Origin
Watford City, ND
Afternoon in Watford City on Monday
Local time
3:32 PM
CDT
Current temp
34°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Watford City, ND to Fort Totten, ND
Drive Time
4h 57m
Distance
231.4 mi
372 km
Drive Score
9/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$35
one way
EV Charging
None
0 DC fast
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
4h 44m
★
6 AM
4h 58m
8 AM
5h 25m
10 AM
5h 7m
12 PM
5h 5m
3 PM
5h 9m
5 PM
5h 24m
8 PM
4h 50m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Watford City, ND
Wikimedia Commons
Fort Totten, ND
Phil Evenden
Trip Overview
Spanning 231.4 miles across the Great Plains, this drive from Watford City to Fort Totten is a straightforward journey that typically takes about 4 hours and 57 minutes. Because the trip is manageable in a single day, you won't need to worry about booking an overnight stay, making it a convenient option for those looking to cross the state efficiently. Expect to budget roughly $35 for fuel to cover the distance between these two North Dakota destinations. You will spend the vast majority of your time on State Highway 23 and State Highway 19, which provide a direct corridor through the region. Whether you are traveling for business or a change of scenery, this route offers a reliable path that keeps you moving steadily toward your destination.
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
115.7 miles from Watford City, ND
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 2h 20m into the drive .
Drive Character
Expect a dedicated highway-focused experience, as 71% of this trip is spent on major thoroughfares. You will find yourself settling into a steady rhythm, particularly during the longest uninterrupted stretch of 69.2 miles along State Highway 23. The transition from Watford City toward Fort Totten involves navigating a mix of high-speed highway segments and smaller connectors like 247th Avenue Southwest. Because the terrain remains consistent throughout the Great Plains, the road feels predictable and well-suited for long-distance cruising. You won't face many technical complexities, allowing you to focus on the road ahead as the landscape transitions through the central part of the state.
Most of the miles stay on highways, which makes pacing and fuel planning easier than turn-by-turn city driving.
There are about 35 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.
State Highway 23 is the longest continuous segment at about 69.2 miles.
How Hard Is This Drive?
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on State Highway 23 and State Highway 19. There are only a few real navigation decisions along the way. The trickiest moment comes around 1.4 miles in near 12th Street Southeast.
Route Complexity
3/10
Easy - simple navigation with a manageable amount of wheel time
This is a straightforward 4h 57m drive. You will face about 15 decision points, but nothing that requires special attention if you follow navigation.
Where does it get tricky?
The main spots that need attention: at 1.4 miles (12th Street Southeast): Roundabout - know your exit number before entering; at 124.4 miles (ND 41 / State Highway 41): Navigation decision point; at 231.2 miles (BIA 7 / 3rd Avenue North): Navigation decision point.
Critical Maneuvers
5 of 15 key pointsThese are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
4
1.4 mi into trip
|
~2m in
|
12th Street Southeast
Enter roundabout onto 12th Street Southeast
Roundabout - know your exit number before entering
5
124.4 mi into trip
|
~2h 33m in
|
ND 41 / State Highway 41
At end of road, turn left onto ND 41 / State Highway 41
Navigation decision point
5
231.2 mi into trip
|
~4h 57m in
|
BIA 7 / 3rd Avenue North
At end of road, turn left onto BIA 7 / 3rd Avenue North
Navigation decision point
5
231.3 mi into trip
|
~4h 57m in
|
BIA 6 / Ephriam Hill Road
Turn right onto BIA 6 / Ephriam Hill Road
Navigation decision point
5
231.4 mi into trip
|
~4h 57m in
|
2nd Avenue North
Turn left onto 2nd Avenue North
Navigation decision point
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| State Highway 23 | 69.2 mi | 1h 22m |
| State Highway 19 | 47.4 mi | 55m |
| 247th Avenue Southwest | 35 mi | 42m |
| US-52 | 21.2 mi | 24m |
| 39th Street Northwest | 11.7 mi | 13m |
| US 281 | 10.7 mi | 16m |
| State Highway 14 | 6.7 mi | 7m |
| 233rd Avenue Southeast | 5.8 mi | 8m |
Longest stretch:
State Highway 23
— 69.2 mi, about 1h 22m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Watford City, ND and Fort Totten, ND.
