Trip from Big Sky, MT to Great Falls, MT

Compiled and reviewed by the Trip.ovh planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Apr 18, 2026 · Editorial standards

Drive Time

4h 3m

Distance

222.8 mi

359 km

Drive Score

10/10

Great drive

Same Day?

Yes, doable

Fuel Cost

$35

one way

EV Charging

Excellent

14 DC fast

Best Time to Leave

Save up to 39 min

4 AM

3h 51m ★

6 AM

4h 4m

8 AM

4h 30m

10 AM

4h 13m

12 PM

4h 10m

3 PM

4h 14m

5 PM

4h 28m

8 PM

3h 56m

Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.

Best Time Drive vs Fly

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Big Sky, MT

Alex Moliski

city in and county seat of Cascade County, Montana, United States

Great Falls, MT

Wikimedia Commons

Trip Overview

The drive from Big Sky, MT to Great Falls, MT covers 222.8 miles and takes about 4h 3m behind the wheel. This route is realistic as a one-day drive if you keep your stops efficient.

The route leans on First Special Service Force Memorial Highway, Highway 287, Gallatin Road for much of the mileage, and the overall profile is mixed drive. The longest uninterrupted segment is about 86 miles on First Special Service Force Memorial Highway. At current regular gas prices, budget about $35.31 one way before food or hotel costs.

Trip Pace

Same-day drive is realistic

A same-day return is possible, but it will make for a full day on the road.

Break Rhythm

1 planned break

Plan on a short reset every 3 to 4 hours to stay fresh behind the wheel.

Midpoint

111.4 miles from Big Sky, MT

A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 2h 9m into the drive .

Main Roads

Road	Distance	Duration
First Special Service Force Memorial Highway	86 mi	1h 22m
Highway 287	62.2 mi	1h 10m
Gallatin Road	33.9 mi	41m
I 90	23 mi	22m
Lone Mountain Trail	7.1 mi	11m
Jackrabbit Lane	6.8 mi	7m
Country Club Boulevard	1.4 mi	1m
10th Avenue South	0.7 mi	<1m

Longest stretch: First Special Service Force Memorial Highway — 86 mi, about 1h 22m

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between Big Sky, MT and Great Falls, MT.

Start on Access

0.1 mi · 32 sec · Access

Turn right onto MT 64

7.1 mi · 11 min · Lone Mountain Trail

At end of road, turn left onto US 191

34 mi · 41 min · Gallatin Road

Continue on MT 85

6.8 mi · 7 min · Jackrabbit Lane

Turn left

0.2 mi · 30 sec

Merge onto I 90

23 mi · 22 min · I 90

Take the exit

0.3 mi · 37 sec

Toward US 287: Helena, Ennis

Turn right onto US 287

62 mi · 1 hr 10 min · Highway 287

Use the straight / right lanes.

Take the exit onto US 287

0.4 mi · 47 sec · US 287

Toward I 15 North: Great Falls

Merge onto I 15; US 287

86 mi · 1 hr 22 min · First Special Service Force Memorial Highway

Use the slight right lane.

Take the exit onto I 15 BUS

0.4 mi · 49 sec · I 15 BUS

Toward I 15 Business, US 89 South, MT 200 East

Continue on I 15 Bus; US 89; MT 3; MT 200; I 315

1.4 mi · 1 min · Country Club Boulevard

Continue on I 15 Business; US 89; MT 3; MT 200

0.7 mi · 57 sec · 10th Avenue South

Turn left onto 4th Street South

0.4 mi · 1 min · 4th Street South

Arrive at destination

4th Street South

Trip Plan

Morning Departure

An early start around 7-8 AM gets you there with plenty of daylight left.

Evening Departure

A late afternoon start means arriving after dark. Morning is better.

You can normally do this drive in one day.

Plan roughly 1 meaningful break for fuel, food, and rest.

The halfway point lands around 111.4 miles from Big Sky, MT, or about 2h 9m into the drive.

The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 86 miles.

This is a comfortable same-day trip.

Departure

Before you leave

Start with fuel, water, and navigation already sorted so the first hour feels easy.

First stop

Around 49 miles or 1h 1m in

Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.

Halfway reset

Around 111.4 miles or 2h 9m in

This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.

Final approach

Final hour starts around 3h 22m

Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Great Falls, MT than in the middle of the route.

Before You Leave

Open the route before leaving Big Sky, MT so your first major turns are already loaded.

Leave with enough water and a charging cable within reach, not packed away.

Check your fuel range against the first long segment, especially if you are starting outside city service areas.

