Great Falls to Devils Lake: Drives, Stops, and Gems

At the head of the Missouri River, Great Falls, Montana, anchors the start of a 500-mile cross-plains drive that ends at Devils Lake, North Dakota, a natural lake with a shoreline longer than California's. The route follows U.S. Highway 87, U.S. Highway 2, and North Dakota Highway 20 across the Hi-Line, a stretch of the Great Plains named for the rail line that parallels it.

This is a drive that demands respect for distances and weather, but rewards with sweeping skies, pioneer history, and unexpected refueling oases. The journey crosses the Missouri River at Fort Benton, the state's first town, then follows the route of the Lewis and Clark Expedition through landscapes that have changed little since 1805.

Winter storms can close highways suddenly, so check forecasts and carry an emergency kit. Summers bring heat and occasional hailstorms.

For families, the Children's Museum of Northeast Montana in Glasgow offers hands-on exhibits, and Fort Peck's dinosaur museum and the lake are kid-friendly. Pets are welcome at most rest areas and small-town parks, but keep them leashed; motels often allow dogs for a fee.

Fatigue is a risk; take breaks at the rest areas near Chester and Havre, which have picnic tables and walking paths. For a hidden off-route stop, the Sleeping Buffalo Hot Springs near Malta offers a soak in mineral water, a perfect reset before the final leg.

Is it worth driving Great Falls, MT to Devils Lake, ND? Absolutely—for the variety of landscapes and the chance to trace the Lewis and Clark Trail without crowds.

Things to do between Great Falls, MT and Devils Lake, ND include visiting the Wahkpa Chu'gn archaeological site in Havre, a bison kill complex used for over 2,000 years.

How long to drive Great Falls, MT to Devils Lake, ND is typically 8 to 9 hours without stops, but plan for 10–11 with fuel and meals. The route is mostly two-lane highways with long stretches between services, so strategize refueling.

• Fuel stops: Great Falls, Fort Benton (45 min), Havre (1.5 hr), Malta (2.5 hr), Glasgow (3.5 hr), Wolf Point (4.5 hr), Devils Lake (end).
• Road surface is well-maintained, but wildlife crossings are common; watch for deer and antelope at dawn and dusk.
• Cell coverage is sparse between towns; download maps offline.

The Bearpaw Mountains rise east of Havre, a volcanic range that offers a scenic detour en route to the Fort Belknap Reservation, where you can learn about Gros Ventre and Assiniboine culture. Further east, the Missouri Breaks near Fort Peck Lake expose rugged badlands carved by the river.

In Malta, the Phillips County Museum showcases dinosaur fossils from the nearby Judith River Formation, while local diners serve up classic Montana beef. Havre's downtown preserves a 1930s Chinatown underground, a remnant of the railroad era's social complexity.

As you cross into North Dakota, the landscape flattens into wheat fields and pothole lakes, a haven for waterfowl. Wolf Point, on the Fort Peck Indian Reservation, hosts the Wild Horse Stampede in early August, a roundup that has run since 1928.

For more ways to uncover unique stops, check how to find the best stops and hidden gems between cities.