Origin
Great Falls, MT
Morning in Great Falls on Saturday
Local time
7:58 AM
MDT
Current temp
68°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Great Falls, MT to Anaconda, MT
Compiled and reviewed by the Trip.ovh planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Apr 18, 2026 · Editorial standards
Drive Time
2h 58m
Distance
178 mi
287 km
Drive Score
8/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$28
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
2h 47m
★
6 AM
2h 59m
8 AM
3h 21m
10 AM
3h 7m
12 PM
3h 4m
3 PM
3h 8m
5 PM
3h 20m
8 PM
2h 52m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Great Falls, MT
Wikimedia Commons
Anaconda, MT
Regan Dsouza
Trip Overview
The drive from Great Falls, MT to Anaconda, MT covers 178 miles and takes about 2h 58m 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, I 90, Pintler Veterans' Memorial Scenic Highway for much of the mileage, and the overall profile is turn-heavy local drive. The longest uninterrupted segment is about 155.7 miles on First Special Service Force Memorial Highway. At current regular gas prices, budget about $28.21 one way before food or hotel costs.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.
Break Rhythm
1 planned break
A short stop every 2 to 3 hours is enough for this drive.
Midpoint
89 miles from Great Falls, MT
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h 30m into the drive .
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 2h 58m. Total distance: 178 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
2h 58m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (6%). Straightforward navigation.
Scenic Drive
Turn-heavy local drive route profile.
Drive Character
Expect a 2h 58m drive with frequent turns across 178 miles of local and secondary roads.
This route has more turning and local-road decision points than a simple highway run.
There are about 12 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 155.7 miles.
How Hard Is This Drive?
Expect a hands-on drive with frequent turns and local roads rather than long highway stretches. There are only a few real navigation decisions along the way. The trickiest moment comes early in the drive near 5th Avenue South.
Driving Effort
3/10
Easy - simple navigation with a manageable amount of wheel time
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This is a straightforward 2h 58m drive. You will face about 7 decision points, but nothing that requires special attention if you follow navigation.
Where does it get tricky?
The main spots that need attention: near the start (5th Avenue South): Navigation decision point; at 0.1 miles (I 15 Business / 5th Street South): Navigation decision point; at 0.5 miles (I 15 Business; US 89; MT 3; MT 200 / 10th Avenue South): Navigation decision point.
Critical Maneuvers
5 of 7 key pointsThese are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
5
0 mi into trip
|
~0m in
|
5th Avenue South
Turn left onto 5th Avenue South
Navigation decision point
4
0.1 mi into trip
|
~0m in
|
I 15 Business / 5th Street South
Turn right onto I 15 Business / 5th Street South
Navigation decision point
4
0.5 mi into trip
|
~1m in
|
I 15 Business; US 89; MT 3; MT 200 / 10th Avenue South
Turn right onto I 15 Business; US 89; MT 3; MT 200 / 10th Avenue South
Navigation decision point
5
158.9 mi into trip
|
~2h 39m in
|
I 90
Keep slight left at fork onto I 90 toward I 90 West: Missoula
Highway fork - watch signs carefully
Toward I 90 West: Missoula
5
169.7 mi into trip
|
~2h 49m in
Take the exit toward MT 1: Anaconda, Opportunity, Phillipsburg
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Toward MT 1: Anaconda, Opportunity, Phillipsbur...
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| First Special Service Force Memorial Highway | 155.7 mi | 2h 32m |
| I 90 | 10.8 mi | 10m |
| Pintler Veterans' Memorial Scenic Highway | 7 mi | 7m |
| Country Club Boulevard | 1.3 mi | 2m |
| 10th Avenue South | 0.7 mi | 1m |
| I 15 BUS | 0.7 mi | 1m |
| East Commercial Avenue | 0.7 mi | 1m |
| 5th Street South | 0.4 mi | <1m |
Longest stretch:
First Special Service Force Memorial Highway
— 155.7 mi, about 2h 32m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Great Falls, MT and Anaconda, MT.