1
Start on ND 23 Business
0.4 mi
·
1 min
·
Main Street North
2
Turn left onto ND 23A
1.0 mi
·
1 min
·
6th Avenue Southeast
3
Enter roundabout onto 12th Street Southeast
29 ft
·
0 sec
·
12th Street Southeast
4
Continue on 12th Street Southeast
0.9 mi
·
2 min
·
12th Street Southeast
5
Turn left onto ND 23
16 mi
·
18 min
·
State Highway 23
6
Enter roundabout onto ND 23
269 ft
·
12 sec
·
State Highway 23
7
Continue on ND 23
12 mi
·
13 min
·
State Highway 23
8
Continue on ND 23
21 mi
·
24 min
·
State Highway 23
9
Continue on ND 23; ND 1804
0.5 mi
·
1 min
·
Main Street
10
Continue on ND 23; ND 1804
6.5 mi
·
8 min
·
State Highway 23
11
Enter roundabout onto ND 23; ND 1804
167 ft
·
2 sec
·
State Highway 23
12
Continue on ND 23; ND 1804
10.0 mi
·
11 min
·
State Highway 23
13
Continue on ND 23
12 mi
·
13 min
·
39th Street Northwest
14
Continue on ND 23
0.3 mi
·
20 sec
·
State Highway 23
15
Continue on ND 23
16 mi
·
18 min
·
247th Avenue Southwest
16
Continue on ND 23
1.2 mi
·
1 min
·
State Highway 23
17
Continue on ND 23
19 mi
·
24 min
·
247th Avenue Southwest
18
Continue on ND 23
2.4 mi
·
3 min
·
State Highway 23
19
Continue on ND 23
5.8 mi
·
8 min
·
233rd Avenue Southeast
20
At end of road, turn left onto ND 41
2.0 mi
·
2 min
·
State Highway 41
21
Turn right onto ND 97
2.5 mi
·
2 min
·
State Highway 97
22
Turn right onto US 52
21 mi
·
24 min
·
US-52
23
Continue on US-52
0.2 mi
·
21 sec
·
US-52
24
Turn left onto ND 14
6.7 mi
·
7 min
·
State Highway 14
25
Turn right onto 42nd Street Northeast
4.9 mi
·
11 min
·
42nd Street Northeast
26
Continue on County Road 19
5.0 mi
·
12 min
·
County Road 19
27
Continue on ND 19
22 mi
·
26 min
·
State Highway 19
28
Continue on ND 19
25 mi
·
29 min
·
State Highway 19
29
Turn right onto US 281
11 mi
·
16 min
·
US 281
30
Turn left onto ND 57
5.3 mi
·
8 min
·
State Highway 57
31
Turn right onto BIA 7
0.9 mi
·
2 min
·
Bureau of Indian Affairs Road 7
32
At end of road, turn left onto BIA 7
524 ft
·
16 sec
·
3rd Avenue North
33
Turn right onto BIA 6
492 ft
·
19 sec
·
Ephriam Hill Road
34
Turn left onto 2nd Avenue North
147 ft
·
6 sec
·
2nd Avenue North
35
Arrive at destination
2nd Avenue North
Trip Plan
To make the most of your nearly five-hour drive, try to depart early in the morning so you can reach Fort Totten with plenty of daylight remaining. While the trip is short enough to handle in one go, planning for at least one dedicated stop will help you stay refreshed during the 231.4-mile journey. Since you are relying heavily on state highways, keep a close eye on your fuel gauge before leaving Watford City, as stations may be spaced out along certain sections. Flexibility is a major advantage here, as the lack of complex navigation means you can easily adjust your pace based on traffic or weather conditions. Use your single planned stop to stretch your legs and reset, ensuring you arrive at your destination feeling sharp and ready for whatever is next.
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 115.7 miles from Watford City, ND, or about 2h 20m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 69.2 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 37m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 115.7 miles or 2h 20m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 4h 2m
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 Watford City, 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 Watford City, ND
This is one driving day of about 231.4 miles and 4h 57m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 80 miles from Watford City, 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 State Highway 23 for about 69.2 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 115.7 mi from Watford City, ND · 2h 20m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
116 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 115.7 miles from Watford City, ND, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Before the longest stretch
Fuel checkTop up before State Highway 23 if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 69.2 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.
These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$35.15 one way
$70.29 round trip
$3.86/gal
25.4 MPG avg
81 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.25 | $38.75 | $77.49 |
| premium | $4.80 | $43.68 | $87.37 |
| diesel | $5.64 | $51.41 | $102.82 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$35
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$60–$85
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 81 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 | 69.4 | 0 | $24.30 | $11.11 |
| Efficient EV | 57.9 | 0 | $20.25 | $9.26 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 92.6 | 1 | $32.40 | $14.81 |
Gas CO2
81 kg
EV CO2
27 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
3:32 PM
CDT
Current temp
44°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Along the Route
34°F
Garrison, ND
116 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
10 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 57m 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 Watford City, ND to Fort Totten, ND covers 231.4 miles and takes about 4h 57m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are State Highway 23, State Highway 19, 247th Avenue Southwest. Most of the drive stays on highways, so watch for ramps and exits.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 115.7 miles from Watford City, ND. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $35.15 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 57m drive. You will face about 15 decision points, but nothing that requires special attention if you follow navigation.
The main spots that need attention: at 1.4 miles (12th Street Southeast): Roundabout - know your exit number before entering; at 124.4 miles (ND 41 / State Highway 41): Navigation decision point; at 231.2 miles (BIA 7 / 3rd Avenue North): Navigation decision point.
The route from Watford City, ND to Fort Totten, ND does not surface many named destination signs beyond the main corridor.
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