Trip from Cut Bank, MT to Great Falls, MT

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Compiled and reviewed by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Apr 21, 2026 · Editorial standards

Drive Time

1h 46m

Distance

106.8 mi

172 km

Drive Score

8/10

Great drive

Same Day?

Yes, doable

Fuel Cost

$17

one way

EV Charging

Good

8 stations

Best Time to Leave

Save up to 24 min

4 AM

1h 39m ★

6 AM

1h 47m

8 AM

2h 3m

10 AM

1h 52m

12 PM

1h 51m

3 PM

1h 53m

5 PM

2h 2m

8 PM

1h 42m

Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.

Best Time Drive vs Fly

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Cut Bank, MT

Alex Huahuisa Florez

city in and county seat of Cascade County, Montana, United States

Great Falls, MT

Wikimedia Commons

Trip Overview

This 106.8-mile drive from Cut Bank, MT to Great Falls, MT takes approximately 1 hour and 46 minutes. It's a manageable journey, perfectly suited for a single day trip, with an estimated fuel cost of $17. You'll primarily navigate along the First Special Service Force Memorial Highway, East Main Street, and Central Avenue West. This route stays within the Mountain West region, offering a straightforward transit between two Montana locations. Given its short duration and lack of designated stops, it’s a convenient option for a quick transit or an easy addition to a larger itinerary.

Trip Pace

Same-day drive is realistic

A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.

Midpoint

53.4 miles from Cut Bank, MT

A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 54m into the drive .

Main Roads

Road	Distance	Duration
First Special Service Force Memorial Highway	81.2 mi	1h 16m
East Main Street	22.4 mi	25m
Central Avenue West	1.5 mi	1m
1st Avenue North	0.5 mi	<1m
5th Street North	0.4 mi	<1m
I 15 Business	0.2 mi	<1m
First Avenue North Bridge	0.2 mi	<1m
4th Avenue South	<0.1 mi	<1m

Longest stretch: First Special Service Force Memorial Highway — 81.2 mi, about 1h 16m

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between Cut Bank, MT and Great Falls, MT.

Start on US 2

22 mi · 25 min · East Main Street

Take the exit

0.3 mi · 44 sec

Toward I 15 South: Great Falls

Merge onto I 15

81 mi · 1 hr 16 min · First Special Service Force Memorial Highway

Take the exit onto I 15 Business

0.2 mi · 30 sec · I 15 Business

Toward I 15 Business

Turn left onto I 15 Business

1.5 mi · 1 min · Central Avenue West

Continue on I 15 Business

0.2 mi · 17 sec · First Avenue North Bridge

Continue on I 15 Business

0.5 mi · 51 sec · 1st Avenue North

Turn right onto I 15 Business

0.4 mi · 36 sec · 5th Street North

Turn right onto 4th Avenue South

429 ft · 24 sec · 4th Avenue South

Turn left onto 4th Street South

229 ft · 10 sec · 4th Street South

Arrive at destination

4th Street South

Trip Plan

With a duration of just under two hours, this route offers considerable flexibility. You can depart Cut Bank at your leisure, as there are no specific points that necessitate an early start. Since there are no included stops, you can decide on breaks as needed, perhaps stopping for fuel in Great Falls upon arrival. The estimated fuel cost is $17, so ensure your tank is adequately filled before departing Cut Bank to avoid needing to search for services along the way. Keep an eye out for the transition points between the First Special Service Force Memorial Highway and the local streets of Great Falls.

Morning Departure

Leave by 9 AM and you'll arrive before lunch.

Evening Departure

Even a 4 PM departure gets you there before dark in summer.

You can normally do this drive in one day.

You may only need one short stretch break if traffic stays light.

The halfway point lands around 53.4 miles from Cut Bank, MT, or about 54m into the drive.

The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 81.2 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 23 miles or 26m in

Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.

Halfway reset

Around 53.4 miles or 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 1h 26m

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 Cut Bank, MT so your first major turns are already loaded.

Day 1

Settle into the route from Cut Bank, MT

This is one driving day of about 106.8 miles and 1h 46m.

Your first comfortable stop window is around 23 miles from Cut Bank, MT.

This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.

The longest stretch is on First Special Service Force Memorial Highway for about 81.2 miles.

Where to Stop

Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.

city in and the county seat of Pondera County, Montana, United States

Mid-route town

Meal stop

Conrad, MT

53 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

Shelby, MT

Fuel and coffee

A short stop after about 23 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.

Conrad, MT

Meal break

The midpoint is around 53.4 miles from Cut Bank, MT, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.

Before the longest stretch

Fuel check

Top up before First Special Service Force Memorial Highway if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 81.2 miles.

These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.

Stops Along Your Drive

Picked by where they fit in your drive — first break, midpoint reset, final stretch.

