Origin
Fort Totten, ND
Afternoon in Fort Totten on Monday
Local time
3:32 PM
CDT
Current temp
44°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Fort Totten, ND to Watford City, ND
Drive Time
4h 57m
Distance
229.6 mi
370 km
Drive Score
9/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$35
one way
EV Charging
None
0 DC fast
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
4h 44m
★
6 AM
4h 58m
8 AM
5h 25m
10 AM
5h 7m
12 PM
5h 5m
3 PM
5h 9m
5 PM
5h 23m
8 PM
4h 50m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Fort Totten, ND
Phil Evenden
Watford City, ND
Wikimedia Commons
Trip Overview
Spanning 229.6 miles across the North Dakota Great Plains, this route takes roughly 4 hours and 57 minutes to complete. You will primarily navigate a mix of US 52, State Highway 19, and State Highway 23 to get from Fort Totten to Watford City. Given the duration, this trip is manageable as a single-day journey, though you should budget approximately $35 for fuel to cover the distance. Since the entire route remains within the Great Plains, you can expect a consistent landscape throughout your travels. It is a straightforward drive that serves as a functional connection between the two locations, making it ideal if you are looking to reach your destination efficiently without the need for an overnight stop.
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
114.8 miles from Fort Totten, ND
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 2h 35m into the drive .
Drive Character
This drive is heavily highway-focused, with 71% of your journey spent on high-speed roads. You will settle into a steady rhythm as you cover the 66.3-mile longest stretch along State Highway 23. Expect a consistent experience behind the wheel, as the route balances efficient highway travel with necessary transitions between the numbered state and federal roads. Because the roads are designed for steady movement, you will find it easy to maintain a consistent pace across the expansive plains. The personality of the route is practical and utilitarian, offering a reliable path that prioritizes direct travel over technical or winding mountain-style navigation.
Most of the miles stay on highways, which makes pacing and fuel planning easier than turn-by-turn city driving.
There are about 35 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.
State Highway 23 is the longest continuous segment at about 66.3 miles.
How Hard Is This Drive?
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on State Highway 23 and State Highway 19. 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 57m drive. You will face about 15 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 1.1 miles (ND 57 / State Highway 57): Navigation decision point.
Critical Maneuvers
5 of 15 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
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
6.4 mi into trip
|
~11m in
|
US 281
At end of road, turn right onto US 281
Navigation decision point
6
107 mi into trip
|
~2h 24m in
|
ND 23 / 233rd Avenue Southeast
Turn right onto ND 23 / 233rd Avenue Southeast
Lane positioning matters here
Use the right lane.
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| State Highway 23 | 66.3 mi | 1h 19m |
| State Highway 19 | 47.4 mi | 55m |
| US 52 | 20.9 mi | 24m |
| 247th Avenue Southeast | 19 mi | 24m |
| 247th Avenue Southwest | 16 mi | 18m |
| 39th Street Northwest | 11.7 mi | 13m |
| US 281 | 10.7 mi | 15m |
| State Highway 14 | 6.7 mi | 7m |
Longest stretch:
State Highway 23
— 66.3 mi, about 1h 19m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Fort Totten, ND and Watford City, 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 right onto US 281
11 mi
·
15 min
·
US 281
7
Turn left onto ND 19
47 mi
·
55 min
·
State Highway 19
8
Continue on County Road 19
5.0 mi
·
12 min
·
County Road 19
9
Continue on 42nd Street Northeast
4.9 mi
·
11 min
·
42nd Street Northeast
10
Turn left onto ND 14
6.7 mi
·
7 min
·
State Highway 14
11
At end of road, turn right onto US-52
0.2 mi
·
16 sec
·
US-52
12
Continue on US 52
21 mi
·
24 min
·
US 52
13
Turn left onto ND 97
2.5 mi
·
3 min
·
State Highway 97
14
Turn left onto ND 41
2.0 mi
·
2 min
·
State Highway 41
15
Turn right onto ND 23
5.8 mi
·
8 min
·
233rd Avenue Southeast
Use the right lane.
