How far is Three Forks, MT from Great Falls, MT?

The driving distance from Three Forks, MT to Great Falls, MT is about 25.2 miles (40.5 km), with a travel time of about 00h 43m by car.

  • The straight-line flight distance is about 18 miles (29 km).
  • For a round trip, plan for roughly 01h 26m of driving time before adding stops, traffic, or weather delays.
  • A comfortable departure window is usually 7:00 AM to 7:00 PM MDT.
Trip Tools

Reverse, save, or send this route

This is an easy same-day return drive. Copy the route link, send it to another device, or print a clean version before you head out.

Reverse Route
Quick Snapshot
Road
25.18 mi
00h 43m
Flight
18.03 mi
29.02 km direct

This is an easy same-day return drive.

Learn Distance

Choose another destination from Three Forks.

Flight Distance

Direct air line
18.03 mi
Kilometers
29.02 km
Flight Time
00h 02m

Driving Distance

Road route
25.18 mi
Kilometers
40.53 km
Drive Time
00h 43m

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 00h 43m.

Arrival Snapshot
Arrive in Great Falls
Mon, May 18, 7:27 PM MDT
Return by in Three Forks
Mon, May 18, 8:10 PM MDT
Useful when you're deciding between a quick errand, a day trip, or a longer stop.
Leave Three Forks
2026-05-18T18:44
Arrive Great Falls
Mon, May 18, 7:27 PM MDT
Route Timing
00h 43m
One way by road
Best Departure Window
7:00 AM to 7:00 PM MDT
Leave when it suits your day
Arrive between
7:43 AM to 7:43 PM MDT

This is a short drive, so your comfort window is wide. Traffic and current weather matter more than the clock.

Leave by
7:04 PM MDT
Keeps a same-day return open with about 01h 30m at the destination.
Back in Three Forks
10:00 PM MDT
Flexible departure

This departure sits inside the recommended comfort window for the route.

Halfway Point

A useful midpoint for breaks, coffee, or meeting in the middle.

Mid-route stop
Belt
MT

Town of the United States

From Three Forks
12.6 mi
00h 21m
To Great Falls
12.6 mi
00h 21m

Route Weather Snapshot

Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.

Origin
48°F
Monday

Slight Chance Light Snow then Partly Sunny

Starts
Mon, May 18 6:00 AM MDT
Wind
6 mph NNW
Destination
55°F
Monday

Partly Sunny

Starts
Mon, May 18 6:00 AM MDT
Wind
6 mph N

Driving Route Map

The map below follows the saved road route between Three Forks and Great Falls.

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between Three Forks and Great Falls.

  1. 1

    Start on Cottonwood Coulee Road

    8.3 mi · 32 min · Cottonwood Coulee Road

  2. 2

    At the end of the road, turn right onto Stockett Road

    9.5 mi · 23 min · Stockett Road

  3. 3

    Turn left

    6.9 mi · 12 min

  4. 4

    Turn right onto 6th Street South

    1989 ft · 39 sec · 6th Street South

  5. 5

    Turn left onto 5th Avenue South

    864 ft · 40 sec · 5th Avenue South

  6. 6

    Turn right onto 4th Street South

    49 m · 7 sec · 4th Street South

  7. 7

    Arrive at your destination

    0 m · 1 sec · 4th Street South

Car Route Details

A richer read on the saved driving route between Three Forks and Great Falls.

OSRM road route
Drive Character

Straightforward drive

The saved road route has a manageable number of maneuvers and should be easy to follow with normal attention to signs.

Directions
7 steps
5 turns on the saved route
Ramps & Exits
0
0 merges, 0 ramps or exits
Navigation Density
27.8 / 100 mi
Decision points by distance
Main Roads
Stockett Road
9.51 mi · 38%
Cottonwood Coulee Road
8.26 mi · 33%
6th Street South
0.38 mi · 1%
5th Avenue South
0.16 mi · 1%
4th Street South
0.03 mi
Longest Stretch

Stockett Road

At the end of the road, turn right onto Stockett Road

9.51 mi · 00h 23m

Route Summary

A quick read on whether this route feels easy, ambitious, or worth planning around.

Trip Read

A short regional drive

This route is short enough to handle as a quick errand, commute, or easy same-day return without much planning overhead.

