Origin
Watford City, ND
Evening in Watford City on Tuesday
Local time
7:47 PM
CDT
Current temp
34°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Watford City, ND to Oakes, ND
Data updated 0 seconds ago
Drive Time
6h 20m
Distance
366.4 mi
590 km
Drive Score
8/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$57
one way
EV Charging
Loading...
station data
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
6h 8m
★
6 AM
6h 20m
8 AM
6h 45m
10 AM
6h 29m
12 PM
6h 27m
3 PM
6h 30m
5 PM
6h 44m
8 PM
6h 13m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Watford City, ND
Wikimedia Commons
Oakes, ND
Wikimedia Commons
Trip Overview
Crossing North Dakota from Watford City to Oakes is a substantial 366.4-mile journey that typically takes about 6 hours and 20 minutes of driving time. Because this route stays firmly within the Great Plains, you can expect a consistent landscape throughout the trip. It is designed as a single-day journey, making it a very manageable trek if you are prepared for a long stretch behind the wheel. You should budget approximately $56 for fuel to complete the trip comfortably. While it is certainly possible to power through in one go, planning for at least one stop will help you stay refreshed and focused.
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
183.2 miles from Watford City, ND
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 3h 10m into the drive .
Loading map...
Drive Character
This trip is a highway-focused drive, with 99% of your travel occurring on major thoroughfares including I-94, the Theodore Roosevelt Expressway, and State Highway 1. You will spend the vast majority of your time on the interstate, including a significant 245.8-mile stretch that serves as the backbone of your journey. Expect a fast-paced experience where the road remains predictable and efficient for long-distance travel. The transition from the expressway to the state highway system marks the final leg of your drive, shifting the pace slightly as you head toward your destination in Oakes.
This route has more turning and local-road decision points than a simple highway run.
There are about 11 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.
Highway 85 is one of the defining roads on this drive.
Elevation Profile
Mostly flat terrain
2,654 ft
2,167 ft
Total Climb
0 ft
Total Descent
487 ft
Highest Point
2,654 ft
~61.1 mi in
Elevation Range
487 ft
How Hard Is This Drive?
Expect a hands-on drive with frequent turns and local roads rather than long highway stretches. There are only a few real navigation decisions along the way.
Route Complexity
3/10
Easy - simple navigation with a manageable amount of wheel time
The route itself is not hard, but at 6h 20m, endurance matters. Plan breaks every 2-3 hours. The 0 decision points are all manageable with basic attention.
Where does it get tricky?
This route does not have any notably tricky sections. Most of the drive from Watford City, ND to Oakes, ND is straightforward, with well-signed roads and simple exits.
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| Highway 85 | Unavailable | Refreshing |
| Theodore Roosevelt Expressway | Unavailable | Refreshing |
| ND 1 South | Unavailable | Refreshing |
| Highway 1 | Unavailable | Refreshing |
| 1st Street | Unavailable | Refreshing |
| 7th Street North | Unavailable | Refreshing |
Per-road distance and duration are being refreshed from OSRM for this route.
Longest stretch:
Highway 85
— detailed segment metrics are refreshing.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Watford City, ND and Oakes, ND.
1
Start on Main Street North
2.3 mi
·
3 min
·
Main Street North
2
Turn right onto United States Highway 85 Business
0.6 mi
·
55 sec
·
United States Highway 85 Business
3
At the end of the road, turn left onto Theodore Roosevelt Expressway
63 mi
·
1 hr 14 min
·
Theodore Roosevelt Expressway
4
Take the exit left
0.3 mi
·
33 sec
5
Merge slight left
246 mi
·
3 hr 55 min
6
Take the exit slight right toward ND 1 South: Verona, Oakes
0.2 mi
·
16 sec
·
ND 1 South: Verona, Oakes
7
Turn right onto State Highway 1
38 mi
·
43 min
·
State Highway 1
8
Continue on 1st Street
0.2 mi
·
35 sec
·
1st Street
9
Continue on State Highway 1
15 mi
·
18 min
·
State Highway 1
10
Continue on 7th Street North
0.5 mi
·
1 min
·
7th Street North
11
Arrive at your destination
Trip Plan
To make the most of your 6-hour and 20-minute journey, aim to depart early in the morning to avoid fatigue during the final leg. Since your longest uninterrupted segment covers 245.8 miles on I-94, be sure to check your fuel levels before merging onto the interstate to ensure you don't have to worry about range during that primary stretch. While the route is straightforward, scheduling one deliberate stop will break up the monotony of the highway-heavy path. Keep in mind that because this is a high-speed route, maintaining a steady pace is key to keeping your fuel costs near that $56 estimate.
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.
You can normally do this drive in one day.
Plan roughly 1 meaningful break for fuel, food, and rest.
The halfway point lands around 183.2 miles from Watford City, ND, or about 3h 10m into the drive.
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 24m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 183.2 miles or 3h 10m 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 18m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Oakes, 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 366.4 miles and 6h 20m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 81 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.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 183.2 mi from Watford City, ND · 3h 10m 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.
Pacing Suggestions
Fuel and coffee
A short stop after about 81 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 183.2 miles from Watford City, ND, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Arriving in Oakes, ND
The final approach into Oakes, 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 Oakes, 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
$57.28 one way
$114.56 round trip
$3.97/gal
25.4 MPG avg
128 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.36 | $62.89 | $125.79 |
| premium | $4.89 | $70.51 | $141.02 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $80.90 | $161.79 |
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 | $38.47 | $17.59 |
| Efficient EV | 91.6 | 1 | $32.06 | $14.66 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 146.6 | 1 | $51.30 | $23.45 |
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.
Travel Intel
Current conditions at both ends of the drive.
Destination
Oakes, ND
Evening in Oakes on Tuesday
Local time
7:47 PM
CDT
Current temp
42°F
Areas Of Fog
S 9 mph
16% chance
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
8 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
6h 20m on the road
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.
Frequently Asked Questions
The drive from Watford City, ND to Oakes, ND covers 366.4 miles and takes about 6h 20m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are Highway 85, Theodore Roosevelt Expressway, ND 1 South. Expect a mix of highway and local road driving.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 183.2 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 $57.28 one way. This estimate uses 25.4 MPG — your actual cost will vary with your vehicle's fuel efficiency and current gas prices.
Start early — leave by 6-7 AM to arrive at a reasonable hour. This is a long drive — plan for a morning departure or consider splitting it into two days.
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.
The route itself is not hard, but at 6h 20m, endurance matters. Plan breaks every 2-3 hours. The 0 decision points are all manageable with basic attention.
This route does not have any notably tricky sections. Most of the drive from Watford City, ND to Oakes, ND is straightforward, with well-signed roads and simple exits.
The route from Watford City, ND to Oakes, ND does not surface many named destination signs beyond the main corridor.
Mostly flat terrain. The route ranges from 2,167 ft to 2,654 ft elevation with about 0 ft of total climbing.
Was this route helpful?
Thanks for your feedback!
Your tip has been submitted. Thanks!
/500
Recent Tips
·
Explore More
Continue From Oakes, ND
More from Watford City, ND
More trips to Oakes, ND
Explore more options from Watford City, ND or browse trips ending in Oakes, ND.
Looking for more statewide routes? Browse ND road trips.
Explore maps for Watford City, ND or Oakes, ND on MapSof.net.