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Trip from Great Falls, MT to Baker, MT

Compiled and reviewed by the Trip.ovh planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Apr 18, 2026 · Editorial standards

Drive Time

8h

Distance

423.1 mi

681 km

Drive Score

7/10

Good drive

Same Day?

2-day trip

Fuel Cost

$67

one way

EV Charging

Good

8 stations

Best Time to Leave

Save up to 26 min
4 AM
7h 52m ★
6 AM
8h 0m
8 AM
8h 18m
10 AM
8h 6m
12 PM
8h 5m
3 PM
8h 7m
5 PM
8h 17m
8 PM
7h 55m

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

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

Baker, MT

Wikimedia Commons

Trip Overview

The drive from Great Falls, MT to Baker, MT covers 423.1 miles and takes about 8h behind the wheel. It usually feels better as a 2-day road trip than as one long push.

The route leans on US Highway 87, US 87, State Highway 7 for much of the mileage, and the overall profile is highway-focused drive. The longest uninterrupted segment is about 196.5 miles on US Highway 87. At current regular gas prices, budget about $67.05 one way before food or hotel costs.

Trip Pace

Best split across 2 days

Treat the return leg as its own travel day rather than an afterthought.

Break Rhythm

2 planned breaks

Plan on a short reset every 3 to 4 hours to stay fresh behind the wheel.

Midpoint

211.6 miles from Great Falls, MT

A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 3h 55m into the drive .

Who Is This Route For?

Family Friendly

Moderate complexity with 2 natural rest stops along the way.

Solo Traveler

8h drive, plan rest stops for pacing.

First-Time Driver

Mostly highway driving (97%). Straightforward navigation.

Drive Character

This is a 8h highway drive covering 423.1 miles, with most of the trip on US Highway 87 and US 87. The longest continuous stretch is about 196.5 miles on US Highway 87.

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 Highway 87 is the longest continuous segment at about 196.5 miles.

How Hard Is This Drive?

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.

Driving Effort 4/10

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 8h, endurance matters. Plan breaks every 2-3 hours. The 11 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.

Critical Maneuvers

5 of 11 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

4
0.1 mi into trip | ~0m in | I 15 Business / 5th Street South

Turn right onto I 15 Business / 5th Street South

Navigation decision point

4
23.8 mi into trip | ~28m in

Enter roundabout

Roundabout - know your exit number before entering

4
106.1 mi into trip | ~1h 58m in | US 87; MT 200 / East Main Street

Turn left onto US 87; MT 200 / East Main Street

Navigation decision point

5
377.5 mi into trip | ~6h 52m in

Take the exit toward MT 261: Wibaux, Baker

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

Toward MT 261: Wibaux, Baker

Main Roads

Road Distance Duration
US Highway 87 196.5 mi 3h 34m
US 87 96.6 mi 1h 44m
State Highway 7 44.3 mi 1h 5m
MT 200 S 43.4 mi 46m
I 94 29.8 mi 27m
10th Avenue South 5.7 mi 7m
Truck Bypass 2.6 mi 3m
Northeast Main Street 1.1 mi 2m
Longest stretch: US Highway 87 — 196.5 mi, about 3h 34m

