Clearwater Junction Rest Area
0.1 mi from route
Trip from Great Falls, MT to Somers, MT
Pin this tripCompiled and reviewed by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Oct 18, 2026 · Editorial standards
Drive Time
4h 20m
Distance
226.5 mi
364 km
Drive Score
8/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$41
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
4h 7m
★
6 AM
4h 20m
8 AM
4h 47m
10 AM
4h 29m
12 PM
4h 27m
3 PM
4h 31m
5 PM
4h 45m
8 PM
4h 12m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Great Falls, MT
Wikimedia Commons
Somers, MT
Alex Moliski
Trip Overview
Great Falls, MT to Somers, MT is 226.5 miles and takes about 4h 20m via US 89 and MT 83, with a fuel budget near $39 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This trip stays within the Mountain West region, covering ground that feels predominantly rural. Most of your time will be spent on the highway, making it a straightforward drive. With only one recommended stop and a relatively short duration, this route is ideal for a single-day excursion.
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
113.2 miles from Great Falls, MT
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 2h 8m into the drive .
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| US 89 | 115.9 mi | 2h 11m |
| MT 83 | 91.1 mi | 1h 43m |
| First Special Service Force Memorial Highway | 9.4 mi | 9m |
| MT 82 | 5.7 mi | 7m |
| Central Avenue West | 1.4 mi | 1m |
| Somers Road | 1.3 mi | 3m |
| River Drive South | 0.4 mi | <1m |
| MT 35 | 0.3 mi | <1m |
Longest stretch:
US 89
— 115.9 mi, about 2h 11m
Traffic on I-15
Hour-of-day weekday pattern from 8 FHWA count stations on your route.
Peak
5 PM
~393 veh/hr typical · worst 526
Quietest
1 AM
~14 veh/hr
Peak-to-quiet ratio
28.1×
busier at peak than in the quiet hours
12a
6a
noon
6p
11p
Averaged across 103 weeks of 2023 FHWA Travel Monitoring Analysis System data. Weekday hours only (Mon–Fri).
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Great Falls, MT and Somers, 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
116 mi
·
2 hr 11 min
·
US 89; MT 200
Exit 290
11
Turn right onto MT 83
91 mi
·
1 hr 43 min
·
MT 83
12
At end of road, turn right onto MT 35
0.3 mi
·
38 sec
·
MT 35
13
Turn left onto MT 82
5.7 mi
·
7 min
·
MT 82
Use the left lane.
14
Turn left onto Somers Road
1.3 mi
·
3 min
·
Somers Road
15
Arrive at destination
Somers Road
Trip Plan
Given the 4h 20m estimated drive time, starting in the morning is advisable to ensure you have ample daylight. The route is mostly highway with a single recommended stop, so you can be flexible with your timing. Keep an eye on your fuel gauge, as the longest stretch without significant services is 115.9 miles on US 89. The estimated fuel cost is $39, so factor that into your budget. Arriving in Somers, MT, you'll find yourself in the Mountain West region.
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 113.2 miles from Great Falls, MT, or about 2h 8m 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 50 miles or 57m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 113.2 miles or 2h 8m 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 31m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Somers, 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 226.5 miles and 4h 20m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 50 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
113 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 50 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 113.2 miles from Great Falls, MT, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Before the longest stretch
Fuel checkTop 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.
Stops Along Your Drive
Picked by where they fit in your drive — first break, midpoint reset, final stretch.
Service Plaza
2.4 mi from route
Place data sourced from public business listings. Hours and availability may vary.
Heads-up: tricky spots
5 of 115 decision points cluster between mile 0 and 219.5 — 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
4
0.5 mi into trip
|
~1m in
|
River Drive South
At end of road, turn right onto River Drive South
Navigation decision point
6
219.5 mi into trip
|
~4h 9m in
|
MT 82
Turn left onto MT 82
Lane positioning matters here
Use the left lane.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$40.80 one way
$81.59 round trip
$4.58/gal
25.4 MPG avg
79 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.78 | $42.61 | $85.21 |
| premium | $5.11 | $45.53 | $91.06 |
| diesel | $6.18 | $55.10 | $110.20 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$41
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$66–$91
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 79.2 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-10-12.
Driving Electric?
About $24 in charging · 0 stops · 66% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 68 | 0 | $23.78 | $10.87 |
| Efficient EV | 56.6 | 0 | $19.82 | $9.06 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 90.6 | 1 | $31.71 | $14.50 |
Gas CO2
79 kg
EV CO2
27 kg (66% 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.
Origin
Great Falls, MT
Morning in Great Falls on Sunday
Local time
6:55 AM
MDT
Current temp
46°F
Partly Cloudy
SSW 22 mph
0% chance
Live forecast
High Wind Warning
High Wind Warning issued October 16 at 11:59PM MDT until October 18 at 12:00AM MDT by NWS Great Falls MT
High Wind Warning
High Wind Warning issued October 16 at 11:59PM MDT until October 18 at 12:00AM MDT by NWS Great Falls MT
Destination
Somers, MT
Morning in Somers on Sunday
Local time
6:55 AM
MDT
Current temp
39°F
Partly Cloudy
SSE 5 mph
0% chance
Live forecast
High Wind Warning
High Wind Warning issued October 16 at 11:59PM MDT until October 18 at 12:00AM MDT by NWS Great Falls MT
High Wind Warning
High Wind Warning issued October 16 at 11:59PM MDT until October 18 at 12:00AM MDT by NWS Great Falls MT
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
7 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 20m 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?
This drive is 94% highway, meaning you'll be on high-speed roads for the vast majority of the 226.5 miles. The longest continuous stretch on US 89 covers 115.9 miles, offering a solid period of open cruising. You'll transition to surface roads for the final portion of the trip. Expect a consistent highway experience with minimal interruptions for most of the drive.
94% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
15 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 20m drive. You will face about 11 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.
Elevation Profile
Gently rolling terrain
4,842 ft
2,919 ft
Total Climb
1,684 ft
Total Descent
2,094 ft
Highest Point
4,842 ft
~80.9 mi in
Elevation Range
1,923 ft
Notable High Points
4,842 ft at ~80.9 miles
+249 ft prominence
4,073 ft at ~145.6 miles
+13 ft prominence
About the Cities
Starting 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
Arriving in Somers, MT
Full guide →Kalispell is the largest city in the Flathead Valley of northwest Montana, near Glacier National Park. The name means "flat land above the lake" in Salish, referring to Flathead Lake just to the south, the largest freshwater lake west of the Mississippi. The city of about 25,000 people is full of shopping and restaurants. A number of smaller towns surround Kalispell. This guide also includes additional restaurants and picturesque views in Evergreen, Lakeside, and Somers.
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 20m. Total distance: 226.5 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
4h 20m 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.
Yes — we found about 2 rest areas or service plazas within a short detour of the route (from OpenStreetMap). See the Rest Stops tab under Nearby Places for locations and mile markers. Plan to stretch, use the bathroom, and top off fluids every 2–3 hours on longer drives.
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 4.3 hours each way, an in-and-out day trip would put you behind the wheel for 8.7 hours — manageable with a long break at Somers, 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, EIA for fuel prices, USGS 3DEP for elevation, and FHWA TMAS for hourly traffic volumes. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.
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