Sign in
No account yet?
Create accountDrive Time
2h 23m
Distance
124.3 mi
200 km
Drive Score
9/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$20
one way
EV Charging
Loading...
station data
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Great Falls, MT
Tomás Asurmendi
Browning, MT
John De Leon
Spanning 124.3 miles, this straightforward trip from Great Falls to Browning takes roughly 2 hours and 23 minutes to complete. Because the duration is relatively short, it functions perfectly as a single-day excursion, allowing you to reach your destination without needing an overnight stay. You will primarily navigate via US Highway 89, which serves as the backbone of this Mountain West journey. Budgeting about $20 for fuel should cover your needs for the one-way transit. This route offers a direct connection between these two Montana locations, making it a highly practical choice for travelers looking to move efficiently through the region.
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
62.2 miles from Great Falls, MT
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h 12m into the drive .
This journey is defined by a highway-focused profile, with 75% of your time spent on major thoroughfares like US 89. You can expect a consistent pace throughout the drive, with the longest uninterrupted stretch reaching 49.2 miles along US Highway 89. While you will utilize 13th Lane Northwest for part of the transit, the majority of the experience involves standard highway travel. The road transitions smoothly, providing a predictable environment that is ideal for those who prefer steady, highway-oriented driving. You won't find complex technical segments here, just a reliable path that gets you from point A to point B.
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on United States Highway 89 and US 89. Navigation is very simple — set it and forget it for most of the drive. The trickiest moment comes early in the drive near 5th Avenue South.
Very easy - short and simple to drive
The drive from Great Falls, MT to Browning, MT is easy. At 2h 23m with 75% highway, most drivers will find it relaxed and low-stress.
Where does it get tricky?
The main spots that need attention: near the start (5th Avenue South): Navigation decision point; at 0.2 miles (2nd Street South): Complex interchange - multiple decisions in a short stretch; at 0.3 miles (3rd Avenue South): Navigation decision point.
These are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
Turn right onto 5th Avenue South
Navigation decision point
At end of road, turn right onto 2nd Street South
Complex interchange - multiple decisions in a short stretch
Turn left onto 3rd Avenue South
Navigation decision point
Enter roundabout onto US 89 / West Division Street
Roundabout - know your exit number before entering
At end of road, turn left onto US 2; US 89
Navigation decision point
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| United States Highway 89 | 49.2 mi | 53m |
| US 89 | 40.5 mi | 45m |
| 13th Lane Northwest | 12.9 mi | 15m |
| First Special Service Force Memorial Highway | 9.4 mi | 9m |
| Main Avenue North | 6 mi | 8m |
| US 2 | 3.4 mi | 5m |
| Central Avenue West | 1.4 mi | 1m |
| River Drive South | 0.4 mi | <1m |
Step-by-step road directions between Great Falls, MT and Browning, MT.
Start on 4th Street South
Turn right onto 5th Avenue South
At end of road, turn right onto 2nd Street South
Turn left onto 3rd Avenue South
At end of road, turn right onto River Drive South
Turn left onto I 15 Business
Continue on I 15 Business
Take the exit onto I 15 Business
Merge onto I 15; US 89; MT 200
Take the exit onto US 89; MT 200
Turn right onto US 89
Enter roundabout onto US 89
Continue on US 89
Turn slight right onto US 89
Continue on US 89
Continue on US 89
At end of road, turn left onto US 2; US 89
Turn right onto North Piegan Street
Arrive at destination
Since this is a manageable 2-hour and 23-minute drive, you have plenty of flexibility regarding your departure time. Aim to hit the road early if you want to maximize your time in Browning, or enjoy a relaxed start knowing the distance is easily covered in a single session. Because there are no designated stops scheduled in the data, ensure your vehicle is fueled up before you leave Great Falls to make the most of your $20 fuel budget. Keep in mind that US 89 is your primary route, so monitor traffic conditions on that highway specifically before you head out. This straightforward trek allows for a stress-free transition, giving you the freedom to set your own pace throughout the day.
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.
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 32m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 62.2 miles or 1h 12m 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 56m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Browning, MT than in the middle of the route.
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 124.3 miles and 2h 23m.
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 62.2 mi from Great Falls, MT · 1h 12m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
62 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.
A short stop after about 80 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
The midpoint is around 62.2 miles from Great Falls, MT, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
The final approach into Browning, 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 Browning, MT.
These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.
Regular Gas
$19.70 one way
$39.39 round trip
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.23 | $20.71 | $41.41 |
| premium | $4.53 | $22.16 | $44.33 |
| diesel | $5.64 | $27.62 | $55.23 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$20
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$45–$70
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 43.5 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-06.
Driving Electric?
About $13 in charging · 0 stops · 65% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 37.3 | 0 | $13.05 | $5.97 |
| Efficient EV | 31.1 | 0 | $10.88 | $4.97 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 49.7 | 0 | $17.40 | $7.96 |
Gas CO2
43 kg
EV CO2
15 kg (65% 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.
Current conditions at both ends of the drive.
Origin
Evening in Great Falls on Sunday
Local time
6:22 PM
MDT
Current temp
39°F
Partly Cloudy
Destination
Evening in Browning on Sunday
Local time
6:22 PM
MDT
Current temp
35°F
Slight Chance Rain Showers
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
Origin and destination are on the same clock, so arrival timing is easier to judge at a glance.
Temperature spread
A meaningful temperature swing is a good cue to rethink layers, water, and how soon you want to arrive.
Road read
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.
Thanks for your feedback!
Your tip has been submitted. Thanks!
/500
Recent Tips
·
Explore more options from Great Falls, MT or browse trips ending in Browning, MT.
Looking for more statewide routes? Browse MT road trips.
Explore maps for Great Falls, MT or Browning, MT on MapSof.net.