How far is Anaconda, MT from Great Falls, MT?

The driving distance from Anaconda, MT to Great Falls, MT is about 178.1 miles (286.6 km), with a travel time of about 02h 57m by car.

  • The straight-line flight distance is about 122.5 miles (197.1 km).
  • For a round trip, plan for roughly 05h 55m of driving time before adding stops, traffic, or weather delays.
  • A comfortable departure window is usually 8:00 AM to 10:00 AM MDT.
Trip Tools

Reverse, save, or send this route

This route works well as a day trip with time at the destination. Copy the route link, send it to another device, or print a clean version before you head out.

Reverse Route
Quick Snapshot
Road
178.08 mi
02h 57m
Flight
122.5 mi
197.14 km direct

This route works well as a day trip with time at the destination.

Learn Distance

Choose another destination from Anaconda.

Flight Distance

Direct air line
122.5 mi
Kilometers
197.14 km
Flight Time
00h 14m

Driving Distance

Road route
178.08 mi
Kilometers
286.59 km
Drive Time
02h 57m

Gas Cost Calculator

Leave and Arrive Planner

Pick a departure time to see your estimated arrival and same-day return window.

Drive time stays fixed at 02h 57m.

Arrival Snapshot
Arrive in Great Falls
Sat, Apr 18, 7:42 AM MDT
Return by in Anaconda
Sat, Apr 18, 10:40 AM MDT
Useful when you're deciding between a quick errand, a day trip, or a longer stop.
Leave Anaconda
2026-04-18T04:44
Arrive Great Falls
Sat, Apr 18, 7:42 AM MDT
Route Timing
02h 57m
One way by road
Best Departure Window
8:00 AM to 10:00 AM MDT
Aim for a morning departure
Arrive between
10:58 AM to 12:58 PM MDT

A morning start gives you useful time at the destination and keeps the return out of the late evening.

Leave by
12:34 PM MDT
Keeps a same-day return open with about 03h 00m at the destination.
Back in Anaconda
9:30 PM MDT
Morning start is best

You are leaving earlier than the recommended window, which gives you extra margin for breaks and traffic.

Halfway Point

A useful midpoint for breaks, coffee, or meeting in the middle.

Mid-route stop
Helena
MT

State capital of Montana, United States and seat of Lewis and Clark County

From Anaconda
88.9 mi
01h 28m
To Great Falls
89.2 mi
01h 28m

Route Weather Snapshot

Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.

Origin
50°F
Saturday

Sunny

Starts
Sat, Apr 18 6:00 AM MDT
Wind
3 to 10 mph WSW
Destination
58°F
Saturday

Sunny

Starts
Sat, Apr 18 6:00 AM MDT
Wind
8 to 16 mph SW

Driving Route Map

The map below follows the saved road route between Anaconda and Great Falls.

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between Anaconda and Great Falls.

  1. 1

    Start on East Commercial Avenue

    33 m · 7 sec · East Commercial Avenue

  2. 2

    Turn left onto Ash Street

    117 m · 22 sec · Ash Street

  3. 3

    Turn left onto East Park Avenue

    1.1 km · 1 min · East Park Avenue

  4. 4

    Continue on Pintler Veterans' Memorial Scenic Highway

    6.9 mi · 7 min · Pintler Veterans' Memorial Scenic Highway

  5. 5

    Keep slight right

    1.1 km · 59 sec

  6. 6

    Merge slight left

    13.4 mi · 13 min

  7. 7

    Keep slight right

    4.8 mi · 5 min

  8. 8

    Take the exit slight right toward I 15 North: Helena

    148.8 mi · 2 hr 25 min

  9. 9

    Take the exit slight right toward I 15 Business, US 89 South, MT 200 East

    2016 ft · 49 sec

  10. 10

    Continue on Country Club Boulevard

    1.4 mi · 2 min · Country Club Boulevard

  11. 11

    Continue on 10th Avenue South

    1.1 km · 58 sec · 10th Avenue South

  12. 12

    Turn left onto 4th Street South

    2216 ft · 2 min · 4th Street South

  13. 13

    Arrive at your destination

    0 m · 1 sec · 4th Street South

Car Route Details

A richer read on the saved driving route between Anaconda and Great Falls.

OSRM road route
Drive Character

Highway-focused drive

Most of the mileage stays on named highways, so the important moments are ramps, exits, merges, and the final local approach.