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

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

Continue on US 87; US 191; MT 200

15 mi · 15 min · US 87; US 191; MT 200
10

Turn straight onto US 191

2.6 mi · 3 min · Truck Bypass
11

Continue on 1st Avenue North

0.3 mi · 37 sec · 1st Avenue North
12

Turn left onto US 87; MT 200

0.4 mi · 1 min · East Main Street
13

Continue on US 87; MT 200

1.1 mi · 2 min · Northeast Main Street
14

Continue on US 87; MT 200

196 mi · 3 hr 34 min · US Highway 87
15

Continue on MT 200 S

43 mi · 46 min · MT 200 S
16

Continue on MT 200S

520 ft · 14 sec · MT 200S
17

Take the ramp

0.2 mi · 29 sec
18

Merge onto I 94

30 mi · 27 min · I 94
19

Take the exit

0.4 mi · 47 sec
Toward MT 261: Wibaux, Baker
20

Turn right onto MT 261

272 ft · 5 sec · MT 261
21

Continue on 2nd Avenue North

0.2 mi · 17 sec · 2nd Avenue North
22

Turn right onto MT 7

44 mi · 1 hr 5 min · State Highway 7
23

Continue on MT 7

0.3 mi · 26 sec · Main Street
24

Turn right onto US 12

0.4 mi · 43 sec · West Montana Avenue
25

Turn left onto 6th Street West

329 ft · 14 sec · 6th Street West
26

Arrive at destination

6th Street West

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.

This drive is better paced as a 2-day trip.
Plan roughly 2 meaningful breaks for fuel, food, and rest.
The halfway point lands around 211.6 miles from Great Falls, MT, or about 3h 55m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 196.5 miles.

Consider an overnight stop or starting very early.

Departure

Before you leave

Start with fuel, water, and navigation already sorted so the first hour feels easy.

First stop

Around 93 miles or 1h 42m in

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

Halfway reset

Around 211.6 miles or 3h 55m in

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

Overnight split

Day 1 wrap after about 211.6 miles or 3h 55m

Stop before fatigue turns the last few hours into a grind. You want day two to start fresh, not just resumed.

Final approach

Final hour starts around 6h 38m

Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Baker, 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.

+

Pick one backup stop option before the midpoint in case traffic changes your pacing.

+

Treat this as a 2-day road trip and book the overnight stop before the busiest arrival window.

Day 1

Settle into the route from Great Falls, MT

Aim for roughly 212 miles and 4 hours of wheel time on this day.

Day 2

Finish the approach into Baker, MT

Aim for roughly 212 miles and 4 hours of wheel time on this day.

Your first comfortable stop window is around 93 miles from Great Falls, MT.
This route usually feels better as a 2-day drive than as one long push.
Plan about 2 real breaks rather than only quick fuel stops.
The longest stretch is on US Highway 87 for about 196.5 miles.

Where to Stop

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

Halfway Point

Midpoint

About 211.6 mi from Great Falls, MT · 3h 55m into the drive

human settlement in Yellowstone County, Montana, United States of America

Mid-route town

Overnight candidate

Lockwood, MT

212 mi into the route

Best for: Hotel check-in, dinner, and a fresh start

This lines up well with a realistic day-end stop if you are breaking the drive into stages.

Find hotels in Lockwood, MT

Overnight Options

Night 1

Lockwood, MT

212 mi · about 4h in

A practical overnight split lands near Lockwood, MT after about 212 miles or 4 hours of driving.

Find hotels

Pacing Suggestions

Lewistown, MT

Fuel and coffee

A short stop after about 93 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.

Forsyth, MT

Meal break

The midpoint is around 211.6 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 Highway 87 if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 196.5 miles.

Overnight split

Hotel stop

For a steadier pace, wrap day one after about 212 miles or 4 hours on the road.

Arriving in Baker, MT

The final approach into Baker, 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 Baker, MT.

On a multi-day trip, keep the last day a little lighter so you reach Baker, MT with some flexibility left in the schedule.

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.

Nearby Places

Restaurants, cafes, gas stations and more along your route.

Top Restaurant

Electric City Coffee, Coffee House and Bakery

4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Great Falls, Montana

Near the start, right off the route

0.4 mi from route ~1 min detour $10 to $20

Hours: 7 am–3 pm

+14064524529

Visit website

Paniolo Cafe

4.9 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Great Falls, Montana

0.4 mi

Luna Coffee Bar

4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Great Falls, Montana

0.4 mi

Top Coffee Stop

Crooked Tree Coffee Downtown

4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Great Falls, Montana

Near the start, right off the route

0.4 mi from route ~1 min detour $1 to $10

Hours: 7 am–2 pm

+14063151221

Visit website

Great Harvest Bread Co.

