How far is Shelby, MT from Great Falls, MT?
The driving distance from Shelby, MT to Great Falls, MT is about 87.7 miles (141.2 km), with a travel time of about 01h 20m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 74.1 miles (119.2 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 02h 40m 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 01h 20m.
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 in Montana, United States
Route Weather Snapshot
Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.
Sunny
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Shelby and Great Falls.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Shelby and Great Falls.
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1
Start on Maple Avenue
25 m · 9 sec · Maple Avenue
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2
Turn left onto Main Street
1177 ft · 40 sec · Main Street
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3
Turn right onto 5th Avenue North
138 m · 17 sec · 5th Avenue North
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4
Continue on West Roosevelt Highway
1.6 km · 2 min · West Roosevelt Highway
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5
Turn left onto I 15 South: Great Falls
1707 ft · 41 sec
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6
Merge slight left onto First Special Service Force Memorial Highway
81.2 mi · 1 hr 16 min · First Special Service Force Memorial Highway
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7
Take the exit slight right toward I 15 Business
1262 ft · 31 sec
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8
Turn left onto Central Avenue West
1.5 mi · 2 min · Central Avenue West
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9
Continue on First Avenue North Bridge
1055 ft · 18 sec · First Avenue North Bridge
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10
Continue on 1st Avenue North
2717 ft · 52 sec · 1st Avenue North
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11
Turn right onto 5th Street North
2018 ft · 36 sec · 5th Street North
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12
Turn right onto 4th Avenue South
131 m · 24 sec · 4th Avenue South
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13
Turn left onto 4th Street South
70 m · 10 sec · 4th Street South
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14
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · 4th Street South
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Shelby and Great Falls.
Highway-focused drive
Most of the mileage stays on named highways, so the important moments are ramps, exits, merges, and the final local approach.
First Special Service Force Memorial Highway
Merge slight left onto First Special Service Force Memorial Highway
81.2 mi · 01h 16m
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.
Mostly Sunny leaving Shelby and Sunny near Great Falls.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Shelby to Great Falls?
The road trip is about 87.7 miles (141.2 km) and usually takes 01h 20m 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?
Conrad is a useful midpoint, sitting about 42.8 miles from Shelby and 44.9 miles from Great Falls.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 74.1 miles (119.2 km), while the road route adds roughly 13.6 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 8:00 AM to 10:00 AM MDT. If you want a more comfortable same-day return, try to leave by 3:50 PM MDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $12.07 one way or $24.14 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 27.5 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Mostly Sunny around Shelby and Sunny near Great Falls.
Stop Ideas Near Conrad
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 Conrad.
Shelby
Cut Bank
Browning
East Glacier Park
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Shelby and Great Falls. Straight-line distance: 74.05 mi (119.17 km).
#1 Shelby
City in and the county seat of Toole County, Montana, United States
| Population | 2,995 |
| Coordinates | 48.5052600, -111.8569700 |
| Altitude | 1005 |
| 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: 141 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 02h 55m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 02h 11m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 01h 45m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 01h 27m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 01h 15m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 01h 05m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $3.89 | $12.07 | $24.14 |
| Mid-grade | $4.23 | $13.12 | $26.23 |
| Premium | $4.55 | $14.10 | $28.20 |
| Diesel | $5.41 | $16.78 | $33.55 |
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 · May 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.