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Create accountDrive Time
6h 2m
Distance
312.5 mi
503 km
Drive Score
10/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$50
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
Spanning 312.5 miles across the Mountain West, this trip from Libby to Great Falls is a straightforward journey typically taking about 6 hours and 2 minutes. You will primarily navigate via Minnesota Avenue, US Route 2, and US 89. While it is feasible to complete this drive in a single day, the duration makes for a full day behind the wheel, so plan your schedule accordingly. Budget roughly $50 for fuel to cover the distance comfortably. Since both endpoints are located within Montana, you can expect a consistent regional feel as you transition across the state. This route offers a direct path, making it an efficient choice for those looking to connect these two Montana hubs without unnecessary detours.
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
156.2 miles from Libby, MT
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 3h 3m into the drive .
This highway-focused drive balances longer stretches of open road with localized navigation. With 63% of the journey spent on highways, you should prepare for a steady pace throughout the trip. Your longest uninterrupted stretch occurs early on, covering 85.3 miles along Minnesota Avenue. As you transition from the initial stretches onto US Route 2 and US 89, the road character shifts, requiring you to remain alert for changes in road type. Expect a mix of driving environments that keep the experience engaging without being overly technical.
High-altitude sections with notable climbs
Total Climb
3,548 ft
Total Descent
2,317 ft
Highest Point
5,114 ft
~169.3 mi in
Elevation Range
3,016 ft
Notable High Points
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on Minnesota Avenue and US Route 2. There are only a few real navigation decisions along the way. The trickiest moment comes around 85.7 miles in near US 2 / West Idaho Street.
Easy - simple navigation with a manageable amount of wheel time
The route itself is not hard, but at 6h 2m, endurance matters. Plan breaks every 2-3 hours. The 15 decision points are all manageable with basic attention.
Where does it get tricky?
The main spots that need attention: at 85.7 miles (US 2 / West Idaho Street): Roundabout - know your exit number before entering; at 96.2 miles (MT 206): Lane positioning matters here; at 105.9 miles (US 2): Navigation decision point.
These are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
Enter roundabout onto US 2 / West Idaho Street
Roundabout - know your exit number before entering
Turn left onto MT 206
Lane positioning matters here
At end of road, turn right onto US 2
Navigation decision point
Enter roundabout onto US 2; US 89
Roundabout - know your exit number before entering
Turn left onto 4th Street South
Navigation decision point
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| Minnesota Avenue | 85.3 mi | 1h 35m |
| US Route 2 | 81.3 mi | 1h 32m |
| US 89 | 76.4 mi | 1h 26m |
| United States Route 89 | 16.8 mi | 18m |
| 1st Road Southeast | 14.7 mi | 15m |
| MT 206 | 9.7 mi | 12m |
| First Special Service Force Memorial Highway | 9.5 mi | 8m |
| US 2 | 5.4 mi | 8m |
Step-by-step road directions between Libby, MT and Great Falls, MT.
Start on US 2
Continue on US 2
Enter roundabout onto US 2
Continue on US 2
Continue on US 2
Turn straight onto MT 35
Continue on MT 35
Turn left onto MT 206
At end of road, turn right onto US 2
Continue on US 2
Enter roundabout onto US 2; US 89
Continue on US 2; US 89
Turn straight onto US 89
Enter roundabout onto US 89
Continue on US 89
Turn straight onto US 89
Continue on US 89
Continue on US 89
At end of road, turn left onto US 89; MT 200
Take the exit onto US 89; MT 200
Merge onto I 15; US 89; MT 200
Take the exit onto I 15 Business
Turn left onto I 15 Business
Continue on I 15 Business
Continue on I 15 Business
Turn right onto I 15 Business
Turn right onto 4th Avenue South
Turn left onto 4th Street South
Arrive at destination
Given the 6-hour drive time, aim to depart early in the morning to maximize your daylight hours on the road. You only have one planned stop in the data, so verify your fuel levels before heading out to ensure you stay within your $50 budget. Because this route relies heavily on major roads like US 89, traffic flow can be predictable, but be mindful of the significant distance covered in a single sitting. If you find the 312.5-mile stretch tiring, prioritize a mid-trip break to stretch your legs and reset. Staying aware of your fuel gauge during that initial 85.3-mile stretch on Minnesota Avenue is the best way to ensure a smooth, stress-free trip.
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 30m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 156.2 miles or 3h 3m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 4h 58m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Great Falls, MT than in the middle of the route.
Open the route before leaving Libby, 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 Libby, MT
This is one driving day of about 312.5 miles and 6h 2m.
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 156.2 mi from Libby, MT · 3h 3m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
156 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 156.2 miles from Libby, MT, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Before the longest stretch
Fuel checkTop up before Minnesota Avenue if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 85.3 miles.
The final approach into Great Falls, 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 Great Falls, MT.
These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.
Regular Gas
$49.52 one way
$99.04 round trip
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.23 | $52.05 | $104.11 |
| premium | $4.53 | $55.72 | $111.44 |
| diesel | $5.64 | $69.43 | $138.85 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$50
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$75–$100
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 109.3 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-06.
Driving Electric?
About $33 in charging · 1 stop · 66% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 93.8 | 1 | $32.81 | $15.00 |
| Efficient EV | 78.1 | 0 | $27.34 | $12.50 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 125 | 1 | $43.75 | $20.00 |
Gas CO2
109 kg
EV CO2
37 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.
Current conditions at both ends of the drive.
Origin
Evening in Libby on Sunday
Local time
5:19 PM
MDT
Current temp
42°F
Areas Of Fog
Destination
Evening in Great Falls on Sunday
Local time
5:19 PM
MDT
Current temp
39°F
Partly Cloudy
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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