Origin
Des Lacs, ND
Night in Des Lacs on Wednesday
Local time
11:26 PM
CDT
Current temp
33°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Des Lacs, ND to Makoti, ND
Last recalculated Apr 16, 2026
Drive Time
1h 10m
Distance
55 mi
88 km
Drive Score
9/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$9
one way
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
1h 4m
★
6 AM
1h 10m
8 AM
1h 21m
10 AM
1h 14m
12 PM
1h 13m
3 PM
1h 14m
5 PM
1h 21m
8 PM
1h 7m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Des Lacs, ND
Arndt-Peter Bergfeld
Makoti, ND
Frank Chamba
Trip Overview
This 55-mile drive from Des Lacs to Makoti, North Dakota, is a straightforward 1-hour and 10-minute journey that fits perfectly as a day trip. You'll primarily travel on 247th Avenue Southwest and US Highway 83. The estimated fuel cost for this route is around $9, making it an economical option. Both your starting and ending points are within the Great Plains region, suggesting a consistent landscape. This trip offers a simple, uncomplicated travel experience for those looking to navigate between these two North Dakota towns efficiently.
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
27.5 miles from Des Lacs, ND
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 36m into the drive .
Drive Character
Expect a mixed drive on this route, with about 40% of the journey taking place on highways. The longest uninterrupted stretch you'll encounter is 23 miles along 247th Avenue Southwest. As you transition between 247th Avenue Southwest, US Highway 83, and 19th Avenue Northwest, the road character will vary, offering a blend of potentially faster highway travel and quieter local road segments. This drive is unlikely to feel monotonous, providing a varied driving experience without being overly demanding.
Expect a mix of faster highway mileage and slower local approaches near the beginning or end.
There are about 18 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.
247th Avenue Southwest is the longest continuous segment at about 23 miles.
How Hard Is This Drive?
This route mixes highway mileage with some local-road sections near the start or finish. There are only a few real navigation decisions along the way. The trickiest moment comes early in the drive near 1st Avenue South.
Route Complexity
4/10
Easy - simple navigation with a manageable amount of wheel time
This is a straightforward 1h 10m drive. You will face about 11 decision points, but nothing that requires special attention if you follow navigation.
Where does it get tricky?
The main spots that need attention: near the start (1st Avenue South): Navigation decision point; at 0.5 miles (170th Street Northwest): Navigation decision point; at 13.4 miles (US 83 Byp): Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Critical Maneuvers
5 of 11 key pointsThese are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
4
0 mi into trip
|
~0m in
|
1st Avenue South
Turn right onto 1st Avenue South
Navigation decision point
4
0.5 mi into trip
|
~1m in
|
170th Street Northwest
At end of road, turn right onto 170th Street Northwest
Navigation decision point
5
13.4 mi into trip
|
~19m in
|
US 83 Byp
Take the exit onto US 83 Byp toward US 83: Air Base, Bismarck
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Toward US 83: Air Base, Bismarck
5
54.8 mi into trip
|
~1h 9m in
|
3rd Avenue
Turn left onto 3rd Avenue
Navigation decision point
5
54.9 mi into trip
|
~1h 9m in
|
Main Street
Turn right onto Main Street
Navigation decision point
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
On the drive from Des Lacs, ND to Makoti, ND, road signs begin pointing toward Bismarck along the way.
Bismarck
13.4 mi in
|
~19m
|
via US 83 Byp
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| 247th Avenue Southwest | 23 mi | 26m |
| US Highway 83 | 14.8 mi | 16m |
| 19th Avenue Northwest | 7.1 mi | 9m |
| US 2 | 5.7 mi | 8m |
| State Highway 23 | 1.2 mi | 1m |
| 338th Street Southwest | 1 mi | 2m |
| South Broadway | 0.8 mi | 1m |
| 1st Avenue South | 0.4 mi | 1m |
Longest stretch:
247th Avenue Southwest
— 23 mi, about 26m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Des Lacs, ND and Makoti, ND.
