How far is Red Lodge, MT from Great Falls, MT?
The driving distance from Red Lodge, MT to Great Falls, MT is about 260.9 miles (419.9 km), with a travel time of about 04h 33m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 187.5 miles (301.8 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 09h 06m 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 33m.
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.
Light Snow
Light Snow Likely
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Red Lodge and Great Falls.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Red Lodge and Great Falls.
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1
Start on South Broadway Avenue
1 km · 2 min · South Broadway Avenue
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2
Enter the roundabout and take exit 3 toward 3rd Street
61 m · 7 sec · 3rd Street
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3
Exit the roundabout onto 3rd Street
2550 ft · 1 min · 3rd Street
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4
Continue on State Highway 78
31.6 mi · 38 min · State Highway 78
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5
Continue on South Woodard Avenue
1.2 km · 2 min · South Woodard Avenue
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6
Continue on State Highway 78
13.5 mi · 17 min · State Highway 78
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7
Continue on Pratten Street
675 ft · 25 sec · Pratten Street
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8
Turn right onto East Pike Avenue
1140 ft · 44 sec · East Pike Avenue
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9
Turn left onto North 9th Street
1.4 km · 2 min · North 9th Street
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10
Take the ramp left
1530 ft · 37 sec
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11
Merge slight left
37.5 mi · 35 min
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12
Take the exit slight right toward US 191, I 90 Business: Big Timber, Harlowton
1944 ft · 48 sec
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13
Turn right onto Big Timber Loop Road
1.7 mi · 3 min · Big Timber Loop Road
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14
Turn slight right onto Boulder Street
1315 ft · 60 sec · Boulder Street
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15
Turn right onto East 1st Avenue
43.6 mi · 1 hr 5 min · East 1st Avenue
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16
Turn right onto 2nd Street Northwest
1 km · 58 sec · 2nd Street Northwest
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17
Continue on 3rd Street Northeast
1.3 km · 1 min · 3rd Street Northeast
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18
Turn left
39.2 mi · 43 min
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19
At the end of the road, turn left
64.3 mi · 1 hr 10 min
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20
Turn slight right
1588 ft · 21 sec
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21
Enter the roundabout and take exit 2 toward the route
52 m · 2 sec
-
22
Exit the roundabout
557 ft · 7 sec
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23
Continue straight
23.1 mi · 29 min
-
24
Turn right onto 6th Street South
1989 ft · 39 sec · 6th Street South
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25
Turn left onto 5th Avenue South
864 ft · 40 sec · 5th Avenue South
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26
Turn right onto 4th Street South
49 m · 7 sec · 4th Street South
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27
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · 4th Street South
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Red Lodge 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.
Longest stretch
At the end of the road, turn left
64.3 mi · 01h 10m
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.
Light Snow leaving Red Lodge and Light Snow Likely near Great Falls.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Red Lodge to Great Falls?
The road trip is about 260.9 miles (419.9 km) and usually takes 04h 33m 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?
Harlowton is a useful midpoint, sitting about 130.4 miles from Red Lodge and 130.5 miles from Great Falls.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 187.5 miles (301.8 km), while the road route adds roughly 73.4 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 7:54 AM MDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $35.85 one way or $71.71 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 81.8 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Light Snow around Red Lodge and Light Snow Likely near Great Falls.
Stop Ideas Near Harlowton
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 Harlowton.
Livingston, MT
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Red Lodge and Great Falls. Straight-line distance: 187.52 mi (301.79 km).
#1 Red Lodge
City in Montana, United States
| Population | 2,359 |
| Coordinates | 45.1857800, -109.2468200 |
| Altitude | 1697 |
| 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: 420 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 08h 41m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 06h 31m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 05h 13m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 04h 20m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 03h 43m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 03h 15m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $3.89 | $35.85 | $71.71 |
| Mid-grade | $4.23 | $38.97 | $77.94 |
| Premium | $4.55 | $41.90 | $83.79 |
| Diesel | $5.41 | $49.84 | $99.69 |
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.