Origin
Great Falls, MT
Late night in Great Falls on Wednesday
Local time
1:01 AM
MDT
Current temp
68°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Great Falls, MT to Hamilton, MT
Data updated 2 hours ago
Drive Time
4h 10m
Distance
213.1 mi
343 km
Drive Score
8/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$34
one way
EV Charging
Excellent
7 DC fast
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
3h 58m
★
6 AM
4h 11m
8 AM
4h 37m
10 AM
4h 20m
12 PM
4h 17m
3 PM
4h 21m
5 PM
4h 36m
8 PM
4h 3m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Great Falls, MT
Wikimedia Commons
Hamilton, MT
Russ
Trip Overview
This 213.1-mile journey from Great Falls, Montana, to Hamilton, Montana, is a manageable 4-hour and 10-minute drive, making it perfect for a single-day trip. You'll spend most of your time on major highways, with 91% of the route being on roads like US 89 and US Highway 93 South. The estimated fuel cost for this drive is around $34, and with only one recommended stop, it's a straightforward trip through the Mountain West region. This route offers a focused highway experience, ideal if you want to cover ground efficiently while staying within Montana.
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
106.5 miles from Great Falls, MT
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 2h 1m into the drive .
Loading map...
Drive Character
Expect a predominantly highway-focused drive, with 91% of your travel occurring on established routes like US 89 and US Highway 93 South. The longest uninterrupted stretch you'll encounter is 148.3 miles on US 89, meaning you can settle in for some extended driving time. This profile suggests a consistent pace, allowing you to maintain speed and cover significant distances without frequent interruptions. The road will largely feel like a well-maintained highway, designed for efficient travel across the Montana landscape.
Most of the miles stay on highways, which makes pacing and fuel planning easier than turn-by-turn city driving.
There are about 26 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.
US 89 is the longest continuous segment at about 148.3 miles.
How Hard Is This Drive?
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on US 89 and US Highway 93 South. You will hit about 17 points where you need to pay attention to lane position or signs. The trickiest moment comes early in the drive near 5th Avenue South.
Route Complexity
5/10
Moderate - straightforward overall, but long enough or busy enough to require pacing
This drive requires moderate attention. Across 213.1 miles you will encounter 17 spots where lane choice or exit timing matters. Not difficult for experienced highway drivers, but worth previewing the tricky sections before you go.
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.
Critical Maneuvers
5 of 17 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 right onto 5th Avenue South
Navigation decision point
6
0.2 mi into trip
|
~0m in
|
2nd Street South
At end of road, turn right onto 2nd Street South
Complex interchange - multiple decisions in a short stretch
5
0.3 mi into trip
|
~1m in
|
3rd Avenue South
Turn left onto 3rd Avenue South
Navigation decision point
5
164.9 mi into trip
|
~3h 7m in
|
I 90 Business; US 12
Take the exit onto I 90 Business; US 12 toward US 12 West, I 90 Business
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Toward US 12 West, I 90 Business
7
165.6 mi into trip
|
~3h 8m in
|
US 12 / Madison Street
Turn left onto US 12 / Madison Street
Lane positioning matters here
Use the left / straight lanes.
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| US 89 | 148.3 mi | 2h 47m |
| US Highway 93 South | 40.1 mi | 51m |
| First Special Service Force Memorial Highway | 9.4 mi | 9m |
| MT 200 | 4.5 mi | 5m |
| Brooks Street | 3.3 mi | 4m |
| Bitteroot Road | 3 mi | 3m |
| Central Avenue West | 1.4 mi | 1m |
| River Drive South | 0.4 mi | <1m |
Longest stretch:
US 89
— 148.3 mi, about 2h 47m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Great Falls, MT and Hamilton, MT.
1
Start on 4th Street South
162 ft
·
9 sec
·
4th Street South
2
Turn right onto 5th Avenue South
0.2 mi
·
39 sec
·
5th Avenue South
3
At end of road, turn right onto 2nd Street South
0.1 mi
·
24 sec
·
2nd Street South
4
Turn left onto 3rd Avenue South
0.1 mi
·
19 sec
·
3rd Avenue South
5
At end of road, turn right onto River Drive South
0.4 mi
·
49 sec
·
River Drive South
6
Turn left onto I 15 Business
0.2 mi
·
26 sec
·
First Avenue North Bridge
7
Continue on I 15 Business
1.4 mi
·
1 min
·
Central Avenue West
8
Take the exit onto I 15 Business
0.2 mi
·
32 sec
·
I 15 Business
9
Merge onto I 15; US 89; MT 200
9.4 mi
·
9 min
·
First Special Service Force Memorial Highway
10
Take the exit onto US 89; MT 200
148 mi
·
2 hr 47 min
·
US 89; MT 200
Exit 290
11
Keep slight right at fork onto MT 200
4.5 mi
·
5 min
·
MT 200
12
Take the exit onto I 90 Business; US 12
0.2 mi
·
26 sec
·
I 90 Business; US 12
Toward US 12 West, I 90 Business
13
Enter roundabout onto I 90 Bus; US 12
206 ft
·
2 sec
·
Van Buren Street
14
Continue on I 90 Bus; US 12
212 ft
·
3 sec
·
Van Buren Street
15
Enter roundabout onto I 90 Bus; US 12
92 ft
·
1 sec
·
Van Buren Street
16
Continue on I 90 Bus; US 12
0.1 mi
·
11 sec
·
Van Buren Street
17
Turn right onto I 90 Bus; US 12
0.2 mi
·
22 sec
·
East Broadway Street
18
Turn left onto US 12
0.3 mi
·
18 sec
·
Madison Street
Use the left / straight lanes.
