT

Overnight Options

Night 1

Deer Lodge, MT

228 mi · about 4.1h in

A practical overnight split lands near Deer Lodge, MT after about 228 miles or 4.1 hours of driving.

Find hotels

Pacing Suggestions

Livingston, MT

Fuel and coffee

A short stop after about 100 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.

Butte, MT

Meal break

The midpoint is around 228.4 miles from Red Lodge, MT, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.

Before the longest stretch

Fuel check

Top up before I 90 if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 231.4 miles.

Overnight split

Hotel stop

For a steadier pace, wrap day one after about 228 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

Bogart's Restaurant

4.5 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Red Lodge, Montana

Near the start, right off the route

0 mi from route $20 to $30

Hours: 11 am–9 pm

+14064461784

Visit website

Coffee Factory Roasters

4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Red Lodge, Montana

0 mi

Red Lodge Cafe & Casino

4.4 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Red Lodge, Montana

0 mi

Top Coffee Stop

Cattail Bakery

4.8 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Red Lodge, Montana

Near the start, right off the route

0.1 mi from route $1 to $10

Hours: 7 am–2 pm

+14064461600

Visit website

Chi Cafe

4.3 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Kalispell, Montana

0.5 mi

Niemi’s Rosebud Cafe

4.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Absarokee, Montana

0.6 mi

Bogart's Restaurant

4.5 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, right off the route

0 mi from route $20 to $30

Red Lodge, Montana

Hours: 11 am–9 pm

+14064461784

Visit website

Coffee Factory Roasters

4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, right off the route

0 mi from route $1 to $10

Red Lodge, Montana

Hours: 7 am–5 pm

+14064463200

Visit website

Red Lodge Cafe & Casino

4.4 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Near the start, right off the route

0 mi from route $10 to $20

Red Lodge, Montana

Hours: 7 am–2 pm

Visit website

Avon Family Cafe

4.8 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Around the midpoint, right off the route

0.8 mi from route ~2 min detour $10 to $20 mile 293.6

Garrison, Montana

Hours: 7 am–8 pm

+14064926381

Chinatown Restaurant

4.2 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Near the end, right off the route

0.9 mi from route ~2 min detour $10 to $20 mile 456.7

Kalispell, Montana

Hours: 11 am–9 pm

+14067552401

Visit website

The Montana Club Restaurant

4.2 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Around the midpoint, short detour

1.6 mi from route ~4 min detour $20 to $30 mile 228.4

Butte, Montana

Hours: 11 am–9 pm

+14064941400

Visit website

MacKenzie River Pizza, Grill & Pub

4.2 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Around the midpoint, short detour

1.7 mi from route ~4 min detour Moderately mile 228.4

Butte, Montana

Hours: 11 am–9 pm

+14067820020

Visit website

Hanging Five Restaurant

4.5 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Around the midpoint, short detour

2.1 mi from route ~5 min detour $10 to $20 mile 228.4

Butte, Montana

Hours: 6 am–10 pm

+14064944309

Visit website

Cattail Bakery

4.8 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, right off the route

0.1 mi from route $1 to $10

Red Lodge, Montana

Hours: 7 am–2 pm

+14064461600

Visit website

Chi Cafe

4.3 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Near the end, right off the route

0.5 mi from route ~1 min detour $30 to $40 mile 456.7

Kalispell, Montana

Hours: 11 am–6 pm

+14064077707

Visit website

Niemi’s Rosebud Cafe

4.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, right off the route

0.6 mi from route ~2 min detour $10 to $20 mile 32.6

Absarokee, Montana

Hours: 7 am–3 pm

+14063286969

MainStreet Commons

4.8 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, right off the route

0.6 mi from route ~1 min detour $10 to $20 mile 32.6

Absarokee, Montana

Hours: 8 am–1 pm

+14063284115

Visit website

Boggios Brew

4.9 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, right off the route

0.9 mi from route ~2 min detour $1 to $10

Red Lodge, Montana

Hours: 6 am–1 pm

Reel Coffee Co

5.0 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Around the midpoint, ~9 min detour