4.8 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Great Falls, Montana

0.5 mi

Cenex

4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Baker, Montana

0.2 mi

Electric City Coffee, Coffee House and Bakery

4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, right off the route

0.4 mi from route ~1 min detour $10 to $20

Great Falls, Montana

Hours: 7 am–3 pm

+14064524529

Visit website

Paniolo Cafe

4.9 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, right off the route

0.4 mi from route ~1 min detour $10 to $20

Great Falls, Montana

Hours: 9 am–2 pm

+14063152565

Visit website

Luna Coffee Bar

4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, right off the route

0.4 mi from route ~1 min detour $1 to $10

Great Falls, Montana

Hours: 7 am–9 pm

+14066040101

Visit website

Wheat Montana Great Falls

4.4 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Near the start, right off the route

0.6 mi from route ~2 min detour $10 to $20

Great Falls, Montana

Hours: 6 am–6 pm

+14067717456

Visit website

Brian's Top Notch Cafe

4.4 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Near the start, right off the route

0.4 mi from route ~1 min detour $10 to $20

Great Falls, Montana

Hours: 7 am–2 pm

+14067274255

Visit website

Double Barrel Coffee House Cafe

4.5 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, right off the route

1 mi from route ~2 min detour $10 to $20

Great Falls, Montana

Hours: 5:30 am–2 pm

+14063152463

Visit website

Lunch Box

4.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Later in the drive, right off the route

0.9 mi from route ~2 min detour $10 to $20 mile 302.2

Circle, Montana

Hours: 7 am–6 pm

+14064852386

Wooden Nickel

4.5 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Later in the drive, right off the route

0.9 mi from route ~2 min detour $10 to $20 mile 302.2

Circle, Montana

Hours: 11 am–8 pm

+14064852575

Crooked Tree Coffee Downtown

4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, right off the route

0.4 mi from route ~1 min detour $1 to $10

Great Falls, Montana

Hours: 7 am–2 pm

+14063151221

Visit website

Great Harvest Bread Co.

4.8 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, right off the route

0.5 mi from route ~1 min detour $10 to $20

Great Falls, Montana

Hours: 6 am–5 pm

+14064526941

Visit website

Cenex

4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, right off the route

0.2 mi from route ~1 min detour mile 423.1

Baker, Montana

Hours: 4:30 am–10 pm

+14067782519

Visit website

The Coffeehouse at Lawler’s

4.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, right off the route

0.4 mi from route ~1 min detour $1 to $10 mile 423.1

Baker, Montana

Hours: 6 am–5 pm

+14067782418

Visit website

honey hippo. Play Café

4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, right off the route

0.4 mi from route ~1 min detour $10 to $20

Great Falls, Montana

Hours: 9 am–7 pm

+14069520209

Visit website

Morning Light Coffee Roasters

4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, short detour

1.1 mi from route ~3 min detour $1 to $10

Great Falls, Montana

Hours: 6 am–4 pm

+14064538443

Visit website

True Brew Espresso

4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, short detour

1.3 mi from route ~3 min detour $1 to $10

Great Falls, MT

Hours: 5:30 am–4 pm

+14067703121

Visit website

True Brew Espresso

4.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, short detour

1.2 mi from route ~3 min detour $1 to $10

Great Falls, Montana

Hours: 5:30 am–4 pm

+14063152658

Visit website

Tesla Destination Charger

5.0 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, short detour

1.1 mi from route ~3 min detour

Great Falls, Montana

+14069524444

Visit website

Tesla Supercharger

4.4 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Near the start, short detour

