How far is East Helena, MT from Great Falls, MT?

The driving distance from East Helena, MT to Great Falls, MT is about 93.3 miles (150.1 km), with a travel time of about 01h 24m by car.

  • The straight-line flight distance is about 69.3 miles (111.5 km).
  • For a round trip, plan for roughly 02h 49m 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
93.26 mi
01h 24m
Flight
69.25 mi
111.45 km direct

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

Learn Distance

Choose another destination from East Helena.

Flight Distance

Direct air line
69.25 mi
Kilometers
111.45 km
Flight Time
00h 08m

Driving Distance

Road route
93.26 mi
Kilometers
150.08 km
Drive Time
01h 24m

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 01h 24m.

Arrival Snapshot
Arrive in Great Falls
Sat, Apr 18, 1:35 PM MDT
Return by in East Helena
Sat, Apr 18, 3:00 PM MDT
Useful when you're deciding between a quick errand, a day trip, or a longer stop.
Leave East Helena
2026-04-18T12:10
Arrive Great Falls
Sat, Apr 18, 1:35 PM MDT
Route Timing
01h 24m
One way by road
Best Departure Window
8:00 AM to 10:00 AM MDT
Aim for a morning departure
Arrive between
9:25 AM to 11:25 AM MDT

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

Leave by
3:40 PM MDT
Keeps a same-day return open with about 03h 00m at the destination.
Back in East Helena
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
Cascade
MT

Town in Cascade County, Montana, United States

From East Helena
46.4 mi
00h 42m
To Great Falls
46.8 mi
00h 42m

Route Weather Snapshot

Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.

Origin
56°F
Saturday

Sunny

Starts
Sat, Apr 18 6:00 AM MDT
Wind
3 to 9 mph SW
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 East Helena and Great Falls.

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between East Helena and Great Falls.

  1. 1

    Start on East Main Street

    1.2 km · 2 min · East Main Street

  2. 2

    Take the ramp slight left

    68 m · 8 sec

  3. 3

    Merge slight left

    3 mi · 4 min

  4. 4

    Take the exit slight right toward I 15 North: Great Falls

    1958 ft · 48 sec

  5. 5

    Merge slight left onto First Special Service Force Memorial Highway

    86 mi · 1 hr 23 min · First Special Service Force Memorial Highway

  6. 6

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

    2016 ft · 49 sec

  7. 7

    Continue on Country Club Boulevard

    1.4 mi · 2 min · Country Club Boulevard

  8. 8

    Continue on 10th Avenue South

    1.1 km · 58 sec · 10th Avenue South

  9. 9

    Turn left onto 4th Street South

    2216 ft · 2 min · 4th Street South

  10. 10

    Arrive at your destination

    0 m · 1 sec · 4th Street South

Car Route Details

A richer read on the saved driving route between East Helena 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
10 steps
1 turns on the saved route
Ramps & Exits
5
2 merges, 3 ramps or exits
Navigation Density
10.7 / 100 mi
Decision points by distance
Main Roads
First Special Service Force Memorial Highway
86 mi · 92%
East Main Street
3.79 mi · 4%
Country Club Boulevard
1.35 mi · 1%
10th Avenue South
0.67 mi · 1%
4th Street South
0.42 mi
I 15 Business
0.38 mi
Longest Stretch

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.

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
01h 24m
Day trip friendly
Same-Day Return
02h 50m
Round-trip wheel time
Road vs Air
+24 mi
69.3 mi direct line
Halfway Stop
Cascade
00h 42m from East Helena
Leave By
3:40 PM MDT
Morning start is best
Weather Watch

Sunny leaving East Helena 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 East Helena to Great Falls?

The road trip is about 93.3 miles (150.1 km) and usually takes 01h 24m 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?

Cascade is a useful midpoint, sitting about 46.4 miles from East Helena and 46.8 miles from Great Falls.

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

The direct path is about 69.3 miles (111.5 km), while the road route adds roughly 24 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 3:40 PM MDT.

How much will gas cost for this route?

Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $12.81 one way or $25.62 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 29.2 kg one way.

What should you check before leaving?

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

Flight Path Map

This map shows the direct air route between East Helena and Great Falls. Straight-line distance: 69.25 mi (111.45 km).

East Helena

#1 East Helena

Town of the United States

Population2,130
Coordinates46.5896600, -111.9155500
Altitude1185
CountryUnited States
Great Falls

#2 Great Falls

Town in Cascade County, Montana, United States

Population58,353
Coordinates47.5002400, -111.3008100
Altitude1015
CountryUnited States
Start: East Main Street (-111.915546, 46.589493)
End: 4th Street South (-111.300848, 47.50024)

Estimated Travel Time

Distance: 150 km by road

SpeedTime
30 mph (48.3 km/h)03h 06m
40 mph (64.37 km/h)02h 19m
50 mph (80.47 km/h)01h 51m
60 mph (96.56 km/h)01h 33m
70 mph (112.65 km/h)01h 19m
80 mph (129 km/h)01h 09m

Fuel, Round Trip and CO2

Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.

One-way fuel
3.29 gal
12.46 L · about $12.81
Round trip
$25.62
6.58 gal · 24.92 L
Estimated CO2
29.2 kg one way
Round trip: 58.5 kg / 129 lb CO2, using regular gasoline.
Fuel$/galOne wayRound trip
Regular gas $3.89 $12.81 $25.62
Mid-grade $4.23 $13.92 $27.84
Premium $4.55 $14.97 $29.93
Diesel $5.41 $17.81 $35.61

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 East Helena and Great Falls. The current time is 12:10:56.

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.