3.6 mi from route ~9 min detour $1 to $10 mile 163.1

Belgrade, Montana

Hours: 7 am–2 pm

Revamped Coffee Co

4.9 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Around the midpoint, ~10 min detour

4.1 mi from route ~10 min detour Inexpensiv mile 163.1

Belgrade, Montana

Hours: 6 am–3:30 pm

+14069200386

Visit website

Sophie's Bakery Cafe Espresso

5.0 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Around the midpoint, ~12 min detour

4.7 mi from route ~12 min detour $1 to $10 mile 163.1

Manhattan, Montana

Hours: 7 am–2 pm

+14063123452

Visit website

ChargePoint Charging Station

5.0 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, short detour

1.4 mi from route ~3 min detour mile 456.7

Kalispell, Montana

+18887584389

Visit website

TurnOnGreen Charging Station

5.0 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, short detour

1.4 mi from route ~3 min detour mile 456.7

Kalispell, Montana

Hours: Open 24 hours

+15106572635

Visit website

Tesla Supercharger

4.1 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Around the midpoint, short detour

1.9 mi from route ~5 min detour mile 228.4

Butte, Montana

Hours: Open 24 hours

Visit website

Tesla Destination Charger

2.1 ★ ★ ☆ ☆ ☆

Near the end, right off the route

0.3 mi from route ~1 min detour mile 456.7

Kalispell, Montana

+14067515050

Visit website

Tesla Supercharger

4.8 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, short detour

3.2 mi from route ~8 min detour mile 456.7

Kalispell, Montana

Hours: Open 24 hours

Visit website

ChargePoint Charging Station

4.0 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Near the end, short detour

2.6 mi from route ~6 min detour mile 456.7

Kalispell, Montana

Hours: Open 24 hours

+18887584389

Visit website

Tesla Supercharger

4.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Around the midpoint, ~10 min detour

3.8 mi from route ~10 min detour mile 163.1

Belgrade, Montana

Hours: Open 24 hours

Visit website

EV Connect Charging Station

3.1 ★ ★ ★ ☆ ☆

Near the end, ~10 min detour

4 mi from route ~10 min detour mile 456.7

Kalispell, Montana

Hours: Open 24 hours

+18668167584

Visit website

Thompson Memorial Park

4.5 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, right off the route

0.7 mi from route ~2 min detour mile 456.7

Kalispell, Montana

Hours: Open 24 hours

+14067587718

Visit website

Lewis & Clark Caverns State Park

4.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Around the midpoint, short detour

3.3 mi from route ~8 min detour mile 195.7

Whitehall, MT

Hours: Open 24 hours

+14062873541

Visit website

Dumas Brothel

4.1 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Around the midpoint, ~11 min detour

4.2 mi from route ~11 min detour mile 228.4

Butte, Montana

+14063519922

Visit website

Piccadilly Museum of Transportation

4.2 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Around the midpoint, ~11 min detour

4.4 mi from route ~11 min detour mile 228.4

Butte, Montana

Hours: 10 am–4 pm

+14067233034

Visit website

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

Heads-up: tricky spots

5 of 16

5 decision points cluster between mile 47.1 and 456.6 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.

5
47.1 mi into trip | ~1h in | MT 78 / East Pike Avenue

Turn right onto MT 78 / East Pike Avenue

Navigation decision point

5
48.5 mi into trip | ~1h 3m in | I 90

Merge onto I 90

Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here

Use the straight / slight right lanes.
5
237.3 mi into trip | ~4h 8m 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
6
441.8 mi into trip | ~7h 49m in | MT 82

Turn left onto MT 82

Lane positioning matters here

Use the left lane.
6
456.6 mi into trip | ~8h 10m in | 3rd Street East

Turn left onto 3rd Street East

Lane positioning matters here

Use the left lane.

