Ames to Great Falls: Road Trip Guide & Distance

943.2 miles 1517.9 km · straight line
1131.8 miles estimated 1821.5 km · driving distance
22h 46min estimated drive time
$109 - $134 estimated fuel cost
~2h 24min flight time
300° WNW bearing direction

How far is Ames from Great Falls?

The distance from Ames to Great Falls is 943.2 miles (1517.9 km) as the crow flies. Great Falls is located WNW of Ames. By car, the driving distance is approximately 1131.8 miles, taking about 22h 46min. A direct flight would take roughly 2h 24min. Both are located in United States — Ames in Iowa and Great Falls in Montana.

This is a serious multi-day road trip! We strongly recommend breaking this journey up with an overnight stay to ensure you arrive safely and refreshed. Since you'll be heading mostly West, pack a good pair of sunglasses if you plan to drive during the late afternoon to avoid the harsh sun glare. For a trip of this distance, flying is significantly faster. However, driving offers the flexibility to explore stops along the way.

Coordinates come from public place data for Ames and Great Falls. The driving distance is estimated from straight-line distance with a road-factor model, so confirm the route in your navigation app. Fuel, flight, bus, and train values are planning estimates and can change by date, provider, road closures, and border rules.

How to Get from Ames to Great Falls

Method Time Est. Cost Best For
Drive 22h 46min $109 - $134 Flexible stops
Fly ~2h 24min $80–200* Speed
Bus ~27h 19min $91–$170* Budget
Train ~29h 36min $136–$396* Comfort

Suggested Stops Between Ames & Great Falls

Quick Facts

Ames
42.03°N, 93.62°W
America/Chicago
287m elevation
Great Falls
47.50°N, 111.30°W
America/Denver
1015m elevation
Explore more routes from Great Falls

Did You Know?

  • At walking speed (3 mph), it would take about 314 hours of non-stop walking
  • By bicycle at 12 mph, the journey would take roughly 79 hours
  • You could travel this distance about 26.4 times to circle the Earth's equator
Data Sources & Estimate Notes GeoNames · OpenStreetMap · Driving distance estimated using road factor coefficients