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Trip from Great Falls, MT to Hamilton, 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

213.1 mi

343 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 17m
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
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city in and county seat of Cascade County, Montana, United States

Great Falls, MT

Wikimedia Commons

Downtown Hamilton, MT, MT

Hamilton, MT

Russ

Trip Overview

This 213.1-mile journey from Great Falls, Montana, to Hamilton, Montana, is a manageable 4-hour and 10-minute drive, making it perfect for a single-day trip. You'll spend most of your time on major highways, with 91% of the route being on roads like US 89 and US Highway 93 South. The estimated fuel cost for this drive is around $34, and with only one recommended stop, it's a straightforward trip through the Mountain West region. This route offers a focused highway experience, ideal if you want to cover ground efficiently while staying within Montana.

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

106.5 miles from Great Falls, MT

A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 2h 1m into the drive .

Main Roads

Road Distance Duration
US 89 148.3 mi 2h 47m
US Highway 93 South 40.1 mi 51m
First Special Service Force Memorial Highway 9.4 mi 9m
MT 200 4.5 mi 5m
Brooks Street 3.3 mi 4m
Bitteroot Road 3 mi 3m
Central Avenue West 1.4 mi 1m
River Drive South 0.4 mi <1m
Longest stretch: US 89 — 148.3 mi, about 2h 47m

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

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

1

Start on 4th Street South

162 ft · 9 sec · 4th Street South
2

Turn right onto 5th Avenue South

0.2 mi · 39 sec · 5th Avenue South
3

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

0.1 mi · 24 sec · 2nd Street South
4

Turn left onto 3rd Avenue South

0.1 mi · 19 sec · 3rd Avenue South
5

At end of road, turn right onto River Drive South

0.4 mi · 49 sec · River Drive South
6

Turn left onto I 15 Business

0.2 mi · 26 sec · First Avenue North Bridge
7

Continue on I 15 Business

1.4 mi · 1 min · Central Avenue West
8

Take the exit onto I 15 Business

0.2 mi · 32 sec · I 15 Business
9

Merge onto I 15; US 89; MT 200

9.4 mi · 9 min · First Special Service Force Memorial Highway
10

Take the exit onto US 89; MT 200

148 mi · 2 hr 47 min · US 89; MT 200
Exit 290
11

Keep slight right at fork onto MT 200

4.5 mi · 5 min · MT 200
12

Take the exit onto I 90 Business; US 12

0.2 mi · 26 sec · I 90 Business; US 12
Toward US 12 West, I 90 Business
13

Enter roundabout onto I 90 Bus; US 12

206 ft · 2 sec · Van Buren Street
14

Continue on I 90 Bus; US 12

212 ft · 3 sec · Van Buren Street
15

Enter roundabout onto I 90 Bus; US 12

92 ft · 1 sec · Van Buren Street
16

Continue on I 90 Bus; US 12

0.1 mi · 11 sec · Van Buren Street
17

Turn right onto I 90 Bus; US 12

0.2 mi · 22 sec · East Broadway Street
18

Turn left onto US 12

0.3 mi · 18 sec · Madison Street
Use the left / straight lanes.
19

Continue on US 12

0.1 mi · 9 sec · Arthur Avenue
20

Turn right onto US 12

0.4 mi · 35 sec · South 5th Street East
21

Turn left onto US 12

0.1 mi · 28 sec · South Higgins Avenue
22

Turn right onto US 12

3.3 mi · 4 min · Brooks Street
Use the right lane.
23

Continue on US 12; US 93

3.0 mi · 3 min · Bitteroot Road
Use the straight / right lanes.
24

Continue on US 12; US 93

40 mi · 51 min · US Highway 93 South
25

Turn right onto S-531

0.2 mi · 46 sec · West Main Street
26

Arrive at destination

S-531

Trip Plan

With a duration of just over 4 hours, this route is easily completed in a single day, so you have the flexibility to start whenever suits you best. Plan your fuel stops accordingly, though with a modest $34 estimated fuel cost, it shouldn't be a major concern. Keep in mind the longest stretch without a major break is nearly 150 miles on US 89, so ensure you're comfortable before setting off on that segment. Given the efficiency of this highway-focused drive, you might consider an early morning departure to maximize your time at your destination in Hamilton.

