How far is Great Falls, MT from Red Lodge, MT?
The driving distance from Great Falls, MT to Red Lodge, MT is about 261 miles (420 km), with a travel time of about 05h 11m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 187.5 miles (301.8 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 10h 23m 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 05h 11m.
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
Route Weather Snapshot
Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.
Light Snow Likely
Light Snow
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Great Falls and Red Lodge.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Great Falls and Red Lodge.
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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
-
10
Turn right
148 m · 8 sec
-
11
Continue straight
1.4 mi · 2 min
-
12
Turn left onto H Avenue Northwest
43.6 mi · 1 hr 5 min · H Avenue Northwest
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13
Turn left onto Boulder Street
1315 ft · 58 sec · Boulder Street
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14
Turn slight left onto Big Timber Loop Road
1.9 mi · 3 min · Big Timber Loop Road
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15
Take the ramp left
37.7 mi · 36 min
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16
Take the exit slight right toward MT 78: Columbus
1672 ft · 41 sec
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17
Turn right
1.2 km · 1 min
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18
At the end of the road, turn right onto East Pike Avenue
1140 ft · 44 sec · East Pike Avenue
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19
Turn left onto Pratten Street
675 ft · 23 sec · Pratten Street
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20
Continue on State Highway 78
13.5 mi · 17 min · State Highway 78
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21
Continue on North Woodard Avenue
1.2 km · 2 min · North Woodard Avenue
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22
Continue on State Highway 78
31.6 mi · 38 min · State Highway 78
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23
Continue on 3rd Street
2562 ft · 1 min · 3rd Street
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24
Enter the roundabout and take exit 1 toward North Broadway Avenue
7 m · 1 sec · North Broadway Avenue
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25
Exit the roundabout onto North Broadway Avenue
1 km · 2 min · North Broadway Avenue
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26
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · South Broadway Avenue
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Great Falls and Red Lodge.
Interchange-aware route
The drive includes several ramps, exits, or merges, so checking the next few maneuvers before busy interchanges is useful.
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.
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.
Light Snow Likely leaving Great Falls and Light Snow near Red Lodge.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Great Falls to Red Lodge?
The road trip is about 261 miles (420 km) and usually takes 05h 11m 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?
Harlowton is a useful midpoint, sitting about 130.4 miles from Great Falls and 130.6 miles from Red Lodge.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 187.5 miles (301.8 km), while the road route adds roughly 73.5 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 6:36 AM MDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $35.85 one way or $71.71 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 81.8 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Light Snow Likely around Great Falls and Light Snow near Red Lodge.
Stop Ideas Near Harlowton
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 Harlowton.
Livingston, MT
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Great Falls and Red Lodge. Straight-line distance: 187.52 mi (301.79 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 Red Lodge
City in Montana, United States
| Population | 2,359 |
| Coordinates | 45.1857800, -109.2468200 |
| Altitude | 1697 |
| Country | United States |
End: Red Lodge (-109.24682, 45.18578)
Estimated Travel Time
Distance: 420 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 08h 41m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 06h 31m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 05h 13m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 04h 20m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 03h 43m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 03h 15m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $3.89 | $35.85 | $71.71 |
| Mid-grade | $4.23 | $38.97 | $77.94 |
| Premium | $4.55 | $41.90 | $83.79 |
| Diesel | $5.41 | $49.84 | $99.69 |
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 23, 2026
Distance to Other Cities
Planning a road trip? See the full trip guide on Trip.ovh — stops, fuel costs, weather, and departure timing.