Origin
Fort Totten, ND
Afternoon in Fort Totten on Monday
Local time
4:49 PM
CDT
Current temp
44°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Fort Totten, ND to Dickinson, ND
Drive Time
4h 52m
Distance
264.8 mi
426 km
Drive Score
8/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$40
one way
EV Charging
None
0 DC fast
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
4h 39m
★
6 AM
4h 53m
8 AM
5h 20m
10 AM
5h 2m
12 PM
4h 59m
3 PM
5h 3m
5 PM
5h 18m
8 PM
4h 44m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Fort Totten, ND
Phil Evenden
Dickinson, ND
Wikimedia Commons
Trip Overview
Spanning 264.8 miles across North Dakota, this journey from Fort Totten to Dickinson is a straightforward trek across the Great Plains. You should plan for approximately 4 hours and 52 minutes of driving time, making it an ideal candidate for a single-day trip. With a fuel budget of about $40, the route relies heavily on major thoroughfares including I-94, State Highway 3, and US 281. Because the entire trip stays within the same state and region, the transition remains consistent throughout the drive. It is a practical, no-nonsense path that prioritizes efficiency over detours, perfect for travelers looking to reach their destination without unnecessary delays.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is possible, but it will make for a full day on the road.
Break Rhythm
1 planned break
Plan on a short reset every 3 to 4 hours to stay fresh behind the wheel.
Midpoint
132.4 miles from Fort Totten, ND
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 2h 43m into the drive .
Drive Character
Expect a highly efficient experience, as 99% of this route consists of highway driving. You will spend the bulk of your time on I-94, which features a long, uninterrupted stretch of 138.6 miles that allows for steady cruising. The profile is strictly highway-focused, prioritizing speed and connectivity over winding local backroads. While the landscape remains consistent across the Great Plains, the transition from smaller state routes to the main interstate provides a noticeable shift in traffic flow and pace. By staying on these primary arteries, you can maintain a consistent rhythm behind the wheel for the duration of the nearly five-hour trip.
Most of the miles stay on highways, which makes pacing and fuel planning easier than turn-by-turn city driving.
There are about 19 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.
I 94 is the longest continuous segment at about 138.6 miles.
How Hard Is This Drive?
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 94 and State Highway 3. There are only a few real navigation decisions along the way. The trickiest moment comes early in the drive near BIA 6 / Ephriam Hill Road.
Route Complexity
3/10
Easy - simple navigation with a manageable amount of wheel time
This is a straightforward 4h 52m drive. You will face about 16 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 (BIA 6 / Ephriam Hill Road): Navigation decision point; at 0.1 miles (BIA 7 / 3rd Avenue North): Navigation decision point; at 0.2 miles (BIA 7 / Bureau of Indian Affairs Road 7): Navigation decision point.
Critical Maneuvers
5 of 16 key pointsThese are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
5
0 mi into trip
|
~0m in
|
BIA 6 / Ephriam Hill Road
Turn right onto BIA 6 / Ephriam Hill Road
Navigation decision point
5
0.1 mi into trip
|
~0m in
|
BIA 7 / 3rd Avenue North
Turn left onto BIA 7 / 3rd Avenue North
Navigation decision point
4
0.2 mi into trip
|
~0m in
|
BIA 7 / Bureau of Indian Affairs Road 7
Turn right onto BIA 7 / Bureau of Indian Affairs Road 7
Navigation decision point
5
1.1 mi into trip
|
~3m in
|
ND 57 / State Highway 57
At end of road, turn left onto ND 57 / State Highway 57
Navigation decision point
5
263.5 mi into trip
|
~4h 50m in
Keep slight left at fork
Highway fork - watch signs carefully
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| I 94 | 138.6 mi | 2h 13m |
| State Highway 3 | 41.2 mi | 47m |
| 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:
I 94
— 138.6 mi, about 2h 13m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Fort Totten, ND and Dickinson, ND.
