Chicago to Great Falls: Road Trip Guide & Distance

1220.2 miles 1963.8 km · straight line
1379.6 miles actual route 2220.3 km · driving distance
24h 27min estimated drive time
$133 - $163 estimated fuel cost
~2h 57min flight time
297° WNW bearing direction

How far is Chicago from Great Falls?

The distance from Chicago to Great Falls is 1220.2 miles (1963.8 km) as the crow flies. Great Falls is located WNW of Chicago. By car, the driving distance is approximately 1379.6 miles, taking about 24h 27min. A direct flight would take roughly 2h 57min. Both are located in United States — Chicago in Illinois 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 Chicago and Great Falls. The driving distance uses an OSRM road-route result when route data is available. Fuel, flight, bus, and train values are planning estimates and can change by date, provider, road closures, and border rules.

How to Get from Chicago to Great Falls

Method Time Est. Cost Best For
Drive 24h 27min $133 - $163 Flexible stops
Fly ~2h 57min $80–200* Speed
Bus ~29h 20min $110–$207* Budget
Train ~31h 47min $166–$483* Comfort

Suggested Stops Between Chicago & Great Falls

Quick Facts

Chicago
41.88°N, 87.63°W
America/Chicago
181m 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 407 hours of non-stop walking
  • By bicycle at 12 mph, the journey would take roughly 102 hours
  • You could travel this distance about 20.4 times to circle the Earth's equator
Data Sources & Estimate Notes GeoNames · OpenStreetMap · OSRM