Where is Missoula, Montana, USA?

Written and Fact-checked by | Updated On: April 28, 2026 | 14:51 ET

Where is Missoula Located? - Missoula is a city located in the Missoula County of Montana, United States. Missoula lies between 43.1798323 Degrees North latitudes and 71.8222872 Degrees West longitudes.

Location Map of Missoula, Montana

Where is Missoula, Montana

Missoula Map, Montana, USA

Where is Missoula?: The Google Map showing the location of Missoula in the U.S. state of Montana.

Where is Missoula Located?

Missoula is a city located in the Missoula County of Montana, United States. Missoula lies between 43.1798323 Degrees North latitudes and 71.8222872 Degrees West longitudes. According to 2020 U.S.census, the population of Missoula city is 73489 people and the city has a total area of 34.47 sq mi. The city has numerous parks and recreational facilities.

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Missoula, Montana Quick Facts

AttributeInformation
CityMissoula
CountyMissoula County
StateMontana
State CapitalHelena
US RegionMountain West
Latitude46.8721° N
Longitude113.9940° W
Elevation3,209 ft (978 m)
Land Area33.11 sq mi
Water Area0.22 sq mi
Total Area33.33 sq mi
Population (2020 Census)74,428
Population DensityApproximately 2,248 per sq mi
ZIP Codes59801, 59802, 59803, 59804, 59808, 59812
Area Code406
Time Zone StandardMountain Standard Time (MST, UTC−7)
Time Zone DaylightMountain Daylight Time (MDT, UTC−6)
CurrencyUnited States Dollar (USD)
FIPS Code30-50275
Congressional DistrictMontana's 1st Congressional District

Transportation and Connectivity in Missoula

CategoryInformation
Airport NameMissoula Montana Airport
IATA CodeMSO
PortNot applicable
Major HighwaysInterstate 90, U.S. Highway 93, U.S. Highway 12, Montana Highway 200
Train/Amtrak ServiceNo passenger rail service; nearest Amtrak station is Whitefish
Local Bus/Transit ServiceMountain Line public transit
  • Interstate 90 – Primary east–west interstate connecting Missoula with Spokane, Coeur d'Alene, Butte, and Billings.
  • U.S. Highway 93 – Major north–south route linking the city with Kalispell, Hamilton, and Idaho.
  • U.S. Highway 12 – Scenic highway connecting Missoula with Helena and central Idaho through Lolo Pass.
  • Montana Highway 200 – Regional corridor providing access to western Montana communities and recreational areas.

Top Places to Visit in Missoula, Montana

Landmark NameType
Caras ParkPark
A Carousel for MissoulaFamily Attraction
University of MontanaHistoric Campus
Missoula Art MuseumMuseum
Fort Missoula Regional ParkHistoric Park
Smokejumper Visitor CenterVisitor Center
Mount SentinelNatural Attraction
Rattlesnake National Recreation AreaNature Preserve
Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation Visitor CenterWildlife Center
Splash MontanaWater Park

Driving Distances from Missoula, Montana to Nearby Cities

CityStateDistance (mi)Approx. Drive Time
HamiltonMontana4755 minutes
PolsonMontana701 hour 20 minutes
ButteMontana1201 hour 50 minutes
KalispellMontana1202 hours
HelenaMontana1131 hour 50 minutes
Coeur d'AleneIdaho1682 hours 40 minutes
SpokaneWashington1993 hours
BozemanMontana2023 hours
Great FallsMontana1652 hours 45 minutes
BillingsMontana3405 hours

Colleges and Universities in Missoula, Montana

Institution NameTypeLevelNotable For
University of MontanaPublicUniversityResearch, forestry, and law programs
Missoula College – University of MontanaPublicCommunity CollegeCareer and technical education
Helena College – University of MontanaPublicCommunity CollegeWorkforce and transfer programs
Bitterroot College – University of MontanaPublicCommunity CollegeContinuing and higher education
Salish Kootenai CollegeTribal PublicCollegeNative American education

Waterbodies in Missoula, Montana

Clark Fork River, Bitterroot River, Blackfoot River, Rattlesnake Creek, Brennan's Wave, Frenchtown Pond, Seeley Lake, Ninemile Creek.

Stadiums in Missoula

Washington–Grizzly Stadium, Ogren Park at Allegiance Field, Dornblaser Field, Missoula County Stadium, Fort Missoula Regional Park Athletic Complex.

Missoula, Montana — Key Historical Facts

  • Missoula was founded in the 1860s near the confluence of the Clark Fork, Bitterroot, and Blackfoot rivers, becoming an important transportation and trading center in western Montana.
  • The arrival of the Northern Pacific Railway in 1883 accelerated economic growth and established Missoula as a major regional hub.
  • The University of Montana, founded in 1893, helped shape the city's identity as a center for education, culture, and research.
  • Historically supported by logging and timber industries, Missoula gradually diversified its economy into healthcare, tourism, education, and technology.
  • Today, Missoula is widely known for its outdoor recreation, vibrant arts community, and easy access to national forests, rivers, and mountain trails.

References

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