1
Start on 2nd Avenue North
147 ft
·
9 sec
·
2nd Avenue North
2
Turn right onto BIA 6
492 ft
·
18 sec
·
Ephriam Hill Road
3
Turn left onto BIA 7
524 ft
·
16 sec
·
3rd Avenue North
4
Turn right onto BIA 7
0.9 mi
·
2 min
·
Bureau of Indian Affairs Road 7
5
At end of road, turn left onto ND 57
5.3 mi
·
8 min
·
State Highway 57
6
At end of road, turn left onto US 281
23 mi
·
34 min
·
US 281
7
Turn right onto ND 15
14 mi
·
16 min
·
State Highway 15
8
Turn left onto ND 30
13 mi
·
15 min
·
State Highway 30
9
Turn right onto US 52; ND 200
10.0 mi
·
11 min
·
United States Highway 52
10
Continue on ND 200
16 mi
·
19 min
·
State Highway 200
11
Turn left onto ND 3
41 mi
·
47 min
·
State Highway 3
12
Take the ramp
0.2 mi
·
30 sec
13
Merge onto I 94
139 mi
·
2 hr 13 min
·
I 94
14
Take the exit
0.2 mi
·
32 sec
15
Keep slight left at fork
229 ft
·
13 sec
16
Turn left onto ND 22
1.2 mi
·
1 min
·
3rd Avenue West
17
Turn left
61 ft
·
6 sec
18
Turn right
174 ft
·
12 sec
19
Arrive at destination
Trip Plan
Since this is a manageable day trip, you have the flexibility to depart whenever suits your schedule, though leaving early helps avoid potential mid-day fatigue. You should plan for at least one dedicated stop to stretch your legs and refuel, which fits perfectly into your estimated $40 gas budget. Given the significant stretch on I-94, keep a close eye on your fuel gauge before merging onto the interstate to ensure you don't run low during that 138.6-mile segment. Preparing your vehicle for a long-distance highway run is essential, as the high-speed nature of the drive leaves little room for frequent stops. Prioritize comfort and hydration to keep your energy levels steady until you pull into Dickinson.
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 132.4 miles from Fort Totten, ND, or about 2h 43m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 138.6 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 80 miles or 1h 43m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 132.4 miles or 2h 43m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 4h 5m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Dickinson, ND than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving Fort Totten, 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 Fort Totten, ND
This is one driving day of about 264.8 miles and 4h 52m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 80 miles from Fort Totten, 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 94 for about 138.6 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 132.4 mi from Fort Totten, ND · 2h 43m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
132 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 132.4 miles from Fort Totten, ND, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Before the longest stretch
Fuel checkTop up before I 94 if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 138.6 miles.
Arriving in Dickinson, ND
The final approach into Dickinson, 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 Dickinson, ND.
After long uninterrupted mileage, take five minutes before the last urban segment to reset and refocus on exits, merges, and city traffic.
These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$40.22 one way
$80.44 round trip
$3.86/gal
25.4 MPG avg
93 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.25 | $44.34 | $88.68 |
| premium | $4.80 | $49.99 | $99.98 |
| diesel | $5.64 | $58.83 | $117.66 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$40
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$65–$90
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 92.6 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-06.
Driving Electric?
About $28 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 79.4 | 0 | $27.80 | $12.71 |
| Efficient EV | 66.2 | 0 | $23.17 | $10.59 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 105.9 | 1 | $37.07 | $16.95 |
Gas CO2
93 kg
EV CO2
31 kg (67% less)
Plan for 0 charging stops, roughly every 270 miles. Allow 25-40 minutes per stop at a DC fast charger.
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
Dickinson, ND
Afternoon in Dickinson on Monday
Local time
3:49 PM
MDT
Current temp
34°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
1 hour earlier
The destination clock does not match departure time, so double-check hotel check-in windows and late arrival plans.
Temperature spread
10 degrees cooler at arrival
A meaningful temperature swing is a good cue to rethink layers, water, and how soon you want to arrive.
Road read
4h 52m on the road
An early start around 7-8 AM gets you there with plenty of daylight left.
Weather data from the National Weather Service. Conditions may change; check closer to your travel date.
Frequently Asked Questions
The drive from Fort Totten, ND to Dickinson, ND covers 264.8 miles and takes about 4h 52m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are I 94, State Highway 3, 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 132.4 miles from Fort Totten, ND. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $40.22 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. Plan on a short reset every 3 to 4 hours to stay fresh behind the wheel.
This is a straightforward 4h 52m drive. You will face about 16 decision points, but nothing that requires special attention if you follow navigation.
The main spots that need attention: near the start (BIA 6 / Ephriam Hill Road): Navigation decision point; at 0.1 miles (BIA 7 / 3rd Avenue North): Navigation decision point; at 0.2 miles (BIA 7 / Bureau of Indian Affairs Road 7): Navigation decision point.
The route from Fort Totten, ND to Dickinson, ND does not surface many named destination signs beyond the main corridor.
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