How far is Great Falls, MT from Three Forks, MT?

The driving distance from Great Falls, MT to Three Forks, MT is about 25.2 miles (40.6 km), with a travel time of about 01h 05m by car.

  • The straight-line flight distance is about 18 miles (29 km).
  • For a round trip, plan for roughly 02h 10m 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
25.2 mi
01h 05m
Flight
18.03 mi
29.02 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
18.03 mi
Kilometers
29.02 km
Flight Time
00h 02m

Driving Distance

Road route
25.2 mi
Kilometers
40.55 km
Drive Time
01h 05m

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 01h 05m.

Arrival Snapshot
Arrive in Three Forks
Mon, May 18, 8:47 PM MDT
Return by in Great Falls
Mon, May 18, 9:52 PM MDT
Useful when you're deciding between a quick errand, a day trip, or a longer stop.
Leave Great Falls
2026-05-18T19:41
Arrive Three Forks
Mon, May 18, 8:47 PM MDT
Route Timing
01h 05m
One way by road
Best Departure Window
8:00 AM to 10:00 AM MDT
Aim for a morning departure
Arrive between
9:05 AM to 11:05 AM MDT

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

Leave by
4:20 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
12.6 mi
00h 32m
To Three Forks
12.6 mi
00h 32m

Route Weather Snapshot

Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.

Origin
55°F
Monday

Partly Sunny

Starts
Mon, May 18 6:00 AM MDT
Wind
6 mph N
Destination
48°F
Monday

Slight Chance Light Snow then Partly Sunny

Starts
Mon, May 18 6:00 AM MDT
Wind
6 mph NNW

Driving Route Map

The map below follows the saved road route between Great Falls and Three Forks.

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between Great Falls and Three Forks.

  1. 1

    Start on 4th Street South

    49 m · 12 sec · 4th Street South

  2. 2

    Turn left onto 5th Avenue South

    130 m · 21 sec · 5th Avenue South

  3. 3

    Turn right onto 5th Street South

    1988 ft · 36 sec · 5th Street South

  4. 4

    Turn left onto 10th Avenue South

    5.7 mi · 8 min · 10th Avenue South

  5. 5

    Continue straight

    1.2 mi · 1 min

  6. 6

    Turn right onto Stockett Road

    9.5 mi · 23 min · Stockett Road

  7. 7

    Turn left onto Cottonwood Coulee Road

    4.1 mi · 16 min · Cottonwood Coulee Road

  8. 8

    Continue on Cottonwood Coulee Road

    1.8 mi · 7 min · Cottonwood Coulee Road

  9. 9

    Continue on Cottonwood Coulee Road

    2.4 mi · 9 min · Cottonwood Coulee Road

  10. 10

    Arrive at your destination

    0 m · 1 sec · Cottonwood Coulee Road

Car Route Details

A richer read on the saved driving route between Great Falls and Three Forks.

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
10 steps
5 turns on the saved route
Ramps & Exits
0
0 merges, 0 ramps or exits
Navigation Density
39.7 / 100 mi
Decision points by distance
Main Roads
Stockett Road
9.51 mi · 38%
Cottonwood Coulee Road
8.26 mi · 33%
10th Avenue South
6.95 mi · 28%
5th Street South
0.38 mi · 1%
5th Avenue South
0.08 mi
4th Street South
0.03 mi
Longest Stretch

Stockett Road

Turn right onto Stockett Road

9.51 mi · 00h 23m

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
01h 05m
Day trip friendly
Same-Day Return
02h 10m
Round-trip wheel time
Road vs Air
+7.2 mi
18 mi direct line
Halfway Stop
Belt
00h 32m from Great Falls
Leave By
4:20 PM MDT
Morning start is best
Weather Watch

Partly Sunny leaving Great Falls and Slight Chance Light Snow then Partly Sunny near Three Forks.

Trip Questions

Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.

How long does it take to drive from Great Falls to Three Forks?

The road trip is about 25.2 miles (40.6 km) and usually takes 01h 05m 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 12.6 miles from Great Falls and 12.6 miles from Three Forks.

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

The direct path is about 18 miles (29 km), while the road route adds roughly 7.2 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 4:20 PM MDT.

How much will gas cost for this route?

Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $3.46 one way or $6.93 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 7.9 kg one way.

What should you check before leaving?

Before you leave, expect Partly Sunny around Great Falls and Slight Chance Light Snow then Partly Sunny near Three Forks.

Stop Ideas Near Belt

Useful break, food, and waypoint ideas within about 15 miles of the route midpoint.

Mid-route Guidance
These suggestions come from reviewed places and nearby services around Belt and the surrounding midpoint area.
Statue of Liberty Replica
Scenic stop 9.7 mi away

Statue of Liberty Replica

Great Falls , MT
Gibson Park Trail, Great Falls, MT 59401
Rating 4.3/5 21 reviews Historical landmark,Tourist attraction
Stop photo coming soon
Meeting point 9.6 mi away

Great Falls City Attorney's Office

Great Falls , MT
2 Park Dr N, Great Falls, MT 59401
Rating 1.0/5 1 reviews City government office,Attorney
Cascade County Treasurer
Nearby stop 9.5 mi away

Cascade County Treasurer

Great Falls , MT
121 4th St N, Great Falls, MT 59401
Rating 2.9/5 191 reviews Department of motor vehicles

Transit and Meeting Points

Useful pickup, handoff, or rendezvous points close to Belt.

Transit stop coverage is not ready for this midpoint yet.

Flight Path Map

This map shows the direct air route between Great Falls and Three Forks. Straight-line distance: 18.03 mi (29.02 km).

Great Falls

#1 Great Falls

Town in Cascade County, Montana, United States

Population58,353
Coordinates47.5002400, -111.3008100
Altitude1015
CountryUnited States
Three Forks

#2 Three Forks

City in Cascade County, Montana, United States

Population2,043
Coordinates47.2816300, -111.0902400
Altitude1208
CountryUnited States
Start: Great Falls (-111.30081, 47.50024)
End: Three Forks (-111.09024, 47.28163)

Estimated Travel Time

Distance: 41 km by road

SpeedTime
30 mph (48.3 km/h)00h 50m
40 mph (64.37 km/h)00h 37m
50 mph (80.47 km/h)00h 30m
60 mph (96.56 km/h)00h 25m
70 mph (112.65 km/h)00h 21m
80 mph (129 km/h)00h 18m

Fuel, Round Trip and CO2

Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.

One-way fuel
0.89 gal
3.37 L · about $3.46
Round trip
$6.93
1.78 gal · 6.74 L
Estimated CO2
7.9 kg one way
Round trip: 15.8 kg / 35 lb CO2, using regular gasoline.
Fuel$/galOne wayRound trip
Regular gas $3.89 $3.46 $6.93
Mid-grade $4.23 $3.77 $7.53
Premium $4.55 $4.05 $8.10
Diesel $5.41 $4.82 $9.63

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 19, 2026

There is no time difference between Great Falls and Three Forks. The current time is 19:41:51.

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.