Trip from Malta, 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

3h 48m

Distance

202 mi

325 km

Drive Score

10/10

Great drive

Same Day?

Yes, doable

Fuel Cost

$32

one way

EV Charging

Good

8 stations

Best Time to Leave

Save up to 38 min

4 AM

3h 36m ★

6 AM

3h 48m

8 AM

4h 14m

10 AM

3h 57m

12 PM

3h 55m

3 PM

3h 58m

5 PM

4h 12m

8 PM

3h 41m

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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Malta, MT

Elena Lyubimova

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

Great Falls, MT

Wikimedia Commons

Trip Overview

This 202-mile drive from Malta to Great Falls, Montana, will take you approximately 3 hours and 48 minutes. Primarily utilizing US 87, North 1st Street West, and 9th Street North, this trip is easily manageable as a single-day adventure. With an estimated fuel cost of $32, it's a budget-friendly option for exploring the Mountain West region. You'll experience a mixed drive, offering a varied experience on your journey across Montana. This route is ideal for a day trip, allowing you to depart and arrive within the same day.

Trip Pace

Same-day drive is realistic

A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.

Break Rhythm

1 planned break

A short stop every 2 to 3 hours is enough for this drive.

Midpoint

101 miles from Malta, MT

A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h 54m into the drive .

Main Roads

Road	Distance	Duration
US 87	107.3 mi	1h 58m
North 1st Street West	91.6 mi	1h 44m
9th Street North	1 mi	2m
Old Havre Highway	0.8 mi	<1m
5th Street North	0.5 mi	<1m
2nd Avenue North	0.3 mi	<1m
10th Street Northeast	0.2 mi	<1m
Central Avenue South	0.1 mi	<1m

Longest stretch: US 87 — 107.3 mi, about 1h 58m

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

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

Start on US 191

0.1 mi · 10 sec · Central Avenue South

Turn left onto US 2; US 191

92 mi · 1 hr 44 min · North 1st Street West

Use the left lane.

Turn left onto US 87

107 mi · 1 hr 58 min · US 87

Use the left lane.

Continue on US 87

297 ft · 5 sec · 15th Street Northeast

Turn right onto Old Havre Highway

0.8 mi · 59 sec · Old Havre Highway

Continue on 10th Street Northeast

0.2 mi · 19 sec · 10th Street Northeast

Continue on 9th Street North

1.0 mi · 2 min · 9th Street North

Turn right onto 2nd Avenue North

0.3 mi · 38 sec · 2nd Avenue North

Turn left onto 5th Street North

0.5 mi · 44 sec · 5th Street North

Turn right onto 4th Avenue South

429 ft · 24 sec · 4th Avenue South

Turn left onto 4th Street South

229 ft · 10 sec · 4th Street South

Arrive at destination

4th Street South

Trip Plan

For this 202-mile journey, you have the flexibility to depart at your leisure. Since it’s a manageable 3-hour and 48-minute drive, planning for one stop should be sufficient, but feel free to adjust based on your needs. Keep an eye on your fuel gauge, especially during the 107.3-mile stretch on US 87, as services might be spaced out. The estimated fuel cost is around $32, so factor that into your budget. Arriving in Great Falls, you'll transition from the open roads of Montana into a more urban environment.

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 101 miles from Malta, MT, or about 1h 54m into the drive.

The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 107.3 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 44 miles or 50m in

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

Halfway reset

Around 101 miles or 1h 54m 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 6m

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 Malta, 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 Malta, MT

This is one driving day of about 202 miles and 3h 48m.

Your first comfortable stop window is around 44 miles from Malta, 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 107.3 miles.

Where to Stop

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

Mid-route town

Meal stop

Havre, MT

101 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

Fort Belknap Agency, MT

Fuel and coffee

A short stop after about 44 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.

Havre, MT

Meal break

The midpoint is around 101 miles from Malta, 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 107.3 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

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 202

Hours: 7 am–3 pm

+14064524529

Visit website

Stretch's Pizza

4.3 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Malta, Montana

0.2 mi

Paniolo Cafe

4.9 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Great Falls, Montana

0.4 mi

Top Coffee Stop

Great Northern Hotel

4.2 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Malta, Montana

Near the start, right off the route

0 mi from route

+14066542100

Crooked Tree Coffee Downtown

4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Great Falls, Montana

0.4 mi

Great Harvest Bread Co.

4.8 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Great Falls, Montana

0.5 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 202

Great Falls, Montana

Hours: 7 am–3 pm

+14064524529

Visit website

Stretch's Pizza

4.3 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Near the start, right off the route

0.2 mi from route $10 to $20

Malta, Montana

Hours: 11:30 am–9 pm

+14066541229

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 202

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 202

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 202

Great Falls, Montana

Hours: 6 am–6 pm

+14067717456

Visit website

Hitchin' Post

4.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, right off the route

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

Malta, Montana

Hours: 7 am–2 pm

+14066541882

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 202

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 202

Great Falls, Montana

Hours: 5:30 am–2 pm

+14063152463

Visit website

Great Northern Hotel

4.2 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Near the start, right off the route

0 mi from route

Malta, Montana

+14066542100

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 202

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 202

Great Falls, Montana

Hours: 6 am–5 pm

+14064526941

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 202

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 202

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 202

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 202

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 202

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 202

Great Falls, Montana

+14069524444

Visit website

Tesla Supercharger

4.4 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Near the end, short detour