Directions
13 steps
3 turns on the saved route
Ramps & Exits
3
1 merges, 2 ramps or exits
Navigation Density
7.3 / 100 mi
Decision points by distance
Main Roads
I 15 North
149 mi · 84%
Pintler Veterans' Memorial Scenic Highway
25.7 mi · 14%
Country Club Boulevard
1.35 mi · 1%
East Park Avenue
0.71 mi
10th Avenue South
0.67 mi
4th Street South
0.42 mi
Longest Stretch

I 15 North

Take the exit slight right toward I 15 North: Helena

149 mi · 02h 25m

Route Summary

A quick read on whether this route feels easy, ambitious, or worth planning around.

Trip Read

A comfortable day-trip route

This route works well as a day trip. You can leave in the morning, spend meaningful time at the destination, and still return the same day.

Drive Time
02h 57m
Day trip friendly
Same-Day Return
05h 56m
Round-trip wheel time
Road vs Air
+55.6 mi
122.5 mi direct line
Halfway Stop
Helena
01h 28m from Anaconda
Leave By
12:34 PM MDT
Morning start is best
Weather Watch

Sunny leaving Anaconda and Sunny near Great Falls.

Trip Questions

Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.

How long does it take to drive from Anaconda to Great Falls?

The road trip is about 178.1 miles (286.6 km) and usually takes 02h 57m in normal driving conditions.

Is this a same-day trip or an overnight route?

This route works well as a day trip. You can leave in the morning, spend meaningful time at the destination, and still return the same day.

What is the halfway point on this route?

Helena is a useful midpoint, sitting about 88.9 miles from Anaconda and 89.2 miles from Great Falls.

How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?

The direct path is about 122.5 miles (197.1 km), while the road route adds roughly 55.6 extra miles because roads do not follow the straight air line.

When is the best time to leave for this route?

A good departure window is usually 8:00 AM to 10:00 AM MDT. If you want a more comfortable same-day return, try to leave by 12:34 PM MDT.

How much will gas cost for this route?

Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $24.45 one way or $48.90 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 55.8 kg one way.

What should you check before leaving?

Before you leave, expect Sunny around Anaconda and Sunny near Great Falls.

Stop Ideas Near Helena

Useful break, food, and waypoint ideas within about 15 miles of the route midpoint.

Mid-route Guidance
Local place coverage is thin around Helena, so nearby transit and meeting points are shown instead.
Reviewed stop coverage is still thin around this midpoint, so practical transit waypoints are shown on the right.

Transit and Meeting Points

Useful pickup, handoff, or rendezvous points close to Helena.

BUS

Butte, MT

76 mi away
1324 Harrison Avenue
BUS

Bozeman, MT

113 mi away
6505 Jack Rabbit Lane

Flight Path Map

This map shows the direct air route between Anaconda and Great Falls. Straight-line distance: 122.5 mi (197.14 km).

Anaconda

#1 Anaconda

Town in Montana

Population9,417
Coordinates46.1285400, -112.9422600
Altitude1601
CountryUnited States
Great Falls

#2 Great Falls

Town in Cascade County, Montana, United States

Population58,353
Coordinates47.5002400, -111.3008100
Altitude1015
CountryUnited States
Start: Anaconda (-112.94226, 46.12854)
End: Great Falls (-111.30081, 47.50024)

Estimated Travel Time

Distance: 287 km by road

SpeedTime
30 mph (48.3 km/h)05h 56m
40 mph (64.37 km/h)04h 27m
50 mph (80.47 km/h)03h 33m
60 mph (96.56 km/h)02h 58m
70 mph (112.65 km/h)02h 32m
80 mph (129 km/h)02h 13m

Fuel, Round Trip and CO2

Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.

One-way fuel
6.28 gal
23.79 L · about $24.45
Round trip
$48.90
12.56 gal · 47.58 L
Estimated CO2
55.8 kg one way
Round trip: 111.6 kg / 246 lb CO2, using regular gasoline.
Fuel$/galOne wayRound trip
Regular gas $3.89 $24.45 $48.90
Mid-grade $4.23 $26.57 $53.14
Premium $4.55 $28.57 $57.14
Diesel $5.41 $33.99 $67.97

Assumes 8.3 L/100 km (about 28.3 MPG). CO2 is an estimate and varies by vehicle, fuel blend, traffic, and terrain.

Prices in Montana · Apr 18, 2026

There is no time difference between Anaconda and Great Falls. The current time is 04:44:37.

Distance to Other Cities

Planning a road trip? See the full trip guide on Trip.ovh — stops, fuel costs, weather, and departure timing.

How did we calculate? Place names are translated into coordinates. The Haversine formula calculates straight-line distance; driving distance uses road network data.