How far is Columbia Falls, MT from Sidney, MT?
The driving distance from Columbia Falls, MT to Sidney, MT is about 543 miles (873.9 km), with a travel time of about 09h 09m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 465 miles (748.3 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 18h 19m of driving time before adding stops, traffic, or weather delays.
- A comfortable departure window is usually 6:00 AM to 7:30 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 09h 09m.
Starting early still helps, but most travelers will want a longer stop or an overnight stay on a route this long.
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
Route Weather Snapshot
Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.
Rain Showers Likely
Chance Rain Showers then Mostly Sunny
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Columbia Falls and Sidney.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Columbia Falls and Sidney.
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1
Start on 7th Street West
31 m · 7 sec · 7th Street West
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2
Turn right onto Nucleus Avenue
784 ft · 34 sec · Nucleus Avenue
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3
At the end of the road, turn left onto 9th Street
1603 ft · 49 sec · 9th Street
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4
Continue on US 2
3 mi · 4 min · US 2
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5
Continue on US Route 2
80.1 mi · 1 hr 31 min · US Route 2
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6
Enter the roundabout and take exit 1 toward the route
7 m · 1 sec
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7
Exit the roundabout
3.7 mi · 7 min
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8
Turn straight
54.9 mi · 1 hr 4 min
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9
Continue on 5th Avenue North
138 m · 17 sec · 5th Avenue North
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10
Turn left onto Main Street
1.2 km · 2 min · Main Street
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11
Continue on Roosevelt Highway
102.8 mi · 1 hr 56 min · Roosevelt Highway
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12
Continue straight
228.4 mi · 4 hr 20 min
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13
Enter the roundabout and take exit 2 toward the route
36 m · 2 sec
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14
Exit the roundabout
2828 ft · 36 sec
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15
Enter the roundabout and take exit 2 toward the route
39 m · 2 sec
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16
Exit the roundabout
31.4 mi · 36 min
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17
Turn right onto Broadway Avenue
1729 ft · 28 sec · Broadway Avenue
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18
Turn left onto 1st Street East
35.6 mi · 40 min · 1st Street East
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19
Continue on West Holly Street
1.4 mi · 2 min · West Holly Street
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20
Turn right onto North Central Avenue
531 ft · 7 sec · North Central Avenue
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21
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · North Central Avenue
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Columbia Falls and Sidney.
Long-distance drive
This route is long enough that fuel, rest stops, weather, and timing matter more than any single maneuver.
Roosevelt Highway
Continue straight
228 mi · 04h 20m
Route Summary
A quick read on whether this route feels easy, ambitious, or worth planning around.
Better with a longer stop
This route is long enough that most travelers will be better off planning an overnight stay or a more deliberate stop window.
Rain Showers Likely leaving Columbia Falls and Chance Rain Showers then Mostly Sunny near Sidney.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Columbia Falls to Sidney?
The road trip is about 543 miles (873.9 km) and usually takes 09h 09m in normal driving conditions.
Is this a same-day trip or an overnight route?
This route is long enough that most travelers will be better off planning an overnight stay or a more deliberate stop window.
What is the halfway point on this route?
Chinook is a useful midpoint, sitting about 271.2 miles from Columbia Falls and 271.8 miles from Sidney.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 465 miles (748.3 km), while the road route adds roughly 78 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 7:30 AM MDT. Starting early still helps, but most travelers will want a longer stop or an overnight stay on a route this long.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $74.59 one way or $149.18 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 170.3 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Rain Showers Likely around Columbia Falls and Chance Rain Showers then Mostly Sunny near Sidney.
Stop Ideas Near Chinook
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 Chinook.
Havre station
Malta
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Columbia Falls and Sidney. Straight-line distance: 464.96 mi (748.28 km).
#1 Columbia Falls
Town in Montana, United States
| Population | 6,209 |
| Coordinates | 48.3724600, -114.1815200 |
| Altitude | 941 |
| Country | United States |
#2 Sidney
City in Montana, United States
| Population | 6,297 |
| Coordinates | 47.7166800, -104.1563300 |
| Altitude | 594 |
| Country | United States |
End: North Central Avenue (-104.156325, 47.716678)
Estimated Travel Time
Distance: 874 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 18h 05m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 13h 34m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 10h 51m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 09h 03m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 07h 45m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 06h 46m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $3.89 | $74.59 | $149.18 |
| Mid-grade | $4.23 | $81.07 | $162.13 |
| Premium | $4.55 | $87.16 | $174.32 |
| Diesel | $5.41 | $103.69 | $207.39 |
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 · Jun 10, 2026
Distance to Other Cities
Planning a road trip? See the full trip guide on Trip.ovh — stops, fuel costs, weather, and departure timing.