Origin
Devils Lake, ND
Late night in Devils Lake on Wednesday
Local time
5:27 AM
CDT
Current temp
61°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Devils Lake, ND to West Fargo, ND
Data updated 0 seconds ago
Drive Time
3h 15m
Distance
165.6 mi
267 km
Drive Score
10/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$26
one way
EV Charging
Loading...
station data
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
3h 3m
★
6 AM
3h 15m
8 AM
3h 39m
10 AM
3h 24m
12 PM
3h 21m
3 PM
3h 25m
5 PM
3h 38m
8 PM
3h 8m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Devils Lake, ND
Wikimedia Commons
West Fargo, ND
cole peters
Trip Overview
Spanning 165.6 miles across the North Dakota Great Plains, this route connects Devils Lake to West Fargo in roughly 3 hours and 15 minutes. It functions perfectly as a single-day excursion, meaning you can easily complete the journey without needing an overnight stay. Expect to budget approximately $25 for fuel to cover the distance. Navigating the trip involves a combination of regional roads like 23rd Avenue and 43rd Street Northeast, eventually merging onto I-29. Whether you are traveling for business or a change of scenery, the straightforward nature of this drive makes it a manageable trek for any driver. Because both your origin and destination are located within the same Great Plains region, the landscape remains consistent throughout your transit.
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
82.8 miles from Devils Lake, ND
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h 50m into the drive .
Loading map...
Drive Character
Expect a mixed driving experience that transitions between local thoroughfares and major infrastructure. With 59% of the route consisting of highway travel, you will spend a significant portion of your time cruising at higher speeds. Your longest uninterrupted stretch occurs on I-29, where you will cover 75.7 miles of open road. The transition from smaller local arteries to the interstate requires you to be prepared for shifting traffic patterns. While the drive is relatively efficient, the blend of local streets and high-speed highway segments ensures you remain engaged behind the wheel throughout the 3-hour journey.
Expect a mix of faster highway mileage and slower local approaches near the beginning or end.
There are about 15 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.
I 29 is the longest continuous segment at about 75.7 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 ND 20 / College Drive North.
Route Complexity
3/10
Easy - simple navigation with a manageable amount of wheel time
This is a straightforward 3h 15m 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: near the start (ND 20 / College Drive North): Lane positioning matters here; at 86.8 miles (I 29; US 81): Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 162.5 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Critical Maneuvers
5 of 7 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.
7
86.8 mi into trip
|
~1h 56m in
|
I 29; US 81
Take the exit onto I 29; US 81 toward I 29 South, US 81 South: Fargo
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the right lane.
Toward I 29 South, US 81 South: Fargo
5
162.5 mi into trip
|
~3h 9m in
Take the exit toward US 10: Downtown Fargo, West Fargo
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Toward US 10: Downtown Fargo, West Fargo
5
162.8 mi into trip
|
~3h 10m in
Keep slight right at fork
Highway fork - watch signs carefully
5
165.6 mi into trip
|
~3h 15m in
|
2nd Avenue West
Turn right onto 2nd Avenue West
Navigation decision point
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| I 29 | 75.7 mi | 1h 13m |
| 23rd Avenue | 34.2 mi | 38m |
| 43rd Street Northeast | 25.3 mi | 28m |
| Highway 2 East | 22.1 mi | 41m |
| Gateway Drive | 3.7 mi | 5m |
| Main Avenue | 2.6 mi | 4m |
| College Drive North | 0.7 mi | 1m |
| South Street | 0.5 mi | <1m |
Longest stretch:
I 29
— 75.7 mi, about 1h 13m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Devils Lake, ND and West Fargo, ND.
1
Start on ND 20
0.7 mi
·
1 min
·
College Drive North
Use the straight / right lanes.
2
Turn left onto US 2
22 mi
·
41 min
·
Highway 2 East
Use the left lane.
3
Continue on US 2
3.3 mi
·
3 min
·
43rd Street Northeast
4
Continue on US 2
0.3 mi
·
20 sec
·
4th Avenue Southwest
5
Continue on US 2
0.5 mi
·
31 sec
·
South Street
6
Continue on US 2
22 mi
·
24 min
·
43rd Street Northeast
7
Continue on US 2
34 mi
·
38 min
·
23rd Avenue
8
Continue on US 2
3.7 mi
·
5 min
·
Gateway Drive
9
Take the exit onto I 29; US 81
76 mi
·
1 hr 13 min
·
I 29; US 81
Toward I 29 South, US 81 South: Fargo
Use the right lane.
10
Take the exit
0.3 mi
·
36 sec
Toward US 10: Downtown Fargo, West Fargo
11
Keep slight right at fork
222 ft
·
5 sec
12
Turn straight onto I 94 Business; US 10
2.6 mi
·
4 min
·
Main Avenue
13
Turn left onto 1st Street
0.1 mi
·
23 sec
·
1st Street
14
Turn right onto 2nd Avenue West
126 ft
·
5 sec
·
2nd Avenue West
15
Arrive at destination
2nd Avenue West
Trip Plan
Planning your departure is simple since the 165.6-mile trip is well-suited for a single day of travel. You should factor in at least one planned stop to break up the 3-hour and 15-minute duration, allowing you to stretch your legs and refresh before reaching West Fargo. Keep an eye on your fuel gauge early on, as the $25 estimate assumes consistent driving conditions across the varied road types. Since you are navigating a mix of 23rd Avenue, 43rd Street Northeast, and I-29, ensure your navigation is set before leaving Devils Lake to handle the transition between local roads and the interstate smoothly. This flexibility allows you to manage your own pace without the pressure of a multi-day itinerary.
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 82.8 miles from Devils Lake, ND, or about 1h 50m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 75.7 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 47m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 82.8 miles or 1h 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 2h 43m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near West Fargo, 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 165.6 miles and 3h 15m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 80 miles from Devils Lake, 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 I 29 for about 75.7 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 82.8 mi from Devils Lake, ND · 1h 50m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
83 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 82.8 miles from Devils Lake, ND, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Before the longest stretch
Fuel checkTop up before I 29 if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 75.7 miles.
Arriving in West Fargo, ND
The final approach into West Fargo, 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 West Fargo, 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
$25.89 one way
$51.78 round trip
$3.97/gal
25.4 MPG avg
58 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.36 | $28.43 | $56.85 |
| premium | $4.89 | $31.87 | $63.74 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $36.56 | $73.12 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$26
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$51–$76
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 57.9 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $17 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 49.7 | 0 | $17.39 | $7.95 |
| Efficient EV | 41.4 | 0 | $14.49 | $6.62 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 66.2 | 0 | $23.18 | $10.60 |
Gas CO2
58 kg
EV CO2
19 kg (67% 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
West Fargo, ND
Late night in West Fargo on Wednesday
Local time
5:27 AM
CDT
Current temp
65°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 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 15m 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 West Fargo, ND covers 165.6 miles and takes about 3h 15m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are I 29, 23rd Avenue, 43rd Street Northeast. Expect a mix of highway and local road driving.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 82.8 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 $25.89 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 15m drive. You will face about 7 decision points, but nothing that requires special attention if you follow navigation.
The main spots that need attention: near the start (ND 20 / College Drive North): Lane positioning matters here; at 86.8 miles (I 29; US 81): Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 162.5 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
The route from Devils Lake, ND to West Fargo, ND does not surface many named destination signs beyond the main corridor.
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