Trip from Lockwood, MT to Great Falls, 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 15m

Distance

223.7 mi

360 km

Drive Score

8/10

Great drive

Same Day?

Yes, doable

Fuel Cost

$35

one way

EV Charging

Good

8 stations

Best Time to Leave

Save up to 39 min

4 AM

4h 3m ★

6 AM

4h 16m

8 AM

4h 42m

10 AM

4h 25m

12 PM

4h 22m

3 PM

4h 26m

5 PM

4h 41m

8 PM

4h 8m

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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human settlement in Yellowstone County, Montana, United States of America

Lockwood, MT

Wikimedia Commons

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

Great Falls, MT

Wikimedia Commons

Trip Overview

Connecting Lockwood to Great Falls, this 223.7-mile journey through the Mountain West is a straightforward trip that fits perfectly into a single day of travel. You can expect to spend about 4 hours and 15 minutes behind the wheel, primarily navigating via US 87, US 12, and MT 3. With a fuel budget of approximately $35, it is a cost-effective route for those looking to traverse Montana efficiently. Since the drive is manageable in one go, you likely won't need to worry about booking an overnight stay unless you prefer a slower pace. The route is highly practical, serving as a reliable artery between these two points in the state. It is an ideal choice for travelers who prioritize a direct, no-nonsense path across the region.

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

111.9 miles from Lockwood, MT

A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 2h 9m into the drive .

Main Roads

Road	Distance	Duration
US 87	88.1 mi	1h 40m
US 12	45.1 mi	50m
MT 3	41.1 mi	47m
US 191	39.2 mi	42m
Airport Road	2.7 mi	4m
Iowa Avenue	2.5 mi	2m
I 90	1.8 mi	2m
US Highway 87 East	1.2 mi	1m

Longest stretch: US 87 — 88.1 mi, about 1h 40m

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

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

Start on Johnson Lane

0.2 mi · 32 sec · Johnson Lane

Take the ramp

0.4 mi · 54 sec

Merge onto I 90; US 87; US 212

1.8 mi · 2 min · I 90; US 87; US 212

Take the exit onto I 90 Business; US 87

0.3 mi · 36 sec · I 90 Business; US 87

Toward I 90 Business, US 87 North: Lockwood, Roundup

Merge onto I 90 Business; US 87

1.2 mi · 1 min · US Highway 87 East

Take the exit onto US 87

0.7 mi · 1 min · US 87

Turn left onto Aronson Avenue

486 ft · 11 sec · Aronson Avenue

Turn right onto Swords Lane

249 ft · 12 sec · Swords Lane

Turn left onto Airport Road

2.7 mi · 4 min · Airport Road

Enter roundabout onto MT 3

146 ft · 2 sec · MT 3

Continue on MT 3

3.1 mi · 3 min · MT 3

Enter roundabout onto MT 3

144 ft · 2 sec · MT 3

Continue on MT 3

25 mi · 28 min · MT 3

Continue on MT-3

2.5 mi · 2 min · Iowa Avenue

Continue on MT 3

12 mi · 14 min · MT 3

At end of road, turn left onto US 12; MT 3

45 mi · 50 min · US 12; MT 3

Turn right onto US 191; MT 3

39 mi · 42 min · US 191; MT 3

At end of road, turn left onto US 87; MT 3; MT 200

64 mi · 1 hr 9 min · US 87; MT 3; MT 200

Turn slight right

0.3 mi · 20 sec

Enter roundabout

172 ft · 2 sec

Continue

0.1 mi · 7 sec

Continue on US 87; US 89; MT 3; MT 200

23 mi · 29 min · US 87; US 89; MT 3; MT 200

Turn right onto I 15 Business

0.4 mi · 38 sec · 6th Street South

Turn left onto 5th Avenue South

0.2 mi · 39 sec · 5th Avenue South

Turn right onto 4th Street South

162 ft · 7 sec · 4th Street South

Arrive at destination

4th Street South

Trip Plan

Since this is a one-day trip, your best approach is to depart early to make the most of your travel time. Plan for at least one dedicated stop to stretch your legs and refresh, as the 4-hour and 15-minute duration can be taxing without a break. Because the longest stretch on US 87 spans 88.1 miles, ensure you check your fuel levels before embarking on that section to avoid any mid-route stress. Having a $35 fuel budget in mind helps with your financial planning, but keep a little extra set aside for potential price fluctuations at different stations. The primary advantage of this route is its flexibility, so feel free to adjust your departure time based on your personal schedule and traffic patterns.

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 111.9 miles from Lockwood, MT, or about 2h 9m into the drive.

The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 88.1 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 49 miles or 59m in

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

Halfway reset

Around 111.9 miles or 2h 9m 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 27m

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 Lockwood, 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 Lockwood, MT

This is one driving day of about 223.7 miles and 4h 15m.

Your first comfortable stop window is around 49 miles from Lockwood, 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 87 for about 88.1 miles.

Where to Stop

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

Mid-route town

Meal stop

Moore, MT

112 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

Laurel, MT

Fuel and coffee

A short stop after about 49 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.

