How far is Missoula, MT from Great Falls, MT?
The driving distance from Missoula, MT to Great Falls, MT is about 167.8 miles (270 km), with a travel time of about 02h 52m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 133.7 miles (215.2 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 05h 44m 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 52m.
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.
Rain
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Missoula and Great Falls.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Missoula and Great Falls.
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1
Start on North Higgins Avenue
6 m · 8 sec · North Higgins Avenue
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2
Turn left onto East Broadway Street
3078 ft · 59 sec · East Broadway Street
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3
Turn left onto Van Buren Street
133 m · 6 sec · Van Buren Street
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4
Take the exit right
1216 ft · 30 sec
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5
Merge slight left onto Jeannette Rankin Memorial Highway
3.9 mi · 5 min · Jeannette Rankin Memorial Highway
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6
Take the exit slight right toward MT 200 East: Bonner, Great Falls
148.5 mi · 2 hr 48 min
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7
Take the exit slight right toward I 15 South: Great Falls
1323 ft · 32 sec
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8
Merge slight left onto First Special Service Force Memorial Highway
9.5 mi · 9 min · First Special Service Force Memorial Highway
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9
Take the exit slight right toward I 15 Business
1262 ft · 31 sec
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10
Turn left onto Central Avenue West
1.5 mi · 2 min · Central Avenue West
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11
Continue on First Avenue North Bridge
1055 ft · 18 sec · First Avenue North Bridge
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12
Continue on 1st Avenue North
2717 ft · 52 sec · 1st Avenue North
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13
Turn right onto 5th Street North
2018 ft · 36 sec · 5th Street North
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14
Turn right onto 4th Avenue South
131 m · 24 sec · 4th Avenue South
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15
Turn left onto 4th Street South
70 m · 10 sec · 4th Street South
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16
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · 4th Street South
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Missoula and Great Falls.
Interchange-aware route
The drive includes several ramps, exits, or merges, so checking the next few maneuvers before busy interchanges is useful.
MT 200 East
Take the exit slight right toward MT 200 East: Bonner, Great Falls
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.
Chance Rain leaving Missoula and Rain near Great Falls.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Missoula to Great Falls?
The road trip is about 167.8 miles (270 km) and usually takes 02h 52m 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 Missoula and 84.9 miles from Great Falls.
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 34.1 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 12:46 PM MDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $23.05 one way or $46.09 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 52.6 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Chance Rain around Missoula and Rain near Great Falls.
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 Missoula and Great Falls. Straight-line distance: 133.69 mi (215.16 km).
#1 Missoula
The most populous city in Missoula County, Montana.
| Population | 76,848 |
| Coordinates | 46.8721500, -113.9940000 |
| Altitude | 978 |
| Country | United States |
#2 Great Falls
Town in Cascade County, Montana, United States
| Population | 58,353 |
| Coordinates | 47.5002400, -111.3008100 |
| Altitude | 1015 |
| Country | United States |
End: 4th Street South (-111.300848, 47.50024)
Estimated Travel Time
Distance: 270 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 05h 35m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 04h 11m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 03h 21m |
| 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 | $23.05 | $46.09 |
| Mid-grade | $4.23 | $25.05 | $50.10 |
| Premium | $4.55 | $26.93 | $53.86 |
| Diesel | $5.41 | $32.04 | $64.08 |
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.