How far is Great Falls, MT from Fort Benton, MT?

The driving distance from Great Falls, MT to Fort Benton, MT is about 40.8 miles (65.6 km), with a travel time of about 00h 49m by car.

  • The straight-line flight distance is about 36.8 miles (59.2 km).
  • For a round trip, plan for roughly 01h 38m 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
40.76 mi
00h 49m
Flight
36.77 mi
59.17 km direct

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

Learn Distance

Choose another destination from Great Falls.

Flight Distance

Direct air line
36.77 mi
Kilometers
59.17 km
Flight Time
00h 04m

Driving Distance

Road route
40.76 mi
Kilometers
65.59 km
Drive Time
00h 49m

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 00h 49m.

Arrival Snapshot
Arrive in Fort Benton
Sat, Apr 11, 8:07 AM MDT
Return by in Great Falls
Sat, Apr 11, 8:56 AM MDT
Useful when you're deciding between a quick errand, a day trip, or a longer stop.
Leave Great Falls
2026-04-11T07:18
Arrive Fort Benton
Sat, Apr 11, 8:07 AM MDT
Route Timing
00h 49m
One way by road
Best Departure Window
8:00 AM to 10:00 AM MDT
Aim for a morning departure
Arrive between
8:49 AM to 10:49 AM MDT

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

Leave by
4:52 PM MDT
Keeps a same-day return open with about 03h 00m at the destination.
Back in Great Falls
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
Belt
MT

Town of the United States

From Great Falls
20.3 mi
00h 24m
To Fort Benton
20.4 mi
00h 24m

Route Weather Snapshot

Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.

Origin
74°F
Saturday

Mostly Sunny then Chance Showers And Thunderstorms

Starts
Sat, Apr 11 12:00 AM MDT
Wind
3 to 14 mph SW
Destination
77°F
Saturday

Partly Sunny then Chance Rain Showers

Starts
Sat, Apr 11 12:00 AM MDT
Wind
2 to 8 mph WSW

Driving Route Map

The map below follows the saved road route between Great Falls and Fort Benton.

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between Great Falls and Fort Benton.

  1. 1

    Start on 4th Street South

    70 m · 12 sec · 4th Street South

  2. 2

    Turn right onto 4th Avenue South

    858 ft · 43 sec · 4th Avenue South

  3. 3

    Turn left onto 6th Street South

    2019 ft · 36 sec · 6th Street South

  4. 4

    Turn right onto 1st Avenue North

    1296 ft · 33 sec · 1st Avenue North

  5. 5

    Turn left onto 9th Street North

    1.1 mi · 2 min · 9th Street North

  6. 6

    Continue on 10th Street Northeast

    870 ft · 19 sec · 10th Street Northeast

  7. 7

    Continue on Old Havre Highway

    1.4 km · 58 sec · Old Havre Highway

  8. 8

    Turn left onto 15th Street Northeast

    35.8 mi · 38 min · 15th Street Northeast

  9. 9

    Turn right onto MT 386

    1.4 mi · 3 min · MT 386

  10. 10

    Continue on Saint Charles Street

    117 m · 13 sec · Saint Charles Street

  11. 11

    Turn right onto 12th Street

    1366 ft · 1 min · 12th Street

  12. 12

    Turn left onto Main Street

    1237 ft · 55 sec · Main Street

  13. 13

    Turn right

    83 m · 21 sec

  14. 14

    Arrive at your destination

    0 m · 1 sec

Car Route Details

A richer read on the saved driving route between Great Falls and Fort Benton.

OSRM road route
Drive Character

Turn-heavy local drive

The route has frequent decision points for its length, so lane choice and turn timing will matter more than cruising speed.

Directions
14 steps
9 turns on the saved route
Ramps & Exits
0
0 merges, 0 ramps or exits
Navigation Density
34.3 / 100 mi
Decision points by distance
Main Roads
15th Street Northeast
35.8 mi · 88%
MT 386
1.38 mi · 3%
9th Street North
1.12 mi · 3%
Old Havre Highway
0.85 mi · 2%
6th Street South
0.38 mi · 1%
12th Street
0.26 mi · 1%
Longest Stretch

15th Street Northeast

Turn left onto 15th Street Northeast

35.8 mi · 00h 38m

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
00h 49m
Day trip friendly
Same-Day Return
01h 38m
Round-trip wheel time
Road vs Air
+4 mi
36.8 mi direct line
Halfway Stop
Belt
00h 24m from Great Falls
Leave By
4:52 PM MDT
Morning start is best
Weather Watch

Mostly Sunny then Chance Showers And Thunderstorms leaving Great Falls and Partly Sunny then Chance Rain Showers near Fort Benton.

Trip Questions

Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.

How long does it take to drive from Great Falls to Fort Benton?

The road trip is about 40.8 miles (65.6 km) and usually takes 00h 49m 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?

Belt is a useful midpoint, sitting about 20.3 miles from Great Falls and 20.4 miles from Fort Benton.

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

The direct path is about 36.8 miles (59.2 km), while the road route adds roughly 4 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 4:52 PM MDT.

How much will gas cost for this route?

Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $5.61 one way or $11.21 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 12.8 kg one way.

What should you check before leaving?

Before you leave, expect Mostly Sunny then Chance Showers And Thunderstorms around Great Falls and Partly Sunny then Chance Rain Showers near Fort Benton.

Flight Path Map

This map shows the direct air route between Great Falls and Fort Benton. Straight-line distance: 36.77 mi (59.17 km).

Great Falls

#1 Great Falls

Town in Cascade County, Montana, United States

Population58,353
Coordinates47.5002400, -111.3008100
Altitude1015
CountryUnited States
Fort Benton

#2 Fort Benton

City in Montana, USA

Population1,442
Coordinates47.8183000, -110.6674400
Altitude799
CountryUnited States
Start: Great Falls (-111.30081, 47.50024)
End: Fort Benton (-110.66744, 47.8183)

Estimated Travel Time

Distance: 66 km by road

SpeedTime
30 mph (48.3 km/h)01h 21m
40 mph (64.37 km/h)01h 01m
50 mph (80.47 km/h)00h 48m
60 mph (96.56 km/h)00h 40m
70 mph (112.65 km/h)00h 34m
80 mph (129 km/h)00h 30m

Fuel, Round Trip and CO2

Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.

One-way fuel
1.44 gal
5.44 L · about $5.61
Round trip
$11.21
2.88 gal · 10.88 L
Estimated CO2
12.8 kg one way
Round trip: 25.6 kg / 56 lb CO2, using regular gasoline.
Fuel$/galOne wayRound trip
Regular gas $3.89 $5.61 $11.21
Mid-grade $4.23 $6.09 $12.19
Premium $4.55 $6.55 $13.10
Diesel $5.41 $7.79 $15.59

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 11, 2026

There is no time difference between Great Falls and Fort Benton. The current time is 07:18:20.

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.