Moore, MT

Meal break

The midpoint is around 111.9 miles from Lockwood, MT, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.

Before the longest stretch

Fuel check

Top up before US 87 if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 88.1 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

Electric City Coffee, Coffee House and Bakery

4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Great Falls, Montana

Near the end, right off the route

0.4 mi from route ~1 min detour $10 to $20 mile 223.7

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

Top Coffee Stop

Crooked Tree Coffee Downtown

4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Great Falls, Montana

Near the end, right off the route

0.4 mi from route ~1 min detour $1 to $10 mile 223.7

Hours: 7 am–2 pm

+14063151221

Visit website

Great Harvest Bread Co.

4.8 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Great Falls, Montana

0.5 mi

Yellowstone Coffee and Canvas

4.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Billings, Montana

0.4 mi

Electric City Coffee, Coffee House and Bakery

4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, right off the route

0.4 mi from route ~1 min detour $10 to $20 mile 223.7

Great Falls, Montana

Hours: 7 am–3 pm

+14064524529

Visit website

Paniolo Cafe

4.9 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, right off the route

0.4 mi from route ~1 min detour $10 to $20 mile 223.7

Great Falls, Montana

Hours: 9 am–2 pm

+14063152565

Visit website

Luna Coffee Bar

4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, right off the route

0.4 mi from route ~1 min detour $1 to $10 mile 223.7

Great Falls, Montana

Hours: 7 am–9 pm

+14066040101

Visit website

Wheat Montana Great Falls

4.4 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Near the end, right off the route

0.6 mi from route ~2 min detour $10 to $20 mile 223.7

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

0.4 mi from route ~1 min detour $10 to $20 mile 223.7

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

1 mi from route ~2 min detour $10 to $20 mile 223.7

Great Falls, Montana

Hours: 5:30 am–2 pm

+14063152463

Visit website

Coffee To Go-Drive Thru

4.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, right off the route

0.9 mi from route ~2 min detour $1 to $10 mile 223.7

Great Falls, Montana

Hours: 6:30 am–1:30 pm

+14064525903

Panera Bread

4.5 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, right off the route

0.9 mi from route ~2 min detour $10 to $20 mile 223.7

Great Falls, Montana

Hours: 7 am–9 pm

+14065644014

Visit website

Crooked Tree Coffee Downtown

4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, right off the route

0.4 mi from route ~1 min detour $1 to $10 mile 223.7

Great Falls, Montana

Hours: 7 am–2 pm

+14063151221

Visit website

Great Harvest Bread Co.

4.8 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, right off the route

0.5 mi from route ~1 min detour $10 to $20 mile 223.7

Great Falls, Montana

Hours: 6 am–5 pm

+14064526941

Visit website

Yellowstone Coffee and Canvas

4.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, right off the route

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

Billings, Montana

Hours: 7 am–8 pm

+14068942073

Visit website

honey hippo. Play Café

4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, right off the route

0.4 mi from route ~1 min detour $10 to $20 mile 223.7

Great Falls, Montana

Hours: 9 am–7 pm

+14069520209

Visit website

Morning Light Coffee Roasters

4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, short detour

1.1 mi from route ~3 min detour $1 to $10 mile 223.7

Great Falls, Montana

Hours: 6 am–4 pm

+14064538443

Visit website

True Brew Espresso

4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, short detour

1.3 mi from route ~3 min detour $1 to $10 mile 223.7

Great Falls, MT

Hours: 5:30 am–4 pm

+14067703121

Visit website

True Brew Espresso

4.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, short detour

1.2 mi from route ~3 min detour $1 to $10 mile 223.7

Great Falls, Montana

Hours: 5:30 am–4 pm

+14063152658

Visit website

City Brew Coffee

3.9 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Near the end, right off the route

0.8 mi from route ~2 min detour Inexpensiv mile 223.7

Great Falls, Montana

Hours: 5:30 am–8 pm

+14063152997

Visit website

Tesla Destination Charger

5.0 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, short detour

1.1 mi from route ~3 min detour mile 223.7

Great Falls, Montana

+14069524444

Visit website

Tesla Supercharger

4.4 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Near the end, short detour

2.1 mi from route ~5 min detour mile 223.7

Great Falls, Montana

Hours: Open 24 hours

Visit website

Blink Charging Station

1.0 ★ ☆ ☆ ☆ ☆

Near the end, short detour

1.1 mi from route ~3 min detour mile 223.7

Great Falls, Montana

Hours: Open 24 hours

+18889982546

Visit website

ChargePoint Charging Station

Near the end, right off the route

0.3 mi from route ~1 min detour mile 223.7

Great Falls, Montana

Hours: Open 24 hours

+18887584389

Visit website

5.0 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, ~9 min detour

3.4 mi from route ~9 min detour mile 223.7

Great Falls, Montana

Hours: 7 am–2 pm

Visit website

T's Happy Cafe

5.0 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Later in the drive, ~9 min detour

3.7 mi from route ~9 min detour mile 159.8

Stanford, Montana

+14065662305

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 2.5 and 223.7 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.

