Origin
Cut Bank, MT
Late night in Cut Bank on Wednesday
Local time
1:38 AM
MDT
Current temp
24°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Cut Bank, MT to Great Falls, MT
Data updated 3 hours ago
Drive Time
1h 46m
Distance
106.8 mi
172 km
Drive Score
8/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$17
one way
EV Charging
Good
2 DC fast
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
1h 39m
★
6 AM
1h 47m
8 AM
2h 3m
10 AM
1h 52m
12 PM
1h 51m
3 PM
1h 53m
5 PM
2h 2m
8 PM
1h 42m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Cut Bank, MT
Alex Huahuisa Florez
Great Falls, MT
Wikimedia Commons
Trip Overview
This 106.8-mile drive from Cut Bank, MT to Great Falls, MT takes approximately 1 hour and 46 minutes. It's a manageable journey, perfectly suited for a single day trip, with an estimated fuel cost of $17. You'll primarily navigate along the First Special Service Force Memorial Highway, East Main Street, and Central Avenue West. This route stays within the Mountain West region, offering a straightforward transit between two Montana locations. Given its short duration and lack of designated stops, it’s a convenient option for a quick transit or an easy addition to a larger itinerary.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.
Break Rhythm
0 planned breaks
A short stop every 2 to 3 hours is enough for this drive.
Midpoint
53.4 miles from Cut Bank, MT
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 54m into the drive .
Loading map...
Drive Character
Expect a turn-heavy local drive for this 106.8-mile trip. While there's no highway percentage to worry about, the longest uninterrupted stretch is 81.2 miles on the First Special Service Force Memorial Highway. This suggests a journey that involves more frequent adjustments and potentially varied road conditions as you transition from more open stretches to local roads closer to your destination. The character of the drive is likely one of constant engagement with the road, rather than a monotonous cruise.
This route has more turning and local-road decision points than a simple highway run.
There are about 11 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 81.2 miles.
How Hard Is This Drive?
Expect a hands-on drive with frequent turns and local roads rather than long highway stretches. Navigation is very simple — set it and forget it for most of the drive. The trickiest moment comes around 22.4 miles in.
Route Complexity
1/10
Very easy - short and simple to drive
The drive from Cut Bank, MT to Great Falls, MT is easy. At 1h 46m with 0% highway, most drivers will find it relaxed and low-stress.
Where does it get tricky?
The main spots that need attention: at 22.4 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early; at 103.9 miles (I 15 Business): Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early; at 106.3 miles (I 15 Business / 5th Street North): Navigation decision point.
Critical Maneuvers
5 of 6 key pointsThese are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
4
22.4 mi into trip
|
~25m in
Take the exit toward I 15 South: Great Falls
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early
Toward I 15 South: Great Falls
4
103.9 mi into trip
|
~1h 42m in
|
I 15 Business
Take the exit onto I 15 Business toward I 15 Business
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early
Toward I 15 Business
4
106.3 mi into trip
|
~1h 45m in
|
I 15 Business / 5th Street North
Turn right onto I 15 Business / 5th Street North
Navigation decision point
4
106.7 mi into trip
|
~1h 46m in
|
4th Avenue South
Turn right onto 4th Avenue South
Navigation decision point
5
106.7 mi into trip
|
~1h 46m in
|
4th Street South
Turn left onto 4th Street South
Navigation decision point
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| First Special Service Force Memorial Highway | 81.2 mi | 1h 16m |
| East Main Street | 22.4 mi | 25m |
| Central Avenue West | 1.5 mi | 1m |
| 1st Avenue North | 0.5 mi | <1m |
| 5th Street North | 0.4 mi | <1m |
| I 15 Business | 0.2 mi | <1m |
| First Avenue North Bridge | 0.2 mi | <1m |
| 4th Avenue South | <0.1 mi | <1m |
Longest stretch:
First Special Service Force Memorial Highway
— 81.2 mi, about 1h 16m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Cut Bank, MT and Great Falls, MT.