2.1 mi from route ~5 min detour

Great Falls, Montana

Hours: Open 24 hours

Visit website

Blink Charging Station

1.0 ★ ☆ ☆ ☆ ☆

Near the start, short detour

1.1 mi from route ~3 min detour

Great Falls, Montana

Hours: Open 24 hours

+18889982546

Visit website

ChargePoint Charging Station

Near the start, right off the route

0.3 mi from route ~1 min detour

Great Falls, Montana

Hours: Open 24 hours

+18887584389

Visit website

TurnOnGreen Charging Station

Near the start, right off the route

0.3 mi from route ~1 min detour

Great Falls, Montana

+15106572635

Visit website

EV Connect Charging Station

Near the start, right off the route

0.5 mi from route ~1 min detour

Great Falls, Montana

Hours: Open 24 hours

+18668167584

Visit website

Blink Charging Station

Near the start, right off the route

0.5 mi from route ~1 min detour

Great Falls, Montana

Hours: Open 24 hours

+18889982546

Visit website

ChargePoint Charging Station

Near the start, short detour

1.1 mi from route ~3 min detour

Great Falls, Montana

Hours: Open 24 hours

+18887584389

Visit website

Farmer's Union Oil Co

4.3 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Near the end, right off the route

0.2 mi from route ~1 min detour mile 423.1

Baker, Montana

Hours: 5 am–10 pm

+14067782519

Duck Pond | Gibson Park

4.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, right off the route

0.8 mi from route ~2 min detour

Great Falls, Montana

Hours: 6 am–9:30 pm

+14067711265

Visit website

Haute Hive

5.0 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, right off the route

0.5 mi from route ~1 min detour

Great Falls, Montana

Hours: 8 am–5 pm

+14069524663

Visit website

Bloom and Bean

4.5 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, right off the route

0.3 mi from route ~1 min detour

Great Falls, Montana

Hours: 9 am–6 pm

+14063151609

Visit website

Escape the Falls Escape Rooms

4.5 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, right off the route

0.4 mi from route ~1 min detour

Great Falls, Montana

Hours: 1–8:30 pm

+14062858410

Visit website

In Cahoots for Tea

4.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, right off the route

0.4 mi from route ~1 min detour

Great Falls, Montana

Hours: 10 am–4:30 pm

+14064522225

Visit website

T's Happy Cafe

5.0 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, right off the route

0.5 mi from route ~1 min detour mile 60.4

Stanford, Montana

+14065662305

Al Banco Coffee Shop

5.0 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, ~9 min detour

3.4 mi from route ~9 min detour

Great Falls, Montana

Hours: 7 am–2 pm

Visit website

Place data sourced from public business listings. Hours and availability may vary.

Fuel & Cost

Regular Gas

$67.05 one way

$134.09 round trip

$4.03/gal 25.4 MPG avg 148 kg CO2
Fuel Type $/gal One Way Round Trip
midgrade $4.22 $70.28 $140.56
premium $4.53 $75.48 $150.95
diesel $5.61 $93.42 $186.83

No toll roads detected on this route.

Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)

Fuel

$67

Hotel (1n)

$80–$140

Meals

$50–$100

Total

$197–$307

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

Estimated CO2 emission: 148 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.

Driving Electric?

About $44 in charging · 1 stop · 66% less CO2

Vehicle Type kWh Stops DC Fast Home Charge
Average EV 126.9 1 $44.43 $20.31
Efficient EV 105.8 1 $37.02 $16.92
EV Truck/SUV 169.2 2 $59.23 $27.08

Gas CO2

148 kg

EV CO2

50 kg (66% 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

Late night in Great Falls on Saturday

Local time

4:41 AM

MDT

Current temp

68°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

Destination

Baker, MT

Late night in Baker on Saturday

Local time

4:41 AM

MDT

Current temp

72°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.

For long drives, weather on day two can matter just as much as conditions at departure, so check the whole travel window rather than only the first day.

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

4 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

8h on the road

This is long enough that the arrival forecast matters almost as much as departure conditions. Recheck both ends before you roll.

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 Baker, MT covers 423.1 miles and takes about 8h without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.

The main roads are US Highway 87, US 87, State Highway 7. Most of the drive stays on highways, so watch for ramps and exits.

Consider an overnight stop or starting very early.

Yes. This route is usually more comfortable as a 2-day drive. A sensible stopping point is after roughly 212 miles on day one.

The midpoint is about 211.6 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 $67.05 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 2 meaningful breaks 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 8h, endurance matters. Plan breaks every 2-3 hours. The 11 decision points are all manageable with basic attention.

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.

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

How this page is built

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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