Day 1

Settle into the route from Big Sky, MT

This is one driving day of about 222.8 miles and 4h 3m.

Your first comfortable stop window is around 49 miles from Big Sky, MT.

This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.

Plan about 1 real break rather than only quick fuel stops.

The longest stretch is on First Special Service Force Memorial Highway for about 86 miles.

Where to Stop

Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.

Mid-route town

Meal stop

Belgrade, MT

111 mi into the route

Best for: Lunch, fuel, and a longer reset

This sits close to the middle of the route, so it works well for the longest stop of the day.

Pacing Suggestions

Belgrade, MT

Fuel and coffee

A short stop after about 49 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.

East Helena, MT

Meal break

The midpoint is around 111.4 miles from Big Sky, MT, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.

Before the longest stretch

Fuel check

Top up before First Special Service Force Memorial Highway if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 86 miles.

These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.

Nearby Places

Restaurants, cafes, gas stations and more along your route.

Top Restaurant

MacKenzie River Pizza Co.

4.2 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Belgrade, Montana

Early in the drive, right off the route

0.1 mi from route Moderately mile 47.8

Hours: 11 am–9 pm

+14063880016

Visit website

Electric City Coffee, Coffee House and Bakery

4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Great Falls, Montana

0.4 mi

Paniolo Cafe

4.9 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Great Falls, Montana

0.4 mi

Top Coffee Stop

Crooked Tree Coffee Downtown

4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Great Falls, Montana

Near the end, right off the route

0.4 mi from route ~1 min detour $1 to $10 mile 222.8

Hours: 7 am–2 pm

+14063151221

Visit website

Great Harvest Bread Co.

4.8 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Great Falls, Montana

0.5 mi

Bourbon Coffee Co.

4.9 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Belgrade, Montana

0.2 mi

MacKenzie River Pizza Co.

4.2 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Early in the drive, right off the route

0.1 mi from route Moderately mile 47.8

Belgrade, Montana

Hours: 11 am–9 pm

+14063880016

Visit website

Electric City Coffee, Coffee House and Bakery

4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, right off the route

0.4 mi from route ~1 min detour $10 to $20 mile 222.8

Great Falls, Montana

Hours: 7 am–3 pm

+14064524529

Visit website

Paniolo Cafe

4.9 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, right off the route

0.4 mi from route ~1 min detour $10 to $20 mile 222.8

Great Falls, Montana

Hours: 9 am–2 pm

+14063152565

Visit website

Luna Coffee Bar

4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, right off the route

0.4 mi from route ~1 min detour $1 to $10 mile 222.8

Great Falls, Montana

Hours: 7 am–9 pm

+14066040101

Visit website

Wheat Montana Great Falls

4.4 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Near the end, right off the route

0.6 mi from route ~2 min detour $10 to $20 mile 222.8

Great Falls, Montana

Hours: 6 am–6 pm

+14067717456

Visit website

Brian's Top Notch Cafe

4.4 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Near the end, right off the route

0.4 mi from route ~1 min detour $10 to $20 mile 222.8

Great Falls, Montana

Hours: 7 am–2 pm

+14067274255

Visit website

Double Barrel Coffee House Cafe

4.5 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, right off the route

1 mi from route ~2 min detour $10 to $20 mile 222.8

Great Falls, Montana

Hours: 5:30 am–2 pm

+14063152463

Visit website

4.9 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Early in the drive, right off the route

0.2 mi from route ~1 min detour $1 to $10 mile 47.8

Belgrade, Montana

Hours: 5:30 am–1 pm

honey hippo. Play Café

4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, right off the route

0.4 mi from route ~1 min detour $10 to $20 mile 222.8

Great Falls, Montana

Hours: 9 am–7 pm

+14069520209

Visit website

Revamped Coffee Co

4.9 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Early in the drive, right off the route

0.7 mi from route ~2 min detour Inexpensiv mile 47.8

Belgrade, Montana

Hours: 6 am–3:30 pm

+14069200386

Visit website

Morning Light Coffee Roasters

4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, short detour

1.1 mi from route ~3 min detour $1 to $10 mile 222.8

Great Falls, Montana

Hours: 6 am–4 pm

+14064538443

Visit website

True Brew Espresso

4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, short detour

1.3 mi from route ~3 min detour $1 to $10 mile 222.8

Great Falls, MT

Hours: 5:30 am–4 pm

+14067703121

Visit website

True Brew Espresso

4.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

ChargePoint Charging Station

Near the end, right off the route

0.3 mi from route ~1 min detour mile 222.8

Great Falls, Montana

Hours: Open 24 hours

+18887584389

Visit website

TurnOnGreen Charging Station

Near the end, right off the route

0.3 mi from route ~1 min detour mile 222.8

Great Falls, Montana

+15106572635

Visit website

5 of 10

5 decision points cluster between mile 0.1 and 220 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.