2.5 mi into trip | ~3m in | I 90 Business; US 87

Take the exit onto I 90 Business; US 87 toward I 90 Business, US 87 North: Lockwood, Roundup

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

Toward I 90 Business, US 87 North: Lockwood, Ro...

4.7 mi into trip | ~7m in | Swords Lane

Turn right onto Swords Lane

Navigation decision point

51 mi into trip | ~1h 1m in | US 12; MT 3

At end of road, turn left onto US 12; MT 3

Navigation decision point

199.9 mi into trip | ~3h 45m in

Enter roundabout

Roundabout - know your exit number before entering

223.7 mi into trip | ~4h 15m in | 4th Street South

Turn right onto 4th Street South

Navigation decision point

Fuel & Cost

Regular Gas

$35.45 one way

$70.90 round trip

$4.03/gal 25.4 MPG avg 78 kg CO₂

Fuel Type	$/gal	One Way	Round Trip
midgrade	$4.22	$37.16	$74.31
premium	$4.53	$39.90	$79.81
diesel	$5.61	$49.39	$98.78

No toll roads detected on this route.

Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)

Fuel

$35

Meals

$25–$50

Total

$60–$85

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

Estimated CO2 emission: 78.3 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	67.1	0	$23.49	$10.74
Efficient EV	55.9	0	$19.57	$8.95
EV Truck/SUV	89.5	1	$31.32	$14.32

Gas CO2

78 kg

EV CO2

26 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 18, 2026

Origin

Lockwood, MT

Night in Lockwood on Saturday

Local time

10:35 PM

MDT

Current temp

77°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

Destination

Great Falls, MT

Night in Great Falls on Saturday

Local time

10:35 PM

MDT

Current temp

60°F

Sunny

WSW 10 to 14 mph 0% chance Live forecast

23°F

Moore, MT

112 mi in

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

17 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 15m 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 highway-focused experience, as 97% of this route consists of high-speed travel. You will spend the vast majority of your time on open roads, with the longest uninterrupted stretch reaching 88.1 miles along US 87. The drive maintains a consistent pace, allowing you to cover significant ground without the distraction of frequent turns or technical local maneuvers. As you navigate the transition from Lockwood toward Great Falls, the road feels steady and predictable. Because you are committed to major highways for nearly the entire duration, the drive is characterized by its efficiency rather than sharp curves or complex navigation.

97% 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: 88.1 mi on US 87.

How Hard Is This Drive?

3/10

This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on US 87 and US 12. There are only a few real navigation decisions along the way. The trickiest moment comes around 2.5 miles in near I 90 Business; US 87.

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 15m drive. You will face about 17 decision points, but nothing that requires special attention if you follow navigation.

Where does it get tricky?

The main spots that need attention: at 2.5 miles (I 90 Business; US 87): Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 4.7 miles (Swords Lane): Navigation decision point; at 51 miles (US 12; MT 3): Navigation decision point.

Elevation Profile

Gently rolling terrain

4,682 ft 3,098 ft

Total Climb

1,958 ft

Total Descent

1,727 ft

Highest Point

4,682 ft

~111.9 mi in

Elevation Range

1,584 ft

Notable High Points

4,682 ft at ~111.9 miles +207 ft prominence

4,302 ft at ~149.1 miles +217 ft prominence

About the Cities

Arriving 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 15m. Total distance: 223.7 miles.

Family Friendly

Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.

Solo Traveler

4h 15m drive, comfortable solo distance.

First-Time Driver

Mostly highway driving (97%). Straightforward navigation.

Frequently Asked Questions

The longest stretch is about 88.1 miles on US 87. 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 4.3 hours each way, an in-and-out day trip would put you behind the wheel for 8.5 hours — manageable with a long break at Great Falls, 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, and USGS 3DEP for elevation. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.

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

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Trip from Lockwood, 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

Nearby Places

Electric City Coffee, Coffee House and Bakery

Crooked Tree Coffee Downtown

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

Crooked Tree Coffee Downtown

Great Harvest Bread Co.

Yellowstone Coffee and Canvas

honey hippo. Play Café

Morning Light Coffee Roasters

True Brew Espresso

True Brew Espresso

City Brew Coffee

Tesla Destination Charger

Tesla Supercharger

Blink Charging Station

ChargePoint Charging Station

TurnOnGreen Charging Station

EV Connect Charging Station

Blink Charging Station

ChargePoint Charging Station

Duck Pond | Gibson Park

Haute Hive

Bloom and Bean

Escape the Falls Escape Rooms

Engineer Espresso

In Cahoots for Tea

Al Banco Coffee Shop

T's Happy Cafe

Heads-up: tricky spots

Fuel & Cost

Travel Intel

Lockwood, MT

Great Falls, MT

Same local time

17 degrees cooler at arrival

4h 15m on the road

What kind of drive is this?

How Hard Is This Drive?

Elevation Profile

About the Cities

Arriving 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

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