Origin
New Salem, ND
Afternoon in New Salem on Tuesday
Local time
2:10 PM
CDT
Current temp
54°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from New Salem, ND to Bismarck, ND
Data updated 0 seconds ago
Drive Time
37m
Distance
32.9 mi
53 km
Drive Score
6/10
Good drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$5
one way
EV Charging
Loading...
station data
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
0h 34m
★
6 AM
0h 37m
8 AM
0h 44m
10 AM
0h 39m
12 PM
0h 39m
3 PM
0h 40m
5 PM
0h 43m
8 PM
0h 35m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Bismarck, ND
Wikimedia Commons
Trip Overview
If you are looking for a quick and straightforward transit across the North Dakota Great Plains, the drive from New Salem to Bismarck is an ideal choice. Covering a total distance of 32.9 miles, this trip typically takes about 37 minutes, making it a perfect candidate for a single-day journey. You will spend the vast majority of your time on I-94, with the remainder of the route transitioning onto West Rosser Avenue and 8th Street North as you arrive in the city. With a fuel budget of just $5, it is an incredibly economical route that requires zero planned stops. Because both locations sit firmly within the Great Plains, you can expect a consistent, flat landscape throughout the transit. Whether you are commuting or just passing through, this route offers a reliable, no-fuss connection between these two points.
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
16.4 miles from New Salem, ND
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 18m into the drive .
Loading map...
Drive Character
Expect a focused, highway-heavy experience as 86% of your time behind the wheel is spent on the interstate. The route is defined by a long, uninterrupted 27.9-mile stretch on I-94, which allows for steady cruising across the prairie. While the journey is efficient and fast, the character of the drive shifts slightly as you exit the highway to navigate the local surface streets of West Rosser Avenue and 8th Street North. This transition brings a change in pace, moving you from high-speed transit into the urban environment of Bismarck. It is a practical, utilitarian drive that prioritizes speed and directness over technical maneuvers or winding paths.
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.
I 94 is the longest continuous segment at about 27.9 miles.
How Hard Is This Drive?
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 94 and West Rosser Avenue. You will hit about 8 points where you need to pay attention to lane position or signs. The trickiest moment comes around 0.1 miles in near 5th Street North.
Route Complexity
5/10
Moderate - straightforward overall, but long enough or busy enough to require pacing
This drive requires moderate attention. Across 32.9 miles you will encounter 8 spots where lane choice or exit timing matters. Not difficult for experienced highway drivers, but worth previewing the tricky sections before you go.
Where does it get tricky?
The main spots that need attention: at 0.1 miles (5th Street North): Navigation decision point; at 0.3 miles (CR 139 / Ash Avenue): Navigation decision point; at 29.5 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early.
Critical Maneuvers
5 of 8 key pointsThese are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
5
0.1 mi into trip
|
~0m in
|
5th Street North
Turn right onto 5th Street North
Navigation decision point
5
0.3 mi into trip
|
~1m in
|
CR 139 / Ash Avenue
At end of road, turn left onto CR 139 / Ash Avenue
Navigation decision point
5
29.5 mi into trip
|
~31m in
Take the exit toward I 94 Business: Bismarck Expressway
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early
Exit 156
Toward I 94 Business: Bismarck Expressway
5
30.3 mi into trip
|
~32m in
Take the exit toward I 94 Business East: Bismarck, Mandan
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Toward I 94 Business East: Bismarck, Mandan
6
30.5 mi into trip
|
~32m in
Keep slight left at fork toward I 94 Business East: Main Avenue, Bismarck
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Toward I 94 Business East: Main Avenue, Bismarc...
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
On the drive from New Salem, ND to Bismarck, ND, road signs begin pointing toward Mandan along the way.
Mandan
30.3 mi in
|
~32m
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| I 94 | 27.9 mi | 27m |
| West Rosser Avenue | 1 mi | 2m |
| 8th Street North | 0.9 mi | 1m |
| Memorial Highway | 0.6 mi | 1m |
| West Main Avenue | 0.5 mi | <1m |
| Bismarck Expressway | 0.3 mi | <1m |
| Ash Avenue | 0.2 mi | <1m |
| 5th Street North | 0.2 mi | <1m |
Longest stretch:
I 94
— 27.9 mi, about 27m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between New Salem, ND and Bismarck, ND.
