Trip from Great Falls, MT to Bigfork, MT

Compiled and reviewed by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Apr 19, 2026 · Editorial standards

Drive Time

4h 10m

Distance

216.1 mi

348 km

Drive Score

8/10

Great drive

Same Day?

Yes, doable

Fuel Cost

$34

one way

EV Charging

Good

8 stations

Best Time to Leave

Save up to 39 min

4 AM

3h 58m ★

6 AM

4h 11m

8 AM

4h 37m

10 AM

4h 20m

12 PM

4h 18m

3 PM

4h 21m

5 PM

4h 36m

8 PM

4h 3m

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

Best Time Drive vs Fly

Google Maps Waze Apple Maps

Download GPX

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

Great Falls, MT

Wikimedia Commons

census designated place in Flathead County, Montana, United States

Bigfork, MT

Wikimedia Commons

Trip Overview

This 216.1-mile journey from Great Falls to Bigfork, Montana, is a straightforward, highway-focused drive that can comfortably be completed in about 4 hours and 10 minutes. Given its manageable duration and 94% highway share, it's an ideal one-day trip, so you won't need to worry about booking an overnight stay. You'll primarily be on US 89 and MT 83, with a brief segment of the First Special Service Force Memorial Highway. The estimated fuel cost for this trip is around $34, making it an economical option for exploring Montana's Mountain West region. This route offers a direct path through the state, perfect for those who prefer efficient travel.

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

108 miles from Great Falls, MT

A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 2h 2m into the drive .

Main Roads

Road	Distance	Duration
US 89	115.9 mi	2h 11m
MT 83	82.6 mi	1h 34m
First Special Service Force Memorial Highway	9.4 mi	9m
MT 209	4.8 mi	8m
Central Avenue West	1.4 mi	1m
Bridge Street	0.5 mi	1m
River Drive South	0.4 mi	<1m
I 15 Business	0.2 mi	<1m

Longest stretch: US 89 — 115.9 mi, about 2h 11m

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

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

Start on 4th Street South

162 ft · 9 sec · 4th Street South

Turn right onto 5th Avenue South

0.2 mi · 39 sec · 5th Avenue South

At end of road, turn right onto 2nd Street South

0.1 mi · 24 sec · 2nd Street South

Turn left onto 3rd Avenue South

0.1 mi · 19 sec · 3rd Avenue South

At end of road, turn right onto River Drive South

0.4 mi · 49 sec · River Drive South

Turn left onto I 15 Business

0.2 mi · 26 sec · First Avenue North Bridge

Continue on I 15 Business

1.4 mi · 1 min · Central Avenue West

Take the exit onto I 15 Business

0.2 mi · 32 sec · I 15 Business

Merge onto I 15; US 89; MT 200

9.4 mi · 9 min · First Special Service Force Memorial Highway

Take the exit onto US 89; MT 200

116 mi · 2 hr 11 min · US 89; MT 200

Exit 290

Turn right onto MT 83

83 mi · 1 hr 34 min · MT 83

Turn left onto MT 209

4.8 mi · 8 min · MT 209

Turn right onto Bridge Street

0.2 mi · 32 sec · Bridge Street

Continue on Bridge Street

0.3 mi · 1 min · Bridge Street

Turn right onto Electric Avenue

0.1 mi · 28 sec · Electric Avenue

At end of road, turn right onto Grand Drive

305 ft · 19 sec · Grand Drive

Turn left onto Cascade Avenue

173 ft · 7 sec · Cascade Avenue

Arrive at destination

Cascade Avenue

Trip Plan

Since this is a one-day trip totaling 216.1 miles and taking just over 4 hours, you have plenty of flexibility. Consider departing in the morning to maximize your daylight hours, especially if you plan to make a brief stop, as there's only one recommended stop point. The longest stretch without a major road change is over 115 miles, so plan your fuel stops accordingly, though the total fuel cost is a modest $34. Keep an eye on your fuel gauge as you travel primarily on US 89 and MT 83, as services can be spaced out between larger towns in Montana.

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 108 miles from Great Falls, MT, or about 2h 2m into the drive.

The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 115.9 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 48 miles or 54m in

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

Halfway reset

Around 108 miles or 2h 2m 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 21m

Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Bigfork, MT than in the middle of the route.

Before You Leave

Open the route before leaving Great Falls, 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 Great Falls, MT

This is one driving day of about 216.1 miles and 4h 10m.

Your first comfortable stop window is around 48 miles from Great Falls, 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 89 for about 115.9 miles.

Where to Stop

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

Mid-route town

Meal stop

Seeley Lake, MT

108 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

Lincoln, MT

Fuel and coffee

A short stop after about 48 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.

Seeley Lake, MT

Meal break

The midpoint is around 108 miles from Great Falls, MT, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.

Before the longest stretch

Fuel check

Top up before US 89 if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 115.9 miles.

