How far is Colstrip, MT from Great Falls, MT?
The driving distance from Colstrip, MT to Great Falls, MT is about 317.2 miles (510.5 km), with a travel time of about 05h 34m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 248.1 miles (399.3 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 11h 09m 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 05h 34m.
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.
Town in Montana, United States
Route Weather Snapshot
Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.
Partly Sunny then Chance Rain Showers
Partly Sunny then Showers And Thunderstorms Likely
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Colstrip and Great Falls.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Colstrip and Great Falls.
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1
Start on Park Street
31 m · 4 sec · Park Street
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2
Continue on Box Elder Avenue
2073 ft · 2 min · Box Elder Avenue
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3
At the end of the road, turn right
28.5 mi · 42 min
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4
Take the ramp left
1590 ft · 39 sec
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5
Merge slight left
87.2 mi · 1 hr 31 min
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6
Merge slight left
2.8 mi · 3 min
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7
Take the exit slight right toward I 90 Business, US 87 North: Lockwood, Roundup
1389 ft · 36 sec
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8
Merge slight left onto US Highway 87 East
1.2 mi · 1 min · US Highway 87 East
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9
Take the exit slight right
1.1 km · 1 min
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10
Turn left onto Aronson Avenue
148 m · 12 sec · Aronson Avenue
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11
Turn right onto Swords Lane
76 m · 12 sec · Swords Lane
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12
Turn left onto Airport Road
2.7 mi · 4 min · Airport Road
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13
Enter the roundabout and take exit 2 toward Airport Road
44 m · 2 sec
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14
Exit the roundabout
3.1 mi · 4 min
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15
Enter the roundabout and take exit 2 toward the route
44 m · 2 sec
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16
Exit the roundabout
25.5 mi · 29 min
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17
Continue on Iowa Avenue
2.5 mi · 3 min · Iowa Avenue
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18
Continue straight
12.4 mi · 14 min
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19
At the end of the road, turn left
45.1 mi · 51 min
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20
Turn right
39.2 mi · 43 min
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21
At the end of the road, turn left
64.3 mi · 1 hr 10 min
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22
Turn slight right
1588 ft · 21 sec
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23
Enter the roundabout and take exit 2 toward the route
52 m · 2 sec
-
24
Exit the roundabout
557 ft · 7 sec
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25
Continue straight
23.1 mi · 29 min
-
26
Turn right onto 6th Street South
1989 ft · 39 sec · 6th Street South
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27
Turn left onto 5th Avenue South
864 ft · 40 sec · 5th Avenue South
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28
Turn right onto 4th Street South
49 m · 7 sec · 4th Street South
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29
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · 4th Street South
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Colstrip and Great Falls.
Long-distance drive
This route is long enough that fuel, rest stops, weather, and timing matter more than any single maneuver.
Box Elder Avenue
Merge slight left
87.2 mi · 01h 31m
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.
Partly Sunny then Chance Rain Showers leaving Colstrip and Partly Sunny then Showers And Thunderstorms Likely near Great Falls.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Colstrip to Great Falls?
The road trip is about 317.2 miles (510.5 km) and usually takes 05h 34m 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?
Lavina is a useful midpoint, sitting about 169.9 miles from Colstrip and 147.3 miles from Great Falls.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 248.1 miles (399.3 km), while the road route adds roughly 69.1 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 5:50 AM MDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $43.56 one way or $87.13 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 99.4 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Partly Sunny then Chance Rain Showers around Colstrip and Partly Sunny then Showers And Thunderstorms Likely near Great Falls.
Stop Ideas Near Lavina
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 Lavina.
Billings, MT
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Colstrip and Great Falls. Straight-line distance: 248.14 mi (399.34 km).
#1 Colstrip
Town focused on coal mining and electricity production
| Population | 2,217 |
| Coordinates | 45.8841600, -106.6236400 |
| Altitude | 982 |
| 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: 4th Street South (-111.300848, 47.50024)
Estimated Travel Time
Distance: 511 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 10h 34m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 07h 55m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 06h 20m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 05h 17m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 04h 31m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 03h 57m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $3.89 | $43.56 | $87.13 |
| Mid-grade | $4.23 | $47.34 | $94.69 |
| Premium | $4.55 | $50.90 | $101.81 |
| Diesel | $5.41 | $60.56 | $121.12 |
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 22, 2026
Distance to Other Cities
Planning a road trip? See the full trip guide on Trip.ovh — stops, fuel costs, weather, and departure timing.