How far is Lewistown, MT from Columbia Falls, MT?
The driving distance from Lewistown, MT to Columbia Falls, MT is about 317 miles (510.2 km), with a travel time of about 05h 20m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 238.7 miles (384.2 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 10h 41m 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 20m.
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.
Partly Sunny then Showers And Thunderstorms Likely
Chance Light Rain then Showers And Thunderstorms
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Lewistown and Columbia Falls.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Lewistown and Columbia Falls.
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1
Start on 6th Avenue South
121 m · 23 sec · 6th Avenue South
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2
Turn left onto West Main Street
1.3 km · 2 min · West Main Street
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3
Continue on US Highway 87
1.5 mi · 2 min · US Highway 87
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4
At the end of the road, turn left onto US Highway 87
14.7 mi · 16 min · US Highway 87
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5
Continue straight
64.3 mi · 1 hr 10 min
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6
Turn slight right
1588 ft · 21 sec
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7
Enter the roundabout and take exit 2 toward the route
52 m · 2 sec
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8
Exit the roundabout
557 ft · 7 sec
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9
Continue straight
19.3 mi · 21 min
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10
Turn right onto 57th Street South
1.5 km · 1 min · 57th Street South
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11
Turn left onto 2nd Avenue North
4.3 mi · 8 min · 2nd Avenue North
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12
At the end of the road, turn left onto Park Drive North
73 m · 4 sec · Park Drive North
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13
Turn right onto 1st Avenue North
1070 ft · 24 sec · 1st Avenue North
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14
Continue on First Avenue North Bridge
1045 ft · 18 sec · First Avenue North Bridge
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15
Continue on Central Avenue West
1.4 mi · 2 min · Central Avenue West
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16
Take the exit right
1311 ft · 32 sec
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17
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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18
Take the exit slight right
8.3 mi · 10 min
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19
Turn right
32.2 mi · 36 min
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20
Enter the roundabout and take exit 2 toward West Division Street
157 m · 18 sec · West Division Street
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21
Exit the rotary onto West Division Street
44 m · 5 sec · West Division Street
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22
Turn slight right onto Main Avenue North
6 mi · 8 min · Main Avenue North
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23
Continue on 13th Lane Northwest
12.9 mi · 15 min · 13th Lane Northwest
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24
Continue on United States Highway 89
49.2 mi · 53 min · United States Highway 89
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25
At the end of the road, turn left
3.9 mi · 7 min
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26
Enter the roundabout and take exit 3 toward the route
75 m · 4 sec
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27
Exit the roundabout
72.3 mi · 1 hr 20 min
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28
Turn right
842 ft · 1 min
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29
At the end of the road, turn left onto Old US 2
1930 ft · 1 min · Old US 2
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30
Turn right onto US Route 2
7.5 mi · 10 min · US Route 2
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31
Continue on US 2
3 mi · 4 min · US 2
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32
Continue on 9th Street
1603 ft · 53 sec · 9th Street
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33
Turn right onto Nucleus Avenue
784 ft · 32 sec · Nucleus Avenue
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34
Turn left onto 7th Street West
31 m · 4 sec · 7th Street West
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35
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · 7th Street West
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Lewistown and Columbia Falls.
Long-distance drive
This route is long enough that fuel, rest stops, weather, and timing matter more than any single maneuver.
United States Highway 89
Exit the roundabout
72.3 mi · 01h 20m
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 Lewistown and Chance Light Rain then Showers And Thunderstorms near Columbia Falls.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Lewistown to Columbia Falls?
The road trip is about 317 miles (510.2 km) and usually takes 05h 20m 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?
Choteau is a useful midpoint, sitting about 156.8 miles from Lewistown and 160.2 miles from Columbia Falls.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 238.7 miles (384.2 km), while the road route adds roughly 78.3 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 6:18 AM MDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $43.56 one way or $87.13 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 99.4 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Partly Sunny then Showers And Thunderstorms Likely around Lewistown and Chance Light Rain then Showers And Thunderstorms near Columbia Falls.
Stop Ideas Near Choteau
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 Choteau.
Shelby
Cut Bank
Browning
East Glacier Park
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Lewistown and Columbia Falls. Straight-line distance: 238.72 mi (384.19 km).
#1 Lewistown
City in Montana, United States
| Population | 5,905 |
| Coordinates | 47.0624700, -109.4282400 |
| Altitude | 1203 |
| Country | United States |
#2 Columbia Falls
Town in Montana, United States
| Population | 6,209 |
| Coordinates | 48.3724600, -114.1815200 |
| Altitude | 941 |
| Country | United States |
End: 7th Street West (-114.18152, 48.372459)
Estimated Travel Time
Distance: 510 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 10h 33m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 07h 55m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 06h 20m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 05h 16m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 04h 31m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 03h 57m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $3.89 | $43.56 | $87.13 |
| Mid-grade | $4.23 | $47.34 | $94.69 |
| Premium | $4.55 | $50.90 | $101.81 |
| Diesel | $5.41 | $60.56 | $121.12 |
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.