Origin
Wahpeton, ND
Afternoon in Wahpeton on Monday
Local time
3:30 PM
CDT
Current temp
38°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Wahpeton, ND to Fort Totten, ND
Drive Time
4h 18m
Distance
224.2 mi
361 km
Drive Score
8/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$34
one way
EV Charging
Loading...
station data
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
4h 5m
★
6 AM
4h 18m
8 AM
4h 45m
10 AM
4h 28m
12 PM
4h 25m
3 PM
4h 29m
5 PM
4h 44m
8 PM
4h 10m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Wahpeton, ND
Wikimedia Commons
Fort Totten, ND
Phil Evenden
Trip Overview
Spanning 224.2 miles across the North Dakota Great Plains, this trip from Wahpeton to Fort Totten is a straightforward journey that takes approximately 4 hours and 18 minutes. Because the total duration is manageable, you can easily complete this as a single-day excursion without needing an overnight stay. You should budget about $34 for fuel to cover the distance, making it a relatively affordable trip. The route relies heavily on major thoroughfares, including I-29 and State Highways 15 and 20. Whether you are traveling for business or a change of scenery, this highway-focused drive offers a direct connection between these two points in the state.
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
112.1 miles from Wahpeton, ND
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h 52m into the drive .
Drive Character
Expect a drive dominated by fast-paced transit, as 96% of the journey takes place on highways. You will spend a significant portion of your time on I-29, which features the route's longest uninterrupted stretch of 106.9 miles. Once you transition off the interstate and onto State Highways 15 and 20, the character of the road shifts to a more localized experience. The drive is designed for efficiency rather than technical maneuvering, keeping you moving steadily across the flat plains. It is a consistent, highway-focused route that favors speed and directness over winding, secondary roads.
Most of the miles stay on highways, which makes pacing and fuel planning easier than turn-by-turn city driving.
There are about 22 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.
I 29 is the longest continuous segment at about 106.9 miles.
How Hard Is This Drive?
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 29 and State Highway 15. There are only a few real navigation decisions along the way. The trickiest moment comes early in the drive near 4th Street North.
Route Complexity
3/10
Easy - simple navigation with a manageable amount of wheel time
This is a straightforward 4h 18m drive. You will face about 13 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 (4th Street North): Navigation decision point; at 11 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 118.3 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Critical Maneuvers
5 of 13 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
|
4th Street North
Turn right onto 4th Street North
Navigation decision point
8
11 mi into trip
|
~14m in
Take the exit toward I 29 North, US 81 North: Fargo
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the slight right lane.
Toward I 29 North, US 81 North: Fargo
6
118.3 mi into trip
|
~1h 58m in
Take the exit toward ND 15 West, CR 81A East: Thompson
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Exit 130
Toward ND 15 West, CR 81A East: Thompson
5
218.8 mi into trip
|
~4h 9m in
|
ND 57 / State Highway 57
At end of road, turn left onto ND 57 / State Highway 57
Navigation decision point
5
223.5 mi into trip
|
~4h 16m in
|
BIA 7 / 3rd Avenue North
Turn left onto BIA 7 / 3rd Avenue North
Lane positioning matters here
Use the left lane.
Towns Along This Route
On the drive from Wahpeton, ND to Fort Totten, ND, road signs begin pointing toward Cr 81A East: Thompson along the way.
Cr 81A East: Thompson
118.3 mi in
|
~1h 58m
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| I 29 | 106.9 mi | 1h 43m |
| State Highway 15 | 72.1 mi | 1h 24m |
| State Highway 20 | 21.7 mi | 29m |
| State Highway 13 | 10.4 mi | 12m |
| State Highway 57 | 4.7 mi | 6m |
| Bureau of Indian Affairs Road 1 | 2.7 mi | 6m |
| Bureau of Indian Affairs Road 6 | 2 mi | 4m |
| Railroad Avenue | 1.2 mi | 2m |
Longest stretch:
I 29
— 106.9 mi, about 1h 43m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Wahpeton, ND and Fort Totten, ND.
1
Start on 2nd Avenue North
109 ft
·
6 sec
·
2nd Avenue North
2
Turn right onto 4th Street North
392 ft
·
14 sec
·
4th Street North
3
Turn right onto ND 13
0.6 mi
·
1 min
·
Dakota Avenue
4
Continue on ND 13
10 mi
·
12 min
·
State Highway 13
Use the straight lane.
