Origin
Plentywood, MT
Night in Plentywood on Wednesday
Local time
11:19 PM
MDT
Current temp
65°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Plentywood, MT to Great Falls, MT
Last recalculated Apr 16, 2026
Drive Time
7h 59m
Distance
421.7 mi
679 km
Drive Score
8/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$67
one way
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
7h 51m
★
6 AM
7h 59m
8 AM
8h 17m
10 AM
8h 5m
12 PM
8h 4m
3 PM
8h 6m
5 PM
8h 16m
8 PM
7h 54m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Plentywood, MT
Walter Coppola
Great Falls, MT
Wikimedia Commons
Trip Overview
The drive from Plentywood, MT to Great Falls, MT covers 421.7 miles and takes about 7h 59m behind the wheel. This route is realistic as a one-day drive if you keep your stops efficient.
The route leans on US 2, US 87, Theodore Roosevelt Expressway for much of the mileage, and the overall profile is highway-focused drive. The longest uninterrupted segment is about 232.9 miles on US 2. At current regular gas prices, budget about $66.82 one way before food or hotel costs.
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
2 planned breaks
Plan on a short reset every 3 to 4 hours to stay fresh behind the wheel.
Midpoint
210.9 miles from Plentywood, MT
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 4h into the drive .
Drive Character
This is a 7h 59m highway drive covering 421.7 miles, with most of the trip on US 2 and US 87. The longest continuous stretch is about 232.9 miles on US 2.
Most of the miles stay on highways, which makes pacing and fuel planning easier than turn-by-turn city driving.
There are about 19 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.
US 2 is the longest continuous segment at about 232.9 miles.
How Hard Is This Drive?
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on US 2 and US 87. There are only a few real navigation decisions along the way. The trickiest moment comes early in the drive near MT 5; MT 16 / West 1st Avenue.
Route Complexity
4/10
Easy - simple navigation with a manageable amount of wheel time
The route itself is not hard, but at 7h 59m, 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 (MT 5; MT 16 / West 1st Avenue): Navigation decision point; at 47.1 miles (US 2; MT 16 / 6th Street East): Navigation decision point; at 78.6 miles (US 2): Roundabout - know your exit number before entering.
Critical Maneuvers
5 of 11 key pointsThese are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
4
0 mi into trip
|
~0m in
|
MT 5; MT 16 / West 1st Avenue
Turn right onto MT 5; MT 16 / West 1st Avenue
Navigation decision point
4
47.1 mi into trip
|
~53m in
|
US 2; MT 16 / 6th Street East
Turn right onto US 2; MT 16 / 6th Street East
Navigation decision point
4
78.6 mi into trip
|
~1h 29m in
|
US 2
Enter roundabout onto US 2
Roundabout - know your exit number before entering
6
311.4 mi into trip
|
~5h 55m in
|
US 87
Turn left onto US 87
Lane positioning matters here
Use the left lane.
5
421.7 mi into trip
|
~7h 59m in
|
4th Street South
Turn left onto 4th Street South
Navigation decision point
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| US 2 | 232.9 mi | 4h 25m |
| US 87 | 107.3 mi | 1h 58m |
| Theodore Roosevelt Expressway | 46.1 mi | 52m |
| 6th Street East | 31.5 mi | 36m |
| 9th Street North | 1 mi | 2m |
| Old Havre Highway | 0.8 mi | <1m |
| West 1st Avenue | 0.8 mi | <1m |
| 5th Street North | 0.5 mi | <1m |
Longest stretch:
US 2
— 232.9 mi, about 4h 25m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Plentywood, MT and Great Falls, MT.
1
Start on South Washington Street
211 ft
·
13 sec
·
South Washington Street
2
Turn right onto MT 5; MT 16
0.8 mi
·
56 sec
·
West 1st Avenue
3
Continue on MT 5; MT 16
46 mi
·
52 min
·
Theodore Roosevelt Expressway
4
Continue on MT 16
0.1 mi
·
11 sec
·
1st Avenue East
5
Turn right onto US 2; MT 16
32 mi
·
36 min
·
6th Street East
6
Enter roundabout onto US 2
129 ft
·
1 sec
·
US 2
7
Continue on US 2
0.5 mi
·
36 sec
·
US 2
8
Enter roundabout onto US 2
125 ft
·
1 sec
·
US 2
9
Continue on US 2
232 mi
·
4 hr 25 min
·
US 2
Use the left lane.
10
Turn left onto US 87
107 mi
·
1 hr 58 min
·
US 87
Use the left lane.
11
Continue on US 87
297 ft
·
5 sec
·
15th Street Northeast
12
Turn right onto Old Havre Highway
0.8 mi
·
59 sec
·
Old Havre Highway
13
Continue on 10th Street Northeast
0.2 mi
·
19 sec
·
10th Street Northeast
14
Continue on 9th Street North
1.0 mi
·
2 min
·
9th Street North
15
Turn right onto 2nd Avenue North
0.3 mi
·
38 sec
·
2nd Avenue North
16
Turn left onto 5th Street North
0.5 mi
·
44 sec
·
5th Street North
17
Turn right onto 4th Avenue South
429 ft
·
24 sec
·
4th Avenue South
18
Turn left onto 4th Street South
229 ft
·
10 sec
·
4th Street South
19
Arrive at destination
4th Street South
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.
You can normally do this drive in one day.
Plan roughly 2 meaningful breaks for fuel, food, and rest.
The halfway point lands around 210.9 miles from Plentywood, MT, or about 4h into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 232.9 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 93 miles or 1h 46m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 210.9 miles or 4h in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 6h 51m
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 Plentywood, 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.
Day 1
Settle into the route from Plentywood, MT
This is one driving day of about 421.7 miles and 7h 59m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 93 miles from Plentywood, MT.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
Plan about 2 real breaks rather than only quick fuel stops.
The longest stretch is on US 2 for about 232.9 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 210.9 mi from Plentywood, MT · 4h into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
211 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 93 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 210.9 miles from Plentywood, MT, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Before the longest stretch
Fuel checkTop up before US 2 if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 232.9 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
$66.82 one way
$133.65 round trip
$4.03/gal
25.4 MPG avg
148 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.22 | $70.05 | $140.09 |
| premium | $4.53 | $75.23 | $150.45 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $93.11 | $186.21 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$67
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$92–$117
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 147.5 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $44 in charging · 1 stop · 67% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 126.5 | 1 | $44.28 | $20.24 |
| Efficient EV | 105.4 | 1 | $36.90 | $16.87 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 168.7 | 2 | $59.04 | $26.99 |
Gas CO2
148 kg
EV CO2
49 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.
Travel Intel
Current conditions at both ends of the drive.
Destination
Great Falls, MT
Night in Great Falls on Wednesday
Local time
11:19 PM
MDT
Current temp
68°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
70°F
Malta, MT
211 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
Same local time
Origin and destination are on the same clock, so arrival timing is easier to judge at a glance.
Temperature spread
3 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
7h 59m on the road
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.
Frequently Asked Questions
The drive from Plentywood, MT to Great Falls, MT covers 421.7 miles and takes about 7h 59m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are US 2, US 87, Theodore Roosevelt Expressway. Most of the drive stays on highways, so watch for ramps and exits.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 210.9 miles from Plentywood, MT. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $66.82 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 7h 59m, 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 (MT 5; MT 16 / West 1st Avenue): Navigation decision point; at 47.1 miles (US 2; MT 16 / 6th Street East): Navigation decision point; at 78.6 miles (US 2): Roundabout - know your exit number before entering.
The route from Plentywood, MT to Great Falls, MT does not surface many named destination signs beyond the main corridor.
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