Fall Road Trips in North Dakota

Routes

Avg Distance

292 mi

Avg Drive

5h 16m

Destinations

Methodology

Routes filtered by drive score and typical seasonal conditions. Historical hazard counts pulled from FEMA disaster declarations and USGS seismic feeds; monthly weather context from NOAA 1991–2020 normals.

Data sources: OSRM • NOAA NCEI climate normals • FEMA OpenFEMA • USGS Earthquake Hazards • EIA weekly fuel survey

Last reviewed

Jul 19, 2026

0 seconds ago

Curated by the US Trip Planner editorial team.
Not sponsored; no affiliate links on this page.

North Dakota in the fall offers a unique driving experience characterized by its wide-open skies and expansive landscapes. With 30 routes averaging 291 miles and over 5 hours, you can explore the state's gentle, rolling terrain. The drive scores typically hit an 8, and EV drivers will appreciate the excellent charging coverage, with up to 30 DC fast chargers available on some longer trips. This season provides clear driving conditions to take in the subtle beauty of the plains.

Fuel snapshot for this state

Regular

$3.75/gal

Diesel: $4.80/gal

Typical trip cost

$30–$56

One-way, ~292 mi avg @ 25.4 MPG

CO₂ per trip

~102 kg

ICE vehicle, one-way average

Source: US Energy Information Administration • week of 2026-07-13

Climate through the year: North Dakota

North Dakota peaks at around 82°F in Jul and cools to 18°F / 0°F in Jan. Wettest month is Jun at ~4.3 in of rain. Table highlights Fall months.

Month	High °F	Low °F	Rain in	Snow in
Jan	18	0	0.7	10.3
Feb	23	4	0.7	8.1
Mar	36	18	1.3	9.2
Apr	54	32	1.5	4.1
May	69	44	3.1	—
Jun	78	56	4.3	—
Jul	82	59	3.1	—
Aug	81	57	2.6	—
Sep peak	72	48	2.7	—
Oct peak	56	35	2.2	1.2
Nov peak	38	21	1	6.8
Dec	24	8	0.9	11.7

Source: NOAA NCEI Monthly Climate Normals, 1991–2020 reference period. Sampled at the major-airport station for ND — microclimates along specific routes can vary significantly.

Planning Tips

Check the weather forecast for your route, not just your origin and destination.
Bring layers for shoulder-season travel — mornings and evenings can be much cooler than midday.
North Dakota routes can vary in condition depending on the time of year. Check for construction zones.

Frequently Asked Questions

We've identified 30 routes in North Dakota that work well for fall travel, based on drive quality, typical weather conditions, and distance (averaging 292 miles).

Current regular gas averages $3.75/gallon in North Dakota (week of 2026-07-13). Diesel: $4.80/gallon. A typical one-way trip on these routes costs between $30 and $56. Source: US Energy Information Administration.

Across Sep, Oct, Nov, North Dakota typically sees daytime highs in the 38–72°F range with about 2 in of rain per month on average. Based on NOAA 1991–2020 monthly climate normals.

Drive times and distances come from OSRM routing over real OpenStreetMap road networks. Fuel costs use weekly US Energy Information Administration state-level gas prices. Drive scores factor in elevation profile, road variety, and terrain. EV charging data is sourced from NREL. Climate normals come from NOAA NCEI (1991–2020 reference period). Hazard data comes from FEMA and USGS public feeds.

Yes. Click any route to see its full trip page with turn-by-turn directions, fuel cost estimates, elevation profile, stop suggestions, weather conditions, and more.

Fall Routes

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