Compiled and reviewed by the Trip.ovh planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Apr 18, 2026 · Editorial standards
Drive Time
3h 36m
Distance
181.5 mi
292 km
Drive Score
8/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$29
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Great Falls, MT
Wikimedia Commons
Roundup, MT
James Mirakian
The drive from Great Falls, MT to Roundup, MT covers 181.5 miles and takes about 3h 36m behind the wheel. This route is realistic as a one-day drive if you keep your stops efficient.
The route leans on US 87, US Highway 87, 10th Avenue South for much of the mileage, and the overall profile is highway-focused drive. The longest uninterrupted segment is about 141.5 miles on US 87. At current regular gas prices, budget about $28.76 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
90.8 miles from Great Falls, MT
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h 40m into the drive .
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| US 87 | 141.5 mi | 2h 47m |
| US Highway 87 | 29.1 mi | 31m |
| 10th Avenue South | 5.7 mi | 7m |
| Truck Bypass | 2.6 mi | 3m |
| Northeast Main Street | 1.1 mi | 2m |
| 5th Street South | 0.4 mi | <1m |
| East Main Street | 0.4 mi | 1m |
| 1st Avenue North | 0.3 mi | <1m |
Step-by-step road directions between Great Falls, MT and Roundup, MT.
Start on 4th Street South
Turn left onto 5th Avenue South
Turn right onto I 15 Business
Turn left onto I 15 Business; US 89; MT 3; MT 200
Continue on US 87; US 89; MT 3; MT 200
Enter roundabout
Continue
Turn straight onto US 87; MT 3; MT 200
Continue on US 87; US 191; MT 200
Turn straight onto US 191
Continue on 1st Avenue North
Turn left onto US 87; MT 200
Continue on US 87; MT 200
Continue on US 87; MT 200
Turn right onto US 87
Arrive at destination
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.
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 40 miles or 45m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 90.8 miles or 1h 40m 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 50m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Roundup, 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 181.5 miles and 3h 36m.
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Mid-route town
Meal stop
91 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 40 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
The midpoint is around 90.8 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 87 if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 141.5 miles.
These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.
5 decision points cluster between mile 0 and 136.7 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
Turn left onto 5th Avenue South
Navigation decision point
Turn right onto I 15 Business / 5th Street South
Navigation decision point
Enter roundabout
Roundabout - know your exit number before entering
Turn left onto US 87; MT 200 / East Main Street
Navigation decision point
Turn right onto US 87
Navigation decision point
Regular Gas
$28.76 one way
$57.52 round trip
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.22 | $30.15 | $60.30 |
| premium | $4.53 | $32.38 | $64.75 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $40.07 | $80.15 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$29
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$54–$79
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 63.5 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $19 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 54.4 | 0 | $19.06 | $8.71 |
| Efficient EV | 45.4 | 0 | $15.88 | $7.26 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 72.6 | 0 | $25.41 | $11.62 |
Gas CO2
64 kg
EV CO2
21 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.
Current conditions at both ends of the drive.
Origin
Afternoon in Great Falls on Saturday
Local time
2:00 PM
MDT
Current temp
60°F
Sunny
Destination
Afternoon in Roundup on Saturday
Local time
2:00 PM
MDT
Current temp
61°F
Sunny
37°F
Moore, MT
91 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
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.
This is a 3h 36m highway drive covering 181.5 miles, with most of the trip on US 87 and US Highway 87. The longest continuous stretch is about 141.5 miles on US 87.
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on US 87 and US Highway 87. 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
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
The drive from Great Falls, MT to Roundup, MT is easy. At 3h 36m with 94% 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 0.1 miles (I 15 Business / 5th Street South): Navigation decision point; at 23.8 miles: Roundabout - know your exit number before entering.
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 3h 36m. Total distance: 181.5 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
3h 36m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (94%). Straightforward navigation.
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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