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 106.5 miles from Great Falls, MT, or about 2h 1m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 148.3 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 47 miles or 53m in

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

Halfway reset

Around 106.5 miles or 2h 1m 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 Hamilton, 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 213.1 miles and 4h 10m.

Your first comfortable stop window is around 47 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 148.3 miles.

Where to Stop

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

Downtown Seeley Lake, MT, MT

Mid-route town

Meal stop

Seeley Lake, MT

107 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 47 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.

Seeley Lake, MT

Meal break

The midpoint is around 106.5 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 148.3 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

Ruby's Cafe

4.5 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Missoula, Montana

Later in the drive, right off the route

0.2 mi from route $10 to $20 mile 167.4

Hours: 6 am–4 pm

+14067289890

Visit website

Maria's

4.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Hamilton, Montana

0.1 mi

Electric City Coffee, Coffee House and Bakery

4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Great Falls, Montana

0.4 mi

Top Coffee Stop

Crooked Tree Coffee Downtown

4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Great Falls, Montana

Near the start, right off the route

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

Hours: 7 am–2 pm

+14063151221

Visit website

Great Harvest Bread Co.

4.8 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Great Falls, Montana

0.5 mi

honey hippo. Play Café

4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Great Falls, Montana

0.4 mi

Ruby's Cafe

4.5 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Later in the drive, right off the route

0.2 mi from route $10 to $20 mile 167.4

Missoula, Montana

Hours: 6 am–4 pm

+14067289890

Visit website

Maria's

4.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, right off the route

0.1 mi from route $10 to $20 mile 213.1

Hamilton, Montana

Hours: 11 am–7 pm

+14063637710

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

Red Rooster Artisan Bakery

4.4 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Near the end, right off the route

0.3 mi from route ~1 min detour $10 to $20 mile 213.1

Hamilton, Montana

Hours: 7 am–3 pm

+14063811129

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

Coffee Cup Cafe

4.2 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Near the end, right off the route

0.4 mi from route ~1 min detour $10 to $20 mile 213.1

Hamilton, Montana

Hours: 6 am–10 pm

+14063633822

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

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

Big Sky Deli & Bakery, LLC

4.8 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, short detour

1.4 mi from route ~3 min detour $10 to $20 mile 15.2

Vaughn, Montana

Hours: 7 am–5:30 pm

+14069648553

Visit website

Clyde Coffee

4.4 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Later in the drive, short detour

1.1 mi from route ~3 min detour $10 to $20 mile 167.4

Missoula, Montana

Hours: 6 am–6 pm

+14065404481

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

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

BreatheEV Charging Station

5.0 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Later in the drive, short detour

1.5 mi from route ~4 min detour mile 167.4

Missoula, Montana

Hours: Open 24 hours

+18442522083

ChargePoint Charging Station

5.0 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Later in the drive, short detour

1.5 mi from route ~4 min detour mile 167.4

Missoula, Montana

Hours: Open 24 hours

+18887584389

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

EvGateway Charging Station

1.4 ★ ☆ ☆ ☆ ☆

Near the end, right off the route

0.2 mi from route mile 213.1

Hamilton, Montana

Hours: Open 24 hours

+19499452000

Visit website

Tesla Destination Charger

4.0 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Around the midpoint, short detour