5
Take the exit
0.4 mi
·
51 sec
Toward I 29 North, US 81 North: Fargo
Use the slight right lane.
6
Merge onto I 29; US 81
107 mi
·
1 hr 43 min
·
I 29; US 81
7
Take the exit
0.3 mi
·
39 sec
Exit 130
Toward ND 15 West, CR 81A East: Thompson
8
Turn left onto ND 15
1.1 mi
·
1 min
·
State Highway 15
9
Continue on ND 15
0.5 mi
·
1 min
·
Broadway Street
10
Continue on ND 15
52 mi
·
1 hr
·
State Highway 15
11
Continue on ND 15
0.6 mi
·
1 min
·
Railroad Avenue
12
Continue on ND 15
7.4 mi
·
8 min
·
State Highway 15
13
Continue on ND 15
0.6 mi
·
1 min
·
Railroad Avenue
14
Continue on ND 15
12 mi
·
13 min
·
State Highway 15
15
Turn right onto ND 20
22 mi
·
29 min
·
State Highway 20
16
Turn left onto BIA 6
2.0 mi
·
4 min
·
Bureau of Indian Affairs Road 6
17
Turn right onto BIA 1
2.7 mi
·
6 min
·
Bureau of Indian Affairs Road 1
18
At end of road, turn left onto ND 57
4.7 mi
·
6 min
·
State Highway 57
19
Turn left onto BIA 7
0.6 mi
·
1 min
·
3rd Avenue North
Use the left lane.
20
Turn left onto BIA 6
492 ft
·
19 sec
·
Ephriam Hill Road
21
Turn left onto 2nd Avenue North
147 ft
·
6 sec
·
2nd Avenue North
22
Arrive at destination
2nd Avenue North
Trip Plan
Planning your departure is simple given the 4-hour and 18-minute duration, but leaving early in the day allows you maximum flexibility for your one planned stop. Since the vast majority of your travel occurs on high-speed roads, ensure your vehicle is fueled up before hitting the longer stretches to avoid unnecessary delays. Keep in mind that the 106.9-mile stretch on I-29 is the best time to settle into a rhythm, but remain attentive as you transition to the state highways. Because the route is compact enough for one day, you have the advantage of setting your own pace without the pressure of a multi-day itinerary. Always check your fuel levels before leaving the interstate to ensure you have enough to comfortably navigate the final segments of the trip.
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 112.1 miles from Wahpeton, ND, or about 1h 52m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 106.9 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 80 miles or 1h 21m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 112.1 miles or 1h 52m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 3h 18m
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 Wahpeton, 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 Wahpeton, ND
This is one driving day of about 224.2 miles and 4h 18m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 80 miles from Wahpeton, 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 I 29 for about 106.9 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 112.1 mi from Wahpeton, ND · 1h 52m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
112 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 112.1 miles from Wahpeton, ND, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Before the longest stretch
Fuel checkTop up before I 29 if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 106.9 miles.
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.
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.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$34.05 one way
$68.11 round trip
$3.86/gal
25.4 MPG avg
78 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.25 | $37.54 | $75.08 |
| premium | $4.80 | $42.32 | $84.65 |
| diesel | $5.64 | $49.81 | $99.62 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$34
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$59–$84
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 78.4 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-06.
Driving Electric?
About $24 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 67.3 | 0 | $23.54 | $10.76 |
| Efficient EV | 56.1 | 0 | $19.62 | $8.97 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 89.7 | 1 | $31.39 | $14.35 |
Gas CO2
78 kg
EV CO2
26 kg (67% 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
Fort Totten, ND
Afternoon in Fort Totten on Monday
Local time
3:30 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
4h 18m 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 Wahpeton, ND to Fort Totten, ND covers 224.2 miles and takes about 4h 18m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are I 29, State Highway 15, State Highway 20. Most of the drive stays on highways, so watch for ramps and exits.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 112.1 miles from Wahpeton, ND. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $34.05 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 18m drive. You will face about 13 decision points, but nothing that requires special attention if you follow navigation.
The main spots that need attention: near the start (4th Street North): Navigation decision point; at 11 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 118.3 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
On the drive from Wahpeton, ND to Fort Totten, ND, road signs begin pointing toward Cr 81A East: Thompson along the way.
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