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Trip from Great Falls, MT to Colstrip, MT

Last recalculated Apr 16, 2026

Drive Time

6h 30m

Distance

344.2 mi

554 km

Drive Score

8/10

Great drive

Same Day?

Yes, doable

Fuel Cost

$55

one way

EV Charging

Unknown

Best Time to Leave

Save up to 37 min
4 AM
6h 18m ★
6 AM
6h 31m
8 AM
6h 55m
10 AM
6h 39m
12 PM
6h 37m
3 PM
6h 40m
5 PM
6h 54m
8 PM
6h 23m

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

Great Falls, MT

Wikimedia Commons

Downtown Colstrip, MT, MT

Colstrip, MT

Alex Moliski

Trip Overview

The drive from Great Falls, MT to Colstrip, MT covers 344.2 miles and takes about 6h 30m 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 82.5 miles on US 87. At current regular gas prices, budget about $54.54 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

172.1 miles from Great Falls, MT

A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 3h 11m into the drive .

Who Is This Route For?

Weekend Trip

Doable as a same-day drive at 6h 30m. Total distance: 344.2 miles.

Family Friendly

Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.

Solo Traveler

6h 30m drive, plan rest stops for pacing.

First-Time Driver

Mostly highway driving (97%). Straightforward navigation.

Drive Character

This is a 6h 30m highway drive covering 344.2 miles, with most of the trip on US 87 and I 90. The longest continuous stretch is about 82.5 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 31 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 82.5 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 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.

The route itself is not hard, but at 6h 30m, endurance matters. Plan breaks every 2-3 hours. The 18 decision points are all manageable with basic attention.

Where does it get tricky?

The main spots that need attention: near the start (5th Avenue South): Navigation decision point; at 219.1 miles (Aronson Avenue): Navigation decision point; at 224.5 miles (I 90; US 87; US 212): Highway fork - watch signs carefully.

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 mi into trip | ~0m in | 5th Avenue South

Turn left onto 5th Avenue South

Navigation decision point

5
219.1 mi into trip | ~4h 6m in | Aronson Avenue

Turn left onto Aronson Avenue

Navigation decision point

5
224.5 mi into trip | ~4h 13m in | I 90; US 87; US 212

Keep slight right at fork onto I 90; US 87; US 212 toward I 90 East: Sheridan

Highway fork - watch signs carefully

Toward I 90 East: Sheridan
5
278.6 mi into trip | ~5h 4m in | US 212

Take the exit onto US 212 toward US 212 East: Little Bighorn Battlefield, Broadus

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

Toward US 212 East: Little Bighorn Battlefield,...
5
321 mi into trip | ~5h 55m in | MT 39 / Cheyenne Avenue

Enter roundabout onto MT 39 / Cheyenne Avenue

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 Great Falls, MT to Colstrip, MT, road signs begin pointing toward Broadus along the way.

Broadus

278.6 mi in | ~5h 4m | via US 212

Main Roads

Road Distance Duration
US 87 82.5 mi 1h 29m
I 90 57.2 mi 54m
US 12 45.1 mi 50m
US 212 42.5 mi 50m
MT 3 41 mi 46m
US 191 39.2 mi 43m
State Highway 39 22.2 mi 33m
10th Avenue South 5.7 mi 7m
Longest stretch: US 87 — 82.5 mi, about 1h 29m

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between Great Falls, MT and Colstrip, 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 · 35 sec · 5th Street South
4

Turn left onto I 15 Business; US 89; MT 3; MT 200

5.7 mi · 7 min · 10th Avenue South
5

Continue on US 87; US 89; MT 3; MT 200

18 mi · 18 min · US 87; US 89; MT 3; MT 200
6

Enter roundabout

224 ft · 2 sec
7

Continue

0.3 mi · 20 sec
8

Turn straight onto US 87; MT 3; MT 200

64 mi · 1 hr 9 min · US 87; MT 3; MT 200
9

Turn right onto US 191; MT 3

39 mi · 43 min · US 191; MT 3
10

Turn left onto US 12; MT 3

45 mi · 50 min · US 12; MT 3
11

Turn right onto MT 3

12 mi · 14 min · MT 3
12

Continue on MT-3

2.5 mi · 2 min · MT-3
13

Continue on MT 3

25 mi · 28 min · MT 3
14

Enter roundabout onto MT 3

123 ft · 1 sec · MT 3
15

Continue on MT 3

3.1 mi · 3 min · MT 3
16

Enter roundabout onto Airport Road

149 ft · 1 sec · Airport Road
17

Continue on Airport Road

2.7 mi · 4 min · Airport Road
18

Turn right onto Swords Lane

249 ft · 12 sec · Swords Lane
19

Turn left onto Aronson Avenue

469 ft · 9 sec · Aronson Avenue
20

Merge onto US 87

0.6 mi · 1 min · US 87
21

Turn left onto I 90 Business; US 87

1.3 mi · 1 min · US Highway 87 East
22

Turn left onto I 90 Business; US 87

0.3 mi · 40 sec · I 90 Business; US 87
23

Continue on I 90; US 87; US 212

3.1 mi · 3 min · I 90; US 87; US 212
24

Keep slight right at fork onto I 90; US 87; US 212

54 mi · 50 min · I 90; US 87; US 212
Toward I 90 East: Sheridan
25

Take the exit onto US 212

0.4 mi · 53 sec · US 212
Toward US 212 East: Little Bighorn Battlefield, Broadus
26

