Origin
Bismarck, ND
Afternoon in Bismarck on Monday
Local time
3:27 PM
CDT
Current temp
38°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Bismarck, ND to Devils Lake, ND
Drive Time
3h 31m
Distance
184.6 mi
297 km
Drive Score
8/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$28
one way
EV Charging
Loading...
station data
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
3h 19m
★
6 AM
3h 32m
8 AM
3h 56m
10 AM
3h 40m
12 PM
3h 38m
3 PM
3h 41m
5 PM
3h 55m
8 PM
3h 24m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Bismarck, ND
Wikimedia Commons
Devils Lake, ND
Wikimedia Commons
Trip Overview
If you are planning a trip from Bismarck to Devils Lake, expect a straightforward journey across the North Dakota Great Plains. Covering 179.4 miles, this drive typically takes about 3 hours and 9 minutes to complete. It works perfectly as a manageable day trip, meaning you do not need to worry about booking overnight stays unless you prefer a slower pace. Budget approximately $27 for fuel to cover the distance comfortably. Navigating this route involves a steady transition through the local landscape, making it a functional connection between these two prairie hubs.
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
92.3 miles from Bismarck, ND
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h 40m into the drive .
Drive Character
Expect a turn-heavy local drive rather than a monotonous interstate cruise, as this route features zero highway driving. You will start your journey on North 9th Street, East Boulevard Avenue, and State Street, which set the tone for a more grounded, hands-on experience behind the wheel. Because there are no long highway stretches, you should stay alert as the road requires your full attention through its winding local segments. This lack of high-speed transit means you will experience the regional geography at a consistent, measured pace from start to finish.
Most of the miles stay on highways, which makes pacing and fuel planning easier than turn-by-turn city driving.
There are about 18 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.
State Highway 3 is the longest continuous segment at about 80 miles.
How Hard Is This Drive?
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on State Highway 3 and State Highway 19. There are only a few real navigation decisions along the way. The trickiest moment comes around 1.9 miles in near US 83.
Route Complexity
3/10
Easy - simple navigation with a manageable amount of wheel time
This is a straightforward 3h 31m drive. You will face about 13 decision points, but nothing that requires special attention if you follow navigation.
Where does it get tricky?
The main spots that need attention: at 1.9 miles (US 83): Lane positioning matters here; at 43 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 109.8 miles (ND 3 / State Highway 3): Lane positioning matters here.
Critical Maneuvers
5 of 13 key pointsThese are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
7
1.9 mi into trip
|
~3m in
|
US 83
Take the ramp onto US 83 toward Fargo
Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Toward Fargo
5
43 mi into trip
|
~43m in
Take the exit toward ND 3 North: Steele, Tuttle
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Toward ND 3 North: Steele, Tuttle
6
109.8 mi into trip
|
~2h 2m in
|
ND 3 / State Highway 3
Turn right onto ND 3 / State Highway 3
Lane positioning matters here
Use the right lane.
6
164.3 mi into trip
|
~3h 7m in
|
ND 19 / State Highway 19
Turn right onto ND 19 / State Highway 19
Lane positioning matters here
Use the right lane.
7
184.5 mi into trip
|
~3h 31m in
|
ND 20 / College Drive North
At end of road, turn left onto ND 20 / College Drive North
Lane positioning matters here
Use the left lane.
Towns Along This Route
On the drive from Bismarck, ND to Devils Lake, ND, road signs begin pointing toward Tuttle along the way.
Tuttle
43 mi in
|
~43m
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| State Highway 3 | 80 mi | 1h 34m |
| State Highway 19 | 53.5 mi | 1h 2m |
| US 83 | 41.1 mi | 39m |
| US 281 | 3.3 mi | 3m |
| United States Highway 52 | 2.1 mi | 2m |
| State Highway 200 | 2 mi | 2m |
| State Street | 1 mi | 1m |
| North 9th Street | 0.6 mi | <1m |
Longest stretch:
State Highway 3
— 80 mi, about 1h 34m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Bismarck, ND and Devils Lake, ND.