19
Continue on US 12
0.1 mi
·
9 sec
·
Arthur Avenue
20
Turn right onto US 12
0.4 mi
·
35 sec
·
South 5th Street East
21
Turn left onto US 12
0.1 mi
·
28 sec
·
South Higgins Avenue
22
Turn right onto US 12
3.3 mi
·
4 min
·
Brooks Street
Use the right lane.
23
Continue on US 12; US 93
3.0 mi
·
3 min
·
Bitteroot Road
Use the straight / right lanes.
24
Continue on US 12; US 93
40 mi
·
51 min
·
US Highway 93 South
25
Turn right onto S-531
0.2 mi
·
46 sec
·
West Main Street
26
Arrive at destination
S-531
Trip Plan
With a duration of just over 4 hours, this route is easily completed in a single day, so you have the flexibility to start whenever suits you best. Plan your fuel stops accordingly, though with a modest $34 estimated fuel cost, it shouldn't be a major concern. Keep in mind the longest stretch without a major break is nearly 150 miles on US 89, so ensure you're comfortable before setting off on that segment. Given the efficiency of this highway-focused drive, you might consider an early morning departure to maximize your time at your destination in Hamilton.
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 106.5 miles from Great Falls, MT, or about 2h 1m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 148.3 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 31m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 106.5 miles or 2h 1m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 3h 21m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Hamilton, 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 213.1 miles and 4h 10m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 80 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 89 for about 148.3 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 106.5 mi from Great Falls, MT · 2h 1m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
107 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 106.5 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 US 89 if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 148.3 miles.
Arriving in Hamilton, MT
The final approach into Hamilton, 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 Hamilton, 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
$33.77 one way
$67.54 round trip
$4.03/gal
25.4 MPG avg
75 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.22 | $35.40 | $70.79 |
| premium | $4.53 | $38.01 | $76.03 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $47.05 | $94.10 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$34
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$59–$84
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 74.6 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
EV Charging Along Route
7 DC fast chargers · Coverage: excellent
Great Falls Hampton Inn - Tesla Supercharger
Great Falls, MT
Tesla
8 DCFC
Best Western Plus Grant Creek Inn - Tesla Supercharger
Missoula, MT
Tesla
6 DCFC
Walmart 3259 (Missoula, MT)
Missoula, MT
Electrify America
4 DCFC
Great Falls Subaru
Great Falls, MT
EV Connect
2 DCFC
L267 EXPP PL PUBLIC2
Missoula, MT
ChargePoint Network
2 DCFC
L267 EXPP PL PUBLIC1
Missoula, MT
ChargePoint Network
2 DCFC
Missoula Chevrolet
Missoula, MT
EV Connect
1 DCFC
EV Connect: 2
Tesla: 2
ChargePoint Network: 2
Electrify America: 1
Station data from NREL Alternative Fuel Stations database.
Driving Electric?
About $22 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 63.9 | 0 | $22.38 | $10.23 |
| Efficient EV | 53.3 | 0 | $18.65 | $8.52 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 85.2 | 1 | $29.83 | $13.64 |
Gas CO2
75 kg
EV CO2
25 kg (67% 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
Hamilton, MT
Late night in Hamilton on Wednesday
Local time
1:01 AM
MDT
Current temp
38°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
30 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
4h 10m 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 Great Falls, MT to Hamilton, MT covers 213.1 miles and takes about 4h 10m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are US 89, US Highway 93 South, First Special Service Force Memorial Highway. Most of the drive stays on highways, so watch for ramps and exits.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 106.5 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 $33.77 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 drive requires moderate attention. Across 213.1 miles you will encounter 17 spots where lane choice or exit timing matters. Not difficult for experienced highway drivers, but worth previewing the tricky sections before you go.
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.
The route from Great Falls, MT to Hamilton, MT does not surface many named destination signs beyond the main corridor.
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