Trip from Fort Totten, ND to Minot, ND

Drive Time

2h 39m

Distance

134.4 mi

216 km

Drive Score

9/10

Great drive

Same Day?

Yes, doable

Fuel Cost

$20

one way

EV Charging

Loading...

station data

Best Time to Leave

Save up to 32 min
4 AM
2h 29m ★
6 AM
2h 39m
8 AM
3h 1m
10 AM
2h 47m
12 PM
2h 45m
3 PM
2h 48m
5 PM
2h 59m
8 PM
2h 33m

Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.

Downtown Fort Totten, ND, ND

Fort Totten, ND

Phil Evenden

seat of Ward County, North Dakota, United States

Minot, ND

Wikimedia Commons

Trip Overview

Spanning 134.4 miles across the North Dakota Great Plains, this route from Fort Totten to Minot is a straightforward journey typically taking about 2 hours and 39 minutes. You can easily complete this drive in a single day, making it an efficient way to traverse the state. Expect to spend roughly $20 on fuel for the trip, depending on your vehicle's efficiency. The route relies heavily on Highway 2 West and US-2 W, providing a direct path between the two locations. Because it is a manageable distance, you won't need to plan for an overnight stay unless you prefer a slower pace. It is a practical, no-nonsense connection for travelers moving through the heart of the region.

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

67.2 miles from Fort Totten, ND

A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h 20m into the drive .

Drive Character

This trip is a highway-focused drive, with 76% of your time spent on major roads that keep you moving efficiently. You will find yourself navigating a primary stretch of 59 miles on Highway 2 West, which represents the longest uninterrupted portion of the journey. As you transition onto US-2 W and utilize 57th Street North, the road feels consistent and reliable. Expect a steady, predictable rhythm behind the wheel as you cross the open landscape. It is not a technical route, making it a stress-free experience for those who prefer straightforward highway cruising over winding backroads.

Most of the miles stay on highways, which makes pacing and fuel planning easier than turn-by-turn city driving.
There are about 14 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.
Highway 2 West is the longest continuous segment at about 59 miles.

How Hard Is This Drive?

This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on Highway 2 West and US-2 W. Navigation is very simple — set it and forget it for most of the drive. The trickiest moment comes early in the drive near BIA 6 / Ephriam Hill Road.

Route Complexity 1/10

Very easy - short and simple to drive

The drive from Fort Totten, ND to Minot, ND is easy. At 2h 39m with 76% highway, most drivers will find it relaxed and low-stress.

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 0.7 miles (ND 57 / State Highway 57): Navigation decision point.

Critical Maneuvers

5 of 5 key points

These 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

4
0.1 mi into trip | ~0m in | BIA 7 / 3rd Avenue North

Turn right onto BIA 7 / 3rd Avenue North

Navigation decision point

4
0.7 mi into trip | ~1m in | ND 57 / State Highway 57

At end of road, turn right onto ND 57 / State Highway 57

Navigation decision point

4
12.7 mi into trip | ~18m in | US 2 / Highway 2 West

Turn left onto US 2 / Highway 2 West

Lane positioning matters here

Use the left / straight lanes.
4
130.9 mi into trip | ~2h 31m in | US 2 Business / US-2 Business

Turn right onto US 2 Business / US-2 Business

Navigation decision point

Main Roads

Road Distance Duration
Highway 2 West 59 mi 1h 6m
US-2 W 27.4 mi 30m
57th Street North 21.7 mi 24m
State Highway 57 7 mi 9m
62nd Street Northeast 6.1 mi 6m
State Highway 20 5 mi 7m
4th Avenue 4 mi 4m
Burdick Expressway East 3.4 mi 7m
Longest stretch: Highway 2 West — 59 mi, about 1h 6m

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between Fort Totten, ND and Minot, ND.