1
Start on East Rosser Avenue
0.2 mi
·
47 sec
·
East Rosser Avenue
2
Turn left onto ND 1804
0.6 mi
·
53 sec
·
North 9th Street
3
Turn right onto ND 1804
227 ft
·
3 sec
·
East Boulevard Avenue
4
Continue on ND 1804
1.0 mi
·
1 min
·
State Street
5
Take the ramp onto US 83
41 mi
·
39 min
·
US 83
Toward Fargo
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
6
Take the exit
0.2 mi
·
37 sec
Toward ND 3 North: Steele, Tuttle
7
Turn left onto ND 3
41 mi
·
47 min
·
State Highway 3
8
At end of road, turn right onto ND 200; ND 3
2.0 mi
·
2 min
·
State Highway 200
9
Turn left onto ND 3
21 mi
·
25 min
·
State Highway 3
10
Turn left onto US 52; ND 3
2.1 mi
·
2 min
·
United States Highway 52
11
Turn right onto ND 3
18 mi
·
21 min
·
State Highway 3
Use the right lane.
12
Turn right onto ND 19
8.5 mi
·
10 min
·
State Highway 19
13
Continue on ND 19
25 mi
·
29 min
·
State Highway 19
14
Turn left onto US 281; ND 19
3.3 mi
·
3 min
·
US 281; ND 19
15
Turn right onto ND 19
20 mi
·
23 min
·
State Highway 19
Use the right lane.
16
Continue on ND 19
0.3 mi
·
56 sec
·
4th Street Northwest
17
At end of road, turn left onto ND 20
365 ft
·
10 sec
·
College Drive North
Use the left lane.
18
Arrive at destination
ND 20
Trip Plan
Since this is a relatively short trip, you have the flexibility to depart whenever fits your schedule best. With 179.4 miles to cover and only one planned stop needed, you can easily complete the journey in a single morning or afternoon session. Keep in mind that the turn-heavy nature of the route means your travel time may fluctuate slightly depending on local traffic, so build in a little buffer. My best tip is to fuel up before you leave Bismarck to ensure you stay within your $27 estimated budget without needing to hunt for stations along the more local stretches of the road.
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 92.3 miles from Bismarck, ND, or about 1h 40m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 80 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 80 miles or 1h 26m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 92.3 miles or 1h 40m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 2h 52m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Devils Lake, ND than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving Bismarck, ND 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 Bismarck, ND
This is one driving day of about 184.6 miles and 3h 31m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 80 miles from Bismarck, ND.
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 State Highway 3 for about 80 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 92.3 mi from Bismarck, ND · 1h 40m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
92 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
Fuel and coffee
A short stop after about 80 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 92.3 miles from Bismarck, ND, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Before the longest stretch
Fuel checkTop up before State Highway 3 if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 80 miles.
Arriving in Devils Lake, ND
The final approach into Devils Lake, ND usually feels slower than the middle of the drive, so avoid planning your tightest schedule at the very end.
Try to arrive with enough fuel left to skip an immediate station stop unless you already know the area around Devils Lake, ND.
These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$28.04 one way
$56.08 round trip
$3.86/gal
25.4 MPG avg
65 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.25 | $30.91 | $61.82 |
| premium | $4.80 | $34.85 | $69.70 |
| diesel | $5.64 | $41.01 | $82.02 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$28
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$53–$78
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 64.6 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-06.
Driving Electric?
About $19 in charging · 0 stops · 66% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 55.4 | 0 | $19.38 | $8.86 |
| Efficient EV | 46.2 | 0 | $16.15 | $7.38 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 73.8 | 0 | $25.84 | $11.81 |
Gas CO2
65 kg
EV CO2
22 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.
Destination
Devils Lake, ND
Afternoon in Devils Lake on Monday
Local time
3:27 PM
CDT
Current temp
34°F
Unavailable
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
4 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 31m on the road
Use the two city cards together: check the sky where you start, then compare it with the local time and temperature at arrival.
Weather data from the National Weather Service. Conditions may change; check closer to your travel date.
Frequently Asked Questions
The drive from Bismarck, ND to Devils Lake, ND covers 184.6 miles and takes about 3h 31m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are State Highway 3, State Highway 19, US 83. Most of the drive stays on highways, so watch for ramps and exits.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 92.3 miles from Bismarck, ND. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $28.04 one way. This estimate uses 25.4 MPG — your actual cost will vary with your vehicle's fuel efficiency and current gas prices.
An early start around 7-8 AM gets you there with plenty of daylight left. A late afternoon start means arriving after dark. Morning is better.
Plan about 1 meaningful break for fuel, food, or rest. A short stop every 2 to 3 hours is enough for this drive.
This is a straightforward 3h 31m drive. You will face about 13 decision points, but nothing that requires special attention if you follow navigation.
The main spots that need attention: at 1.9 miles (US 83): Lane positioning matters here; at 43 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 109.8 miles (ND 3 / State Highway 3): Lane positioning matters here.
On the drive from Bismarck, ND to Devils Lake, ND, road signs begin pointing toward Tuttle along the way.
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