Origin
Great Falls, MT
Evening in Great Falls on Thursday
Local time
5:57 PM
MDT
Current temp
68°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Great Falls, MT to Dillon, MT
Last recalculated Apr 16, 2026
Drive Time
3h 37m
Distance
218.2 mi
351 km
Drive Score
9/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$35
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
3h 25m
★
6 AM
3h 37m
8 AM
4h 2m
10 AM
3h 46m
12 PM
3h 43m
3 PM
3h 47m
5 PM
4h 1m
8 PM
3h 30m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Great Falls, MT
Wikimedia Commons
Dillon, MT
Wikimedia Commons
Trip Overview
This 218.2-mile drive from Great Falls, Montana to Dillon, Montana will take you about 3 hours and 37 minutes of pure driving time. It's a manageable one-day trip, making it ideal for a single-day adventure without needing an overnight stop. You'll navigate through a mix of roads, including First Special Service Force Memorial Highway and I-15, with about 27% of the journey on highways. Expect a fuel cost of around $35 for this excursion. Both your origin and destination are within the Mountain West region, so you'll experience consistent Western landscapes throughout.
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
109.1 miles from Great Falls, MT
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h 50m into the drive .
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 3h 37m. Total distance: 218.2 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
3h 37m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (27%). Straightforward navigation.
Scenic Drive
Turn-heavy local drive route profile.
Drive Character
Expect a turn-heavy local drive for much of this 218.2-mile journey. While 27% of the route involves highway driving, the majority will feel more like a local exploration. The longest uninterrupted stretch you’ll encounter is 155.7 miles along the First Special Service Force Memorial Highway, offering a good segment of consistent travel before you need to navigate through different road types. The profile suggests a dynamic driving experience, shifting between more open highway and winding local roads as you progress towards Dillon.
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.
First Special Service Force Memorial Highway is the longest continuous segment at about 155.7 miles.
How Hard Is This Drive?
Expect a hands-on drive with frequent turns and local roads rather than long highway stretches. 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.
This is a straightforward 3h 37m drive. You will face about 9 decision points, but nothing that requires special attention if you follow navigation.
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 158.9 miles (I 15): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Critical Maneuvers
5 of 9 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 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
6
158.9 mi into trip
|
~2h 39m in
|
I 15
Keep slight right at fork onto I 15 toward I 15 South: Dillon, Idaho Falls
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Toward I 15 South: Dillon, Idaho Falls
5
216.5 mi into trip
|
~3h 33m in
|
I 15 Bus
Take the exit onto I 15 Bus toward I 15 Business, MT 41: Dillon, Twin Bridges
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Toward I 15 Business, MT 41: Dillon, Twin Bridg...
5
218.1 mi into trip
|
~3h 36m in
|
South Idaho Street
Turn right onto South Idaho Street
Navigation decision point
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
On the drive from Great Falls, MT to Dillon, MT, road signs begin pointing toward Idaho Falls along the way.
Idaho Falls
158.9 mi in
|
~2h 39m
|
via I 15
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| First Special Service Force Memorial Highway | 155.7 mi | 2h 32m |
| I 15 | 57.5 mi | 53m |
| Country Club Boulevard | 1.3 mi | 2m |
| I 15 Bus | 0.8 mi | 1m |
| 10th Avenue South | 0.7 mi | 1m |
| I 15 BUS | 0.7 mi | 1m |
| Black Tail Boulevard | 0.6 mi | 1m |
| 5th Street South | 0.4 mi | <1m |
Longest stretch:
First Special Service Force Memorial Highway
— 155.7 mi, about 2h 32m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Great Falls, MT and Dillon, 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
·
37 sec
·
5th Street South
4
Turn right onto I 15 Business; US 89; MT 3; MT 200
0.7 mi
·
1 min
·
10th Avenue South
5
Continue on I 15 Business; US 89; MT 3; MT 200
1.3 mi
·
2 min
·
Country Club Boulevard
6
Keep slight left at fork onto I 15 BUS
0.7 mi
·
1 min
·
I 15 BUS
7
Merge onto I 15
156 mi
·
2 hr 32 min
·
First Special Service Force Memorial Highway
8
Keep slight right at fork onto I 15
58 mi
·
53 min
·
I 15
Toward I 15 South: Dillon, Idaho Falls
9
Take the exit onto I 15 Bus
0.8 mi
·
1 min
·
I 15 Bus
Toward I 15 Business, MT 41: Dillon, Twin Bridges
10
Turn right onto Black Tail Boulevard
0.6 mi
·
1 min
·
Black Tail Boulevard
11
Continue on West Bannack Street
0.3 mi
·
42 sec
·
West Bannack Street
12
Turn right onto South Idaho Street
350 ft
·
15 sec
·
South Idaho Street
13
Arrive at destination
South Idaho Street
Trip Plan
With a total duration of just under 4 hours, this route offers flexibility for when you depart. Consider an early morning start to maximize your daylight hours and allow for a leisurely pace. There's one recommended stop, which is a good opportunity to stretch your legs and refuel. Keep an eye on your fuel levels, as the longest stretch without significant road changes is over 155 miles. The estimated fuel cost is $35, so budget accordingly for this straightforward, one-day trip.
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 109.1 miles from Great Falls, MT, or about 1h 50m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 155.7 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 48 miles or 50m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 109.1 miles or 1h 50m 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 57m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Dillon, 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 218.2 miles and 3h 37m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 48 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 First Special Service Force Memorial Highway for about 155.7 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 109.1 mi from Great Falls, MT · 1h 50m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
109 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 48 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 109.1 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 First Special Service Force Memorial Highway if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 155.7 miles.
Arriving in Dillon, MT
The final approach into Dillon, 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 Dillon, 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
$34.58 one way
$69.15 round trip
$4.03/gal
25.4 MPG avg
76 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.22 | $36.24 | $72.49 |
| premium | $4.53 | $38.92 | $77.85 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $48.18 | $96.35 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$35
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$60–$85
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 76.3 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $23 in charging · 0 stops · 66% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 65.5 | 0 | $22.91 | $10.47 |
| Efficient EV | 54.6 | 0 | $19.09 | $8.73 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 87.3 | 1 | $30.55 | $13.96 |
Gas CO2
76 kg
EV CO2
26 kg (66% less)
Plan for 0 charging stops, roughly every 270 miles. Allow 25-40 minutes per stop at a DC fast charger.
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
Dillon, MT
Evening in Dillon on Thursday
Local time
5:57 PM
MDT
Current temp
64°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
4 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
3h 37m 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 Dillon, MT covers 218.2 miles and takes about 3h 37m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are First Special Service Force Memorial Highway, I 15, Country Club Boulevard. Expect a mix of highway and local road driving.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 109.1 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 $34.58 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. A short stop every 2 to 3 hours is enough for this drive.
This is a straightforward 3h 37m drive. You will face about 9 decision points, but nothing that requires special attention if you follow navigation.
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 158.9 miles (I 15): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
On the drive from Great Falls, MT to Dillon, MT, road signs begin pointing toward Idaho Falls along the way.
Was this helpful?
Thanks for your feedback!
Your tip has been submitted. Thanks!
/500
Recent Tips
·
Explore More
Continue From Dillon, MT
More trips to Dillon, MT
Explore more options from Great Falls, MT or browse trips ending in Dillon, MT.
Looking for more statewide routes? Browse MT road trips.
Explore maps for Great Falls, MT or Dillon, MT on MapSof.net.