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Summer Road Trips in North Dakota

Routes

30

Avg Distance

257 mi

Avg Drive

4h 38m

Destinations

17

North Dakota in summer offers expansive, open-road experiences. With 30 routes averaging 263 miles and nearly 5 hours, you'll find plenty of room to roam. Drives here can reach over 2,500 feet in elevation, and many routes include access to state parks, perfect for summer exploration. Expect highway-focused drives that highlight the state's vast landscapes.

Planning Tips

Carry extra water — summer heat in the car and at rest stops dehydrates faster than you think.
Start drives early or late to avoid peak afternoon heat, especially through desert or plains stretches.
Check your tire pressure before long summer drives — hot pavement increases blowout risk with underinflated tires.

Frequently Asked Questions

We've identified 30 routes in North Dakota that work well for summer travel, based on drive quality, typical weather conditions, and distance (averaging 257 miles).

Drive times and distances come from actual road network data via OSRM. Fuel costs use current state-level gas prices. Drive scores factor in elevation profile, road variety, and terrain. All data is recalculated regularly.

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.

Summer Routes

Editor's pick

Killdeer, ND → Wahpeton, ND

374.1 mi 6h 24m Score: 8/10

This 374-mile route stands out with a drive score of 8 and access to state parks. Traverses gently rolling terrain, offering a solid 6.4-hour experience across the state.

Editor's pick

Oakes, ND → Watford City, ND

366.3 mi 6h 19m Score: 8/10

This 366-mile option also earns a drive score of 8. While it doesn't highlight park access, it provides a significant 6.3-hour traversal without specific terrain details provided.

Dickinson, ND → Thompson, ND

342.7 mi 5h 46m Score: 8/10

New Town, ND → West Fargo, ND

333.2 mi 5h 49m Score: 8/10

Wahpeton, ND → Bottineau, ND

320.4 mi 6h 10m Score: 9/10

Wahpeton, ND → Beulah, ND

319.5 mi 5h 28m Score: 8/10

Wahpeton, ND → Belcourt, ND

310.3 mi 5h 36m Score: 8/10

Dickinson, ND → West Fargo, ND

285.8 mi 4h 37m Score: 8/10

Oakes, ND → Dickinson, ND

282.4 mi 4h 45m Score: 8/10

New Town, ND → Valley City, ND

279.8 mi 4h 57m Score: 8/10

Horace, ND → Minot, ND

265.7 mi 5h 3m Score: 9/10

Dickinson, ND → Fort Totten, ND

265 mi 4h 52m Score: 8/10

Fort Totten, ND → Dickinson, ND

264.8 mi 4h 52m Score: 8/10

Beulah, ND → West Fargo, ND

264.2 mi 4h 31m Score: 8/10

Valley City, ND → Stanley, ND

259.7 mi 5h 2m Score: 8/10

West Fargo, ND → Minot, ND

259.1 mi 4h 53m Score: 8/10

Oakes, ND → Minot, ND

255.7 mi 5h 1m Score: 8/10

New Town, ND → Jamestown, ND

246.6 mi 4h 26m Score: 8/10

Wahpeton, ND → Harvey, ND

241.8 mi 4h 22m Score: 9/10

Fort Totten, ND → Watford City, ND

229.6 mi 4h 57m Score: 9/10

Fort Totten, ND → Wahpeton, ND

224.5 mi 4h 18m Score: 8/10

Valley City, ND → Minot, ND

205.5 mi 4h 1m Score: 9/10

Hazen, ND → Valley City, ND

205.1 mi 3h 29m Score: 8/10

Horace, ND → Bismarck, ND

195.4 mi 3h 13m Score: 8/10

Bismarck, ND → Horace, ND

195.2 mi 3h 13m Score: 8/10

Bottineau, ND → Jamestown, ND

185.9 mi 3h 45m Score: 8/10

Oakes, ND → Bismarck, ND

185.3 mi 3h 11m Score: 8/10

Bismarck, ND → Devils Lake, ND

184.6 mi 3h 31m Score: 8/10

Fort Totten, ND → West Fargo, ND

175 mi 3h 22m Score: 8/10

Garrison, ND → Jamestown, ND

173.5 mi 3h 2m Score: 8/10

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