1

Start on 2nd Avenue North

147 ft · 9 sec · 2nd Avenue North
2

Turn right onto BIA 6

492 ft · 15 sec · Ephriam Hill Road
3

Turn right onto BIA 7

0.6 mi · 1 min · 3rd Avenue North
4

At end of road, turn right onto ND 57

7.0 mi · 9 min · State Highway 57
5

Continue on ND 20

5.0 mi · 7 min · State Highway 20
6

Turn left onto US 2

59 mi · 1 hr 6 min · Highway 2 West
Use the left / straight lanes.
7

Continue on US 2

22 mi · 23 min · US-2 W
8

Continue on US 2

6.1 mi · 6 min · 62nd Street Northeast
9

Continue on US 2

22 mi · 24 min · 57th Street North
10

Continue on US 2

4.0 mi · 4 min · 4th Avenue
11

Continue on US 2

5.8 mi · 7 min · US-2 W
12

Turn right onto US 2 Business

513 ft · 11 sec · US-2 Business
13

Continue on US 2 Business

3.4 mi · 7 min · Burdick Expressway East
14

Arrive at destination

US 2 Business; US 52 Business

Trip Plan

Since the drive takes less than three hours, you have plenty of flexibility to depart whenever suits your schedule best. Plan for at least one stop along the 134.4-mile stretch to stretch your legs and break up the monotony of the highway. Keep an eye on your fuel gauge before leaving Fort Totten, even though the $20 estimated cost is relatively low for this distance. Because the majority of your time is spent on US-2 W, ensure you are comfortable with high-speed travel and maintaining a consistent pace. A smart strategy is to check local weather conditions before heading out, as open plains driving in North Dakota can be significantly affected by wind or visibility changes.

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.
Plan roughly 1 meaningful break for fuel, food, and rest.
The halfway point lands around 67.2 miles from Fort Totten, ND, or about 1h 20m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 59 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 34m in

Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.

Halfway reset

Around 67.2 miles or 1h 20m 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 7m

Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Minot, 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 134.4 miles and 2h 39m.

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 Highway 2 West for about 59 miles.

Where to Stop

Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.

Halfway Point

Midpoint

About 67.2 mi from Fort Totten, ND · 1h 20m into the drive

Mid-route town

Meal stop

Rugby, ND

67 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

Rugby, ND

Fuel and coffee

A short stop after about 80 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.

Rugby, ND

Meal break

The midpoint is around 67.2 miles from Fort Totten, ND, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.

Arriving in Minot, ND

The final approach into Minot, 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 Minot, 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

$20.41 one way

$40.83 round trip

$3.86/gal 25.4 MPG avg 47 kg CO2
Fuel Type $/gal One Way Round Trip
midgrade $4.25 $22.50 $45.01
premium $4.80 $25.37 $50.74
diesel $5.64 $29.86 $59.72

No toll roads detected on this route.

Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)

Fuel

$20

Meals

$25–$50

Total

$45–$70

Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.

Estimated CO2 emission: 47 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-06.

Driving Electric?

About $14 in charging · 0 stops · 66% less CO2

Vehicle Type kWh Stops DC Fast Home Charge
Average EV 40.3 0 $14.11 $6.45
Efficient EV 33.6 0 $11.76 $5.38
EV Truck/SUV 53.8 0 $18.82 $8.60

Gas CO2

47 kg

EV CO2

16 kg (66% 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.

Forecast data refreshed 3 days ago

Origin

Fort Totten, ND

Afternoon in Fort Totten on Monday

Local time

4:49 PM

CDT

Current temp

44°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

Destination

Minot, ND

Afternoon in Minot on Monday

Local time

4:49 PM

CDT

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

Same local time

Origin and destination are on the same clock, so arrival timing is easier to judge at a glance.

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

2h 39m 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 Fort Totten, ND to Minot, ND covers 134.4 miles and takes about 2h 39m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are Highway 2 West, US-2 W, 57th Street North. Most of the drive stays on highways, so watch for ramps and exits.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 67.2 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 $20.41 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.
Plan about 1 meaningful break for fuel, food, or rest. A short stop every 2 to 3 hours is enough for this drive.
The drive from Fort Totten, ND to Minot, ND is easy. At 2h 39m with 76% highway, most drivers will find it relaxed and low-stress.
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 0.7 miles (ND 57 / State Highway 57): Navigation decision point.
The route from Fort Totten, ND to Minot, ND does not surface many named destination signs beyond the main corridor.

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Return Trip

Minot, ND to Fort Totten, ND

Plan the drive back the other way.

134.4 mi 2h 39m

Explore more options from Fort Totten, ND or browse trips ending in Minot, ND.

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