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Create accountDrive Time
6h 27m
Distance
348.5 mi
561 km
Drive Score
8/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$55
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.
West Glendive, MT
Castorly Stock
Great Falls, MT
Tomás Asurmendi
Traveling from West Glendive to Great Falls covers 348.5 miles across the heart of Montana. Plan for approximately 6 hours and 27 minutes of total drive time, making this a manageable single-day trek if you get an early start. Budget about $55 for fuel to complete the journey, which relies primarily on MT 200 S and US 87. Since the entire route stays within the Mountain West region, you will experience a consistent high-plains atmosphere throughout the trip. While it can be accomplished in one day, having the flexibility to stop along the way helps keep the experience comfortable. Overall, this is a straightforward highway-focused drive that connects two distinct Montana hubs without requiring an overnight stay.
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
174.3 miles from West Glendive, MT
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 3h 10m into the drive .
Expect a dedicated highway experience, as 99% of this route consists of high-speed transit. You will spend the bulk of your time on MT 200 S, which features a significant 217.9-mile stretch that demands your full attention. The personality of this drive is defined by long, open horizons and consistent road conditions rather than technical turns or complex navigation. Because the route is almost entirely highway-based, the transition between West Glendive and Great Falls feels steady and predictable. Keep your focus sharp during the long miles on MT 200 S, as the open landscape can lead to a monotonous pace behind the wheel.
Mostly flat terrain
Total Climb
406 ft
Total Descent
14 ft
Highest Point
2,528 ft
~14.5 mi in
Elevation Range
406 ft
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on MT 200 S and US 87. There are only a few real navigation decisions along the way. The trickiest moment comes around 0.9 miles in.
Easy - simple navigation with a manageable amount of wheel time
The route itself is not hard, but at 6h 27m, endurance matters. Plan breaks every 2-3 hours. The 7 decision points are all manageable with basic attention.
Where does it get tricky?
The main spots that need attention: at 0.9 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early; at 242.5 miles (1st Avenue North): Navigation decision point; at 324.7 miles: Roundabout - know your exit number before entering.
These are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
Take the exit
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early
Turn right onto 1st Avenue North
Navigation decision point
Enter roundabout
Roundabout - know your exit number before entering
Turn left onto 5th Avenue South
Navigation decision point
Turn right onto 4th Street South
Navigation decision point
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| MT 200 S | 217.9 mi | 3h 58m |
| US 87 | 110.9 mi | 2h 5m |
| US Highway 87 | 14.7 mi | 15m |
| Truck Bypass | 2.6 mi | 3m |
| I 94 | 0.9 mi | <1m |
| 6th Street South | 0.4 mi | <1m |
| 1st Avenue North | 0.3 mi | <1m |
| 5th Avenue South | 0.2 mi | <1m |
Step-by-step road directions between West Glendive, MT and Great Falls, MT.
Start on I 94
Take the exit
Turn right onto MT 200 S
Continue on US 87; MT 200
Turn right onto 1st Avenue North
Continue on US 191
Continue on US 87; US 191; MT 200
Continue on US 87; MT 3; MT 200
Turn slight right
Enter roundabout
Continue
Continue on US 87; US 89; MT 3; MT 200
Turn right onto I 15 Business
Turn left onto 5th Avenue South
Turn right onto 4th Street South
Arrive at destination
To make the most of this 348.5-mile journey, aim to depart early in the morning to avoid fatigue during the longest 217.9-mile stretch. Since you only have one planned stop in your itinerary, ensure you use that break efficiently to stretch and refuel before pushing through the remainder of the drive. Keep an eye on your gas gauge throughout the trip, as the $55 fuel estimate assumes steady driving and consistent consumption. Because the route is highway-focused, take advantage of the predictable road conditions to maintain a steady pace, but stay alert for the changing terrain as you approach Great Falls. Preparing for a long, uninterrupted haul is the best way to ensure you arrive at your destination refreshed.
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 27m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 174.3 miles or 3h 10m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 5h 17m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Great Falls, MT than in the middle of the route.
Open the route before leaving West Glendive, 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 West Glendive, MT
This is one driving day of about 348.5 miles and 6h 27m.
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 174.3 mi from West Glendive, MT · 3h 10m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
174 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 174.3 miles from West Glendive, MT, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Before the longest stretch
Fuel checkTop up before MT 200 S if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 217.9 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.
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.
Regular Gas
$55.22 one way
$110.45 round trip
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.23 | $58.05 | $116.10 |
| premium | $4.53 | $62.14 | $124.28 |
| diesel | $5.64 | $77.42 | $154.85 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$55
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$80–$105
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 121.9 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-06.
Driving Electric?
About $37 in charging · 1 stop · 66% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 104.6 | 1 | $36.59 | $16.73 |
| Efficient EV | 87.1 | 0 | $30.49 | $13.94 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 139.4 | 1 | $48.79 | $22.30 |
Gas CO2
122 kg
EV CO2
41 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 West Glendive on Sunday
Local time
5:20 PM
MDT
Current temp
49°F
Chance Showers And Thunderstorms
Destination
Evening in Great Falls on Sunday
Local time
5:20 PM
MDT
Current temp
39°F
Partly Cloudy
Along the Route
27°F
Lewistown, MT
174 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
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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