0.1 mi into trip | ~0m in | MT 64 / Lone Mountain Trail

Turn right onto MT 64 / Lone Mountain Trail

Navigation decision point

71.1 mi into trip | ~1h 23m in

Take the exit toward US 287: Helena, Ennis

Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one

Toward US 287: Helena, Ennis

71.4 mi into trip | ~1h 24m in | US 287 / Highway 287

Turn right onto US 287 / Highway 287

Lane positioning matters here

Use the straight / right lanes.

134 mi into trip | ~2h 35m in | I 15; US 287 / First Special Service Force Memorial Highway

Merge onto I 15; US 287 / First Special Service Force Memorial Highway

Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here

Use the slight right lane.

220 mi into trip | ~3h 58m in | I 15 BUS

Take the exit onto I 15 BUS toward I 15 Business, US 89 South, MT 200 East

Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one

Toward I 15 Business, US 89 South, MT 200 East

Fuel & Cost

Regular Gas

$35.31 one way

$70.61 round trip

$4.03/gal 25.4 MPG avg 78 kg CO₂

Fuel Type	$/gal	One Way	Round Trip
midgrade	$4.22	$37.01	$74.02
premium	$4.53	$39.74	$79.49
diesel	$5.61	$49.19	$98.38

No toll roads detected on this route.

Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)

Fuel

$35

Meals

$25–$50

Total

$60–$85

Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.

Estimated CO2 emission: 78 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.

EV Charging Along Route

14 DC fast chargers · Coverage: excellent

Tesla Destination Charger

Great Falls, Montana

Tesla Destination

1 DCFC

Tesla Supercharger

Belgrade, Montana

Tesla

1 DCFC

Tesla Supercharger

Great Falls, Montana

Tesla

1 DCFC

EV Charging Station

Belgrade, Montana

Other

1 DCFC

Tesla Supercharger

Big Sky, Montana

Tesla

1 DCFC

Blink Charging Station

Great Falls, Montana

Blink

1 DCFC

Tesla Destination Charger

Cameron, Montana

Tesla Destination

1 DCFC

ChargePoint Charging Station

Great Falls, Montana

ChargePoint

1 DCFC

Tesla Destination: 3 Tesla: 3 ChargePoint: 3 Other: 2 Blink: 2 EV Connect: 1

Station data from NREL Alternative Fuel Stations database.

Driving Electric?

About $23 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO₂

Vehicle Type	kWh	Stops	DC Fast	Home Charge
Average EV	66.8	0	$23.39	$10.69
Efficient EV	55.7	0	$19.50	$8.91
EV Truck/SUV	89.1	1	$31.19	$14.26

Gas CO2

78 kg

EV CO2

26 kg (67% less)

Plan for 0 charging stops, roughly every 270 miles. Allow 25-40 minutes per stop at a DC fast charger.

DC fast charging avg $0.35/kWh. Home charging avg $0.16/kWh. US grid CO2: 0.39 kg/kWh.

Travel Intel

Current conditions at both ends of the drive.

Forecast as of Apr 15, 2026

Origin

Big Sky, MT

Morning in Big Sky on Saturday

Local time

11:35 AM

MDT

Current temp

34°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

Destination

Great Falls, MT

Morning in Great Falls on Saturday

Local time

11:35 AM

MDT

Current temp

68°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

66°F

Belgrade, MT

111 mi in

Seasonal Notes

Summer travel usually means heavier construction, hotter rest stops, and busier weekend traffic around major cities.

Winter travel shortens daylight, so a route that looks manageable on paper can feel much longer after dark.

Holiday weekends tend to make both departure and arrival windows slower than the raw route time suggests.

Time zone

Same local time

Origin and destination are on the same clock, so arrival timing is easier to judge at a glance.

Temperature spread

34 degrees warmer at arrival

A meaningful temperature swing is a good cue to rethink layers, water, and how soon you want to arrive.

Road read

4h 3m on the road

An early start around 7-8 AM gets you there with plenty of daylight left.

Weather data from the National Weather Service. Conditions may change; check closer to your travel date.

What kind of drive is this?

The drive from Big Sky, MT to Great Falls, MT covers 222.8 miles and takes about 4h 3m, using a mix of highways and local roads.

Expect a mix of faster highway mileage and slower local approaches near the beginning or end.

There are about 15 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.

First Special Service Force Memorial Highway is the longest continuous segment at about 86 miles.

