How far is Columbia Falls, MT from Great Falls, MT?
The driving distance from Columbia Falls, MT to Great Falls, MT is about 212.8 miles (342.4 km), with a travel time of about 03h 33m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 146.3 miles (235.5 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 07h 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 03h 33m.
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 Glacier County, Montana, United States
Route Weather Snapshot
Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.
Rain
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Columbia Falls and Great Falls.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Columbia Falls and Great Falls.
-
1
Start on 7th Street West
31 m · 7 sec · 7th Street West
-
2
Turn right onto Nucleus Avenue
784 ft · 34 sec · Nucleus Avenue
-
3
At the end of the road, turn left onto 9th Street
1603 ft · 49 sec · 9th Street
-
4
Continue on US 2
3 mi · 4 min · US 2
-
5
Continue on US Route 2
80.1 mi · 1 hr 31 min · US Route 2
-
6
Enter the roundabout and take exit 1 toward the route
7 m · 1 sec
-
7
Exit the roundabout
3.7 mi · 7 min
-
8
Turn straight
68.3 mi · 1 hr 17 min
-
9
Enter the roundabout and take exit 3 toward 1st Street Southwest
526 ft · 19 sec · 1st Street Southwest
-
10
Exit the rotary onto 1st Street Southwest
33 m · 2 sec · 1st Street Southwest
-
11
Turn straight onto Main Avenue South
1.1 km · 2 min · Main Avenue South
-
12
Continue on United States Route 89
16.8 mi · 19 min · United States Route 89
-
13
Continue on 1st Road Southeast
14.7 mi · 16 min · 1st Road Southeast
-
14
At the end of the road, turn left
7.9 mi · 9 min
-
15
Take the exit slight right toward I 15 South: Great Falls
1323 ft · 32 sec
-
16
Merge slight left onto First Special Service Force Memorial Highway
9.5 mi · 9 min · First Special Service Force Memorial Highway
-
17
Take the exit slight right toward I 15 Business
1262 ft · 31 sec
-
18
Turn left onto Central Avenue West
1.5 mi · 2 min · Central Avenue West
-
19
Continue on First Avenue North Bridge
1055 ft · 18 sec · First Avenue North Bridge
-
20
Continue on 1st Avenue North
2717 ft · 52 sec · 1st Avenue North
-
21
Turn right onto 5th Street North
2018 ft · 36 sec · 5th Street North
-
22
Turn right onto 4th Avenue South
131 m · 24 sec · 4th Avenue South
-
23
Turn left onto 4th Street South
70 m · 10 sec · 4th Street South
-
24
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · 4th Street South
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Columbia Falls and Great Falls.
Interchange-aware route
The drive includes several ramps, exits, or merges, so checking the next few maneuvers before busy interchanges is useful.
US Route 2
Continue on US Route 2
80.1 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.
Rain leaving Columbia Falls and Rain near Great Falls.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Columbia Falls to Great Falls?
The road trip is about 212.8 miles (342.4 km) and usually takes 03h 33m 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?
South Browning is a useful midpoint, sitting about 104 miles from Columbia Falls and 108.7 miles from Great Falls.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 146.3 miles (235.5 km), while the road route adds roughly 66.5 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 9:52 AM MDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $29.24 one way or $58.47 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 66.7 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Rain around Columbia Falls and Rain near Great Falls.
Stop Ideas Near South Browning
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 South Browning.
Browning
East Glacier Park
Cut Bank
Essex
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Columbia Falls and Great Falls. Straight-line distance: 146.32 mi (235.48 km).
#1 Columbia Falls
Town in Montana, United States
| Population | 6,209 |
| Coordinates | 48.3724600, -114.1815200 |
| Altitude | 941 |
| 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: 342 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 07h 05m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 05h 19m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 04h 15m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 03h 32m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 03h 02m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 02h 39m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $3.89 | $29.24 | $58.47 |
| Mid-grade | $4.23 | $31.77 | $63.55 |
| Premium | $4.55 | $34.16 | $68.33 |
| Diesel | $5.41 | $40.64 | $81.29 |
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 · May 31, 2026
Distance to Other Cities
Planning a road trip? See the full trip guide on Trip.ovh — stops, fuel costs, weather, and departure timing.