Origin
Bismarck, ND
Afternoon in Bismarck on Monday
Local time
4:49 PM
CDT
Current temp
38°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Bismarck, ND to Fort Totten, ND
Drive Time
3h 19m
Distance
167.8 mi
270 km
Drive Score
8/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$25
one way
EV Charging
None
0 DC fast
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
3h 7m
★
6 AM
3h 19m
8 AM
3h 43m
10 AM
3h 28m
12 PM
3h 25m
3 PM
3h 29m
5 PM
3h 42m
8 PM
3h 12m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Bismarck, ND
Wikimedia Commons
Fort Totten, ND
Phil Evenden
Trip Overview
Traveling from Bismarck to Fort Totten spans 167.8 miles across the heart of the North Dakota Great Plains. You can expect the journey to take approximately 3 hours and 19 minutes, making it an ideal candidate for a single-day trip. With a fuel budget of about $25, this route is both budget-friendly and straightforward for those looking to traverse the region efficiently. You will primarily navigate via US 83, State Highway 3, and US 281. Since both your start and end points remain within the Great Plains, you will experience consistent terrain throughout the drive. This trip is best suited for a traveler who prefers a direct route without the need for an overnight stay.
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
83.9 miles from Bismarck, ND
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h 30m into the drive .
Drive Character
This highway-focused drive is defined by its efficiency, with 98% of the route consisting of highway travel. You will spend most of your time on open roads, where the rhythm of the drive remains steady and predictable. The longest uninterrupted stretch you will encounter is a 41.4-mile segment on State Highway 3, allowing for long periods of consistent cruising. Transitioning between US 83, State Highway 3, and US 281, the road maintains a practical, functional character throughout. Expect a drive that prioritizes steady progress over technical complexity, keeping you on major thoroughfares for the duration of your trip.
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 41.4 miles.
How Hard Is This Drive?
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on State Highway 3 and US 83. Navigation is very simple — set it and forget it for most of the drive. The trickiest moment comes around 1.9 miles in near US 83.
Route Complexity
2/10
Very easy - short and simple to drive
The drive from Bismarck, ND to Fort Totten, ND is easy. At 3h 19m with 98% highway, most drivers will find it relaxed and low-stress.
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 84.6 miles (ND 200; ND 3 / State Highway 200): Navigation decision point.
Critical Maneuvers
5 of 14 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
5
84.6 mi into trip
|
~1h 31m in
|
ND 200; ND 3 / State Highway 200
At end of road, turn right onto ND 200; ND 3 / State Highway 200
Navigation decision point
5
167.6 mi into trip
|
~3h 18m in
|
BIA 7 / 3rd Avenue North
At end of road, turn left onto BIA 7 / 3rd Avenue North
Navigation decision point
5
167.7 mi into trip
|
~3h 18m in
|
BIA 6 / Ephriam Hill Road
Turn right onto BIA 6 / Ephriam Hill Road
Navigation decision point
Towns Along This Route
On the drive from Bismarck, ND to Fort Totten, ND, road signs begin pointing toward Tuttle along the way.
Tuttle
43 mi in
|
~43m
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| State Highway 3 | 41.4 mi | 47m |
| US 83 | 41.1 mi | 39m |
| US 281 | 23.5 mi | 34m |
| State Highway 200 | 16.4 mi | 19m |
| State Highway 15 | 13.9 mi | 16m |
| State Highway 30 | 13 mi | 15m |
| United States Highway 52 | 10 mi | 11m |
| State Highway 57 | 5.3 mi | 8m |
Longest stretch:
State Highway 3
— 41.4 mi, about 47m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Bismarck, ND and Fort Totten, 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
16 mi
·
19 min
·
State Highway 200
9
Continue on US 52; ND 200
10.0 mi
·
11 min
·
United States Highway 52
10
Turn left onto ND 30
13 mi
·
15 min
·
State Highway 30
11
Turn right onto ND 15
14 mi
·
16 min
·
State Highway 15
12
Turn left onto US 281; ND 15
23 mi
·
34 min
·
US 281; ND 15
13
Turn right onto ND 57
5.3 mi
·
8 min
·
State Highway 57
14
Turn right onto BIA 7
0.9 mi
·
2 min
·
Bureau of Indian Affairs Road 7
15
At end of road, turn left onto BIA 7
524 ft
·
16 sec
·
3rd Avenue North
16
Turn right onto BIA 6
492 ft
·
19 sec
·
Ephriam Hill Road
17
Turn left onto 2nd Avenue North
147 ft
·
6 sec
·
2nd Avenue North
18
Arrive at destination
2nd Avenue North
Trip Plan
For a smooth excursion, plan for at least one stop to break up the 3-hour and 19-minute drive. Since you are staying on major highways, fuel is generally accessible, but keep an eye on your gauge before embarking on the 41.4-mile stretch of State Highway 3. Leaving in the morning provides the most flexibility, allowing you to arrive at your destination with plenty of daylight to spare. Because this is a relatively short trip, you have the advantage of adjusting your pace to suit your personal schedule. A helpful tip is to check your fuel levels before leaving Bismarck to ensure you are well-prepared for the transition between US 83 and US 281.
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 83.9 miles from Bismarck, ND, or about 1h 30m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 41.4 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 83.9 miles or 1h 30m 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 33m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Fort Totten, 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 167.8 miles and 3h 19m.
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 41.4 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 83.9 mi from Bismarck, ND · 1h 30m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
84 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
Arriving in Fort Totten, ND
The final approach into Fort Totten, 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 Fort Totten, 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
$25.49 one way
$50.97 round trip
$3.86/gal
25.4 MPG avg
59 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.25 | $28.10 | $56.19 |
| premium | $4.80 | $31.68 | $63.35 |
| diesel | $5.64 | $37.28 | $74.56 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$25
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$50–$75
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 58.7 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-06.
Driving Electric?
About $18 in charging · 0 stops · 66% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 50.3 | 0 | $17.62 | $8.05 |
| Efficient EV | 42 | 0 | $14.68 | $6.71 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 67.1 | 0 | $23.49 | $10.74 |
Gas CO2
59 kg
EV CO2
20 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
Fort Totten, ND
Afternoon in Fort Totten on Monday
Local time
4:49 PM
CDT
Current temp
44°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
6 degrees warmer at arrival
A meaningful temperature swing is a good cue to rethink layers, water, and how soon you want to arrive.
Road read
3h 19m 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 Fort Totten, ND covers 167.8 miles and takes about 3h 19m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are State Highway 3, US 83, US 281. Most of the drive stays on highways, so watch for ramps and exits.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 83.9 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 $25.49 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.
The drive from Bismarck, ND to Fort Totten, ND is easy. At 3h 19m with 98% highway, most drivers will find it relaxed and low-stress.
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 84.6 miles (ND 200; ND 3 / State Highway 200): Navigation decision point.
On the drive from Bismarck, ND to Fort Totten, ND, road signs begin pointing toward Tuttle along the way.
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