16
Continue on ND 23
2.4 mi
·
3 min
·
State Highway 23
17
Continue on ND 23
19 mi
·
24 min
·
247th Avenue Southeast
18
Continue on ND 23
1.2 mi
·
1 min
·
State Highway 23
19
Continue on ND 23
16 mi
·
18 min
·
247th Avenue Southwest
20
Continue on ND 23
0.3 mi
·
20 sec
·
State Highway 23
21
Continue on ND 23
12 mi
·
13 min
·
39th Street Northwest
22
Continue on ND 23; ND 1804
10.0 mi
·
11 min
·
State Highway 23
23
Enter roundabout onto ND 23; ND 1804
166 ft
·
1 sec
·
State Highway 23
24
Continue on ND 23; ND 1804
6.5 mi
·
8 min
·
State Highway 23
25
Continue on ND 23; ND 1804
0.5 mi
·
1 min
·
Main Street
26
Continue on ND 23
21 mi
·
24 min
·
State Highway 23
27
Enter roundabout onto ND 23
311 ft
·
3 sec
·
State Highway 23
28
Continue on ND 23
12 mi
·
13 min
·
State Highway 23
29
Continue on ND 23
13 mi
·
15 min
·
State Highway 23
30
Turn right onto ND 23 Business; ND 1806
0.3 mi
·
27 sec
·
Highway 1806 West
Use the right lane.
31
Continue on ND 23 Business
1.1 mi
·
1 min
·
4th Avenue Northeast
32
Continue on ND 23 Business
0.2 mi
·
32 sec
·
State Highway 23 Business
33
Continue on ND 23 Business
1.7 mi
·
4 min
·
4th Avenue Northeast
34
Turn left onto ND 23 Business
0.2 mi
·
30 sec
·
Main Street North
35
Arrive at destination
ND 23 Business
Trip Plan
To make the most of your 5-hour drive, plan for at least one dedicated stop to stretch your legs and refresh. Since you are dealing with a significant stretch of highway, leaving early in the morning helps you avoid mid-day fatigue and ensures you arrive in Watford City with plenty of daylight remaining. Keep an eye on your gas gauge throughout the trip, as fuel prices can fluctuate, though the $35 estimate provides a solid baseline for your planning. Because this is a single-day trip, you have the flexibility to adjust your departure time based on traffic or personal preference. One concrete tip: ensure you have your route mapped out clearly before leaving Fort Totten, as transitioning between State Highway 19 and US 52 requires careful attention to signage.
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 114.8 miles from Fort Totten, ND, or about 2h 35m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 66.3 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 52m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 114.8 miles or 2h 35m 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 Watford City, 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 229.6 miles and 4h 57m.
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 State Highway 23 for about 66.3 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 114.8 mi from Fort Totten, ND · 2h 35m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
115 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 114.8 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 State Highway 23 if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 66.3 miles.
Arriving in Watford City, ND
The final approach into Watford City, 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 Watford City, 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
$34.87 one way
$69.75 round trip
$3.86/gal
25.4 MPG avg
80 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.25 | $38.44 | $76.89 |
| premium | $4.80 | $43.34 | $86.69 |
| diesel | $5.64 | $51.01 | $102.02 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$35
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$60–$85
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 80.3 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-06.
Driving Electric?
About $24 in charging · 0 stops · 66% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 68.9 | 0 | $24.11 | $11.02 |
| Efficient EV | 57.4 | 0 | $20.09 | $9.18 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 91.8 | 1 | $32.14 | $14.69 |
Gas CO2
80 kg
EV CO2
27 kg (66% 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
Watford City, ND
Afternoon in Watford City on Monday
Local time
3:32 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
4h 57m 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 Watford City, ND covers 229.6 miles and takes about 4h 57m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are State Highway 23, State Highway 19, US 52. Most of the drive stays on highways, so watch for ramps and exits.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 114.8 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 $34.87 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 57m drive. You will face about 15 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 1.1 miles (ND 57 / State Highway 57): Navigation decision point.
The route from Fort Totten, ND to Watford City, ND does not surface many named destination signs beyond the main corridor.
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