How Hard Is This Drive?

4/10

This route mixes highway mileage with some local-road sections near the start or finish. There are only a few real navigation decisions along the way. The trickiest moment comes around 0.1 miles in near MT 64 / Lone Mountain Trail.

Driving Effort 4/10

Easy - simple navigation with a manageable amount of wheel time

Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.

This is a straightforward 4h 3m drive. You will face about 10 decision points, but nothing that requires special attention if you follow navigation.

Where does it get tricky?

The main spots that need attention: at 0.1 miles (MT 64 / Lone Mountain Trail): Navigation decision point; at 71.1 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 71.4 miles (US 287 / Highway 287): Lane positioning matters here.

Towns Mentioned on Route Signs

Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.

On the drive from Big Sky, MT to Great Falls, MT, road signs begin pointing toward Ennis along the way.

Ennis

71.1 mi in | ~1h 23m

Who Is This Route For?

Weekend Trip

Doable as a same-day drive at 4h 3m. Total distance: 222.8 miles.

Family Friendly

Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.

Solo Traveler

4h 3m drive, comfortable solo distance.

First-Time Driver

Mostly highway driving (39%). Straightforward navigation.

Scenic Drive

Mixed drive route profile with national parks nearby.

Frequently Asked Questions

The drive from Big Sky, MT to Great Falls, MT covers 222.8 miles and takes about 4h 3m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.

The main roads are First Special Service Force Memorial Highway, Highway 287, Gallatin Road. Expect a mix of highway and local road driving.

This is a comfortable same-day trip.

The midpoint is about 111.4 miles from Big Sky, MT. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.

At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $35.31 one way. This estimate uses 25.4 MPG — your actual cost will vary with your vehicle's fuel efficiency and current gas prices.

An early start around 7-8 AM gets you there with plenty of daylight left. A late afternoon start means arriving after dark. Morning is better.

Plan about 1 meaningful break for fuel, food, or rest. Plan on a short reset every 3 to 4 hours to stay fresh behind the wheel.

This is a straightforward 4h 3m drive. You will face about 10 decision points, but nothing that requires special attention if you follow navigation.

On the drive from Big Sky, MT to Great Falls, MT, road signs begin pointing toward Ennis along the way.

How this page is built

Compiled by the Trip.ovh planning team at COD Solutions Oy from open government datasets — OSRM over OpenStreetMap for geometry, EIA for fuel prices, NREL for EV charging, and NPS for national parks. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.

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Explore more options from Big Sky, MT or browse trips ending in Great Falls, MT.

Looking for more statewide routes? Browse MT road trips.

Trip from Big Sky, MT to Great Falls, MT

Best Time to Leave

Trip Overview

Main Roads

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Trip Plan

Before You Leave

Where to Stop

Pacing Suggestions

Nearby Places

MacKenzie River Pizza Co.

Crooked Tree Coffee Downtown

MacKenzie River Pizza Co.

Electric City Coffee, Coffee House and Bakery

Paniolo Cafe

Luna Coffee Bar

Wheat Montana Great Falls

Brian's Top Notch Cafe

Double Barrel Coffee House Cafe

Coffee To Go-Drive Thru

Crooked Tree Coffee Downtown

Great Harvest Bread Co.

Bourbon Coffee Co.

honey hippo. Play Café

Revamped Coffee Co

Morning Light Coffee Roasters

True Brew Espresso

True Brew Espresso

Tesla Supercharger

Tesla Destination Charger

EV Charging Station

Tesla Supercharger

Blink Charging Station

ChargePoint Charging Station

TurnOnGreen Charging Station

EV Connect Charging Station

Duck Pond | Gibson Park

Haute Hive

Bloom and Bean

Escape the Falls Escape Rooms

In Cahoots for Tea

Al Banco Coffee Shop

Heads-up: tricky spots

Fuel & Cost

Travel Intel

Big Sky, MT

Great Falls, MT

Same local time

34 degrees warmer at arrival

4h 3m on the road

What kind of drive is this?

How Hard Is This Drive?

Towns Mentioned on Route Signs

Who Is This Route For?

Frequently Asked Questions

How long is the trip from Big Sky, MT to Great Falls, MT?

What are the main roads on this route?

Is this a good same-day trip?

Where should I stop halfway?

How much does gas cost for this trip?

What is the best time to leave?

How many breaks should I plan?

How hard is the drive from Big Sky, MT to Great Falls, MT?

Where does this route get tricky?

What towns show up on signs driving from Big Sky, MT to Great Falls, MT?

How this page is built

Explore More

Continue From Great Falls, MT

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