Origin
Bottineau, ND
Evening in Bottineau on Saturday
Local time
8:29 PM
CDT
Current temp
61°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Bottineau, ND to Jamestown, ND
Compiled and reviewed by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Apr 19, 2026 · Editorial standards
Drive Time
3h 45m
Distance
185.9 mi
299 km
Drive Score
8/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$29
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
3h 33m
★
6 AM
3h 46m
8 AM
4h 11m
10 AM
3h 55m
12 PM
3h 52m
3 PM
3h 56m
5 PM
4h 10m
8 PM
3h 38m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Bottineau, ND
Wolfgang Vrede
Jamestown, ND
Wikimedia Commons
Trip Overview
Bottineau, ND to Jamestown, ND is 185.9 miles and takes about 3h 45m via US-52 and State Highway 3, with a fuel budget near $29 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This is a straightforward, highway-focused drive primarily within the North Dakota Great Plains. With a recommended one-day trip, you'll experience a consistent driving environment from start to finish. This route is ideal if you're looking for an efficient way to travel between these two North Dakota points without extensive detours or complex navigation.
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
92.9 miles from Bottineau, ND
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h 55m into the drive .
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| US-52 | 69.7 mi | 1h 20m |
| State Highway 3 | 51.2 mi | 1h |
| State Highway 60 | 29.9 mi | 35m |
| United States Highway 52 | 25.1 mi | 29m |
| State Highway 5 | 4.4 mi | 5m |
| 7th Street South | 1 mi | 2m |
| 11th Street East | 1 mi | 2m |
| 19th Avenue | 0.9 mi | 1m |
Longest stretch:
US-52
— 69.7 mi, about 1h 20m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Bottineau, ND and Jamestown, ND.
1
Start on 5th Street East
53 ft
·
7 sec
·
5th Street East
2
Turn left onto CR 49
0.5 mi
·
1 min
·
Main Street
3
Turn left onto ND 5
1.0 mi
·
2 min
·
11th Street East
4
Continue on ND 5
4.4 mi
·
5 min
·
State Highway 5
5
Turn right onto ND 60
30 mi
·
35 min
·
State Highway 60
6
Turn right onto ND 3
9.5 mi
·
11 min
·
State Highway 3
7
Continue on ND 3
0.3 mi
·
50 sec
·
1st Street Northwest
8
Turn right onto ND 3
0.5 mi
·
1 min
·
4th Avenue Southwest
9
Continue on ND 3
0.7 mi
·
1 min
·
3rd Avenue Southwest
Use the left lane.
10
Continue on ND 3
42 mi
·
49 min
·
State Highway 3
11
At end of road, turn left onto US 52; ND 3
2.1 mi
·
2 min
·
United States Highway 52
12
Continue on US 52
0.3 mi
·
21 sec
·
United State Highway 52
13
Continue on US 52
28 mi
·
32 min
·
US-52
14
Turn left onto US 52; ND 200
23 mi
·
26 min
·
United States Highway 52
15
Turn right onto 1605
0.9 mi
·
1 min
·
19th Avenue
Use the right lane.
16
Turn left onto 7th Street South
1.0 mi
·
2 min
·
7th Street South
17
Turn right onto US 52; US 281
0.4 mi
·
42 sec
·
4th Avenue South
18
Continue on US 52; US 281
42 mi
·
48 min
·
US-52
19
Turn right onto US 52; US 281
0.1 mi
·
15 sec
·
1st Avenue North
20
Arrive at destination
US 52; US 281
Trip Plan
Given the 3h 45m estimated drive time, starting your trip from Bottineau in the morning allows ample time to reach Jamestown well before evening. The longest continuous stretch is nearly 70 miles, so plan your fuel stops accordingly, though with a total distance of 185.9 miles and a fuel cost around $29, refueling should not be a major concern. Since this is a single-day trip, you have the flexibility to depart at your convenience. Keep an eye on US-52 as it's the primary artery for a significant portion of this drive.
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 92.9 miles from Bottineau, ND, or about 1h 55m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 69.7 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 41 miles or 51m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 92.9 miles or 1h 55m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 3h 6m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Jamestown, ND than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving Bottineau, 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 Bottineau, ND
This is one driving day of about 185.9 miles and 3h 45m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 41 miles from Bottineau, 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 US-52 for about 69.7 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Mid-route town
Meal stop
93 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 41 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 92.9 miles from Bottineau, ND, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Before the longest stretch
Fuel checkTop up before US-52 if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 69.7 miles.
