How far is Sidney, MT from Columbia Falls, MT?
The driving distance from Sidney, MT to Columbia Falls, MT is about 543 miles (873.9 km), with a travel time of about 09h 13m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 465 miles (748.3 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 18h 27m of driving time before adding stops, traffic, or weather delays.
- A comfortable departure window is usually 6:00 AM to 7:30 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 09h 13m.
Starting early still helps, but most travelers will want a longer stop or an overnight stay on a route this long.
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.
Rain And Snow Showers then Slight Chance T-storms
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Sidney and Columbia Falls.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Sidney and Columbia Falls.
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1
Start on North Central Avenue
531 ft · 14 sec · North Central Avenue
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2
Turn left onto West Holly Street
1.4 mi · 2 min · West Holly Street
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3
Continue on State Highway 16
35.6 mi · 40 min · State Highway 16
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4
Turn right onto Broadway Avenue
1729 ft · 28 sec · Broadway Avenue
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5
At the end of the road, turn left onto 6th Street West
31.4 mi · 36 min · 6th Street West
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6
Enter the roundabout and take exit 2 toward the route
39 m · 2 sec
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7
Exit the roundabout
2836 ft · 36 sec
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8
Enter the roundabout and take exit 2 toward the route
38 m · 2 sec
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9
Exit the roundabout
332 mi · 6 hr 18 min
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10
Turn right onto 5th Avenue North
138 m · 17 sec · 5th Avenue North
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11
Continue on West Roosevelt Highway
58 mi · 1 hr 8 min · West Roosevelt Highway
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12
Continue on East Central Avenue
1 km · 2 min · East Central Avenue
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13
Enter the roundabout and take exit 3 toward the route
75 m · 4 sec
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14
Exit the roundabout
72.3 mi · 1 hr 20 min
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15
Turn right
842 ft · 1 min
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16
At the end of the road, turn left onto Old US 2
1930 ft · 1 min · Old US 2
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17
Turn right onto US Route 2
7.5 mi · 10 min · US Route 2
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18
Continue on US 2
3 mi · 4 min · US 2
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19
Continue on 9th Street
1603 ft · 53 sec · 9th Street
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20
Turn right onto Nucleus Avenue
784 ft · 32 sec · Nucleus Avenue
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21
Turn left onto 7th Street West
31 m · 4 sec · 7th Street West
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22
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · 7th Street West
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Sidney and Columbia Falls.
Long-distance drive
This route is long enough that fuel, rest stops, weather, and timing matter more than any single maneuver.
6th Street West
Exit the roundabout
332 mi · 06h 18m
Route Summary
A quick read on whether this route feels easy, ambitious, or worth planning around.
Better with a longer stop
This route is long enough that most travelers will be better off planning an overnight stay or a more deliberate stop window.
Mostly Clear leaving Sidney and Rain And Snow Showers then Slight Chance T-storms near Columbia Falls.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Sidney to Columbia Falls?
The road trip is about 543 miles (873.9 km) and usually takes 09h 13m in normal driving conditions.
Is this a same-day trip or an overnight route?
This route is long enough that most travelers will be better off planning an overnight stay or a more deliberate stop window.
What is the halfway point on this route?
Chinook is a useful midpoint, sitting about 271.3 miles from Sidney and 271.7 miles from Columbia Falls.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 465 miles (748.3 km), while the road route adds roughly 78 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 7:30 AM MDT. Starting early still helps, but most travelers will want a longer stop or an overnight stay on a route this long.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $74.59 one way or $149.18 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 170.3 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Mostly Clear around Sidney and Rain And Snow Showers then Slight Chance T-storms near Columbia Falls.
Stop Ideas Near Chinook
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 Chinook.
Havre station
Malta
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Sidney and Columbia Falls. Straight-line distance: 464.96 mi (748.28 km).
#1 Sidney
City in Montana, United States
| Population | 6,297 |
| Coordinates | 47.7166800, -104.1563300 |
| Altitude | 594 |
| 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: 874 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 18h 05m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 13h 34m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 10h 51m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 09h 03m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 07h 45m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 06h 46m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $3.89 | $74.59 | $149.18 |
| Mid-grade | $4.23 | $81.07 | $162.13 |
| Premium | $4.55 | $87.16 | $174.32 |
| Diesel | $5.41 | $103.69 | $207.39 |
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 16, 2026
Distance to Other Cities
Planning a road trip? See the full trip guide on Trip.ovh — stops, fuel costs, weather, and departure timing.