The drive from Crow Agency, MT to Great Falls, MT covers 277.4 miles and takes about 5h 6m behind the wheel.
This route is realistic as a one-day drive if you keep your stops efficient.
The route leans on US 87, I 90, US 12 for much of the mileage,
and the overall profile is highway-focused drive.
The longest uninterrupted segment is about 88.1 miles on US 87.
At current regular gas prices, budget about $43.96 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
138.7 miles from Crow Agency, MT
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 2h 30m into the drive
.
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 5h 6m. Total distance: 277.4 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
This is a 5h 6m highway drive covering 277.4 miles, with most of the trip on US 87 and I 90. The longest continuous stretch is about 88.1 miles on US 87.
Most of the miles stay on highways, which makes pacing and fuel planning easier than turn-by-turn city driving.
There are about 27 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.
US 87 is the longest continuous segment at about 88.1 miles.
How Hard Is This Drive?
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on US 87 and I 90. There are only a few real navigation decisions along the way. The trickiest moment comes around 0.1 miles in.
Driving Effort3/10
Easy - simple navigation with a manageable amount of wheel time
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This is a straightforward 5h 6m drive. You will face about 18 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: Navigation decision point; at 56.2 miles (I 90 Business; US 87): Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 58.4 miles (Swords Lane): Navigation decision point.
Critical Maneuvers
5 of 18 key points
These are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
5
0.1 mi into trip|~0m in
Turn right
Navigation decision point
5
56.2 mi into trip|~54m in|I 90 Business; US 87
Take the exit onto I 90 Business; US 87 toward I 90 Business, US 87 North: Lockwood, Roundup
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Toward I 90 Business, US 87 North: Lockwood, Ro...
5
58.4 mi into trip|~57m in|Swords Lane
Turn right onto Swords Lane
Navigation decision point
5
104.7 mi into trip|~1h 51m in|US 12; MT 3
At end of road, turn left onto US 12; MT 3
Navigation decision point
5
253.6 mi into trip|~4h 35m in
Enter roundabout
Roundabout - know your exit number before entering
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 Crow Agency, MT to Great Falls, MT, road signs begin pointing toward Roundup along the way.
Roundup
56.2 mi in|~54m|via I 90 Business; US 87
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
US 87
88.1 mi
1h 40m
I 90
55.8 mi
53m
US 12
45.1 mi
50m
MT 3
41.1 mi
47m
US 191
39.2 mi
42m
Airport Road
2.7 mi
4m
Iowa Avenue
2.5 mi
2m
US Highway 87 East
1.2 mi
1m
Longest stretch:
US 87
— 88.1 mi, about 1h 40m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Crow Agency, MT and Great Falls, MT.
1
Start on Makawasha Avenue
321 ft·15 sec·Makawasha Avenue
2
Turn right
0.1 mi·11 sec
3
Take the ramp
0.2 mi·24 sec
4
Merge onto I 90; US 87; US 212
56 mi·53 min·I 90; US 87; US 212
5
Take the exit onto I 90 Business; US 87
0.3 mi·36 sec·I 90 Business; US 87
Toward I 90 Business, US 87 North: Lockwood, Roundup
6
Merge onto I 90 Business; US 87
1.2 mi·1 min·US Highway 87 East
7
Take the exit onto US 87
0.7 mi·1 min·US 87
8
Turn left onto Aronson Avenue
486 ft·11 sec·Aronson Avenue
9
Turn right onto Swords Lane
249 ft·12 sec·Swords Lane
10
Turn left onto Airport Road
2.7 mi·4 min·Airport Road
11
Enter roundabout onto MT 3
146 ft·2 sec·MT 3
12
Continue on MT 3
3.1 mi·3 min·MT 3
13
Enter roundabout onto MT 3
144 ft·2 sec·MT 3
14
Continue on MT 3
25 mi·28 min·MT 3
15
Continue on MT-3
2.5 mi·2 min·Iowa Avenue
16
Continue on MT 3
12 mi·14 min·MT 3
17
At end of road, turn left onto US 12; MT 3
45 mi·50 min·US 12; MT 3
18
Turn right onto US 191; MT 3
39 mi·42 min·US 191; MT 3
19
At end of road, turn left onto US 87; MT 3; MT 200
64 mi·1 hr 9 min·US 87; MT 3; MT 200
20
Turn slight right
0.3 mi·20 sec
21
Enter roundabout
172 ft·2 sec
22
Continue
0.1 mi·7 sec
23
Continue on US 87; US 89; MT 3; MT 200
23 mi·29 min·US 87; US 89; MT 3; MT 200
24
Turn right onto I 15 Business
0.4 mi·38 sec·6th Street South
25
Turn left onto 5th Avenue South
0.2 mi·39 sec·5th Avenue South
26
Turn right onto 4th Street South
162 ft·7 sec·4th Street South
27
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 138.7 miles from Crow Agency, MT, or about 2h 30m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 88.1 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 61 miles or 1h 1m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 138.7 miles or 2h 30m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 4h 7m
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 Crow Agency, 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 Crow Agency, MT
This is one driving day of about 277.4 miles and 5h 6m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 61 miles from Crow Agency, 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 US 87 for about 88.1 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 138.7 mi from Crow Agency, MT
· 2h 30m into the drive
Place data sourced from public business listings. Hours and availability may vary.
National Parks Near This Route
Worth a detour if your schedule allows.
Little Bighorn Battlefield National Monument
National Monument
This land is a place to honor and reflect on the sacrifices made here on June 25 and 26, 1876, when Lakota, Cheyenne, and Arapaho warriors fought against a deliberate attack by the U.S. Army's 7th Cav...
4 mi from route
~9 min detour
$25
Park Closure: The Park is ONLY OPEN Friday, Saturday, and Sunday.
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$43.96 one way
$87.92 round trip
$4.03/gal25.4 MPG avg97 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.22
$46.08
$92.15
premium
$4.53
$49.48
$98.97
diesel
$5.61
$61.25
$122.49
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$44
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$69–$94
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 97.1 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $29 in charging
· 1 stop
· 67% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
83.2
1
$29.13
$13.32
Efficient EV
69.4
0
$24.27
$11.10
EV Truck/SUV
111
1
$38.84
$17.75
Gas CO2
97 kg
EV CO2
32 kg (67% less)
Plan for 1 charging stop. A 30-minute DC fast charge mid-route should be enough to complete the trip comfortably.
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
Crow Agency, MT
Morning
in Crow Agency on Saturday
Local time
8:35 AM
MDT
Current temp
45°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
Great Falls, MT
Morning
in Great Falls on Saturday
Local time
8:35 AM
MDT
Current temp
68°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
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
23 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
5h 6m 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.
Frequently Asked Questions
The drive from Crow Agency, MT to Great Falls, MT covers 277.4 miles and takes about 5h 6m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are US 87, I 90, US 12. Most of the drive stays on highways, so watch for ramps and exits.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 138.7 miles from Crow Agency, MT. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $43.96 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 5h 6m drive. You will face about 18 decision points, but nothing that requires special attention if you follow navigation.
The main spots that need attention: at 0.1 miles: Navigation decision point; at 56.2 miles (I 90 Business; US 87): Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 58.4 miles (Swords Lane): Navigation decision point.
On the drive from Crow Agency, MT to Great Falls, MT, road signs begin pointing toward Roundup along the way.
Yes. Nearby national parks include Little Bighorn Battlefield National Monument.
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, and NPS for national parks. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.
