Origin
Malta, MT
Late night in Malta on Wednesday
Local time
3:08 AM
MDT
Current temp
70°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Malta, MT to Great Falls, MT
Data updated 0 seconds ago
Drive Time
3h 48m
Distance
202 mi
325 km
Drive Score
10/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$32
one way
EV Charging
Loading...
station data
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
3h 36m
★
6 AM
3h 48m
8 AM
4h 14m
10 AM
3h 57m
12 PM
3h 55m
3 PM
3h 58m
5 PM
4h 12m
8 PM
3h 41m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Malta, MT
Elena Lyubimova
Great Falls, MT
Wikimedia Commons
Trip Overview
This 202-mile drive from Malta to Great Falls, Montana, will take you approximately 3 hours and 48 minutes. Primarily utilizing US 87, North 1st Street West, and 9th Street North, this trip is easily manageable as a single-day adventure. With an estimated fuel cost of $32, it's a budget-friendly option for exploring the Mountain West region. You'll experience a mixed drive, offering a varied experience on your journey across Montana. This route is ideal for a day trip, allowing you to depart and arrive within the same day.
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
101 miles from Malta, MT
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h 54m into the drive .
Loading map...
Drive Character
The character of this drive is a mixed bag, with 53% of the route being on highways. You'll encounter a longest uninterrupted stretch of 107.3 miles on US 87, offering a good opportunity to settle in. Expect a blend of faster highway driving and some local road navigation as you approach your destination. This isn't a monotonous interstate slog; rather, it’s a route that offers some variety in its pacing and road types.
Expect a mix of faster highway mileage and slower local approaches near the beginning or end.
There are about 12 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.
US 87 is the longest continuous segment at about 107.3 miles.
How Hard Is This Drive?
This route mixes highway mileage with some local-road sections near the start or finish. There are only a few real navigation decisions along the way. The trickiest moment comes around 0.1 miles in near US 2; US 191 / North 1st Street West.
Route Complexity
3/10
Easy - simple navigation with a manageable amount of wheel time
This is a straightforward 3h 48m drive. You will face about 7 decision points, but nothing that requires special attention if you follow navigation.
Where does it get tricky?
The main spots that need attention: at 0.1 miles (US 2; US 191 / North 1st Street West): Lane positioning matters here; at 91.7 miles (US 87): Lane positioning matters here; at 201.1 miles (2nd Avenue North): Navigation decision point.
Critical Maneuvers
5 of 7 key pointsThese are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
5
0.1 mi into trip
|
~0m in
|
US 2; US 191 / North 1st Street West
Turn left onto US 2; US 191 / North 1st Street West
Lane positioning matters here
Use the left lane.
6
91.7 mi into trip
|
~1h 44m in
|
US 87
Turn left onto US 87
Lane positioning matters here
Use the left lane.
4
201.1 mi into trip
|
~3h 46m in
|
2nd Avenue North
Turn right onto 2nd Avenue North
Navigation decision point
4
201.4 mi into trip
|
~3h 46m in
|
5th Street North
Turn left onto 5th Street North
Navigation decision point
5
201.9 mi into trip
|
~3h 48m in
|
4th Street South
Turn left onto 4th Street South
Navigation decision point
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| US 87 | 107.3 mi | 1h 58m |
| North 1st Street West | 91.6 mi | 1h 44m |
| 9th Street North | 1 mi | 2m |
| Old Havre Highway | 0.8 mi | <1m |
| 5th Street North | 0.5 mi | <1m |
| 2nd Avenue North | 0.3 mi | <1m |
| 10th Street Northeast | 0.2 mi | <1m |
| Central Avenue South | 0.1 mi | <1m |
Longest stretch:
US 87
— 107.3 mi, about 1h 58m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Malta, MT and Great Falls, MT.
1
Start on US 191
0.1 mi
·
10 sec
·
Central Avenue South
2
Turn left onto US 2; US 191
92 mi
·
1 hr 44 min
·
North 1st Street West
Use the left lane.
3
Turn left onto US 87
107 mi
·
1 hr 58 min
·
US 87
Use the left lane.
4
Continue on US 87
297 ft
·
5 sec
·
15th Street Northeast
5
Turn right onto Old Havre Highway
0.8 mi
·
59 sec
·
Old Havre Highway
6
Continue on 10th Street Northeast
0.2 mi
·
19 sec
·
10th Street Northeast
7
Continue on 9th Street North
1.0 mi
·
2 min
·
9th Street North
8
Turn right onto 2nd Avenue North
0.3 mi
·
38 sec
·
2nd Avenue North
9
Turn left onto 5th Street North
0.5 mi
·
44 sec
·
5th Street North
10
Turn right onto 4th Avenue South
429 ft
·
24 sec
·
4th Avenue South
11
Turn left onto 4th Street South
229 ft
·
10 sec
·
4th Street South
12
Arrive at destination
4th Street South
Trip Plan
For this 202-mile journey, you have the flexibility to depart at your leisure. Since it’s a manageable 3-hour and 48-minute drive, planning for one stop should be sufficient, but feel free to adjust based on your needs. Keep an eye on your fuel gauge, especially during the 107.3-mile stretch on US 87, as services might be spaced out. The estimated fuel cost is around $32, so factor that into your budget. Arriving in Great Falls, you'll transition from the open roads of Montana into a more urban environment.
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 101 miles from Malta, MT, or about 1h 54m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 107.3 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 80 miles or 1h 31m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 101 miles or 1h 54m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 3h 6m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Great Falls, MT than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving Malta, 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 Malta, MT
This is one driving day of about 202 miles and 3h 48m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 80 miles from Malta, 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 US 87 for about 107.3 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 101 mi from Malta, MT · 1h 54m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
101 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 80 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 101 miles from Malta, 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 107.3 miles.
Arriving in Great Falls, MT
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.
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
$32.01 one way
$64.02 round trip
$4.03/gal
25.4 MPG avg
71 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.22 | $33.55 | $67.11 |
| premium | $4.53 | $36.03 | $72.07 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $44.60 | $89.20 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$32
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$57–$82
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 70.7 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $21 in charging · 0 stops · 66% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 60.6 | 0 | $21.21 | $9.70 |
| Efficient EV | 50.5 | 0 | $17.67 | $8.08 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 80.8 | 1 | $28.28 | $12.93 |
Gas CO2
71 kg
EV CO2
24 kg (66% 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.
Travel Intel
Current conditions at both ends of the drive.
Destination
Great Falls, MT
Late night in Great Falls on Wednesday
Local time
3:08 AM
MDT
Current temp
68°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
2 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 48m 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 Malta, MT to Great Falls, MT covers 202 miles and takes about 3h 48m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are US 87, North 1st Street West, 9th Street North. Expect a mix of highway and local road driving.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 101 miles from Malta, MT. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $32.01 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 48m drive. You will face about 7 decision points, but nothing that requires special attention if you follow navigation.
The main spots that need attention: at 0.1 miles (US 2; US 191 / North 1st Street West): Lane positioning matters here; at 91.7 miles (US 87): Lane positioning matters here; at 201.1 miles (2nd Avenue North): Navigation decision point.
The route from Malta, MT to Great Falls, MT does not surface many named destination signs beyond the main corridor.
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