Fuel & Cost

Regular Gas

$72.37 one way

$144.74 round trip

$4.03/gal 25.4 MPG avg 160 kg CO2
Fuel Type $/gal One Way Round Trip
midgrade $4.22 $75.86 $151.72
premium $4.53 $81.47 $162.94
diesel $5.61 $100.83 $201.67

No toll roads detected on this route.

Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)

Fuel

$72

Hotel (1n)

$80–$140

Meals

$50–$100

Total

$202–$312

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

Estimated CO2 emission: 159.8 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.

Driving Electric?

About $48 in charging · 1 stop · 67% less CO2

Vehicle Type kWh Stops DC Fast Home Charge
Average EV 137 1 $47.95 $21.92
Efficient EV 114.2 1 $39.96 $18.27
EV Truck/SUV 182.7 2 $63.94 $29.23

Gas CO2

160 kg

EV CO2

53 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 15, 2026

Origin

Red Lodge, MT

Evening in Red Lodge on Saturday

Local time

7:28 PM

MDT

Current temp

65°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

Destination

Kalispell, MT

Evening in Kalispell on Saturday

Local time

7:28 PM

MDT

Current temp

60°F

Unavailable

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

5 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 10m 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 'turn-heavy local drive' for this 430.6-mile route. With a 0% highway share, you'll be on local roads for the entire duration, including segments of 3rd Street, Highway 78, and South Woodard Avenue. There isn't a 'longest stretch' noted, suggesting frequent changes in direction and speed. This suggests a driving experience that requires constant attention to navigation and road conditions, rather than long stretches of high-speed cruising. The profile indicates a drive where you'll be making numerous turns and navigating through various local terrains.

99% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
23 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 231.4 mi on I 90.

How Hard Is This Drive?

4/10

This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 90 and MT 83. There are only a few real navigation decisions along the way. The trickiest moment comes around 47.1 miles in near MT 78 / East Pike Avenue.

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 10m, endurance matters. Plan breaks every 2-3 hours. The 16 decision points are all manageable with basic attention.

Where does it get tricky?

The main spots that need attention: at 47.1 miles (MT 78 / East Pike Avenue): Navigation decision point; at 48.5 miles (I 90): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here; at 237.3 miles (I 90): Highway fork - watch signs carefully.

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 Red Lodge, MT to Kalispell, MT, road signs begin pointing toward Garrison along the way.

Garrison

279.9 mi in | ~4h 48m

About the Cities

Arriving in Kalispell, MT

Full guide →

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).

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

8h 10m drive, plan rest stops for pacing.

First-Time Driver

Mostly highway driving (99%). Straightforward navigation.

Frequently Asked Questions

The longest stretch is about 231.4 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 228 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 Kalispell, 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: at 47.1 miles (MT 78 / East Pike Avenue): Navigation decision point; at 48.5 miles (I 90): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here; at 237.3 miles (I 90): Highway fork - watch signs carefully.

Not recommended in a single day. At 8.2 hours each way, a round trip means 16.3 hours of driving — that is an unsafe level of fatigue for most drivers. Plan at least one night at Kalispell, 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, and EIA for fuel prices. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.

Was this helpful?

Thanks for your feedback!

Your tip has been submitted. Thanks!

/500

Explore More

Continue From Kalispell, MT

Deer Lodge, MT 187.7 mi · 3h 38m Stevensville, MT 149 mi · 3h 14m Cut Bank, MT 134.9 mi · 2h 41m Missoula, MT 121.7 mi · 2h 36m

More from Red Lodge, MT

Lockwood, MT 65.3 mi · 1h 26m Billings, MT 59.4 mi · 1h 22m

More trips to Kalispell, MT

Glendive, MT 575 mi Billings, MT 449.6 mi Big Timber, MT 368.4 mi Bozeman, MT 308.5 mi Belgrade, MT 299 mi Manhattan, MT 289.1 mi
Escape planner: Red Lodge, MT Scenic drives in MT

Explore more options from Red Lodge, MT or browse trips ending in Kalispell, MT.

Looking for more statewide routes? Browse MT road trips.