Turn left onto US 212

42 mi · 49 min · US 212
27

Enter roundabout onto MT 39

328 ft · 5 sec · Cheyenne Avenue
28

Continue on MT 39

0.5 mi · 42 sec · Cheyenne Avenue
29

Continue on MT 39

22 mi · 33 min · State Highway 39
30

Turn right onto Box Elder Avenue

0.4 mi · 1 min · Box Elder Avenue
31

Arrive at destination

Park Street

Trip Plan

Morning Departure

Start early — leave by 6-7 AM to arrive at a reasonable hour.

Evening Departure

This is a long drive — plan for a morning departure or consider splitting it into two days.

You can normally do this drive in one day.
Plan roughly 1 meaningful break for fuel, food, and rest.
The halfway point lands around 172.1 miles from Great Falls, MT, or about 3h 11m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 82.5 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 76 miles or 1h 24m in

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

Halfway reset

Around 172.1 miles or 3h 11m in

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

Final approach

Final hour starts around 5h 11m

Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Colstrip, 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 344.2 miles and 6h 30m.

Your first comfortable stop window is around 76 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 US 87 for about 82.5 miles.

Where to Stop

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

Halfway Point

Midpoint

About 172.1 mi from Great Falls, MT · 3h 11m into the drive

city in Yellowstone County, Montana, United States

Mid-route town

Meal stop

Laurel, MT

172 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

Lewistown, MT

Fuel and coffee

A short stop after about 76 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.

Laurel, MT

Meal break

The midpoint is around 172.1 miles from Great Falls, MT, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.

Before the longest stretch

Fuel check

Top up before US 87 if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 82.5 miles.

Arriving in Colstrip, MT

The final approach into Colstrip, 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 Colstrip, MT.

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

National Parks Near This Route

Worth a detour if your schedule allows.

Little Bighorn Battlefield National Monument

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 near mile 284.8
Park Closure: The Park is ONLY OPEN Friday, Saturday, and Sunday.
View on nps.gov

Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.

Fuel & Cost

Regular Gas

$54.54 one way

$109.09 round trip

$4.03/gal 25.4 MPG avg 120 kg CO2
Fuel Type $/gal One Way Round Trip
midgrade $4.22 $57.17 $114.34
premium $4.53 $61.40 $122.80
diesel $5.61 $76.00 $151.99

No toll roads detected on this route.

Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)

Fuel

$55

Meals

$25–$50

Total

$80–$105

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

Estimated CO2 emission: 120.4 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.

Driving Electric?

About $36 in charging · 1 stop · 67% less CO2

Vehicle Type kWh Stops DC Fast Home Charge
Average EV 103.3 1 $36.14 $16.52
Efficient EV 86.1 0 $30.12 $13.77
EV Truck/SUV 137.7 1 $48.19 $22.03

Gas CO2

120 kg

EV CO2

40 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

Great Falls, MT

Morning in Great Falls on Thursday

Local time

11:56 AM

MDT

Current temp

68°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

Destination

Colstrip, MT

Morning in Colstrip on Thursday

Local time

11:56 AM

MDT

Current temp

73°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

44°F

Laurel, MT

172 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

5 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

6h 30m on the road

Start early — leave by 6-7 AM to arrive at a reasonable hour.

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 Colstrip, MT covers 344.2 miles and takes about 6h 30m 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 172.1 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 $54.54 one way. This estimate uses 25.4 MPG — your actual cost will vary with your vehicle's fuel efficiency and current gas prices.
Start early — leave by 6-7 AM to arrive at a reasonable hour. This is a long drive — plan for a morning departure or consider splitting it into two days.
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.
The route itself is not hard, but at 6h 30m, endurance matters. Plan breaks every 2-3 hours. The 18 decision points are all manageable with basic attention.
The main spots that need attention: near the start (5th Avenue South): Navigation decision point; at 219.1 miles (Aronson Avenue): Navigation decision point; at 224.5 miles (I 90; US 87; US 212): Highway fork - watch signs carefully.
On the drive from Great Falls, MT to Colstrip, MT, road signs begin pointing toward Broadus along the way.
Yes. Nearby national parks include Little Bighorn Battlefield National Monument.

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