How far is Great Falls, MT from Columbia Falls, MT?
The driving distance from Great Falls, MT to Columbia Falls, MT is about 212.6 miles (342.1 km), with a travel time of about 03h 34m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 146.3 miles (235.5 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 07h 08m 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 34m.
An early departure helps you fit a real stop into the day without turning the return into a late-night drive.
This departure sits inside the recommended comfort window for the route.
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.
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Great Falls and Columbia Falls.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Great Falls and Columbia Falls.
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1
Start on 4th Street South
49 m · 9 sec · 4th Street South
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2
Turn right onto 5th Avenue South
862 ft · 40 sec · 5th Avenue South
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3
At the end of the road, turn right onto 2nd Street South
686 ft · 24 sec · 2nd Street South
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4
Turn left onto 3rd Avenue South
683 ft · 20 sec · 3rd Avenue South
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5
At the end of the road, turn right onto River Drive South
2365 ft · 49 sec · River Drive South
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6
Turn left onto First Avenue North Bridge
1148 ft · 27 sec · First Avenue North Bridge
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7
Continue on Central Avenue West
1.4 mi · 2 min · Central Avenue West
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8
Take the exit right
1311 ft · 32 sec
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9
Merge slight left onto First Special Service Force Memorial Highway
9.4 mi · 9 min · First Special Service Force Memorial Highway
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10
Take the exit slight right
8.3 mi · 10 min
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11
Turn right
32.2 mi · 36 min
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12
Enter the roundabout and take exit 2 toward West Division Street
157 m · 18 sec · West Division Street
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13
Exit the rotary onto West Division Street
44 m · 5 sec · West Division Street
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14
Turn slight right onto Main Avenue North
6 mi · 8 min · Main Avenue North
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15
Continue on 13th Lane Northwest
12.9 mi · 15 min · 13th Lane Northwest
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16
Continue on United States Highway 89
49.2 mi · 53 min · United States Highway 89
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17
At the end of the road, turn left
3.9 mi · 7 min
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18
Enter the roundabout and take exit 3 toward the route
75 m · 4 sec
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19
Exit the roundabout
72.3 mi · 1 hr 20 min
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20
Turn right
842 ft · 1 min
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21
At the end of the road, turn left onto Old US 2
1930 ft · 1 min · Old US 2
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22
Turn right onto US Route 2
7.5 mi · 10 min · US Route 2
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23
Continue on US 2
3 mi · 4 min · US 2
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24
Continue on 9th Street
1603 ft · 53 sec · 9th Street
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25
Turn right onto Nucleus Avenue
784 ft · 32 sec · Nucleus Avenue
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26
Turn left onto 7th Street West
31 m · 4 sec · 7th Street West
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27
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · 7th Street West
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Great Falls and Columbia Falls.
Highway-focused drive
Most of the mileage stays on named highways, so the important moments are ramps, exits, merges, and the final local approach.
United States Highway 89
Exit the roundabout
72.3 mi · 01h 20m
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 Great Falls and Rain near Columbia Falls.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Great Falls to Columbia Falls?
The road trip is about 212.6 miles (342.1 km) and usually takes 03h 34m 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 104.1 miles from Great Falls and 108.4 miles from Columbia 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 66.3 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 $29.20 one way or $58.39 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 66.7 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Rain around Great Falls and Rain near Columbia 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 Great Falls and Columbia Falls. Straight-line distance: 146.32 mi (235.48 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 Columbia Falls
Town in Montana, United States
| Population | 6,209 |
| Coordinates | 48.3724600, -114.1815200 |
| Altitude | 941 |
| Country | United States |
End: 7th Street West (-114.18152, 48.372459)
Estimated Travel Time
Distance: 342 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 07h 04m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 05h 18m |
| 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 | $29.20 | $58.39 |
| Mid-grade | $4.23 | $31.73 | $63.46 |
| Premium | $4.55 | $34.12 | $68.24 |
| Diesel | $5.41 | $40.59 | $81.18 |
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.