1
Start on Elm Avenue
430 ft
·
21 sec
·
Elm Avenue
2
Turn right onto 5th Street North
0.2 mi
·
47 sec
·
5th Street North
3
At end of road, turn left onto CR 139
0.2 mi
·
23 sec
·
Ash Avenue
4
Turn right onto 8th Street North
0.9 mi
·
1 min
·
8th Street North
5
Take the ramp
0.3 mi
·
32 sec
6
Merge onto I 94
28 mi
·
27 min
·
I 94
7
Take the exit
0.5 mi
·
38 sec
Exit 156
Toward I 94 Business: Bismarck Expressway
8
Continue on Bismarck Expressway
0.3 mi
·
25 sec
·
Bismarck Expressway
9
Take the exit
0.3 mi
·
20 sec
Toward I 94 Business East: Bismarck, Mandan
10
Keep slight left at fork
0.3 mi
·
27 sec
Toward I 94 Business East: Main Avenue, Bismarck
11
Turn straight onto I 94 Business
0.6 mi
·
1 min
·
Memorial Highway
Toward Bismarck
12
Continue on I 94 Business
0.5 mi
·
41 sec
·
West Main Avenue
13
Turn slight left onto West Rosser Avenue
1.0 mi
·
2 min
·
West Rosser Avenue
14
Arrive at destination
East Rosser Avenue
Trip Plan
Since this is a short 37-minute drive, you have a high degree of flexibility regarding your departure time, as traffic is unlikely to significantly impact your schedule. You should find that the lack of required stops makes it easy to complete the trip in one go without needing to stretch your legs or refuel. Keep in mind that the majority of your travel occurs on I-94, so remain alert for changing conditions along that 27.9-mile main stretch. Because the entire route is quite brief, it is best to ensure your vehicle is fueled up before you leave New Salem to avoid any unnecessary errands once you reach your destination. Use the simplicity of this short distance to your advantage by planning your arrival in Bismarck to coincide with your actual schedule rather than worrying about mid-trip fatigue.
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 16.4 miles from New Salem, ND, or about 18m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 27.9 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 32.9 miles or 37m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 16.4 miles or 18m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 29m
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 New Salem, 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 New Salem, ND
This is one driving day of about 32.9 miles and 37m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 80 miles from New Salem, 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 I 94 for about 27.9 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 16.4 mi from New Salem, ND · 18m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
16 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 32.9 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 16.4 miles from New Salem, 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
$5.14 one way
$10.29 round trip
$3.97/gal
25.4 MPG avg
12 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.36 | $5.65 | $11.29 |
| premium | $4.89 | $6.33 | $12.66 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $7.26 | $14.53 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$5
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$30–$55
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 11.5 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $3 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 9.9 | 0 | $3.45 | $1.58 |
| Efficient EV | 8.2 | 0 | $2.88 | $1.32 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 13.2 | 0 | $4.61 | $2.11 |
Gas CO2
12 kg
EV CO2
4 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
Bismarck, ND
Afternoon in Bismarck on Tuesday
Local time
2:10 PM
CDT
Current temp
38°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
37°F
Washburn, ND
16 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
Same local time
Origin and destination are on the same clock, so arrival timing is easier to judge at a glance.
Temperature spread
16 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
37m 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 New Salem, ND to Bismarck, ND covers 32.9 miles and takes about 37m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are I 94, West Rosser Avenue, 8th 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 16.4 miles from New Salem, ND. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $5.14 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.
This drive requires moderate attention. Across 32.9 miles you will encounter 8 spots where lane choice or exit timing matters. Not difficult for experienced highway drivers, but worth previewing the tricky sections before you go.
The main spots that need attention: at 0.1 miles (5th Street North): Navigation decision point; at 0.3 miles (CR 139 / Ash Avenue): Navigation decision point; at 29.5 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early.
On the drive from New Salem, ND to Bismarck, ND, road signs begin pointing toward Mandan along the way.
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