Origin
Devils Lake, ND
Afternoon in Devils Lake on Thursday
Local time
4:59 PM
CDT
Current temp
61°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Devils Lake, ND to Jamestown, ND
Last recalculated Apr 16, 2026
Drive Time
2h 11m
Distance
98.6 mi
159 km
Drive Score
8/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$15
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
2h 2m
★
6 AM
2h 11m
8 AM
2h 30m
10 AM
2h 18m
12 PM
2h 16m
3 PM
2h 19m
5 PM
2h 29m
8 PM
2h 6m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Devils Lake, ND
Wikimedia Commons
Jamestown, ND
Wikimedia Commons
Trip Overview
The drive from Devils Lake, ND to Jamestown, ND covers 98.6 miles and takes about 2h 11m behind the wheel. This route is realistic as a one-day drive if you keep your stops efficient.
The route leans on US-52, US 281, State Highway 57 for much of the mileage, and the overall profile is highway-focused drive. The longest uninterrupted segment is about 41.6 miles on US-52. At current regular gas prices, budget about $15.41 one way before food or hotel costs.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.
Midpoint
49.3 miles from Devils Lake, ND
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h 10m into the drive .
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 2h 11m. Total distance: 98.6 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 0 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
2h 11m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (98%). Straightforward navigation.
Drive Character
This is a 2h 11m highway drive covering 98.6 miles, with most of the trip on US-52 and US 281. The longest continuous stretch is about 41.6 miles on US-52.
Most of the miles stay on highways, which makes pacing and fuel planning easier than turn-by-turn city driving.
There are about 9 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.
US-52 is the longest continuous segment at about 41.6 miles.
How Hard Is This Drive?
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on US-52 and US 281. Navigation is very simple - set it and forget it for most of the drive. The trickiest moment comes early in the drive near ND 20 / College Drive North.
Driving Effort
1/10
Very easy - short and simple to drive
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
The drive from Devils Lake, ND to Jamestown, ND is easy. At 2h 11m with 98% highway, most drivers will find it relaxed and low-stress.
Where does it get tricky?
The main spots that need attention: near the start (ND 20 / College Drive North): Lane positioning matters here; at 19 miles (US 281): Navigation decision point; at 55.5 miles (US 52; US 281 / 4th Avenue North): Roundabout - know your exit number before entering.
Critical Maneuvers
4 of 4 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
|
ND 20 / College Drive North
Depart onto ND 20 / College Drive North
Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / right lanes.
4
19 mi into trip
|
~28m in
|
US 281
At end of road, turn left onto US 281
Navigation decision point
4
55.5 mi into trip
|
~1h 19m in
|
US 52; US 281 / 4th Avenue North
Enter roundabout onto US 52; US 281 / 4th Avenue North
Roundabout - know your exit number before entering
4
98.5 mi into trip
|
~2h 10m in
|
US 52; US 281 / 1st Avenue North
Turn right onto US 52; US 281 / 1st Avenue North
Navigation decision point
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| US-52 | 41.6 mi | 48m |
| US 281 | 36.5 mi | 50m |
| State Highway 57 | 13.3 mi | 19m |
| State Highway 20 | 5 mi | 7m |
| 4th Avenue North | 1.4 mi | 3m |
| College Drive North | 0.7 mi | 1m |
| 1st Avenue North | 0.1 mi | <1m |
Longest stretch:
US-52
— 41.6 mi, about 48m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Devils Lake, ND and Jamestown, ND.
1
Start on ND 20
0.7 mi
·
1 min
·
College Drive North
Use the straight / right lanes.
2
Continue on ND 20
5.0 mi
·
7 min
·
State Highway 20
Use the left lane.
3
Continue on ND 57
13 mi
·
19 min
·
State Highway 57
4
At end of road, turn left onto US 281
36 mi
·
50 min
·
US 281
5
Enter roundabout onto US 52; US 281
166 ft
·
5 sec
·
4th Avenue North
6
Continue on US 52; US 281
1.4 mi
·
3 min
·
4th Avenue North
7
Continue on US 52; US 281
42 mi
·
48 min
·
US-52
8
Turn right onto US 52; US 281
0.1 mi
·
15 sec
·
1st Avenue North
9
Arrive at destination
US 52; US 281
Trip Plan
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 49.3 miles from Devils Lake, ND, or about 1h 10m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 41.6 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 22 miles or 33m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 49.3 miles or 1h 10m 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 50m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Jamestown, ND than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving Devils Lake, 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 Devils Lake, ND
This is one driving day of about 98.6 miles and 2h 11m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 22 miles from Devils Lake, ND.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
The longest stretch is on US-52 for about 41.6 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 49.3 mi from Devils Lake, ND · 1h 10m 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 22 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 49.3 miles from Devils Lake, ND, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Arriving in Jamestown, ND
The final approach into Jamestown, 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 Jamestown, 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
$15.41 one way
$30.83 round trip
$3.97/gal
25.4 MPG avg
35 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.36 | $16.93 | $33.85 |
| premium | $4.89 | $18.97 | $37.95 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $21.77 | $43.54 |
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: 34.5 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $10 in charging · 0 stops · 65% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 29.6 | 0 | $10.35 | $4.73 |
| Efficient EV | 24.7 | 0 | $8.63 | $3.94 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 39.4 | 0 | $13.80 | $6.31 |
Gas CO2
34 kg
EV CO2
12 kg (65% 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
Jamestown, ND
Afternoon in Jamestown on Thursday
Local time
4:59 PM
CDT
Current temp
65°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
66°F
Divide, 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
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 warmer at arrival
A meaningful temperature swing is a good cue to rethink layers, water, and how soon you want to arrive.
Road read
2h 11m 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 Devils Lake, ND to Jamestown, ND covers 98.6 miles and takes about 2h 11m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are US-52, US 281, State Highway 57. Most of the drive stays on highways, so watch for ramps and exits.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 49.3 miles from Devils Lake, ND. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $15.41 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.
The drive from Devils Lake, ND to Jamestown, ND is easy. At 2h 11m with 98% highway, most drivers will find it relaxed and low-stress.
The main spots that need attention: near the start (ND 20 / College Drive North): Lane positioning matters here; at 19 miles (US 281): Navigation decision point; at 55.5 miles (US 52; US 281 / 4th Avenue North): Roundabout - know your exit number before entering.
The route from Devils Lake, ND to Jamestown, ND does not surface many named destination signs beyond the main corridor.
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