Drive Time
00h 43m
Quick drive
Same-Day Return
01h 26m
Round-trip wheel time
Road vs Air
+7.2 mi
18 mi direct line
Halfway Stop
Belt
00h 21m from Three Forks
Leave By
7:04 PM MDT
Flexible departure
Weather Watch

Slight Chance Light Snow then Partly Sunny leaving Three Forks and Partly Sunny near Great Falls.

Trip Questions

Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.

How long does it take to drive from Three Forks to Great Falls?

The road trip is about 25.2 miles (40.5 km) and usually takes 00h 43m in normal driving conditions.

Is this a same-day trip or an overnight route?

This route is short enough to handle as a quick errand, commute, or easy same-day return without much planning overhead.

What is the halfway point on this route?

Belt is a useful midpoint, sitting about 12.6 miles from Three Forks and 12.6 miles from Great Falls.

How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?

The direct path is about 18 miles (29 km), while the road route adds roughly 7.2 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 7:00 AM to 7:00 PM MDT. If you want a more comfortable same-day return, try to leave by 7:04 PM MDT.

How much will gas cost for this route?

Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $3.46 one way or $6.93 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 7.9 kg one way.

What should you check before leaving?

Before you leave, expect Slight Chance Light Snow then Partly Sunny around Three Forks and Partly Sunny near Great Falls.

Stop Ideas Near Belt

Useful break, food, and waypoint ideas within about 15 miles of the route midpoint.

Mid-route Guidance
These suggestions come from reviewed places and nearby services around Belt and the surrounding midpoint area.
Statue of Liberty Replica
Scenic stop 9.7 mi away

Statue of Liberty Replica

Great Falls , MT
Gibson Park Trail, Great Falls, MT 59401
Rating 4.3/5 21 reviews Historical landmark,Tourist attraction
Stop photo coming soon
Meeting point 9.6 mi away

Great Falls City Attorney's Office

Great Falls , MT
2 Park Dr N, Great Falls, MT 59401
Rating 1.0/5 1 reviews City government office,Attorney
Cascade County Treasurer
Nearby stop 9.5 mi away

Cascade County Treasurer

Great Falls , MT
121 4th St N, Great Falls, MT 59401
Rating 2.9/5 191 reviews Department of motor vehicles

Transit and Meeting Points

Useful pickup, handoff, or rendezvous points close to Belt.

Transit stop coverage is not ready for this midpoint yet.

Flight Path Map

This map shows the direct air route between Three Forks and Great Falls. Straight-line distance: 18.03 mi (29.02 km).

Three Forks

#1 Three Forks

City in Cascade County, Montana, United States

Population2,043
Coordinates47.2816300, -111.0902400
Altitude1208
CountryUnited States
Great Falls

#2 Great Falls

Town in Cascade County, Montana, United States

Population58,353
Coordinates47.5002400, -111.3008100
Altitude1015
CountryUnited States
Start: Cottonwood Coulee Road (-111.090454, 47.281341)
End: 4th Street South (-111.300848, 47.50024)

Estimated Travel Time

Distance: 41 km by road

SpeedTime
30 mph (48.3 km/h)00h 50m
40 mph (64.37 km/h)00h 37m
50 mph (80.47 km/h)00h 30m
60 mph (96.56 km/h)00h 25m
70 mph (112.65 km/h)00h 21m
80 mph (129 km/h)00h 18m

Fuel, Round Trip and CO2

Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.

One-way fuel
0.89 gal
3.36 L · about $3.46
Round trip
$6.93
1.78 gal · 6.72 L
Estimated CO2
7.9 kg one way
Round trip: 15.8 kg / 35 lb CO2, using regular gasoline.
Fuel$/galOne wayRound trip
Regular gas $3.89 $3.46 $6.93
Mid-grade $4.23 $3.77 $7.53
Premium $4.55 $4.05 $8.10
Diesel $5.41 $4.82 $9.63

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 19, 2026

There is no time difference between Three Forks and Great Falls. The current time is 18:44:34.

Distance to Other Cities

Planning a road trip? See the full trip guide on Trip.ovh — stops, fuel costs, weather, and departure timing.

How did we calculate? Place names are translated into coordinates. The Haversine formula calculates straight-line distance; driving distance uses road network data.