Origin
Jamestown, ND
Afternoon in Jamestown on Monday
Local time
3:28 PM
CDT
Current temp
38°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Jamestown, ND to Fort Totten, ND
Drive Time
1h 53m
Distance
86 mi
138 km
Drive Score
9/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$13
one way
EV Charging
None
0 DC fast
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
1h 45m
★
6 AM
1h 53m
8 AM
2h 10m
10 AM
1h 59m
12 PM
1h 58m
3 PM
2h 0m
5 PM
2h 9m
8 PM
1h 48m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Jamestown, ND
Wikimedia Commons
Fort Totten, ND
Phil Evenden
Trip Overview
If you are planning to travel from Jamestown to Fort Totten, expect a straightforward 86-mile journey through the heart of the North Dakota Great Plains. You should budget about 1 hour and 53 minutes of drive time, making this a very manageable one-day trip. With fuel costs estimated at around $13, it is an affordable excursion that does not require an overnight stay. You will navigate primarily via 5th Street Northwest, Highway 281 Northeast, and State Highway 57. Because the entire route remains within the Great Plains region, the landscape stays consistent throughout your transition between these two communities. It is a practical, no-nonsense route ideal for those looking to reach their destination efficiently without unnecessary detours.
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
43 miles from Jamestown, ND
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 51m into the drive .
Drive Character
This trip offers a mixed driving profile that keeps you engaged as you transition between different road types. Approximately 49% of your total mileage is spent on highways, providing a balance between steady cruising and local road navigation. You will face your longest uninterrupted stretch early on, covering 41.6 miles on 5th Street Northwest. As you progress toward Fort Totten, the character of the road shifts from the initial segment onto Highway 281 and finally State Highway 57. Expect a rhythmic experience behind the wheel that reflects the rural nature of the state, requiring you to stay alert as the road configuration changes over the course of the drive.
Expect a mix of faster highway mileage and slower local approaches near the beginning or end.
There are about 11 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.
5th Street Northwest is the longest continuous segment at about 41.6 miles.
How Hard Is This Drive?
This route mixes highway mileage with some local-road sections near the start or finish. Navigation is very simple — set it and forget it for most of the drive. The trickiest moment comes around 0.1 miles in near US 52; US 281 / 5th Street Northwest.
Route Complexity
1/10
Very easy - short and simple to drive
The drive from Jamestown, ND to Fort Totten, ND is easy. At 1h 53m with 49% highway, most drivers will find it relaxed and low-stress.
Where does it get tricky?
The main spots that need attention: at 0.1 miles (US 52; US 281 / 5th Street Northwest): Navigation decision point; at 43.1 miles (US 281 / Highway 281 Northeast): Roundabout - know your exit number before entering; at 85.8 miles (BIA 7 / 3rd Avenue North): Navigation decision point.
Critical Maneuvers
5 of 7 key pointsThese are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
4
0.1 mi into trip
|
~0m in
|
US 52; US 281 / 5th Street Northwest
Turn left onto US 52; US 281 / 5th Street Northwest
Navigation decision point
4
43.1 mi into trip
|
~51m in
|
US 281 / Highway 281 Northeast
Enter roundabout onto US 281 / Highway 281 Northeast
Roundabout - know your exit number before entering
5
85.8 mi into trip
|
~1h 52m in
|
BIA 7 / 3rd Avenue North
At end of road, turn left onto BIA 7 / 3rd Avenue North
Navigation decision point
5
85.9 mi into trip
|
~1h 53m in
|
BIA 6 / Ephriam Hill Road
Turn right onto BIA 6 / Ephriam Hill Road
Navigation decision point
5
85.9 mi into trip
|
~1h 53m in
|
2nd Avenue North
Turn left onto 2nd Avenue North
Navigation decision point
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| 5th Street Northwest | 41.6 mi | 48m |
| Highway 281 Northeast | 36.5 mi | 50m |
| State Highway 57 | 5.3 mi | 8m |
| 4th Avenue South | 1.4 mi | 3m |
| Bureau of Indian Affairs Road 7 | 0.9 mi | 2m |
| 1st Avenue North | 0.1 mi | <1m |
| 3rd Avenue North | <0.1 mi | <1m |
| Ephriam Hill Road | <0.1 mi | <1m |
Longest stretch:
5th Street Northwest
— 41.6 mi, about 48m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Jamestown, ND and Fort Totten, ND.
