Getting to the University of Montana
This is to give Friends a quick overview of transportation options to Annual Session in Missoula - focusing on travel from west of the Cascades. All numbers for costs and scheduling are estimates. Plan to verify.
Some travel options will get you there late. You can get your room key any time by calling the 24-hour number: 406-241-2446
Horizon (Alaska) Air
Flying may be the most convenient way to get there for many Friends.
Book early as rates may change.
The cost summary below shows the best & usually the lowest cost flights to the Missoula Airport (MSO) from several key cities. Research or book for other departure locations at Alaska Airlines: https://www.alaskaair.com
Round Trip Cost Summary: Add possible taxi or Lyft/Uber cost to UM - about $25 each way. We hope to have a van available to pick up Friends at the airport for the main arrival times, but do not depend on it.
- Portland to Missoula: at least $348
Direct daily flight arrives MSO at 5:14 pm; Direct return flight departs MSO at 5:54 pm
Earlier and later flights go through SeaTac and cost more
- Seattle to Missoula: at least $288
Several daily direct flights; best low fare arrives MSO at 3:28 pm;
Lowest cost direct return flight departs MSO at 2:53 pm
- Eugene to Missoula: at least $403
Goes through Seattle - arrives at MSO 1:54 pm
Return flight also through SeaTac, departs MSO at 2:53 pm
For all other options and the latest fares, go to https://www.alaskaair.com
Once you have your itinerary, please enter your arrival time in this Google Form. We hope to have a van and driver-volunteers who can pick you up at the airport.
Private Car or Carpool
You may use the new online tool: npym.org/rideshare to offer a ride or find a ride to Annual Session. You can also use the rideshare tool for the return trip.
Alternatively - consider arranging your own car pool.
You will need to leave early if you plan it as a one-day trip. For an overnight stop, consider Spokane.
Approximate mileages and drive times assuming light traffic and 15 minute stops every 2 hours are:
- from Portland - 545 miles, 9-½ hours
- from Seattle - 480 miles, 8 hours
- from Eugene - 660 miles, 11-½ hours
- From Bellingham - 558 miles, 10 hours
When estimating arrival time remember to add an hour for Mountain Time.
Also - to help your group split the costs among a carpool - Here is a link to a spreadsheet calculator you may want to try. Open the link then go to File > Download > Microsoft Excel. It allows you (or the group) to set all your own parameters. Carpool groups can decide if or how much per hour to compensate the main driver and alternate drivers for drive time and how much per mile to compensate the owner for vehicle use plus fuel costs.
In addition to the rideshare cost, also consider the cost for the possible need to stay overnight in a hotel along the way.
Example parameters and results from Portland are below:
- 3 riders plus the owner/driver
- Owner drives 9.5 hours
- Driver compensation: $10/hour for drive time
- Fuel Price: $4.50/gallon
- Mileage rate for vehicle wear & tear… = $0.17/mile.
⇒ results in a cost for each passenger = $77 each person each way.
With the same parameters but if one passenger drives ½ of the time:
⇒ the driving passenger would pay only = $13 each way.
A more generous driver/owner might waive the hourly compensation
- Driver compensation: Zero for drive time
- Fuel Price: $4.50/gallon
- Mileage rate for vehicle wear & tear = $0.17/mile.
⇒ results in a cost for each passenger = $45 each person each way.
Try it yourself for travel from other cities or for your particular situation.
Bus
You can buy tickets on the Greyhound Website - https://shop.greyhound.com
The bus will be FlixBus to Spokane, then Jefferson Lines to Missoula.
This is a lower cost option, though possibly more costly than carpooling.
It is the least comfortable and has inconvenient arrival and departure times.
Arrival time at Missoula regardless of where you’re coming from west of Montana is 10:10 pm. You will need to get someone to pick you up or take a taxi or an Uber or Lyft car. Also because of the late arrival time, you will need to call 406-241-2446 to get your room key when you arrive.
Round Trip Summary Example from Portland :
For all other departure locations check the Greyhound Website
Outbound Trip Schedule:
- Departure time from 1090 NW Station Way, near Union Station on July 9: 9:50 am
- Arrival time at Missoula Bus Station 1660 W Broadway on July 9: 10:10 pm
- Possible arrival at Annual Session by taxi, Uber, Lyft or other car: 10:40 pm
Return Trip Schedule:
- Departure from UM Campus by 7:00 am
- Departure time from Missoula bus station on July 15: 7:35 am
- Arrival time at 1090 NW Station Way, near Union Station on July 15: 6:10 pm
Costs from Portland:
- Portland to Missoula: about $101
Costs from Other Cities:
- Seattle to Missoula: about $101
- Eugene to Missoula: about $204
From any cities listed above, the bus arrival time at Missoula would be 10:10 pm.
You can use this Google Form to enter your arrival date and time. We will email or call you if we can arrange to pick you up at that hour. Otherwise plan on a taxi or Uber from the bus station.
On the return trip, departure time from Missoula would be 7:35 am. Plan to work out your own ride to the bus station.
For all other locations go to https://shop.greyhound.com
Train (Amtrak)
Some friends consider train travel the most environmentally responsible way to get there. However - travel to Missoula mostly by train is the slowest and least convenient way to get there. After arrival in Whitefish MT, the closest stop, Missoula is still 2-½ hours away by car (rental or other). If you want to join others on the train, use this form to sign up to share car transportation & costs. If you want to save money, sleeping in the coach seats overnight is the best option. For comfort you might want to choose a private sleeping room.
You can book with Amtrak online here.
Here’s an example of costs and how you would do it from Portland:
Outbound Trip Schedule:
- Departure time from Union Station on July 9: 4:45 pm
- Arrival time at Whitefish MT July 10: 7:11 am
- Time on train: 13-½ hours
- Time riding in Lyft, Uber, or rental car: 2-½ hours
- Possible arrival time at UM on July 10: 10:30 am
- Instead of Uber or Lyft, You could rent a car in Whitefish
Try https://www.budget.com
Keeping the car through the end of Annual Session would cost about $600 plus gas.
Return Trip Schedule:
- Possible departure time by Lyft, Uber, or other car from UM: July 14, 6:30 pm
- Departure time on train from Whitefish MT on July 14: 10:21 pm
- Arrival time at Union Station - Portland on July 15: 11:17 pm
- Time on train: 14 hours
Costs:
- Cost for train round trip sleeping in the seats overnight: $110
- Cost for train round trip with private sleeping room: $853
- Cost for Lyft ride each way to Annual Session at UM: $360 (could be split 3 or 4 ways with a group)