Great Falls, MT to Thompson Falls, MT is 266.6 miles and takes about 5h 27m via US 89, MT 200, and US 93, with a fuel budget near $44 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This drive stays within the Mountain West region, offering a primarily highway experience. With most of the route on well-maintained roads, it's a straightforward trip for those looking to cover ground efficiently. You'll spend most of your time cruising on main arteries, making it a practical option for a single-day transit.
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
133.3 miles from Great Falls, MT
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 2h 31m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
US 89
148.3 mi
2h 47m
MT 200
78.5 mi
1h 51m
US 93
27.4 mi
32m
First Special Service Force Memorial Highway
9.4 mi
9m
Central Avenue West
1.4 mi
1m
River Drive South
0.4 mi
<1m
I 15 Business
0.2 mi
<1m
First Avenue North Bridge
0.2 mi
<1m
Longest stretch:
US 89
— 148.3 mi, about 2h 47m
Traffic on I-15
Hour-of-day weekday pattern from 4 FHWA count stations on your route.
Peak
5 PM
~391 veh/hr typical
· worst 507
Quietest
1 AM
~14 veh/hr
Peak-to-quiet ratio
27.9×
busier at peak than in the quiet hours
12a6anoon6p11p
Averaged across 52 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 Thompson Falls, 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
14 mi·15 min·MT 200
12
Take the exit onto US 93; MT 200
0.2 mi·24 sec·US 93; MT 200
Toward US 93 North, MT 200 West: Kalispell
13
Keep slight right at fork onto US 93; MT 200
27 mi·31 min·US 93; MT 200
Toward US 93 North, MT 200 West: Kalispell
14
Turn left onto MT 200
65 mi·1 hr 36 min·MT 200
15
Turn right
505 ft·22 sec
16
Keep slight right at fork
132 ft·5 sec
17
Turn right onto East Preston Avenue
427 ft·23 sec·East Preston Avenue
18
Turn left onto Woodland Street
469 ft·20 sec·Woodland Street
19
Arrive at destination
Woodland Street
Trip Plan
Given the 5h 27m estimated drive time, starting your trip in the morning from Great Falls is recommended to ensure you arrive in Thompson Falls with ample daylight. The route is mostly highway, so you can cover significant distance quickly, but remember there's only one recommended stop, so plan your breaks accordingly. Keep an eye on your fuel, especially during the 148.3-mile stretch on US 89, as services can be spread out in this region. This is a manageable drive for one day, offering flexibility in your departure time.
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 133.3 miles from Great Falls, MT, or about 2h 31m 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 59 miles or 1h 7m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 133.3 miles or 2h 31m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 4h 15m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Thompson Falls, 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 266.6 miles and 5h 27m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 59 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.
Place data sourced from public business listings. Hours and availability may vary.
Heads-up: tricky spots
5 of 15
5 decision points cluster between mile 0 and 174.5 — 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
5
174.3 mi into trip|~3h 17m in|US 93; MT 200
Take the exit onto US 93; MT 200 toward US 93 North, MT 200 West: Kalispell
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Toward US 93 North, MT 200 West: Kalispell
6
174.5 mi into trip|~3h 18m in|US 93; MT 200
Keep slight right at fork onto US 93; MT 200 toward US 93 North, MT 200 West: Kalispell
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Toward US 93 North, MT 200 West: Kalispell
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$41.55 one way
$83.11 round trip
$3.96/gal25.4 MPG avg93 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.17
$43.80
$87.60
premium
$4.47
$46.96
$93.92
diesel
$4.80
$50.34
$100.68
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$42
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$67–$92
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 93.3 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-07-13.
Driving Electric?
About $28 in charging
· 0 stops
· 67% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
80
0
$27.99
$12.80
Efficient EV
66.7
0
$23.33
$10.66
EV Truck/SUV
106.6
1
$37.32
$17.06
Gas CO2
93 kg
EV CO2
31 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 Jul 18, 2026
Origin
Great Falls, MT
Late night
in Great Falls on Sunday
Local time
4:07 AM
MDT
Current temp
61°F
Slight Chance Rain Showers
SSE 6 mph20% chanceLive forecast
Special Weather Statement
Special Weather Statement issued July 17 at 11:51PM MDT by NWS Billings MT
Flash Flood Warning
Flash Flood Warning issued July 17 at 9:06PM MDT until July 18 at 1:00AM MDT by NWS Great Falls MT
Destination
Thompson Falls, MT
Late night
in Thompson Falls on Sunday
Local time
4:07 AM
MDT
Current temp
57°F
Slight Chance Showers And Thunderstorms
WSW 1 mph24% chanceLive forecast
Special Weather Statement
Special Weather Statement issued July 17 at 11:51PM MDT by NWS Billings MT
Flash Flood Warning
Flash Flood Warning issued July 17 at 9:06PM MDT until July 18 at 1:00AM 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
4 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
5h 27m 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.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
You'll be on the highway for about 95% of this 266.6-mile drive. The longest continuous stretch of highway driving is 148.3 miles, primarily on US 89. Expect mostly rural cruising for the bulk of the trip, with limited exits and plenty of open road. The transition to surface roads will be minimal towards the end of your drive.
95% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
19 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?
6/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on US 89 and MT 200. You will hit about 15 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 Effort6/10
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 266.6 miles you will encounter 15 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.
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
Doable as a same-day drive at 5h 27m. Total distance: 266.6 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
5h 27m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (95%). 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.
Yes — we found about 7 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.
It helps. This route has a higher-than-average number of complex decision points, which get harder in the dark. If the last hour of the trip is on surface roads or mountain grades, aim to arrive at Thompson Falls, MT before sunset when you can. Check the Trip Plan for departure windows that land you in daylight.
Only with planning. This is a long drive for kids — consider splitting it into two days rather than pushing through. Plan at least 1 meaningful breaks. There are 7 rest areas along the route for bathroom stops.
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.
Not recommended in a single day. At 5.5 hours each way, a round trip means 10.9 hours of driving — that is an unsafe level of fatigue for most drivers. Plan at least one night at Thompson Falls, MT before the return drive.
