How far is Great Falls, MT from Missoula, MT?
The driving distance from Great Falls, MT to Missoula, MT is about 167.5 miles (269.6 km), with a travel time of about 02h 55m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 133.7 miles (215.2 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 05h 51m of driving time before adding stops, traffic, or weather delays.
- A comfortable departure window is usually 8:00 AM to 10:00 AM MDT.
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.
This route works well as a day trip with time at the destination.
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 02h 55m.
A morning start gives you useful time at the destination and keeps the return out of the late evening.
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 of the United States
Route Weather Snapshot
Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.
Chance Rain
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Great Falls and Missoula.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Great Falls and Missoula.
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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
148.3 mi · 2 hr 48 min
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11
Keep slight right
4.5 mi · 6 min
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12
Take the exit slight right toward US 12 West, I 90 Business
1037 ft · 25 sec
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13
Enter the roundabout and take exit 3 toward Van Buren Street
63 m · 3 sec · Van Buren Street
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14
Exit the roundabout onto Van Buren Street
65 m · 3 sec · Van Buren Street
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15
Enter the roundabout and take exit 1 toward Van Buren Street
28 m · 1 sec · Van Buren Street
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16
Exit the roundabout onto Van Buren Street
583 ft · 11 sec · Van Buren Street
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17
Turn right onto East Broadway Street
3078 ft · 55 sec · East Broadway Street
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18
Turn right onto North Higgins Avenue
6 m · 1 sec · North Higgins Avenue
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19
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · North Higgins Avenue
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Great Falls and Missoula.
Highway-focused drive
Most of the mileage stays on named highways, so the important moments are ramps, exits, merges, and the final local approach.
First Special Service Force Memorial Highway
Take the exit slight right
148 mi · 02h 48m
Route Summary
A quick read on whether this route feels easy, ambitious, or worth planning around.
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.
Rain leaving Great Falls and Chance Rain near Missoula.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Great Falls to Missoula?
The road trip is about 167.5 miles (269.6 km) and usually takes 02h 55m 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?
Dutton is a useful midpoint, sitting about 82.8 miles from Great Falls and 84.7 miles from Missoula.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 133.7 miles (215.2 km), while the road route adds roughly 33.8 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 12:38 PM MDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $23.01 one way or $46.02 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 52.5 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Rain around Great Falls and Chance Rain near Missoula.
Stop Ideas Near Dutton
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 Dutton.
Butte, MT
Missoula, MT
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Great Falls and Missoula. Straight-line distance: 133.69 mi (215.16 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 Missoula
The most populous city in Missoula County, Montana.
| Population | 76,848 |
| Coordinates | 46.8721500, -113.9940000 |
| Altitude | 978 |
| Country | United States |
End: North Higgins Avenue (-113.994022, 46.872156)
Estimated Travel Time
Distance: 270 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 05h 34m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 04h 11m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 03h 20m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 02h 47m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 02h 23m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 02h 05m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $3.89 | $23.01 | $46.02 |
| Mid-grade | $4.23 | $25.01 | $50.01 |
| Premium | $4.55 | $26.88 | $53.77 |
| Diesel | $5.41 | $31.98 | $63.97 |
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 · Jun 01, 2026
Distance to Other Cities
Planning a road trip? See the full trip guide on Trip.ovh — stops, fuel costs, weather, and departure timing.