Scenic Drives in North Dakota

Routes

Avg Distance

199 mi

Avg Drive

3h 42m

Destinations

North Dakota's scenic drives often feature gently rolling terrain, with max elevations around 2,600 feet. While not mountainous, these routes offer a serene visual experience across the state's expansive landscapes. With an average drive score of 8 across 51 routes, these trips are designed for appreciation. Expect average lengths around 200 miles and 3-4 hours behind the wheel, perfect for a day trip or a longer exploration.

Fuel snapshot for this state

Regular

$3.75/gal

Diesel: $4.80/gal

Typical trip cost

$4–$56

One-way, ~199 mi avg @ 25.4 MPG

CO₂ per trip

~70 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.

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	72	48	2.7	—
Oct	56	35	2.2	1.2
Nov	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

Scenic routes often have fewer gas stations and services. Top off your tank before heading into mountainous or rural stretches.
Budget extra time for scenic drives — pulling over for views, photos, and short hikes is half the point.
Check weather conditions for mountain passes and high-elevation stretches, especially in shoulder seasons.

Frequently Asked Questions

We rate routes on a 1-10 drive score based on elevation changes, road variety, and terrain diversity. The 51 routes listed here all score 7 or higher.

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 $4 and $56. Source: US Energy Information Administration.

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.

Top Scenic Routes

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North Dakota Trips