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Create accountDrive Time
6h 27m
Distance
350.2 mi
564 km
Drive Score
8/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$55
one way
EV Charging
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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
West Glendive, MT
Castorly Stock
Spanning 350.2 miles across Montana, this trek from Great Falls to West Glendive is a straightforward journey that typically takes about 6 hours and 27 minutes. You will spend the vast majority of your time on US Highway 87 and MT 200 S, making this a highly efficient, highway-focused drive. While it is certainly possible to complete the trip in a single day, be prepared for a significant amount of time behind the wheel. Budgeting approximately $55 for fuel will cover your transit across these Mountain West landscapes. Since the route stays entirely within Montana, you can expect consistent road conditions throughout the drive.
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
175.1 miles from Great Falls, MT
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 3h 15m into the drive .
Expect a dedicated highway experience, as 97% of your travel occurs on main roads designed for steady progress. You will spend a considerable portion of your time on a single, uninterrupted 196.5-mile stretch along US Highway 87, which defines the character of the trip. The road feels expansive and consistent, allowing you to settle into a rhythm as you transition between the regions of Montana. Because the drive is heavily focused on these primary arteries, you won't have to worry about navigating complex local detours or technical turns. It is a practical, no-nonsense route that prioritizes efficiency over winding backroads.
Gently rolling terrain
Total Climb
1,332 ft
Total Descent
342 ft
Highest Point
4,318 ft
~116.7 mi in
Elevation Range
989 ft
Notable High Points
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on US Highway 87 and US 87. There are only a few real navigation decisions along the way. The trickiest moment comes early in the drive near 5th Avenue South.
Easy - simple navigation with a manageable amount of wheel time
The route itself is not hard, but at 6h 27m, endurance matters. Plan breaks every 2-3 hours. The 10 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 0.1 miles (I 15 Business / 5th Street South): Navigation decision point; at 23.8 miles: Roundabout - know your exit number before entering.
These are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
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
Take the exit toward MT 16: Glendive, Sidney
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Take the exit
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| US Highway 87 | 196.5 mi | 3h 34m |
| US 87 | 96.6 mi | 1h 44m |
| MT 200 S | 43.4 mi | 46m |
| 10th Avenue South | 5.7 mi | 7m |
| Truck Bypass | 2.6 mi | 3m |
| I 94 | 1.8 mi | 1m |
| Northeast Main Street | 1.1 mi | 2m |
| 5th Street South | 0.4 mi | <1m |
Step-by-step road directions between Great Falls, MT and West Glendive, 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
Continue on MT 200 S
Continue on MT 200S
Take the ramp
Merge onto I 94
Take the exit
Turn left onto MT 16
Take the exit
Merge onto I 94
Arrive at destination
Given the 6-hour and 27-minute duration, departing early in the morning is your best strategy to avoid fatigue and ensure you reach West Glendive before dark. Although the route is manageable in one day, plan for at least one dedicated stop to stretch your legs and refresh during the long 350.2-mile haul. Keep a close eye on your fuel gauge, especially before starting that 196.5-mile stretch on US Highway 87, as service stations may be spaced out. Since this trip is essentially a single long leg, use your flexibility to choose a mid-point rest stop that best aligns with your driving pace. Checking your tire pressure before you leave Great Falls is a smart, specific precaution for a drive of this length.
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.
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 28m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 175.1 miles or 3h 15m 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 21m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near West Glendive, 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 350.2 miles and 6h 27m.
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 175.1 mi from Great Falls, MT · 3h 15m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
175 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 175.1 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 Highway 87 if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 196.5 miles.
The final approach into West Glendive, 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 West Glendive, 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.
Regular Gas
$55.49 one way
$110.99 round trip
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.23 | $58.33 | $116.67 |
| premium | $4.53 | $62.44 | $124.89 |
| diesel | $5.64 | $77.80 | $155.60 |
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: 122.5 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-06.
Driving Electric?
About $37 in charging · 1 stop · 67% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 105.1 | 1 | $36.77 | $16.81 |
| Efficient EV | 87.6 | 1 | $30.64 | $14.01 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 140.1 | 1 | $49.03 | $22.41 |
Gas CO2
123 kg
EV CO2
41 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.
Current conditions at both ends of the drive.
Origin
Evening in Great Falls on Sunday
Local time
5:20 PM
MDT
Current temp
39°F
Partly Cloudy
Destination
Evening in West Glendive on Sunday
Local time
5:20 PM
MDT
Current temp
49°F
Chance Showers And Thunderstorms
Along the Route
27°F
Lewistown, MT
175 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
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.
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