Origin
Oakes, ND
Night in Oakes on Wednesday
Local time
11:27 PM
CDT
Current temp
41°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Oakes, ND to Wahpeton, ND
Last recalculated Apr 16, 2026
Drive Time
1h 37m
Distance
78.8 mi
127 km
Drive Score
8/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$12
one way
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
1h 30m
★
6 AM
1h 37m
8 AM
1h 52m
10 AM
1h 42m
12 PM
1h 41m
3 PM
1h 43m
5 PM
1h 51m
8 PM
1h 33m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Oakes, ND
Wikimedia Commons
Wahpeton, ND
Wikimedia Commons
Trip Overview
This straightforward 78.8-mile drive from Oakes to Wahpeton, North Dakota, is designed for a single day, taking about 1 hour and 37 minutes to complete. Primarily utilizing State Highway 13 and State Highway 1, with a brief stint on 7th Street South, this journey is almost entirely highway driving at 99%. With an estimated fuel cost of $12, it's an economical option. The route stays within the Great Plains region, offering a consistent landscape throughout your travel. It's a quick trip that doesn't require an overnight stay, allowing for flexibility in your schedule.
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
39.4 miles from Oakes, ND
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 48m into the drive .
Drive Character
Expect a predominantly highway-focused experience on this trip. With 99% of the drive on main roads, you'll spend most of your time on State Highway 13 and State Highway 1. The longest continuous stretch you'll encounter is 72.1 miles on State Highway 13, meaning you'll have plenty of uninterrupted driving time. This profile suggests a consistent pace, suitable for covering ground efficiently without frequent turns or complex road changes.
Most of the miles stay on highways, which makes pacing and fuel planning easier than turn-by-turn city driving.
There are about 7 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.
State Highway 13 is the longest continuous segment at about 72.1 miles.
How Hard Is This Drive?
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on State Highway 13 and State Highway 1. Navigation is very simple - set it and forget it for most of the drive. The trickiest moment comes around 6 miles in near ND 13 / State Highway 13.
Route Complexity
1/10
Very easy - short and simple to drive
The drive from Oakes, ND to Wahpeton, ND is easy. At 1h 37m with 99% highway, most drivers will find it relaxed and low-stress.
Where does it get tricky?
The main spots that need attention: at 6 miles (ND 13 / State Highway 13): Lane positioning matters here; at 78.6 miles (6th Street North): Lane positioning matters here; at 78.7 miles (2nd Avenue North): Navigation decision point.
Critical Maneuvers
3 of 3 key pointsThese are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
3
6 mi into trip
|
~8m in
|
ND 13 / State Highway 13
Continue onto ND 13 / State Highway 13
Lane positioning matters here
Use the left lane.
6
78.6 mi into trip
|
~1h 36m in
|
6th Street North
Turn left onto 6th Street North
Lane positioning matters here
Use the left lane.
5
78.7 mi into trip
|
~1h 36m in
|
2nd Avenue North
Turn right onto 2nd Avenue North
Navigation decision point
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| State Highway 13 | 72.1 mi | 1h 26m |
| State Highway 1 | 5.5 mi | 6m |
| 7th Street South | 0.5 mi | 1m |
| Dakota Avenue | 0.4 mi | 1m |
| 2nd Avenue North | 0.1 mi | <1m |
| 6th Street North | <0.1 mi | <1m |
Longest stretch:
State Highway 13
— 72.1 mi, about 1h 26m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Oakes, ND and Wahpeton, ND.
1
Start on ND 1
0.5 mi
·
1 min
·
7th Street South
2
Continue on ND 1
5.5 mi
·
6 min
·
State Highway 1
3
Continue on ND 13
72 mi
·
1 hr 26 min
·
State Highway 13
Use the left lane.
4
Continue on ND 13
0.4 mi
·
1 min
·
Dakota Avenue
5
Turn left onto 6th Street North
387 ft
·
19 sec
·
6th Street North
Use the left lane.
6
Turn right onto 2nd Avenue North
0.1 mi
·
26 sec
·
2nd Avenue North
7
Arrive at destination
2nd Avenue North
Trip Plan
Given its short duration of under two hours, this route offers great flexibility. You can easily depart in the morning and arrive in Wahpeton with plenty of daylight left, or enjoy a leisurely afternoon drive. There are no designated stops in the data, so plan your fuel and rest breaks accordingly, especially since the longest stretch is over 70 miles. Consider departing Oakes after the morning rush to maximize your time on the open highway. The estimated fuel cost of $12 makes it an affordable segment of a larger road trip.
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 39.4 miles from Oakes, ND, or about 48m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 72.1 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 17 miles or 21m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 39.4 miles or 48m 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 21m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Wahpeton, ND than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving Oakes, ND so your first major turns are already loaded.
Day 1
Settle into the route from Oakes, ND
This is one driving day of about 78.8 miles and 1h 37m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 17 miles from Oakes, ND.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
The longest stretch is on State Highway 13 for about 72.1 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 39.4 mi from Oakes, ND · 48m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
39 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 17 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 39.4 miles from Oakes, ND, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Before the longest stretch
Fuel checkTop up before State Highway 13 if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 72.1 miles.
Arriving in Wahpeton, ND
The final approach into Wahpeton, ND usually feels slower than the middle of the drive, so avoid planning your tightest schedule at the very end.
These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$12.32 one way
$24.64 round trip
$3.97/gal
25.4 MPG avg
28 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.36 | $13.53 | $27.05 |
| premium | $4.89 | $15.16 | $30.33 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $17.40 | $34.80 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$12
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$37–$62
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 27.6 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $8 in charging · 0 stops · 68% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 23.6 | 0 | $8.27 | $3.78 |
| Efficient EV | 19.7 | 0 | $6.90 | $3.15 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 31.5 | 0 | $11.03 | $5.04 |
Gas CO2
28 kg
EV CO2
9 kg (68% 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
Wahpeton, ND
Night in Wahpeton on Wednesday
Local time
11:27 PM
CDT
Current temp
67°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
66°F
Lisbon, ND
39 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
26 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 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 Oakes, ND to Wahpeton, ND covers 78.8 miles and takes about 1h 37m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are State Highway 13, State Highway 1, 7th Street South. Most of the drive stays on highways, so watch for ramps and exits.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 39.4 miles from Oakes, ND. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $12.32 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 Oakes, ND to Wahpeton, ND is easy. At 1h 37m with 99% highway, most drivers will find it relaxed and low-stress.
The main spots that need attention: at 6 miles (ND 13 / State Highway 13): Lane positioning matters here; at 78.6 miles (6th Street North): Lane positioning matters here; at 78.7 miles (2nd Avenue North): Navigation decision point.
The route from Oakes, ND to Wahpeton, ND does not surface many named destination signs beyond the main corridor.
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