Origin
Bismarck, ND
Afternoon in Bismarck on Monday
Local time
3:28 PM
CDT
Current temp
38°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Bismarck, ND to Dickinson, ND
Drive Time
1h 38m
Distance
98.9 mi
159 km
Drive Score
7/10
Good drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$15
one way
EV Charging
None
0 DC fast
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
1h 32m
★
6 AM
1h 39m
8 AM
1h 54m
10 AM
1h 44m
12 PM
1h 43m
3 PM
1h 45m
5 PM
1h 53m
8 PM
1h 34m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Bismarck, ND
Wikimedia Commons
Dickinson, ND
Wikimedia Commons
Trip Overview
Spanning 98.9 miles across the Great Plains, this direct route between Bismarck and Dickinson is a quick trip that typically takes about 1 hour and 38 minutes. Because of the manageable distance, this drive is perfectly suited for a single-day excursion, allowing you to reach your destination without needing an overnight stay. You should budget approximately $15 for fuel to cover the journey. Navigating this path is straightforward, relying heavily on I-94 to move you efficiently between these two North Dakota cities. Whether you are traveling for business or a change of scenery, the simplicity of this trip makes it a reliable choice for your schedule.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.
Break Rhythm
0 planned breaks
A short stop every 2 to 3 hours is enough for this drive.
Midpoint
49.5 miles from Bismarck, ND
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 50m into the drive .
Drive Character
Expect a highly efficient, highway-focused experience as 96% of your time behind the wheel will be spent on major roads. The core of this trip is a 94-mile, uninterrupted stretch along I-94, which allows for consistent speeds and straightforward navigation. You will start your journey utilizing the Bismarck Expressway and 3rd Avenue West to connect to the interstate, but once you merge, the route remains largely consistent. It is a no-nonsense drive that prioritizes speed and direct access, minimizing the need for complex maneuvers or technical driving. You will find that the rhythm of the road remains steady 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 13 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.
I 94 is the longest continuous segment at about 94 miles.
Elevation Profile
Mostly flat terrain
2,509 ft
1,691 ft
Total Climb
906 ft
Total Descent
184 ft
Highest Point
2,509 ft
~90.7 mi in
Elevation Range
817 ft
How Hard Is This Drive?
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 94 and 3rd Avenue West. There are only a few real navigation decisions along the way. The trickiest moment comes around 2.3 miles in near Bismarck Expressway.
Route Complexity
3/10
Easy - simple navigation with a manageable amount of wheel time
This is a straightforward 1h 38m 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 2.3 miles (Bismarck Expressway): Merge point - match speed before joining; at 3.4 miles (I 94): Merge point - match speed before joining; at 97.6 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully.
Critical Maneuvers
5 of 7 key pointsThese are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
3
2.3 mi into trip
|
~4m in
|
Bismarck Expressway
Merge onto Bismarck Expressway
Merge point - match speed before joining
3
3.4 mi into trip
|
~6m in
|
I 94
Merge onto I 94
Merge point - match speed before joining
5
97.6 mi into trip
|
~1h 36m in
Keep slight left at fork
Highway fork - watch signs carefully
4
97.7 mi into trip
|
~1h 36m in
|
ND 22 / 3rd Avenue West
Turn left onto ND 22 / 3rd Avenue West
Navigation decision point
4
98.9 mi into trip
|
~1h 38m in
Turn right
Navigation decision point
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| I 94 | 94 mi | 1h 29m |
| 3rd Avenue West | 1.2 mi | 1m |
| Bismarck Expressway | 1.1 mi | 1m |
| East Rosser Avenue | 0.9 mi | 2m |
| West Main Avenue | 0.5 mi | <1m |
| Memorial Highway | 0.5 mi | <1m |
| West Rosser Avenue | 0.1 mi | <1m |
Longest stretch:
I 94
— 94 mi, about 1h 29m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Bismarck, ND and Dickinson, ND.