2.1 mi from route ~5 min detour mile 202

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 202

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 202

Great Falls, Montana

Hours: Open 24 hours

+18887584389

Visit website

4.2 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Near the start, right off the route

0 mi from route $10 to $20

Malta, Montana

Hours: 6 am–8 pm

+14066542100

In Cahoots for Tea

4.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, right off the route

0.4 mi from route ~1 min detour mile 202

Great Falls, Montana

Hours: 10 am–4:30 pm

+14064522225

Visit website

Havre Beneath the Streets

4.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Around the midpoint, short detour

1.8 mi from route ~4 min detour mile 86.6

Havre, Montana

Hours: 10 am–4 pm

+14062658888

Visit website

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

Heads-up: tricky spots

5 of 7

5 decision points cluster between mile 0.1 and 201.9 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.

0.1 mi into trip | ~0m in | US 2; US 191 / North 1st Street West

Turn left onto US 2; US 191 / North 1st Street West

Lane positioning matters here

Use the left lane.

91.7 mi into trip | ~1h 44m in | US 87

Turn left onto US 87

Lane positioning matters here

Use the left lane.

201.1 mi into trip | ~3h 46m in | 2nd Avenue North

Turn right onto 2nd Avenue North

Navigation decision point

201.4 mi into trip | ~3h 46m in | 5th Street North

Turn left onto 5th Street North

Navigation decision point

201.9 mi into trip | ~3h 48m in | 4th Street South

Turn left onto 4th Street South

Navigation decision point

Fuel & Cost

Regular Gas

$32.01 one way

$64.02 round trip

$4.03/gal 25.4 MPG avg 71 kg CO₂

Fuel Type	$/gal	One Way	Round Trip
midgrade	$4.22	$33.55	$67.11
premium	$4.53	$36.03	$72.07
diesel	$5.61	$44.60	$89.20

No toll roads detected on this route.

Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)

Fuel

$32

Meals

$25–$50

Total

$57–$82

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

Estimated CO2 emission: 70.7 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.

Driving Electric?

About $21 in charging · 0 stops · 66% less CO₂

Vehicle Type	kWh	Stops	DC Fast	Home Charge
Average EV	60.6	0	$21.21	$9.70
Efficient EV	50.5	0	$17.67	$8.08
EV Truck/SUV	80.8	1	$28.28	$12.93

Gas CO2

71 kg

EV CO2

24 kg (66% 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 18, 2026

Origin

Malta, MT

Late night in Malta on Sunday

Local time

1:57 AM

MDT

Current temp

70°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

Destination

Great Falls, MT

Late night in Great Falls on Sunday

Local time

1:57 AM

MDT

Current temp

26°F

Mostly Clear

SW 8 mph 0% chance 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

44 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

3h 48m on the road

The weather snapshot is not static. If you are leaving later, give both cities one more quick forecast check before departure.

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

What kind of drive is this?

The character of this drive is a mixed bag, with 53% of the route being on highways. You'll encounter a longest uninterrupted stretch of 107.3 miles on US 87, offering a good opportunity to settle in. Expect a blend of faster highway driving and some local road navigation as you approach your destination. This isn't a monotonous interstate slog; rather, it’s a route that offers some variety in its pacing and road types.

53% highway, the rest on surface roads — varied driving throughout.

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

Longest single stretch: 107.3 mi on US 87.

How Hard Is This Drive?

3/10

This route mixes highway mileage with some local-road sections near the start or finish. There are only a few real navigation decisions along the way. The trickiest moment comes around 0.1 miles in near US 2; US 191 / North 1st Street West.

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 3h 48m drive. You will face about 7 decision points, but nothing that requires special attention if you follow navigation.

Where does it get tricky?

The main spots that need attention: at 0.1 miles (US 2; US 191 / North 1st Street West): Lane positioning matters here; at 91.7 miles (US 87): Lane positioning matters here; at 201.1 miles (2nd Avenue North): Navigation decision point.

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 3h 48m. Total distance: 202 miles.

Family Friendly

Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.

Solo Traveler

3h 48m drive, comfortable solo distance.

First-Time Driver

Mostly highway driving (53%). Straightforward navigation.

Frequently Asked Questions

The longest stretch is about 107.3 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 3.8 hours each way, an in-and-out day trip would put you behind the wheel for 7.6 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, and EIA for fuel prices. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.

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

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Trip from Malta, 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

Great Northern Hotel

Electric City Coffee, Coffee House and Bakery

Stretch's Pizza

Paniolo Cafe

Luna Coffee Bar

Wheat Montana Great Falls

Hitchin' Post

Brian's Top Notch Cafe

Double Barrel Coffee House Cafe

Great Northern Hotel

Crooked Tree Coffee Downtown

Great Harvest Bread Co.

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

Stockman Bar & Steakhouse

Duck Pond | Gibson Park

Haute Hive

Bloom and Bean

Escape the Falls Escape Rooms

GN Hotel and Lounge

In Cahoots for Tea

Havre Beneath the Streets

Heads-up: tricky spots

Fuel & Cost

Travel Intel

Malta, MT

Great Falls, MT

Same local time

44 degrees cooler at arrival

3h 48m on the road

What kind of drive is this?

How Hard Is This Drive?

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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