1
Start on 4th Street South
162 ft
·
12 sec
·
4th Street South
2
Turn left onto 5th Avenue South
427 ft
·
20 sec
·
5th Avenue South
3
Turn right onto I 15 Business
0.4 mi
·
37 sec
·
5th Street South
4
Turn right onto I 15 Business; US 89; MT 3; MT 200
0.7 mi
·
1 min
·
10th Avenue South
5
Continue on I 15 Business; US 89; MT 3; MT 200
1.3 mi
·
2 min
·
Country Club Boulevard
6
Keep slight left at fork onto I 15 BUS
0.7 mi
·
1 min
·
I 15 BUS
7
Merge onto I 15
156 mi
·
2 hr 32 min
·
First Special Service Force Memorial Highway
8
Keep slight left at fork onto I 90
11 mi
·
10 min
·
I 90
Toward I 90 West: Missoula
9
Take the exit
0.6 mi
·
58 sec
Toward MT 1: Anaconda, Opportunity, Phillipsburg
10
Continue on MT 1
7.0 mi
·
7 min
·
Pintler Veterans' Memorial Scenic Highway
11
Continue on MT 1
0.7 mi
·
1 min
·
East Commercial Avenue
12
Arrive at destination
MT 1
Trip Plan
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.
Plan roughly 1 meaningful break for fuel, food, and rest.
The halfway point lands around 89 miles from Great Falls, MT, or about 1h 30m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 155.7 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 39 miles or 41m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 89 miles or 1h 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 2h 26m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Anaconda, MT than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving Great Falls, 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 Great Falls, MT
This is one driving day of about 178 miles and 2h 58m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 39 miles from Great Falls, 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 155.7 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 89 mi from Great Falls, MT · 1h 30m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
89 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 39 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 89 miles from Great Falls, 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 155.7 miles.
Arriving in Anaconda, MT
The final approach into Anaconda, 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 Anaconda, MT.
After long uninterrupted mileage, take five minutes before the last urban segment to reset and refocus on exits, merges, and city traffic.
These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$28.21 one way
$56.41 round trip
$4.03/gal
25.4 MPG avg
62 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.22 | $29.57 | $59.13 |
| premium | $4.53 | $31.75 | $63.51 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $39.30 | $78.60 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$28
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$53–$78
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 62.3 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $19 in charging · 0 stops · 66% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 53.4 | 0 | $18.69 | $8.54 |
| Efficient EV | 44.5 | 0 | $15.58 | $7.12 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 71.2 | 0 | $24.92 | $11.39 |
Gas CO2
62 kg
EV CO2
21 kg (66% 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
Anaconda, MT
Morning in Anaconda on Saturday
Local time
7:58 AM
MDT
Current temp
56°F
Sunny
WSW 2 to 9 mph
0% chance
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
12 degrees cooler at arrival
A meaningful temperature swing is a good cue to rethink layers, water, and how soon you want to arrive.
Road read
2h 58m on the road
The weather snapshot is not static. If you are leaving later, give both cities one more quick forecast check before departure.
Weather data from the National Weather Service. Conditions may change; check closer to your travel date.
Frequently Asked Questions
The drive from Great Falls, MT to Anaconda, MT covers 178 miles and takes about 2h 58m 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, I 90, Pintler Veterans' Memorial Scenic Highway. Expect a mix of highway and local road driving.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 89 miles from Great Falls, MT. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $28.21 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.
Plan about 1 meaningful break for fuel, food, or rest. A short stop every 2 to 3 hours is enough for this drive.
This is a straightforward 2h 58m drive. You will face about 7 decision points, but nothing that requires special attention if you follow navigation.
The main spots that need attention: near the start (5th Avenue South): Navigation decision point; at 0.1 miles (I 15 Business / 5th Street South): Navigation decision point; at 0.5 miles (I 15 Business; US 89; MT 3; MT 200 / 10th Avenue South): Navigation decision point.
The route from Great Falls, MT to Anaconda, MT does not surface many named destination signs beyond the main corridor.
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, and EIA for fuel prices. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.
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