The drive from West Fargo, ND to Washburn, ND covers 224.9 miles and takes about 3h 44m behind the wheel.
This route is realistic as a one-day drive if you keep your stops efficient.
The route leans on I 94, State Street, Main Avenue West for much of the mileage,
and the overall profile is highway-focused drive.
The longest uninterrupted segment is about 183.7 miles on I 94.
At current regular gas prices, budget about $35.16 one way before food or hotel costs.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.
Break Rhythm
1 planned break
A short stop every 2 to 3 hours is enough for this drive.
Midpoint
112.4 miles from West Fargo, ND
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 1h 48m into the drive
.
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 3h 44m. Total distance: 224.9 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
This is a 3h 44m highway drive covering 224.9 miles, with most of the trip on I 94 and State Street. The longest continuous stretch is about 183.7 miles on I 94.
Most of the miles stay on highways, which makes pacing and fuel planning easier than turn-by-turn city driving.
There are about 13 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.
I 94 is the longest continuous segment at about 183.7 miles.
How Hard Is This Drive?
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 94 and State Street. There are only a few real navigation decisions along the way. The trickiest moment comes early in the drive near 1st Street.
Driving Effort4/10
Easy - simple navigation with a manageable amount of wheel time
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This is a straightforward 3h 44m drive. You will face about 9 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 (1st Street): Navigation decision point; at 2.1 miles (I 94 Business): Highway fork - watch signs carefully; at 186.4 miles (US 83): Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Critical Maneuvers
5 of 9 key points
These are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
5
0 mi into trip|~0m in|1st Street
Turn left onto 1st Street
Navigation decision point
4
2.1 mi into trip|~3m in|I 94 Business
Keep slight right at fork onto I 94 Business
Highway fork - watch signs carefully
5
186.4 mi into trip|~2h 59m in|US 83
Take the exit onto US 83 toward US 83 North: Bismarck, Minot
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Toward US 83 North: Bismarck, Minot
4
188.8 mi into trip|~3h 4m in|US 83; ND 1804 / State Street
Keep slight right at fork onto US 83; ND 1804 / State Street
Highway fork - watch signs carefully
5
224.2 mi into trip|~3h 42m in|4th Avenue
Turn left onto 4th Avenue
Lane positioning matters here
Use the left lane.
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
On the drive from West Fargo, ND to Washburn, ND, road signs begin pointing toward Minot along the way.
Minot
186.4 mi in|~2h 59m|via US 83
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
I 94
183.7 mi
2h 54m
State Street
37.5 mi
42m
Main Avenue West
1.9 mi
2m
I 94 Business
0.6 mi
1m
4th Avenue
0.6 mi
1m
US 83
0.3 mi
<1m
1st Street
0.1 mi
<1m
7th Street
<0.1 mi
<1m
Longest stretch:
I 94
— 183.7 mi, about 2h 54m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between West Fargo, ND and Washburn, ND.
1
Start on 2nd Avenue West
126 ft·11 sec·2nd Avenue West
2
Turn left onto 1st Street
0.1 mi·20 sec·1st Street
3
Turn left onto I 94 Business; US 10
1.9 mi·2 min·Main Avenue West
4
Keep slight right at fork onto I 94 Business
0.6 mi·1 min·I 94 Business
5
Merge onto I 94; US 52
176 mi·2 hr 46 min·I 94; US 52
6
Continue on I 94; US 83
8.2 mi·8 min·I 94; US 83
7
Take the exit onto US 83
0.3 mi·43 sec·US 83
Toward US 83 North: Bismarck, Minot
8
Turn right onto US 83; ND 1804
2.1 mi·3 min·State Street
9
Keep slight right at fork onto US 83; ND 1804
35 mi·38 min·State Street
10
Turn left onto 4th Avenue
0.6 mi·1 min·4th Avenue
Use the left lane.
11
Turn left onto 7th Street
355 ft·17 sec·7th Street
12
Turn right onto Main Avenue
51 ft·1 sec·Main Avenue
13
Arrive at destination
Main Avenue
Trip Plan
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 112.4 miles from West Fargo, ND, or about 1h 48m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 183.7 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 49 miles or 48m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 112.4 miles or 1h 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 2h 57m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Washburn, ND than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving West Fargo, 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 West Fargo, ND
This is one driving day of about 224.9 miles and 3h 44m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 49 miles from West Fargo, 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 94 for about 183.7 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 112.4 mi from West Fargo, ND
· 1h 48m into the drive
Place data sourced from public business listings. Hours and availability may vary.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$35.16 one way
$70.32 round trip
$3.97/gal25.4 MPG avg79 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.36
$38.60
$77.21
premium
$4.89
$43.28
$86.56
diesel
$5.61
$49.66
$99.31
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: 78.7 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $24 in charging
· 0 stops
· 67% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
67.5
0
$23.61
$10.80
Efficient EV
56.2
0
$19.68
$9.00
EV Truck/SUV
90
1
$31.49
$14.39
Gas CO2
79 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.
Forecast as of Apr 18, 2026
Origin
West Fargo, ND
Late night
in West Fargo on Saturday
Local time
2:43 AM
CDT
Current temp
25°F
Slight Chance Snow Showers
WNW 17 to 21 mph10% chanceLive forecast
Destination
Washburn, ND
Late night
in Washburn on Saturday
Local time
2:43 AM
CDT
Current temp
20°F
Clear
NW 13 to 16 mph0% chanceLive forecast
65°F
Jamestown, ND
112 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
5 degrees cooler at arrival
A meaningful temperature swing is a good cue to rethink layers, water, and how soon you want to arrive.
Road read
3h 44m on the road
The weather snapshot is not static. If you are leaving later, give both cities one more quick forecast check before departure.
Weather data from the National Weather Service. Conditions may change; check closer to your travel date.
Frequently Asked Questions
The drive from West Fargo, ND to Washburn, ND covers 224.9 miles and takes about 3h 44m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are I 94, State Street, Main Avenue West. Most of the drive stays on highways, so watch for ramps and exits.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 112.4 miles from West Fargo, ND. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $35.16 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. A short stop every 2 to 3 hours is enough for this drive.
This is a straightforward 3h 44m drive. You will face about 9 decision points, but nothing that requires special attention if you follow navigation.
The main spots that need attention: near the start (1st Street): Navigation decision point; at 2.1 miles (I 94 Business): Highway fork - watch signs carefully; at 186.4 miles (US 83): Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
On the drive from West Fargo, ND to Washburn, ND, road signs begin pointing toward Minot along the way.
How this page is built
Compiled by the Trip.ovh planning team at COD Solutions Oy from open government datasets — OSRM over OpenStreetMap for geometry, EIA for fuel prices, and NPS for national parks. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.