1
Start on US 2
22 mi
·
25 min
·
East Main Street
2
Take the exit
0.3 mi
·
44 sec
Toward I 15 South: Great Falls
3
Merge onto I 15
81 mi
·
1 hr 16 min
·
First Special Service Force Memorial Highway
4
Take the exit onto I 15 Business
0.2 mi
·
30 sec
·
I 15 Business
Toward I 15 Business
5
Turn left onto I 15 Business
1.5 mi
·
1 min
·
Central Avenue West
6
Continue on I 15 Business
0.2 mi
·
17 sec
·
First Avenue North Bridge
7
Continue on I 15 Business
0.5 mi
·
51 sec
·
1st Avenue North
8
Turn right onto I 15 Business
0.4 mi
·
36 sec
·
5th Street North
9
Turn right onto 4th Avenue South
429 ft
·
24 sec
·
4th Avenue South
10
Turn left onto 4th Street South
229 ft
·
10 sec
·
4th Street South
11
Arrive at destination
4th Street South
Trip Plan
With a duration of just under two hours, this route offers considerable flexibility. You can depart Cut Bank at your leisure, as there are no specific points that necessitate an early start. Since there are no included stops, you can decide on breaks as needed, perhaps stopping for fuel in Great Falls upon arrival. The estimated fuel cost is $17, so ensure your tank is adequately filled before departing Cut Bank to avoid needing to search for services along the way. Keep an eye out for the transition points between the First Special Service Force Memorial Highway and the local streets of Great Falls.
Morning Departure
Leave by 9 AM and you'll arrive before lunch.
Evening Departure
Even a 4 PM departure gets you there before dark in summer.
You can normally do this drive in one day.
You may only need one short stretch break if traffic stays light.
The halfway point lands around 53.4 miles from Cut Bank, MT, or about 54m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 81.2 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 80 miles or 1h 19m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 53.4 miles or 54m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 1h 26m
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 Cut Bank, 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 Cut Bank, MT
This is one driving day of about 106.8 miles and 1h 46m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 80 miles from Cut Bank, MT.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
You may only need one short stretch stop if conditions stay smooth.
The longest stretch is on First Special Service Force Memorial Highway for about 81.2 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 53.4 mi from Cut Bank, MT · 54m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
53 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
Fuel and coffee
A short stop after about 80 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 53.4 miles from Cut Bank, MT, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Before the longest stretch
Fuel checkTop up before First Special Service Force Memorial Highway if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 81.2 miles.
Arriving in Great Falls, MT
The final approach into Great Falls, MT usually feels slower than the middle of the drive, so avoid planning your tightest schedule at the very end.
Try to arrive with enough fuel left to skip an immediate station stop unless you already know the area around Great Falls, MT.
These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$17.24 one way
$34.48 round trip
$4.03/gal
25.4 MPG avg
38 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.22 | $18.07 | $36.14 |
| premium | $4.53 | $19.41 | $38.82 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $24.02 | $48.04 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$17
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$42–$67
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 38.1 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
EV Charging Along Route
2 DC fast chargers · Coverage: good
Great Falls Hampton Inn - Tesla Supercharger
Great Falls, MT
Tesla
8 DCFC
Great Falls Subaru
Great Falls, MT
EV Connect
2 DCFC
Tesla: 1
EV Connect: 1
Station data from NREL Alternative Fuel Stations database.
Driving Electric?
About $11 in charging · 0 stops · 68% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 32 | 0 | $11.21 | $5.13 |
| Efficient EV | 26.7 | 0 | $9.34 | $4.27 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 42.7 | 0 | $14.95 | $6.84 |
Gas CO2
37 kg
EV CO2
12 kg (68% less)
This trip is well within single-charge range for most EVs. No charging stops needed if you start fully charged.
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.
Destination
Great Falls, MT
Late night in Great Falls on Wednesday
Local time
1:38 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
44 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
1h 46m on the road
Use the two city cards together: check the sky where you start, then compare it with the local time and temperature at arrival.
Weather data from the National Weather Service. Conditions may change; check closer to your travel date.
Frequently Asked Questions
The drive from Cut Bank, MT to Great Falls, MT covers 106.8 miles and takes about 1h 46m 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, East Main Street, Central Avenue West. Expect a mix of highway and local road driving.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 53.4 miles from Cut Bank, MT. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $16.92 one way. This estimate uses 25.4 MPG — your actual cost will vary with your vehicle's fuel efficiency and current gas prices.
Leave by 9 AM and you'll arrive before lunch. Even a 4 PM departure gets you there before dark in summer.
The drive from Cut Bank, MT to Great Falls, MT is easy. At 1h 46m with 0% highway, most drivers will find it relaxed and low-stress.
The main spots that need attention: at 22.4 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early; at 103.9 miles (I 15 Business): Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early; at 106.3 miles (I 15 Business / 5th Street North): Navigation decision point.
The route from Cut Bank, MT to Great Falls, MT does not surface many named destination signs beyond the main corridor.
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