1
Start on East Rosser Avenue
0.9 mi
·
2 min
·
East Rosser Avenue
2
Continue on West Rosser Avenue
0.1 mi
·
20 sec
·
West Rosser Avenue
3
Turn straight onto I 94 Business
0.5 mi
·
45 sec
·
West Main Avenue
4
Continue on I 94 Business
0.5 mi
·
45 sec
·
Memorial Highway
5
Take the ramp
0.3 mi
·
34 sec
6
Merge onto Bismarck Expressway
1.1 mi
·
1 min
·
Bismarck Expressway
7
Merge onto I 94
94 mi
·
1 hr 29 min
·
I 94
8
Take the exit
0.2 mi
·
32 sec
9
Keep slight left at fork
229 ft
·
13 sec
10
Turn left onto ND 22
1.2 mi
·
1 min
·
3rd Avenue West
11
Turn left
61 ft
·
6 sec
12
Turn right
174 ft
·
12 sec
13
Arrive at destination
Trip Plan
Since the entire drive takes under two hours, you have significant flexibility in your departure time to beat potential traffic. You won't need to plan for any mandatory stops, as the 98.9-mile distance is easily manageable in one go. Keep in mind that because this route is almost entirely highway-based, your fuel consumption will be most efficient when maintaining a steady pace on I-94. If you are prone to fatigue, even a quick stretch in the car can be refreshing, but you can easily complete the trip without stopping if you prefer. A great tip for this route is to check your fuel levels before leaving Bismarck, as the long, uninterrupted stretch on the interstate means you will want to avoid unnecessary detours once you are up to speed.
Morning Departure
Leave by 9 AM and you'll arrive before lunch.
Evening Departure
Even a 4 PM departure gets you there before dark in summer.
You can normally do this drive in one day.
You may only need one short stretch break if traffic stays light.
The halfway point lands around 49.5 miles from Bismarck, ND, or about 50m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 94 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 19m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 49.5 miles or 50m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 1h 20m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Dickinson, 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 98.9 miles and 1h 38m.
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.
You may only need one short stretch stop if conditions stay smooth.
The longest stretch is on I 94 for about 94 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 49.5 mi from Bismarck, ND · 50m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
49 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 49.5 miles from Bismarck, ND, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Before the longest stretch
Fuel checkTop up before I 94 if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 94 miles.
Arriving in Dickinson, ND
The final approach into Dickinson, 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 Dickinson, 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
$15.02 one way
$30.04 round trip
$3.86/gal
25.4 MPG avg
35 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.25 | $16.56 | $33.12 |
| premium | $4.80 | $18.67 | $37.34 |
| diesel | $5.64 | $21.97 | $43.94 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$15
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$40–$65
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 34.6 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-06.
Driving Electric?
About $10 in charging · 0 stops · 66% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 29.7 | 0 | $10.38 | $4.75 |
| Efficient EV | 24.7 | 0 | $8.65 | $3.96 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 39.6 | 0 | $13.85 | $6.33 |
Gas CO2
35 kg
EV CO2
12 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
Dickinson, ND
Afternoon in Dickinson on Monday
Local time
2:28 PM
MDT
Current temp
34°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Along the Route
37°F
Washburn, ND
49 mi in
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
1 hour earlier
The destination clock does not match departure time, so double-check hotel check-in windows and late arrival plans.
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
1h 38m 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 Dickinson, ND covers 98.9 miles and takes about 1h 38m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are I 94, 3rd Avenue West, Bismarck Expressway. Most of the drive stays on highways, so watch for ramps and exits.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 49.5 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 $15.02 one way. This estimate uses 25.4 MPG — your actual cost will vary with your vehicle's fuel efficiency and current gas prices.
Leave by 9 AM and you'll arrive before lunch. Even a 4 PM departure gets you there before dark in summer.
This is a straightforward 1h 38m drive. You will face about 7 decision points, but nothing that requires special attention if you follow navigation.
The main spots that need attention: at 2.3 miles (Bismarck Expressway): Merge point - match speed before joining; at 3.4 miles (I 94): Merge point - match speed before joining; at 97.6 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully.
The route from Bismarck, ND to Dickinson, ND does not surface many named destination signs beyond the main corridor.
Mostly flat terrain. The route ranges from 1,691 ft to 2,509 ft elevation with about 906 ft of total climbing.
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