Best meal stop · home stretch

Electric City Coffee, Coffee House and Bakery

4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Great Falls, Montana

Near the end, right off the route

Home stretch · 0min to go 0.4 mi from route ~1 min detour $10 to $20

Hours: 7 am–3 pm

+14064524529

Visit website

Paniolo Cafe

4.9 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Great Falls, Montana

0.4 mi

Luna Coffee Bar

4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Great Falls, Montana

0.4 mi

Best coffee break

Latte Da

4.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Cut Bank, Montana

Near the start, right off the route

0.1 mi from route $1 to $10

Hours: 6:30 am–2 pm

+14062291022

Visit website

Crooked Tree Coffee Downtown

4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Great Falls, Montana

0.4 mi

Great Harvest Bread Co.

4.8 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Great Falls, Montana

0.5 mi

Electric City Coffee, Coffee House and Bakery

4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, right off the route

Home stretch 0.4 mi from route ~1 min detour $10 to $20

Great Falls, Montana

Hours: 7 am–3 pm

+14064524529

Visit website

Paniolo Cafe

4.9 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, right off the route

Home stretch 0.4 mi from route ~1 min detour $10 to $20

Great Falls, Montana

Hours: 9 am–2 pm

+14063152565

Visit website

Luna Coffee Bar

4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, right off the route

Home stretch 0.4 mi from route ~1 min detour $1 to $10

Great Falls, Montana

Hours: 7 am–9 pm

+14066040101

Visit website

Wheat Montana Great Falls

4.4 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Near the end, right off the route

Home stretch 0.6 mi from route ~2 min detour $10 to $20

Great Falls, Montana

Hours: 6 am–6 pm

+14067717456

Visit website

Brian's Top Notch Cafe

4.4 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Near the end, right off the route

Home stretch 0.4 mi from route ~1 min detour $10 to $20

Great Falls, Montana

Hours: 7 am–2 pm

+14067274255

Visit website

Double Barrel Coffee House Cafe

4.5 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, right off the route

Home stretch 1 mi from route ~2 min detour $10 to $20

Great Falls, Montana

Hours: 5:30 am–2 pm

+14063152463

Visit website

5.0 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, right off the route

0.3 mi from route ~1 min detour $1 to $10

Cut Bank, Montana

Hours: 7:30 am–2 pm

+14068730333

Marketplace on Main

4.9 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, right off the route

0.3 mi from route ~1 min detour

Cut Bank, Montana

Hours: 10 am–5 pm

+14068730333

Visit website

Cass's Perky Perks

4.5 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Early in the drive, right off the route

Early stretch 0.5 mi from route ~1 min detour $1 to $10

Shelby, Montana

Hours: 6:30 am–5 pm

+14064504270

Visit website

Morning Light Coffee Roasters

4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, short detour

Home stretch 1.1 mi from route ~3 min detour $1 to $10

Great Falls, Montana

Hours: 6 am–4 pm

+14064538443

Visit website

Tesla Destination Charger

5.0 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, short detour

Home stretch 1.1 mi from route ~3 min detour

Great Falls, Montana

+14069524444

Visit website

Tesla Supercharger

4.4 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Near the end, short detour

Home stretch 2.1 mi from route ~5 min detour

Great Falls, Montana

Hours: Open 24 hours

Visit website

Blink Charging Station

1.0 ★ ☆ ☆ ☆ ☆

Near the end, short detour

Home stretch 1.1 mi from route ~3 min detour

Great Falls, Montana

Hours: Open 24 hours

+18889982546

Visit website

ChargePoint Charging Station

Near the end, right off the route

Home stretch 0.3 mi from route ~1 min detour

Great Falls, Montana

Hours: Open 24 hours

+18887584389

Visit website

5 of 6

5 decision points cluster between mile 22.4 and 106.7 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.

22.4 mi into trip | ~25m in

Take the exit toward I 15 South: Great Falls

Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early

Toward I 15 South: Great Falls

103.9 mi into trip | ~1h 42m in | I 15 Business

Take the exit onto I 15 Business toward I 15 Business

Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early

Toward I 15 Business

106.3 mi into trip | ~1h 45m in | I 15 Business / 5th Street North

Turn right onto I 15 Business / 5th Street North

Navigation decision point

106.7 mi into trip | ~1h 46m in | 4th Avenue South

Turn right onto 4th Avenue South

Navigation decision point

106.7 mi into trip | ~1h 46m in | 4th Street South

Turn left onto 4th Street South

Navigation decision point

Fuel & Cost

Regular Gas

$16.92 one way

$33.85 round trip

$4.03/gal 25.4 MPG avg 37 kg CO₂

Fuel Type	$/gal	One Way	Round Trip
midgrade	$4.22	$17.74	$35.48
premium	$4.53	$19.05	$38.10
diesel	$5.61	$23.58	$47.16

No toll roads detected on this route.

Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)

Fuel

$17

Meals

$25–$50

Total

$42–$67

Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.

Estimated CO2 emission: 37.4 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.

Driving Electric?

About $11 in charging · 0 stops · 68% less CO₂

Vehicle Type	kWh	DC Fast	Home Charge
Average EV	32	$11.21	$5.13
Efficient EV	26.7	$9.34	$4.27
EV Truck/SUV	42.7	$14.95	$6.84

Gas CO2

37 kg

EV CO2

12 kg (68% 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.

