Trip from Great Falls, MT to Lewistown, MT

Data updated 0 seconds ago

Drive Time

1h 48m

Distance

105.4 mi

170 km

Drive Score

8/10

Great drive

Same Day?

Yes, doable

Fuel Cost

$17

one way

EV Charging

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station data

Best Time to Leave

Save up to 24 min

4 AM

1h 41m ★

6 AM

1h 49m

8 AM

2h 5m

10 AM

1h 54m

12 PM

1h 53m

3 PM

1h 55m

5 PM

2h 4m

8 PM

1h 44m

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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Trip Overview

Connecting Great Falls to Lewistown is a straightforward 105.4-mile journey that typically takes about 1 hour and 48 minutes of driving time. Because this trip is relatively short, it functions perfectly as a single-day excursion, meaning you won't need to worry about booking an overnight stay unless you have specific plans in the destination city. You can expect to spend approximately $17 on fuel for the one-way trip, making it a budget-friendly option for exploring the Mountain West. Navigating out of Great Falls involves local corridors like 5th Avenue South, 5th Street South, and 10th Avenue South before you settle into the drive. Since both cities are located within the same region, you will experience a consistent cultural and geographic atmosphere throughout the entire duration of your travel.

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

52.7 miles from Great Falls, MT

A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 54m into the drive .

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Drive Character

Expect a turn-heavy local drive rather than a monotonous interstate cruise, as this route features a 0% highway share. You will spend your time navigating local roads that demand more attention than a standard high-speed corridor. Without the relief of long, uninterrupted highway stretches, the road keeps you engaged with its technical profile from start to finish. The character of the drive remains consistent as you transition between these two Mountain West locations, requiring you to stay alert through the various turns. It is a practical route for drivers who prefer active steering over the repetitive nature of major interstates.

This route has more turning and local-road decision points than a simple highway run.

There are about 13 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.

5th Avenue South is one of the defining roads on this drive.

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.

Route Complexity 1/10

Very easy - short and simple to drive

The drive from Great Falls, MT to Lewistown, MT is easy. At 1h 48m with 0% highway, most drivers will find it relaxed and low-stress.

Where does it get tricky?

This route does not have any notably tricky sections. Most of the drive from Great Falls, MT to Lewistown, MT is straightforward, with well-signed roads and simple exits.

Main Roads

Road	Distance	Duration
5th Avenue South	Unavailable	Refreshing
5th Street South	Unavailable	Refreshing
10th Avenue South	Unavailable	Refreshing
the route	Unavailable	Refreshing
Highway 87	Unavailable	Refreshing
West Main Street	Unavailable	Refreshing
6th Avenue South	Unavailable	Refreshing

Per-road distance and duration are being refreshed from OSRM for this route.

Longest stretch: 5th Avenue South — detailed segment metrics are refreshing.

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between Great Falls, MT and Lewistown, MT.

1

Start on 4th Street South

161 ft · 12 sec · 4th Street South

2

Turn left onto 5th Avenue South

427 ft · 21 sec · 5th Avenue South

3

Turn right onto 5th Street South

0.4 mi · 36 sec · 5th Street South

4

Turn left onto 10th Avenue South

5.7 mi · 7 min · 10th Avenue South

5

Continue straight

18 mi · 19 min

6

Enter the roundabout and take exit 2 toward the route

223 ft · 3 sec · the route

7

Exit the roundabout

0.3 mi · 21 sec

8

Turn straight

64 mi · 1 hr 9 min

9

Continue straight

15 mi · 15 min

10

Continue on US Highway 87

1.5 mi · 2 min · US Highway 87

11

Continue on West Main Street

0.8 mi · 2 min · West Main Street

12

Turn right onto 6th Avenue South

397 ft · 17 sec · 6th Avenue South

13

Arrive at your destination

Trip Plan

Given the 1 hour and 48 minute duration, you have plenty of flexibility to plan your departure time around your personal schedule. Since there are no designated stops on this 105.4-mile route, make sure to fuel up before leaving Great Falls to ensure you have the full $17 worth of gas ready for the trek. If you are prone to fatigue on winding roads, consider stretching your legs before you depart, as the turn-heavy nature of the drive makes mid-route stops less convenient. Keep your eyes on your navigation as you exit the local streets of Great Falls, as the transition to the regional road network requires careful attention to signage. Leveraging the short distance allows you to easily fit this trip into a morning or afternoon window without feeling rushed.

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 52.7 miles from Great Falls, MT, or about 54m into the drive.

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 22m in

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

Halfway reset

Around 52.7 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 29m

Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Lewistown, 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 105.4 miles and 1h 48m.

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.

You may only need one short stretch stop if conditions stay smooth.

Where to Stop

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

Halfway Point

Midpoint

About 52.7 mi from Great Falls, MT · 54m into the drive

Mid-route town

Meal stop

East Helena, MT

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

Big Timber, MT

Fuel and coffee

A short stop after about 80 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.

East Helena, MT

Meal break

The midpoint is around 52.7 miles from Great Falls, MT, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.

Arriving in Lewistown, MT

The final approach into Lewistown, 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 Lewistown, 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

$16.70 one way

$33.40 round trip

$4.03/gal 25.4 MPG avg 37 kg CO₂

Fuel Type	$/gal	One Way	Round Trip
midgrade	$4.22	$17.51	$35.01
premium	$4.53	$18.80	$37.60
diesel	$5.61	$23.27	$46.54

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: 36.9 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.

Driving Electric?

About $11 in charging · 0 stops · 68% less CO₂

Vehicle Type	kWh	DC Fast	Home Charge
Average EV	31.6	$11.07	$5.06
Efficient EV	26.4	$9.22	$4.22
EV Truck/SUV	42.2	$14.76	$6.75

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.

Forecast data refreshed 3 hours ago

Origin

Great Falls, MT

Late night in Great Falls on Wednesday

Local time

5:11 AM

MDT

Current temp

68°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

Destination

Lewistown, MT

Late night in Lewistown on Wednesday

Local time

5:11 AM

MDT

Current temp

65°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

3 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

1h 48m 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 Great Falls, MT to Lewistown, MT covers 105.4 miles and takes about 1h 48m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.

The main roads are 5th Avenue South, 5th Street South, 10th Avenue South. Expect a mix of highway and local road driving.

This is a comfortable same-day trip.

The midpoint is about 52.7 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 $16.70 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 Great Falls, MT to Lewistown, MT is easy. At 1h 48m with 0% highway, most drivers will find it relaxed and low-stress.

This route does not have any notably tricky sections. Most of the drive from Great Falls, MT to Lewistown, MT is straightforward, with well-signed roads and simple exits.

The route from Great Falls, MT to Lewistown, MT does not surface many named destination signs beyond the main corridor.

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