1
Start on Main Street
229 ft
·
9 sec
·
Main Street
2
Turn right onto 1st Avenue South
0.4 mi
·
1 min
·
1st Avenue South
3
At end of road, turn right onto 170th Street Northwest
524 ft
·
18 sec
·
170th Street Northwest
4
Turn left onto 19th Avenue Northwest
7.1 mi
·
9 min
·
19th Avenue Northwest
5
Turn right onto US 2; US 52
5.7 mi
·
8 min
·
US 2; US 52
6
Take the exit onto US 83 Byp
0.3 mi
·
42 sec
·
US 83 Byp
Toward US 83: Air Base, Bismarck
7
Keep slight right at fork onto US 83 Byp
181 ft
·
4 sec
·
US 83 Byp
8
Merge onto US 83
0.8 mi
·
1 min
·
South Broadway
9
Continue on US 83
0.1 mi
·
13 sec
·
US-83 S
10
Continue on US 83
15 mi
·
16 min
·
US Highway 83
11
Turn right onto ND 23
9.9 mi
·
11 min
·
247th Avenue Southwest
12
Continue on ND 23
1.2 mi
·
1 min
·
State Highway 23
13
Continue on ND 23
13 mi
·
14 min
·
247th Avenue Southwest
14
Turn left onto 338th Street Southwest
1.0 mi
·
2 min
·
338th Street Southwest
15
Continue on Ward Street
0.1 mi
·
21 sec
·
Ward Street
16
Turn left onto 3rd Avenue
0.1 mi
·
35 sec
·
3rd Avenue
17
Turn right onto Main Street
242 ft
·
6 sec
·
Main Street
18
Arrive at destination
Main Street
Trip Plan
Given its short 1-hour and 10-minute duration, this 55-mile trip offers plenty of flexibility for when you choose to depart. You won't need to split this journey, so consider leaving mid-morning to enjoy a leisurely start. Keep an eye on your fuel gauge, especially during the 23-mile stretch on 247th Avenue Southwest, as services might be less frequent there. With a low fuel cost of approximately $9, you can confidently complete the drive without much concern for refueling stops.
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 27.5 miles from Des Lacs, ND, or about 36m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 23 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 12 miles or 17m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 27.5 miles or 36m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 58m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Makoti, ND than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving Des Lacs, ND so your first major turns are already loaded.
Day 1
Settle into the route from Des Lacs, ND
This is one driving day of about 55 miles and 1h 10m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 12 miles from Des Lacs, ND.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
The longest stretch is on 247th Avenue Southwest for about 23 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 27.5 mi from Des Lacs, ND · 36m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
28 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 Makoti, ND
The final approach into Makoti, ND usually feels slower than the middle of the drive, so avoid planning your tightest schedule at the very end.
These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$8.60 one way
$17.20 round trip
$3.97/gal
25.4 MPG avg
19 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.36 | $9.44 | $18.88 |
| premium | $4.89 | $10.58 | $21.17 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $12.14 | $24.29 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$9
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$34–$59
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 19.2 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $6 in charging · 0 stops · 68% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 16.5 | 0 | $5.77 | $2.64 |
| Efficient EV | 13.8 | 0 | $4.81 | $2.20 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 22 | 0 | $7.70 | $3.52 |
Gas CO2
19 kg
EV CO2
6 kg (68% 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
Makoti, ND
Night in Makoti on Wednesday
Local time
11:26 PM
CDT
Current temp
52°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
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
19 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
1h 10m 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 Des Lacs, ND to Makoti, ND covers 55 miles and takes about 1h 10m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are 247th Avenue Southwest, US Highway 83, 19th Avenue Northwest. Expect a mix of highway and local road driving.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 27.5 miles from Des Lacs, ND. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $8.60 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 10m drive. You will face about 11 decision points, but nothing that requires special attention if you follow navigation.
The main spots that need attention: near the start (1st Avenue South): Navigation decision point; at 0.5 miles (170th Street Northwest): Navigation decision point; at 13.4 miles (US 83 Byp): Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
On the drive from Des Lacs, ND to Makoti, ND, road signs begin pointing toward Bismarck along the way.
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