How far is Polson, MT from Great Falls, MT?
The driving distance from Polson, MT to Great Falls, MT is about 237.6 miles (382.3 km), with a travel time of about 04h 05m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 134 miles (215.7 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 08h 10m 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 05m.
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.
Census designated place in Montana, USA
Route Weather Snapshot
Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.
Chance Light Rain then Showers And Thunderstorms
Partly Sunny then Showers And Thunderstorms Likely
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Polson and Great Falls.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Polson and Great Falls.
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1
Start on Main Street
94 m · 10 sec · Main Street
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2
Turn right onto 2nd Avenue East
60.6 mi · 1 hr 15 min · 2nd Avenue East
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3
Continue on West Broadway Street
925 ft · 24 sec · West Broadway Street
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4
Continue on West Broadway Street
733 ft · 18 sec · West Broadway Street
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5
Take the exit slight right toward I 90 East: Missoula
13.4 mi · 15 min
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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 Polson 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 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.
Chance Light Rain then Showers And Thunderstorms leaving Polson and Partly Sunny then Showers And Thunderstorms Likely near Great Falls.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Polson to Great Falls?
The road trip is about 237.6 miles (382.3 km) and usually takes 04h 05m 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?
Seeley Lake is a useful midpoint, sitting about 117.6 miles from Polson and 120 miles from Great Falls.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 134 miles (215.7 km), while the road route adds roughly 103.6 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 8:50 AM MDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $32.62 one way or $65.25 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 74.5 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Chance Light Rain then Showers And Thunderstorms around Polson and Partly Sunny then Showers And Thunderstorms Likely near Great Falls.
Stop Ideas Near Seeley Lake
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 Seeley Lake.
Missoula, MT
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Polson and Great Falls. Straight-line distance: 134.02 mi (215.69 km).
#1 Polson
City in Lake County, Montana, United States
| Population | 5,181 |
| Coordinates | 47.6935500, -114.1631700 |
| Altitude | 892 |
| 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: 382 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 07h 54m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 05h 56m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 04h 45m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 03h 57m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 03h 23m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 02h 57m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $3.89 | $32.62 | $65.25 |
| Mid-grade | $4.23 | $35.46 | $70.91 |
| Premium | $4.55 | $38.12 | $76.24 |
| Diesel | $5.41 | $45.35 | $90.71 |
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 22, 2026
Distance to Other Cities
Planning a road trip? See the full trip guide on Trip.ovh — stops, fuel costs, weather, and departure timing.