Origin
Dickinson, ND
Afternoon in Dickinson on Tuesday
Local time
3:25 PM
MDT
Current temp
34°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Dickinson, ND to Bismarck, ND
Data updated 0 seconds ago
Drive Time
1h 25m
Distance
97.8 mi
157 km
Drive Score
7/10
Good drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$15
one way
EV Charging
Loading...
station data
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
1h 19m
★
6 AM
1h 26m
8 AM
1h 39m
10 AM
1h 30m
12 PM
1h 29m
3 PM
1h 31m
5 PM
1h 38m
8 PM
1h 22m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Dickinson, ND
Wikimedia Commons
Bismarck, ND
Wikimedia Commons
Trip Overview
Connecting Dickinson to Bismarck is a straightforward, 97.8-mile journey across the North Dakota Great Plains. You can comfortably complete this trip in about 1 hour and 25 minutes, making it an ideal day trip that requires no overnight stay. Navigating the route involves transitioning from West Villard Street and 3rd Avenue West onto I-94 to reach your destination. Budgeting approximately $15 for fuel should cover your needs for this excursion. Since both cities are located within the Great Plains, you will experience a consistent regional landscape throughout the drive. It is a highly practical transit option for travelers moving between these two hubs.
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
48.9 miles from Dickinson, ND
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 42m into the drive .
Loading map...
Drive Character
Expect a turn-heavy local drive as you navigate through the initial segments of West Villard Street and 3rd Avenue West. While the route eventually transitions to I-94, the highway share is effectively 0% for the initial local portion of the trip. You will find that the longest uninterrupted stretch on West Villard Street is 0 miles, requiring your full attention as you transition between roads. This drive feels like a practical, functional commute rather than a long-haul interstate grind. Be prepared for a change in pace as you move from local streets into the main thoroughfare toward Bismarck.
This route has more turning and local-road decision points than a simple highway run.
There are about 14 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.
West Villard Street is one of the defining roads on this drive.
How Hard Is This Drive?
Expect a hands-on drive with frequent turns and local roads rather than long highway stretches. Navigation is very simple — set it and forget it for most of the drive.
Route Complexity
1/10
Very easy - short and simple to drive
The drive from Dickinson, ND to Bismarck, ND is easy. At 1h 25m with 0% highway, most drivers will find it relaxed and low-stress.
Where does it get tricky?
This route does not have any notably tricky sections. Most of the drive from Dickinson, ND to Bismarck, ND is straightforward, with well-signed roads and simple exits.
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| West Villard Street | Unavailable | Refreshing |
| 3rd Avenue West | Unavailable | Refreshing |
| I 94 | Unavailable | Refreshing |
| Bismarck Expressway | Unavailable | Refreshing |
| Memorial Highway | Unavailable | Refreshing |
| West Main Avenue | Unavailable | Refreshing |
| West Rosser Avenue | Unavailable | Refreshing |
Per-road distance and duration are being refreshed from OSRM for this route.
Longest stretch:
West Villard Street
— detailed segment metrics are refreshing.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Dickinson, ND and Bismarck, ND.
1
Start on the route
79 ft
·
8 sec
·
the route
2
Turn right
49 ft
·
6 sec
3
Turn right onto West Villard Street
138 ft
·
6 sec
·
West Villard Street
4
Turn right onto 3rd Avenue West
1.1 mi
·
1 min
·
3rd Avenue West
5
Take the ramp slight right
0.3 mi
·
36 sec
6
Merge slight left
94 mi
·
1 hr 29 min
7
Take the exit slight right toward I 94 Business: Bismarck Expressway
0.5 mi
·
38 sec
·
I 94 Business: Bismarck Expressway
8
Continue on Bismarck Expressway
0.3 mi
·
26 sec
·
Bismarck Expressway
9
Take the exit slight right toward I 94 Business East: Bismarck, Mandan
0.3 mi
·
21 sec
·
I 94 Business East: Bismarck, Mandan
10
Keep slight left to continue on I 94 Business East: Main Avenue, Bismarck
0.3 mi
·
27 sec
·
I 94 Business East: Main Avenue, Bismarck
11
Turn straight onto Memorial Highway
0.6 mi
·
1 min
·
Memorial Highway
12
Continue on West Main Avenue
0.5 mi
·
42 sec
·
West Main Avenue
13
Turn slight left onto West Rosser Avenue
1.0 mi
·
2 min
·
West Rosser Avenue
14
Arrive at your destination
Trip Plan
Because this is a short 1 hour and 25-minute drive, you have plenty of flexibility to plan your departure time around your personal schedule. You will not need to worry about scheduling complex stops, as the direct route is designed for efficiency. Keep in mind that with zero planned stops, you should ensure your vehicle is fueled and ready before leaving Dickinson to stay within your $15 budget. Since the route relies on local roads before hitting the interstate, double-check your navigation as you transition off 3rd Avenue West. This efficiency allows you to maximize your time in Bismarck without the fatigue of a longer journey.
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 48.9 miles from Dickinson, ND, or about 42m into the drive.
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 10m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 48.9 miles or 42m 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 10m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Bismarck, ND than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving Dickinson, 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 Dickinson, ND
This is one driving day of about 97.8 miles and 1h 25m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 80 miles from Dickinson, 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.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 48.9 mi from Dickinson, ND · 42m 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 48.9 miles from Dickinson, ND, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Arriving in Bismarck, ND
The final approach into Bismarck, 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 Bismarck, 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
$15.29 one way
$30.58 round trip
$3.97/gal
25.4 MPG avg
34 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.36 | $16.79 | $33.58 |
| premium | $4.89 | $18.82 | $37.64 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $21.59 | $43.19 |
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: 34.2 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $10 in charging · 0 stops · 68% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 29.3 | 0 | $10.27 | $4.69 |
| Efficient EV | 24.5 | 0 | $8.56 | $3.91 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 39.1 | 0 | $13.69 | $6.26 |
Gas CO2
34 kg
EV CO2
11 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
Bismarck, ND
Afternoon in Bismarck on Tuesday
Local time
4:25 PM
CDT
Current temp
38°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
34°F
Garrison, 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 later
The destination clock does not match departure time, so double-check hotel check-in windows and late arrival plans.
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
1h 25m 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 Dickinson, ND to Bismarck, ND covers 97.8 miles and takes about 1h 25m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are West Villard Street, 3rd Avenue West, I 94. Expect a mix of highway and local road driving.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 48.9 miles from Dickinson, ND. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $15.29 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 Dickinson, ND to Bismarck, ND is easy. At 1h 25m with 0% highway, most drivers will find it relaxed and low-stress.
This route does not have any notably tricky sections. Most of the drive from Dickinson, ND to Bismarck, ND is straightforward, with well-signed roads and simple exits.
The route from Dickinson, ND to Bismarck, ND does not surface many named destination signs beyond the main corridor.
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