Last recalculated Apr 16, 2026
Drive Time
6h 19m
Distance
366.3 mi
589 km
Drive Score
8/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$57
one way
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Oakes, ND
Wikimedia Commons
Watford City, ND
Wikimedia Commons
This 366.3-mile drive from Oakes, ND to Watford City, ND is a solid day trip, clocking in at about 6 hours and 19 minutes of pure driving time. You'll spend virtually all of your time on highways, with a 99% highway share, making it a straightforward journey across the Great Plains. The estimated fuel cost for this trip is around $57. While the route is designed for a single day, you could certainly break it up if you prefer a more relaxed pace. It's a route focused on covering ground efficiently, with one recommended 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
183.1 miles from Oakes, ND
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 3h 6m into the drive .
Expect a highway-focused drive for nearly the entire 366.3 miles, as 99% of this route utilizes major roadways. The primary roads you'll be on are I 94, the Theodore Roosevelt Expressway, and State Highway 1. The longest stretch without a break is a significant 231.2 miles on I 94, so be prepared for extended periods of consistent driving. This route is characterized by its efficiency, allowing you to make good time across the landscape.
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 94 and Theodore Roosevelt Expressway. There are only a few real navigation decisions along the way. The trickiest moment comes around 54.1 miles in near ND 1.
Easy - simple navigation with a manageable amount of wheel time
The route itself is not hard, but at 6h 19m, endurance matters. Plan breaks every 2-3 hours. The 4 decision points are all manageable with basic attention.
Where does it get tricky?
The main spots that need attention: at 54.1 miles (ND 1): Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 300 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early; at 300.3 miles (US 85 / Theodore Roosevelt Expressway): Navigation decision point.
These are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
Take the ramp onto ND 1 toward I 94 West, US 52 West, ND 1 North: Bismarck
Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Take the exit
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early
Turn right onto US 85 / Theodore Roosevelt Expressway
Navigation decision point
Turn left onto US 85 Business; ND 23 Business / Main Street South
Lane positioning matters here
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| I 94 | 231.2 mi | 3h 41m |
| Theodore Roosevelt Expressway | 63.1 mi | 1h 13m |
| State Highway 1 | 53.4 mi | 1h 2m |
| ND 1 | 14.7 mi | 13m |
| Main Street South | 2.4 mi | 4m |
| United States Highway 85 Business | 0.6 mi | 1m |
| 7th Street South | 0.5 mi | 1m |
| 1st Street | 0.2 mi | <1m |
Step-by-step road directions between Oakes, ND and Watford City, ND.
Start on ND 1
Continue on ND 1
Continue on ND 1; ND 13
Continue on ND 1
Take the ramp onto ND 1
Continue on I 94; US 52
Continue on I 94; US 83
Take the exit
Turn right onto US 85
Turn right onto US 85 Business; ND 23
Turn left onto US 85 Business; ND 23 Business
Continue on ND 23 Business
Arrive at destination
For this 6-hour, 19-minute drive, consider an early morning departure from Oakes to maximize your daylight and arrive in Watford City with time to spare. With a fuel cost estimated at $57, it's wise to fill up before you leave or at your one recommended stop to avoid any surprises. The longest stretch on I 94 is over 230 miles, so plan your breaks accordingly; perhaps one longer stop midway through that segment. Keep an eye on your fuel gauge, especially as you approach the end of that long stretch.
Morning Departure
Start early — leave by 6-7 AM to arrive at a reasonable hour.
Evening Departure
This is a long drive — plan for a morning departure or consider splitting it into two days.
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 81 miles or 1h 30m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 183.1 miles or 3h 6m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 5h 7m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Watford City, ND than in the middle of the route.
Open the route before leaving Oakes, 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 Oakes, ND
This is one driving day of about 366.3 miles and 6h 19m.
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 183.1 mi from Oakes, ND · 3h 6m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
183 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.
A short stop after about 81 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
The midpoint is around 183.1 miles from Oakes, ND, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Before the longest stretch
Fuel checkTop up before I 94 if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 231.2 miles.
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.
After long uninterrupted mileage, take five minutes before the last urban segment to reset and refocus on exits, merges, and city traffic.
These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.
Regular Gas
$57.27 one way
$114.53 round trip
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.36 | $62.88 | $125.75 |
| premium | $4.89 | $70.49 | $140.98 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $80.87 | $161.75 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$57
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$82–$107
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 128.2 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $38 in charging · 1 stop · 66% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 109.9 | 1 | $38.46 | $17.58 |
| Efficient EV | 91.6 | 1 | $32.05 | $14.65 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 146.5 | 1 | $51.28 | $23.44 |
Gas CO2
128 kg
EV CO2
43 kg (66% less)
Plan for 1 charging stop. A 30-minute DC fast charge mid-route should be enough to complete the trip comfortably.
DC fast charging avg $0.35/kWh. Home charging avg $0.16/kWh. US grid CO2: 0.39 kg/kWh.
Current conditions at both ends of the drive.
Origin
Night in Oakes on Wednesday
Local time
11:26 PM
CDT
Current temp
42°F
Areas Of Fog
Destination
Night in Watford City on Wednesday
Local time
11:26 PM
CDT
Current temp
71°F
Unavailable
43°F
New Salem, ND
183 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
Origin and destination are on the same clock, so arrival timing is easier to judge at a glance.
Temperature spread
A meaningful temperature swing is a good cue to rethink layers, water, and how soon you want to arrive.
Road read
Start early — leave by 6-7 AM to arrive at a reasonable hour.
Weather data from the National Weather Service. Conditions may change; check closer to your travel date.
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