1.9 mi from route ~5 min detour mile 137

Greenough, Montana

Hours: Open 24 hours

+14062445200

Visit website

ChargePoint Charging Station

3.0 ★ ★ ★ ☆ ☆

Later in the drive, short detour

1.6 mi from route ~4 min detour mile 167.4

Missoula, Montana

Hours: Open 24 hours

+18887584389

Visit website

Electrify America Charging Station

3.3 ★ ★ ★ ☆ ☆

Later in the drive, short detour

2.6 mi from route ~6 min detour mile 167.4

Missoula, Montana

Hours: Open 24 hours

+18336322778

Visit website

Claudia Driscoll Park

4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, right off the route

0.4 mi from route ~1 min detour mile 213.1

Hamilton, Montana

Hours: 5 am–8 pm

+14063632101

Visit website

Duck Pond | Gibson Park

4.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, right off the route

0.8 mi from route ~2 min detour

Great Falls, Montana

Hours: 6 am–9:30 pm

+14067711265

Visit website

Haute Hive

5.0 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, right off the route

0.5 mi from route ~1 min detour

Great Falls, Montana

Hours: 8 am–5 pm

+14069524663

Visit website

Bloom and Bean

4.5 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, right off the route

0.3 mi from route ~1 min detour

Great Falls, Montana

Hours: 9 am–6 pm

+14063151609

Visit website

Escape the Falls Escape Rooms

4.5 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, right off the route

0.4 mi from route ~1 min detour

Great Falls, Montana

Hours: 1–8:30 pm

+14062858410

Visit website

In Cahoots for Tea

4.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, right off the route

0.4 mi from route ~1 min detour

Great Falls, Montana

Hours: 10 am–4:30 pm

+14064522225

Visit website

Caras Park

4.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Later in the drive, short detour

1.4 mi from route ~3 min detour mile 167.4

Missoula, Montana

Hours: 6 am–11 pm

+14065434238

Visit website

Dragon Hollow Playground

4.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Later in the drive, short detour

1.4 mi from route ~4 min detour mile 167.4

Missoula, MT

+14065498382

Visit website

Place data sourced from public business listings. Hours and availability may vary.

Heads-up: tricky spots

5 of 17

5 decision points cluster between mile 0 and 165.6 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.

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

Turn right onto 5th Avenue South

Navigation decision point

6
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

5
0.3 mi into trip | ~1m in | 3rd Avenue South

Turn left onto 3rd Avenue South

Navigation decision point

5
164.9 mi into trip | ~3h 7m in | I 90 Business; US 12

Take the exit onto I 90 Business; US 12 toward US 12 West, I 90 Business

Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one

Toward US 12 West, I 90 Business
7
165.6 mi into trip | ~3h 8m in | US 12 / Madison Street

Turn left onto US 12 / Madison Street

Lane positioning matters here

Use the left / straight lanes.

Fuel & Cost

Regular Gas

$33.77 one way

$67.54 round trip

$4.03/gal 25.4 MPG avg 75 kg CO2
Fuel Type $/gal One Way Round Trip
midgrade $4.22 $35.40 $70.79
premium $4.53 $38.01 $76.03
diesel $5.61 $47.05 $94.10

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: 74.6 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.

Driving Electric?

About $22 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO2

Vehicle Type kWh Stops DC Fast Home Charge
Average EV 63.9 0 $22.38 $10.23
Efficient EV 53.3 0 $18.65 $8.52
EV Truck/SUV 85.2 1 $29.83 $13.64

Gas CO2

75 kg

EV CO2

25 kg (67% 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 15, 2026

Origin

Great Falls, MT

Late night in Great Falls on Sunday

Local time

1:55 AM

MDT

Current temp

68°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

Destination

Hamilton, MT

Late night in Hamilton on Sunday

Local time

1:55 AM

MDT

Current temp

43°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

25 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-focused drive, with 91% of your travel occurring on established routes like US 89 and US Highway 93 South. The longest uninterrupted stretch you'll encounter is 148.3 miles on US 89, meaning you can settle in for some extended driving time. This profile suggests a consistent pace, allowing you to maintain speed and cover significant distances without frequent interruptions. The road will largely feel like a well-maintained highway, designed for efficient travel across the Montana landscape.

91% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
26 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 148.3 mi on US 89.

How Hard Is This Drive?

5/10

This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on US 89 and US Highway 93 South. You will hit about 17 points where you need to pay attention to lane position or signs. The trickiest moment comes early in the drive near 5th Avenue South.

Driving Effort 5/10

Moderate - straightforward overall, but long enough or busy enough to require pacing

Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.

This drive requires moderate attention. Across 213.1 miles you will encounter 17 spots where lane choice or exit timing matters. Not difficult for experienced highway drivers, but worth previewing the tricky sections before you go.

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: 213.1 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 (91%). Some complex stretches to watch for.

Frequently Asked Questions

The longest stretch is about 148.3 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.

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.

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 Hamilton, 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.

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