How far is Great Falls, MT from Big Sky, MT?
The driving distance from Great Falls, MT to Big Sky, MT is about 223.3 miles (359.4 km), with a travel time of about 04h 05m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 153.1 miles (246.4 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 08h 11m 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 05m.
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
Sunny
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Great Falls and Big Sky.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Great Falls and Big Sky.
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1
Start on 4th Street South
49 m · 12 sec · 4th Street South
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2
Turn left onto 5th Avenue South
130 m · 21 sec · 5th Avenue South
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3
Turn right onto 5th Street South
1988 ft · 38 sec · 5th Street South
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4
Turn right onto 10th Avenue South
1.2 km · 1 min · 10th Avenue South
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5
Continue on Country Club Boulevard
1.3 mi · 2 min · Country Club Boulevard
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6
Keep slight left
1.2 km · 2 min
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7
Merge slight left onto First Special Service Force Memorial Highway
85.7 mi · 1 hr 23 min · First Special Service Force Memorial Highway
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8
Take the exit slight right toward US 12 South, US 287 South: Townsend, Capitol Area
1280 ft · 34 sec
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9
Turn left onto Prospect Avenue
1 mi · 2 min · Prospect Avenue
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10
Continue straight
3.6 mi · 5 min
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11
Continue straight
1678 ft · 26 sec
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12
Continue straight
30.2 mi · 34 min
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13
Continue straight
2.3 mi · 2 min
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14
Continue straight
1.2 mi · 1 min
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15
Continue straight
1.4 mi · 2 min
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16
Continue straight
22.7 mi · 24 min
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17
Take the exit left toward I 90 East: Billings
1372 ft · 34 sec
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18
Merge slight left
22.3 mi · 22 min
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19
Take the exit slight right toward MT 291, MT 85: Belgrade, West Yellowstone
1374 ft · 38 sec
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20
Turn left onto Amsterdam Road
1.3 km · 60 sec · Amsterdam Road
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21
Turn right onto Jackrabbit Lane
6.5 mi · 7 min · Jackrabbit Lane
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22
Continue on Gallatin Road
33.9 mi · 41 min · Gallatin Road
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23
Turn right onto Lone Mountain Trail
7.1 mi · 11 min · Lone Mountain Trail
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24
Turn left onto Lone Moose Drive
61 m · 7 sec · Lone Moose Drive
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25
Keep slight right to continue on Access
156 m · 23 sec · Access
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26
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · Access
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Great Falls and Big Sky.
Interchange-aware route
The drive includes several ramps, exits, or merges, so checking the next few maneuvers before busy interchanges is useful.
First Special Service Force Memorial Highway
Merge slight left onto First Special Service Force Memorial Highway
85.7 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 Great Falls and Sunny near Big Sky.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Great Falls to Big Sky?
The road trip is about 223.3 miles (359.4 km) and usually takes 04h 05m 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 111.5 miles from Great Falls and 111.8 miles from Big Sky.
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 70.2 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 8:48 AM MDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $30.68 one way or $61.35 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 70 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Sunny around Great Falls and Sunny near Big Sky.
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 Great Falls and Big Sky. Straight-line distance: 153.12 mi (246.42 km).
#1 Great Falls
Town in Cascade County, Montana, United States
| Population | 58,353 |
| Coordinates | 47.5002400, -111.3008100 |
| Altitude | 1015 |
| Country | United States |
#2 Big Sky
Census designated place
| Population | 2,308 |
| Coordinates | 45.2846500, -111.3682900 |
| Altitude | 2200 |
| Country | United States |
End: Big Sky (-111.36829, 45.28465)
Estimated Travel Time
Distance: 359 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 07h 26m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 05h 34m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 04h 27m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 03h 43m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 03h 11m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 02h 47m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $3.89 | $30.68 | $61.35 |
| Mid-grade | $4.23 | $33.34 | $66.68 |
| Premium | $4.55 | $35.85 | $71.69 |
| Diesel | $5.41 | $42.65 | $85.29 |
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 · 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.