Forecast as of Apr 20, 2026

Origin

Cut Bank, MT

Morning in Cut Bank on Tuesday

Local time

7:20 AM

MDT

Current temp

48°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

Destination

Great Falls, MT

Morning in Great Falls on Tuesday

Local time

7:20 AM

MDT

Current temp

51°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

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

1h 46m 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.

What kind of drive is this?

Expect a turn-heavy local drive for this 106.8-mile trip. While there's no highway percentage to worry about, the longest uninterrupted stretch is 81.2 miles on the First Special Service Force Memorial Highway. This suggests a journey that involves more frequent adjustments and potentially varied road conditions as you transition from more open stretches to local roads closer to your destination. The character of the drive is likely one of constant engagement with the road, rather than a monotonous cruise.

Only 0% highway — the rest is turn-by-turn surface driving.

11 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.

Longest single stretch: 81.2 mi on First Special Service Force Memorial Highway.

How Hard Is This Drive?

1/10

Expect a hands-on drive with frequent turns and local roads rather than long highway stretches. Navigation is very simple - set it and forget it for most of the drive. The trickiest moment comes around 22.4 miles in.

Driving Effort 1/10

Very easy - short and simple to drive

Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.

The drive from Cut Bank, MT to Great Falls, MT is easy. At 1h 46m with 0% highway, most drivers will find it relaxed and low-stress.

Where does it get tricky?

The main spots that need attention: at 22.4 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early; at 103.9 miles (I 15 Business): Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early; at 106.3 miles (I 15 Business / 5th Street North): Navigation decision point.

About the Cities

Arriving in Great Falls, MT

Full guide →

Founded 1883

Great Falls is a city in Central Montana. It is the third most populous city in Montana with approximately 60,000 people. It is the hub for commercial and financial dealings in the center of the state.

Top landmarks

• Masonic Temple — masonic temple in Great Falls, United States of America
• Cascade County Courthouse — county courthouse in Great Falls, United States of America
• Chicago, Milwaukee and St. Paul Passenger Depot — railway station in Great Falls, the United States of America

City content from Wikivoyage (CC BY-SA 4.0) and Wikidata (CC0).

Who Is This Route For?

Weekend Trip

Doable as a same-day drive at 1h 46m. Total distance: 106.8 miles.

Family Friendly

Moderate complexity with 0 natural rest stops along the way.

Solo Traveler

1h 46m drive, comfortable solo distance.

First-Time Driver

Mostly highway driving (0%). Straightforward navigation.

Scenic Drive

Mostly surface roads route profile.

Frequently Asked Questions

The longest stretch is about 81.2 miles on First Special Service Force Memorial Highway. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.

Yes. At under 2 hours behind the wheel, this works well for families — plan one quick stop if you have younger kids.

Mostly yes along the main roads, but rural stretches through MT can have sparse or no coverage. Before you leave, download offline Google Maps or Apple Maps for the route, and consider downloading music or podcasts instead of streaming. If you depend on data for navigation, keep a paper backup of the turn-by-turn directions.

Yes. A round trip is manageable in a single day if you plan a break at Great Falls, MT before heading back.

How this page is built

Compiled by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy from open government datasets — OSRM over OpenStreetMap for geometry, and EIA for fuel prices. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.

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Trip from Cut Bank, MT to Great Falls, MT

Best Time to Leave

Trip Overview

Main Roads

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Trip Plan

Before You Leave

Where to Stop

Pacing Suggestions

Stops Along Your Drive

Electric City Coffee, Coffee House and Bakery

Latte Da

Electric City Coffee, Coffee House and Bakery

Paniolo Cafe

Luna Coffee Bar

Wheat Montana Great Falls

Brian's Top Notch Cafe

Double Barrel Coffee House Cafe

Coffee To Go-Drive Thru

Panera Bread

Latte Da

Crooked Tree Coffee Downtown

Great Harvest Bread Co.

honey hippo. Play Café

Artique Brew Coffee and Tea Shop

Marketplace on Main

Cass's Perky Perks

Morning Light Coffee Roasters

Tesla Destination Charger

Tesla Supercharger

Blink Charging Station

ChargePoint Charging Station

TurnOnGreen Charging Station

EV Connect Charging Station

Blink Charging Station

Electric Vehicle Charging Station

Duck Pond | Gibson Park

Haute Hive

Bloom and Bean

Escape the Falls Escape Rooms

In Cahoots for Tea

Al Banco Coffee Shop

Heads-up: tricky spots

Fuel & Cost

Travel Intel

Cut Bank, MT

Great Falls, MT

Same local time

3 degrees warmer at arrival

1h 46m on the road

What kind of drive is this?

How Hard Is This Drive?

About the Cities

Arriving in Great Falls, MT

Who Is This Route For?

Frequently Asked Questions

Which road carries most of the drive?

Is this a good trip with kids?

Will I have cell service along this route?

Where does this route get tricky?

Can I do this as a round trip in one go?

How this page is built

Explore More

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