How far is Great Falls, MT from West Yellowstone, MT?
The driving distance from Great Falls, MT to West Yellowstone, MT is about 269.2 miles (433.2 km), with a travel time of about 04h 52m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 196.3 miles (315.9 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 09h 45m 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 04h 52m.
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, USA
Route Weather Snapshot
Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.
Partly Sunny then Showers And Thunderstorms Likely
Slight Chance T-storms
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Great Falls and West Yellowstone.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Great Falls and West Yellowstone.
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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 · 38 sec · 5th Street South
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4
Turn right onto 10th Avenue South
1.2 km · 1 min · 10th Avenue South
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5
Continue on Country Club Boulevard
1.3 mi · 2 min · Country Club Boulevard
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6
Keep slight left
1.2 km · 2 min
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7
Merge slight left onto First Special Service Force Memorial Highway
85.7 mi · 1 hr 23 min · First Special Service Force Memorial Highway
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8
Take the exit slight right toward US 12 South, US 287 South: Townsend, Capitol Area
1280 ft · 34 sec
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9
Turn left onto Prospect Avenue
1 mi · 2 min · Prospect Avenue
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10
Continue straight
3.6 mi · 5 min
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11
Continue straight
1678 ft · 26 sec
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12
Continue straight
30.2 mi · 34 min
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13
Continue straight
2.3 mi · 2 min
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14
Continue straight
1.2 mi · 1 min
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15
Continue straight
1.4 mi · 2 min
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16
Continue straight
68.5 mi · 1 hr 16 min
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17
At the end of the road, turn left
62.9 mi · 1 hr 9 min
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18
At the end of the road, turn right onto Gallatin Road
8.2 mi · 9 min · Gallatin Road
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19
Continue on North Canyon Street
917 ft · 32 sec · North Canyon Street
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20
Turn right onto Firehole Avenue
1182 ft · 46 sec · Firehole Avenue
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21
Turn left onto Electric Street
12 m · 2 sec · Electric Street
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22
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · Electric Street
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Great Falls and West Yellowstone.
Straightforward drive
The saved road route has a manageable number of maneuvers and should be easy to follow with normal attention to signs.
First Special Service Force Memorial Highway
Merge slight left onto First Special Service Force Memorial Highway
85.7 mi · 01h 23m
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.
Partly Sunny then Showers And Thunderstorms Likely leaving Great Falls and Slight Chance T-storms near West Yellowstone.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Great Falls to West Yellowstone?
The road trip is about 269.2 miles (433.2 km) and usually takes 04h 52m 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?
Townsend is a useful midpoint, sitting about 134.5 miles from Great Falls and 134.7 miles from West Yellowstone.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 196.3 miles (315.9 km), while the road route adds roughly 72.9 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 7:14 AM MDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $36.98 one way or $73.97 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 84.4 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Partly Sunny then Showers And Thunderstorms Likely around Great Falls and Slight Chance T-storms near West Yellowstone.
Stop Ideas Near Townsend
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 Townsend.
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Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Great Falls and West Yellowstone. Straight-line distance: 196.32 mi (315.95 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 West Yellowstone
Town of the United States
| Population | 1,372 |
| Coordinates | 44.6621500, -111.1041100 |
| Altitude | 2031 |
| Country | United States |
End: West Yellowstone (-111.10411, 44.66215)
Estimated Travel Time
Distance: 433 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 08h 58m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 06h 43m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 05h 22m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 04h 29m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 03h 50m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 03h 21m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $3.89 | $36.98 | $73.97 |
| Mid-grade | $4.23 | $40.19 | $80.39 |
| Premium | $4.55 | $43.22 | $86.43 |
| Diesel | $5.41 | $51.41 | $102.83 |
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.