1
Start on US 52; US 281
0.1 mi
·
21 sec
·
1st Avenue North
2
Turn left onto US 52; US 281
42 mi
·
48 min
·
5th Street Northwest
3
Continue on US 52; US 281
1.4 mi
·
3 min
·
4th Avenue South
4
Enter roundabout onto US 281
182 ft
·
6 sec
·
Highway 281 Northeast
5
Continue on US 281
36 mi
·
50 min
·
Highway 281 Northeast
6
Turn right onto ND 57
5.3 mi
·
8 min
·
State Highway 57
7
Turn right onto BIA 7
0.9 mi
·
2 min
·
Bureau of Indian Affairs Road 7
8
At end of road, turn left onto BIA 7
524 ft
·
16 sec
·
3rd Avenue North
9
Turn right onto BIA 6
492 ft
·
19 sec
·
Ephriam Hill Road
10
Turn left onto 2nd Avenue North
147 ft
·
6 sec
·
2nd Avenue North
11
Arrive at destination
2nd Avenue North
Trip Plan
To make the most of your 86-mile trek, plan your departure for the morning to ensure you have the full day ahead of you at your destination. Since the drive is under two hours and features no mandatory stops, you have the flexibility to power through or take a break whenever you feel the need to stretch your legs. Keep a close eye on your fuel gauge before leaving Jamestown, as $13 is a modest estimate that assumes a steady pace. Given that you will spend a significant portion of the drive on 5th Street Northwest, prioritize maintaining a consistent speed during that 41.6-mile stretch to manage your fuel efficiency effectively. Since this is a single-day journey, enjoy the advantage of traveling light without the need for complex logistics.
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 43 miles from Jamestown, ND, or about 51m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 41.6 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 42m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 43 miles or 51m 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 33m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Fort Totten, ND than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving Jamestown, 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 Jamestown, ND
This is one driving day of about 86 miles and 1h 53m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 80 miles from Jamestown, 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.
The longest stretch is on 5th Street Northwest for about 41.6 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 43 mi from Jamestown, ND · 51m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
43 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 43 miles from Jamestown, ND, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Arriving in Fort Totten, ND
The final approach into Fort Totten, 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 Fort Totten, 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
$13.06 one way
$26.13 round trip
$3.86/gal
25.4 MPG avg
30 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.25 | $14.40 | $28.80 |
| premium | $4.80 | $16.24 | $32.47 |
| diesel | $5.64 | $19.11 | $38.21 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$13
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$38–$63
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 30.1 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-06.
Driving Electric?
About $9 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 25.8 | 0 | $9.03 | $4.13 |
| Efficient EV | 21.5 | 0 | $7.52 | $3.44 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 34.4 | 0 | $12.04 | $5.50 |
Gas CO2
30 kg
EV CO2
10 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
Fort Totten, ND
Afternoon in Fort Totten on Monday
Local time
3:28 PM
CDT
Current temp
44°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
6 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 53m 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 Jamestown, ND to Fort Totten, ND covers 86 miles and takes about 1h 53m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are 5th Street Northwest, Highway 281 Northeast, State Highway 57. Expect a mix of highway and local road driving.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 43 miles from Jamestown, ND. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $13.06 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 Jamestown, ND to Fort Totten, ND is easy. At 1h 53m with 49% highway, most drivers will find it relaxed and low-stress.
The main spots that need attention: at 0.1 miles (US 52; US 281 / 5th Street Northwest): Navigation decision point; at 43.1 miles (US 281 / Highway 281 Northeast): Roundabout - know your exit number before entering; at 85.8 miles (BIA 7 / 3rd Avenue North): Navigation decision point.
The route from Jamestown, ND to Fort Totten, ND does not surface many named destination signs beyond the main corridor.
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