How far is Big Sky, MT from Great Falls, MT?
The driving distance from Big Sky, MT to Great Falls, MT is about 222.8 miles (358.6 km), with a travel time of about 04h 03m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 153.1 miles (246.4 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 08h 07m of driving time before adding stops, traffic, or weather delays.
- A comfortable departure window is usually 6:00 AM to 8:00 AM MDT.
Reverse, save, or send this route
This drive is better planned with a longer stop or an overnight stay. Copy the route link, send it to another device, or print a clean version before you head out.
This drive is better planned with a longer stop or an overnight stay.
Flight Distance
Driving Distance
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 04h 03m.
An early departure helps you fit a real stop into the day without turning the return into a late-night drive.
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.
City in Montana, USA
Route Weather Snapshot
Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.
Sunny
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Big Sky and Great Falls.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Big Sky and Great Falls.
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1
Start on Access
714 ft · 33 sec · Access
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2
Turn right onto Lone Mountain Trail
7.1 mi · 11 min · Lone Mountain Trail
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3
At the end of the road, turn left onto Gallatin Road
33.9 mi · 41 min · Gallatin Road
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4
Continue on Jackrabbit Lane
6.8 mi · 8 min · Jackrabbit Lane
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5
Turn left
1147 ft · 30 sec
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6
Merge slight left
23 mi · 23 min
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7
Take the exit slight right toward US 287: Helena, Ennis
1498 ft · 37 sec
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8
Turn right onto Highway 287
62.2 mi · 1 hr 11 min · Highway 287
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9
Take the exit slight right toward I 15 North: Great Falls
1958 ft · 48 sec
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10
Merge slight left onto First Special Service Force Memorial Highway
86 mi · 1 hr 23 min · First Special Service Force Memorial Highway
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11
Take the exit slight right toward I 15 Business, US 89 South, MT 200 East
2016 ft · 49 sec
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12
Continue on Country Club Boulevard
1.4 mi · 2 min · Country Club Boulevard
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13
Continue on 10th Avenue South
1.1 km · 58 sec · 10th Avenue South
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14
Turn left onto 4th Street South
2216 ft · 2 min · 4th Street South
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15
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · 4th Street South
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Big Sky and Great Falls.
Highway-focused drive
Most of the mileage stays on named highways, so the important moments are ramps, exits, merges, and the final local approach.
First Special Service Force Memorial Highway
Merge slight left onto First Special Service Force Memorial Highway
86 mi · 01h 23m
Route Summary
A quick read on whether this route feels easy, ambitious, or worth planning around.
A longer out-and-back drive
This is still possible in one day, but it becomes a long driving day. Leaving early and planning your stop window matters more here.
Sunny leaving Big Sky 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 Big Sky to Great Falls?
The road trip is about 222.8 miles (358.6 km) and usually takes 04h 03m in normal driving conditions.
Is this a same-day trip or an overnight route?
This is still possible in one day, but it becomes a long driving day. Leaving early and planning your stop window matters more here.
What is the halfway point on this route?
Townsend is a useful midpoint, sitting about 111.3 miles from Big Sky and 111.5 miles from Great Falls.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 153.1 miles (246.4 km), while the road route adds roughly 69.7 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 6:00 AM to 8:00 AM MDT. If you want a more comfortable same-day return, try to leave by 8:52 AM MDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $30.60 one way or $61.20 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 69.9 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Sunny around Big Sky and Sunny near Great Falls.
Stop Ideas Near Townsend
Useful break, food, and waypoint ideas within about 15 miles of the route midpoint.
Transit and Meeting Points
Useful pickup, handoff, or rendezvous points close to Townsend.
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Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Big Sky and Great Falls. Straight-line distance: 153.12 mi (246.42 km).
#1 Big Sky
Census designated place
| Population | 2,308 |
| Coordinates | 45.2846500, -111.3682900 |
| Altitude | 2200 |
| Country | United States |
#2 Great Falls
Town in Cascade County, Montana, United States
| Population | 58,353 |
| Coordinates | 47.5002400, -111.3008100 |
| Altitude | 1015 |
| Country | United States |
End: Great Falls (-111.30081, 47.50024)
Estimated Travel Time
Distance: 359 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 07h 25m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 05h 34m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 04h 27m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 03h 42m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 03h 11m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 02h 46m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $3.89 | $30.60 | $61.20 |
| Mid-grade | $4.23 | $33.26 | $66.51 |
| Premium | $4.55 | $35.76 | $71.51 |
| Diesel | $5.41 | $42.54 | $85.08 |
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
Distance to Other Cities
Planning a road trip? See the full trip guide on Trip.ovh — stops, fuel costs, weather, and departure timing.