Ames to Missoula: Road Trip Guide & Distance

1055.7 miles 1699 km · straight line
1266.9 miles estimated 2038.8 km · driving distance
25h 29min estimated drive time
$122 - $150 estimated fuel cost
~2h 37min flight time
295° WNW bearing direction

How far is Ames from Missoula?

The distance from Ames to Missoula is 1055.7 miles (1699 km) as the crow flies. Missoula is located WNW of Ames. By car, the driving distance is approximately 1266.9 miles, taking about 25h 29min. A direct flight would take roughly 2h 37min. Both are located in United States — Ames in Iowa and Missoula in Montana.

This is a serious multi-day road trip! We strongly recommend breaking this journey up with an overnight stay to ensure you arrive safely and refreshed. Since you'll be heading mostly West, pack a good pair of sunglasses if you plan to drive during the late afternoon to avoid the harsh sun glare. For a trip of this distance, flying is significantly faster. However, driving offers the flexibility to explore stops along the way.

Coordinates come from public place data for Ames and Missoula. The driving distance is estimated from straight-line distance with a road-factor model, so confirm the route in your navigation app. Fuel, flight, bus, and train values are planning estimates and can change by date, provider, road closures, and border rules.

How to Get from Ames to Missoula

Method Time Est. Cost Best For
Drive 25h 29min $122 - $150 Flexible stops
Fly ~2h 37min $80–200* Speed
Bus ~30h 35min $101–$190* Budget
Train ~33h 8min $152–$443* Comfort

Suggested Stops Between Ames & Missoula

Quick Facts

Ames
42.03°N, 93.62°W
America/Chicago
287m elevation
Missoula
46.87°N, 114.00°W
America/Denver
978m elevation
Explore more routes from Missoula

Did You Know?

  • At walking speed (3 mph), it would take about 352 hours of non-stop walking
  • By bicycle at 12 mph, the journey would take roughly 88 hours
  • You could travel this distance about 23.6 times to circle the Earth's equator
Data Sources & Estimate Notes GeoNames · OpenStreetMap · Driving distance estimated using road factor coefficients