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

Nearby Places

Restaurants, cafes, gas stations and more along your route.

Top Restaurant

Pocketstone Cafe

4.5 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Bigfork, Montana

Near the end, right off the route

0.1 mi from route $10 to $20 mile 216.1

Hours: 7 am–2:30 pm

+14068377223

Visit website

Electric City Coffee, Coffee House and Bakery

4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Great Falls, Montana

0.4 mi

Paniolo Cafe

4.9 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Great Falls, Montana

0.4 mi

Top Coffee Stop

Bigfork Coffee House

4.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Bigfork, Montana

Near the end, right off the route

0.1 mi from route $1 to $10 mile 216.1

Hours: 7 am–4 pm

+14064202238

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

Pocketstone Cafe

4.5 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, right off the route

0.1 mi from route $10 to $20 mile 216.1

Bigfork, Montana

Hours: 7 am–2:30 pm

+14068377223

Visit website

Electric City Coffee, Coffee House and Bakery

4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, right off the route

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 start, right off the route

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 start, right off the route

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 start, right off the route

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 start, right off the route

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 start, right off the route

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

Great Falls, Montana

Hours: 5:30 am–2 pm

+14063152463

Visit website

Coffee To Go-Drive Thru

4.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, right off the route

0.9 mi from route ~2 min detour $1 to $10

Great Falls, Montana

Hours: 6:30 am–1:30 pm

+14064525903

Bigfork Coffee House

4.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, right off the route

0.1 mi from route $1 to $10 mile 216.1

Bigfork, Montana

Hours: 7 am–4 pm

+14064202238

Visit website

Crooked Tree Coffee Downtown

4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, right off the route

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

Great Falls, Montana

Hours: 7 am–2 pm

+14063151221

Visit website

Great Harvest Bread Co.

4.8 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, right off the route

0.5 mi from route ~1 min detour $10 to $20

Great Falls, Montana

Hours: 6 am–5 pm

+14064526941

Visit website

honey hippo. Play Café

4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, right off the route

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

Great Falls, Montana

Hours: 9 am–7 pm

+14069520209

Visit website

Morning Light Coffee Roasters

4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, short detour

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

Great Falls, Montana

Hours: 6 am–4 pm

+14064538443

Visit website

True Brew Espresso

4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, short detour

1.3 mi from route ~3 min detour $1 to $10

Great Falls, MT

Hours: 5:30 am–4 pm

+14067703121

Visit website

Big Sky Deli & Bakery, LLC

4.8 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, short detour

1.6 mi from route ~4 min detour $10 to $20 mile 15.4

Vaughn, Montana

Hours: 7 am–5:30 pm

+14069648553

Visit website

True Brew Espresso

4.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, short detour

1.2 mi from route ~3 min detour $1 to $10

Great Falls, Montana

Hours: 5:30 am–4 pm

+14063152658

Visit website

Tesla Destination Charger

5.0 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, short detour

1.1 mi from route ~3 min detour

Great Falls, Montana

+14069524444

Visit website

Tesla Supercharger

4.4 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Near the start, short detour

2.1 mi from route ~5 min detour

Great Falls, Montana

Hours: Open 24 hours

Visit website

Blink Charging Station

1.0 ★ ☆ ☆ ☆ ☆

Near the start, short detour

1.1 mi from route ~3 min detour

Great Falls, Montana

Hours: Open 24 hours

+18889982546

Visit website

ChargePoint Charging Station

Near the start, right off the route

0.3 mi from route ~1 min detour

Great Falls, Montana

Hours: Open 24 hours

+18887584389

Visit website

TurnOnGreen Charging Station

Near the start, right off the route

0.3 mi from route ~1 min detour

Great Falls, Montana

+15106572635

Visit website

EV Connect Charging Station

Near the start, right off the route

0.5 mi from route ~1 min detour

Great Falls, Montana

Hours: Open 24 hours

+18668167584

Visit website

5 of 14

5 decision points cluster between mile 0 and 216.1 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.

0 mi into trip | ~0m in | 5th Avenue South

Turn right onto 5th Avenue South

Navigation decision point

0.2 mi into trip | ~0m in | 2nd Street South

At end of road, turn right onto 2nd Street South

Complex interchange - multiple decisions in a short stretch

0.3 mi into trip | ~1m in | 3rd Avenue South

Turn left onto 3rd Avenue South

Navigation decision point

216 mi into trip | ~4h 10m in | Grand Drive

At end of road, turn right onto Grand Drive

Complex interchange - multiple decisions in a short stretch

216.1 mi into trip | ~4h 10m in | Cascade Avenue

Turn left onto Cascade Avenue

Navigation decision point

Fuel & Cost

Regular Gas

$34.24 one way

$68.49 round trip

$4.03/gal 25.4 MPG avg 76 kg CO₂

Fuel Type	$/gal	One Way	Round Trip
midgrade	$4.22	$35.89	$71.79
premium	$4.53	$38.55	$77.10
diesel	$5.61	$47.71	$95.42

No toll roads detected on this route.

Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)

Fuel

$34

Meals

$25–$50

Total

$59–$84

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

Estimated CO2 emission: 75.6 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.

Driving Electric?

About $23 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO₂

Vehicle Type	kWh	Stops	DC Fast	Home Charge
Average EV	64.8	0	$22.69	$10.37
Efficient EV	54	0	$18.91	$8.64
EV Truck/SUV	86.4	1	$30.25	$13.83

Gas CO2

76 kg

EV CO2

25 kg (67% less)

Plan for 0 charging stops, roughly every 270 miles. Allow 25-40 minutes per stop at a DC fast charger.

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 15, 2026

Origin

Great Falls, MT

Night in Great Falls on Saturday

Local time

10:34 PM

MDT

Current temp

68°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

Destination

Bigfork, MT

Night in Bigfork on Saturday

Local time

10:34 PM

MDT

Current temp

46°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

22 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

4h 10m on the road

An early start around 7-8 AM gets you there with plenty of daylight left.

Weather data from the National Weather Service. Conditions may change; check closer to your travel date.

What kind of drive is this?

Expect a predominantly highway experience on this route, with 94% of the drive taking place on main roads like US 89 and MT 83. The longest uninterrupted stretch you'll encounter is 115.9 miles on US 89, so be prepared for extended periods of consistent driving. While largely a highway-focused profile, the transition between these main arteries ensures a dynamic yet smooth progression. The roads are designed for efficient travel, allowing you to cover significant ground without frequent interruptions, making for a predictable and steady drive.

94% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.

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

Longest single stretch: 115.9 mi on US 89.

How Hard Is This Drive?

3/10

This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on US 89 and MT 83. There are only a few real navigation decisions along the way. The trickiest moment comes early in the drive near 5th Avenue South.

Driving Effort 3/10

Easy - simple navigation with a manageable amount of wheel time

Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.

This is a straightforward 4h 10m drive. You will face about 14 decision points, but nothing that requires special attention if you follow navigation.

Where does it get tricky?

The main spots that need attention: near the start (5th Avenue South): Navigation decision point; at 0.2 miles (2nd Street South): Complex interchange - multiple decisions in a short stretch; at 0.3 miles (3rd Avenue South): Navigation decision point.

About the Cities

Starting in Great Falls, MT

Full guide →

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.

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 4h 10m. Total distance: 216.1 miles.

Family Friendly

Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.

Solo Traveler

4h 10m drive, comfortable solo distance.

First-Time Driver

Mostly highway driving (94%). Straightforward navigation.

Frequently Asked Questions

The longest stretch is about 115.9 miles on US 89. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.

We did not find dedicated rest areas on this route. For a drive this long, plan bathroom and stretch breaks around gas stations, fast-food stops, or small-town downtowns — check the Nearby Places section for options.

Yes, with realistic expectations. Build in a stop roughly every 2 hours, have snacks and activities ready, and check the Nearby Places tabs for kid-friendly stops along the way.

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.

Possible but tiring. At 4.2 hours each way, an in-and-out day trip would put you behind the wheel for 8.4 hours — manageable with a long break at Bigfork, MT, but most travelers stay overnight.

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.

Was this helpful?

Thanks for your feedback!

Your tip has been submitted. Thanks!

/500

Explore More

Explore more options from Great Falls, MT or browse trips ending in Bigfork, MT.

Looking for more statewide routes? Browse MT road trips.

Trip from Great Falls, MT to Bigfork, MT

Best Time to Leave

Trip Overview

Main Roads

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Trip Plan

Before You Leave

Where to Stop

Pacing Suggestions

Nearby Places

Pocketstone Cafe

Bigfork Coffee House

Pocketstone Cafe

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

Bigfork Coffee House

Crooked Tree Coffee Downtown

Great Harvest Bread Co.

honey hippo. Play Café

Morning Light Coffee Roasters

True Brew Espresso

Big Sky Deli & Bakery, LLC

True Brew Espresso

Tesla Destination Charger

Tesla Supercharger

Blink Charging Station

ChargePoint Charging Station

TurnOnGreen Charging Station

EV Connect Charging Station

Blink Charging Station

ZEF Energy 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

Great Falls, MT

Bigfork, MT

Same local time

22 degrees cooler at arrival

4h 10m on the road

What kind of drive is this?

How Hard Is This Drive?

About the Cities

Starting in Great Falls, MT

Who Is This Route For?

Frequently Asked Questions

Which road carries most of the drive?

Are there rest areas on this route?

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

Continue From Bigfork, MT

More from Great Falls, MT

More trips to Bigfork, MT