How far is Great Falls, MT from Colstrip, MT?
The driving distance from Great Falls, MT to Colstrip, MT is about 344.2 miles (553.9 km), with a travel time of about 06h 30m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 248.1 miles (399.3 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 13h 01m 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 06h 30m.
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.
Town in Montana, United States
Route Weather Snapshot
Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.
Snow Showers Likely
Rain And Snow Showers Likely
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Great Falls and Colstrip.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Great Falls and Colstrip.
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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 · 36 sec · 5th Street South
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4
Turn left onto 10th Avenue South
5.7 mi · 8 min · 10th Avenue South
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5
Continue straight
17.6 mi · 19 min
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6
Enter the roundabout and take exit 2 toward the route
68 m · 3 sec
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7
Exit the roundabout
1606 ft · 21 sec
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8
Turn straight
64.3 mi · 1 hr 10 min
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9
Turn right
39.2 mi · 43 min
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10
Turn left
45.1 mi · 51 min
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11
Turn right
12.4 mi · 14 min
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12
Continue straight
2.5 mi · 3 min
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13
Continue straight
25.5 mi · 29 min
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14
Enter the roundabout and take exit 2 toward the route
38 m · 2 sec
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15
Exit the roundabout
3.1 mi · 4 min
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16
Enter the roundabout and take exit 2 toward Airport Road
46 m · 2 sec · Airport Road
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17
Exit the rotary onto Airport Road
2.7 mi · 4 min · Airport Road
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18
Turn right onto Swords Lane
76 m · 12 sec · Swords Lane
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19
Turn left onto Aronson Avenue
143 m · 9 sec · Aronson Avenue
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20
Merge slight left
3275 ft · 1 min
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21
Turn left onto US Highway 87 East
1.3 mi · 2 min · US Highway 87 East
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22
Turn left
1595 ft · 41 sec
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23
Continue straight
3.1 mi · 4 min
-
24
Keep slight right to continue on I 90 East: Sheridan
54 mi · 51 min
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25
Take the exit slight right toward US 212 East: Little Bighorn Battlefield, Broadus
2032 ft · 54 sec
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26
Turn left
42.1 mi · 50 min
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27
Enter the roundabout and take exit 3 toward Cheyenne Avenue
100 m · 6 sec · Cheyenne Avenue
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28
Exit the roundabout onto Cheyenne Avenue
2522 ft · 43 sec · Cheyenne Avenue
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29
Continue on State Highway 39
22.2 mi · 33 min · State Highway 39
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30
Turn right onto Box Elder Avenue
2176 ft · 2 min · Box Elder Avenue
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31
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · Park Street
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Great Falls and Colstrip.
Long-distance drive
This route is long enough that fuel, rest stops, weather, and timing matter more than any single maneuver.
Longest stretch
Turn straight
64.3 mi · 01h 10m
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.
Snow Showers Likely leaving Great Falls and Rain And Snow Showers Likely near Colstrip.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Great Falls to Colstrip?
The road trip is about 344.2 miles (553.9 km) and usually takes 06h 30m 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?
Lavina is a useful midpoint, sitting about 171.8 miles from Great Falls and 172.4 miles from Colstrip.
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 96.1 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 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 $47.26 one way or $94.52 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 107.9 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Snow Showers Likely around Great Falls and Rain And Snow Showers Likely near Colstrip.
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 Great Falls and Colstrip. Straight-line distance: 248.14 mi (399.34 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 Colstrip
Town focused on coal mining and electricity production
| Population | 2,217 |
| Coordinates | 45.8841600, -106.6236400 |
| Altitude | 982 |
| Country | United States |
End: Colstrip (-106.62364, 45.88416)
Estimated Travel Time
Distance: 554 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 11h 28m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 08h 36m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 06h 53m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 05h 44m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 04h 55m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 04h 17m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $3.89 | $47.26 | $94.52 |
| Mid-grade | $4.23 | $51.36 | $102.73 |
| Premium | $4.55 | $55.22 | $110.45 |
| Diesel | $5.41 | $65.70 | $131.40 |
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 16, 2026
Distance to Other Cities
Planning a road trip? See the full trip guide on Trip.ovh — stops, fuel costs, weather, and departure timing.