These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.
Heads-up: tricky spots
5 of 105 decision points cluster between mile 0.5 and 142.8 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
4
0.5 mi into trip
|
~1m in
|
ND 5 / 11th Street East
Turn left onto ND 5 / 11th Street East
Navigation decision point
4
5.9 mi into trip
|
~9m in
|
ND 60 / State Highway 60
Turn right onto ND 60 / State Highway 60
Navigation decision point
5
88.4 mi into trip
|
~1h 49m in
|
US 52; ND 3 / United States Highway 52
At end of road, turn left onto US 52; ND 3 / United States Highway 52
Navigation decision point
5
141.9 mi into trip
|
~2h 51m in
|
1605 / 19th Avenue
Turn right onto 1605 / 19th Avenue
Lane positioning matters here
Use the right lane.
4
142.8 mi into trip
|
~2h 53m in
|
7th Street South
Turn left onto 7th Street South
Navigation decision point
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$29.06 one way
$58.13 round trip
$3.97/gal
25.4 MPG avg
65 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.36 | $31.91 | $63.82 |
| premium | $4.89 | $35.77 | $71.55 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $41.04 | $82.09 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$29
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$54–$79
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 65 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $20 in charging · 0 stops · 66% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 55.8 | 0 | $19.52 | $8.92 |
| Efficient EV | 46.5 | 0 | $16.27 | $7.44 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 74.4 | 0 | $26.03 | $11.90 |
Gas CO2
65 kg
EV CO2
22 kg (66% less)
This trip is well within single-charge range for most EVs. No charging stops needed if you start fully charged.
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
Jamestown, ND
Evening in Jamestown on Saturday
Local time
8:29 PM
CDT
Current temp
65°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
67°F
Harvey, ND
93 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
4 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
3h 45m on the road
Use the two city cards together: check the sky where you start, then compare it with the local time and temperature at arrival.
Weather data from the National Weather Service. Conditions may change; check closer to your travel date.
What kind of drive is this?
This journey is overwhelmingly a highway-focused drive, with 97% of the route utilizing major roadways like US-52 and State Highways 3 and 60. Expect long stretches of open road, including a 69.7-mile segment on US-52 without significant breaks. The character of the drive remains consistent, offering a predictable and uninterrupted experience for most of its 185.9 miles. If you prefer to maintain steady progress with minimal traffic interruptions, this route will likely suit your driving style.
97% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
20 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 69.7 mi on US-52.
How Hard Is This Drive?
2/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on US-52 and State Highway 3. Navigation is very simple - set it and forget it for most of the drive. The trickiest moment comes around 0.5 miles in near ND 5 / 11th Street East.
Driving Effort
2/10
Very easy - short and simple to drive
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
The drive from Bottineau, ND to Jamestown, ND is easy. At 3h 45m with 97% highway, most drivers will find it relaxed and low-stress.
Where does it get tricky?
The main spots that need attention: at 0.5 miles (ND 5 / 11th Street East): Navigation decision point; at 5.9 miles (ND 60 / State Highway 60): Navigation decision point; at 88.4 miles (US 52; ND 3 / United States Highway 52): Navigation decision point.
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 3h 45m. Total distance: 185.9 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
3h 45m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (97%). Straightforward navigation.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 69.7 miles on US-52. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
We did not find dedicated rest areas on this route. For a drive this long, plan bathroom and stretch breaks around gas stations, fast-food stops, or small-town downtowns — check the Nearby Places section for options.
Yes, with realistic expectations. Build in a stop roughly every 2 hours, have snacks and activities ready, and check the Nearby Places tabs for kid-friendly stops along the way.
Mostly yes along the main roads, but rural stretches through ND can have sparse or no coverage. Before you leave, download offline Google Maps or Apple Maps for the route, and consider downloading music or podcasts instead of streaming. If you depend on data for navigation, keep a paper backup of the turn-by-turn directions.
The main spots that need attention: at 0.5 miles (ND 5 / 11th Street East): Navigation decision point; at 5.9 miles (ND 60 / State Highway 60): Navigation decision point; at 88.4 miles (US 52; ND 3 / United States Highway 52): Navigation decision point.
Possible but tiring. At 3.8 hours each way, an in-and-out day trip would put you behind the wheel for 7.5 hours — manageable with a long break at Jamestown, ND, but most travelers stay overnight.
How this page is built
Compiled by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy from open government datasets — OSRM over OpenStreetMap for geometry, and EIA for fuel prices. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.
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