Compiled and reviewed by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Jun 3, 2026 · Editorial standards
Drive Time
30m
Distance
22.9 mi
37 km
Drive Score
6/10
Good drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$4
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Buford, ND
Ali Ahmad DANESH
Williston, ND
Dave Luzi, Litchfield CT REALTOR
Buford, ND to Williston, ND is 22.9 miles and takes about 30 minutes via State Highway 1804, Dakota Parkway, and Theodore Roosevelt Expressway, with a fuel budget near $4 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This short drive stays within the Great Plains region, offering a straightforward journey. It's a practical option for connecting two points in North Dakota, ideal if you're looking for a quick transit rather than an extended scenic tour. Given its brevity, you'll likely find it’s a simple hop from one location to the next with minimal fuss.
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| State Highway 1804 | 15.3 mi | 20m |
| Dakota Parkway | 3.1 mi | 3m |
| Theodore Roosevelt Expressway | 2.5 mi | 3m |
| 2nd Street West | 1.5 mi | 2m |
| West Broadway | 0.4 mi | <1m |
| 2nd Avenue West | <0.1 mi | <1m |
| East Broadway | — | — |
Some road-level metrics are being recalculated.
Step-by-step road directions between Buford, ND and Williston, ND.
Start on ND 1804
Turn right onto US 2; ND 1804
Continue on US 2
Turn right onto US 2 Business; ND 1804
Turn left onto 2nd Avenue West
Turn right onto West Broadway
Arrive at destination
4 decision points cluster between mile 0 and 22.5 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
Depart onto ND 1804 / State Highway 1804
Lane positioning matters here
Turn right onto US 2; ND 1804 / Theodore Roosevelt Expressway
Lane positioning matters here
Turn left onto 2nd Avenue West
Navigation decision point
Turn right onto West Broadway
Navigation decision point
Regular Gas
$3.81 one way
$7.61 round trip
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.60 | $4.15 | $8.29 |
| premium | $5.18 | $4.67 | $9.35 |
| diesel | $5.35 | $4.82 | $9.65 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Drive Cost (one way)
Fuel
$4
Estimated CO2 emission: 8 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-06-01.
Driving Electric?
About $2 in charging · 0 stops · 63% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 6.9 | 0 | $2.40 | $1.10 |
| Efficient EV | 5.7 | 0 | $2.00 | $0.92 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 9.2 | 0 | $3.21 | $1.47 |
Gas CO2
8 kg
EV CO2
3 kg (63% 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.
Current conditions at both ends of the drive.
Origin
Afternoon in Buford on Wednesday
Local time
2:08 PM
CDT
Current temp
45°F
Cloudy
Destination
Afternoon in Williston on Wednesday
Local time
2:08 PM
CDT
Current temp
46°F
Cloudy
Time zone
Origin and destination are on the same clock, so arrival timing is easier to judge at a glance.
Temperature spread
A meaningful temperature swing is a good cue to rethink layers, water, and how soon you want to arrive.
Road read
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.
This route is predominantly a highway-focused drive, with 91% of the journey on established roadways. You'll spend most of your time on State Highway 1804, Dakota Parkway, and the Theodore Roosevelt Expressway, which are designed for efficient travel. The longest uninterrupted stretch you'll encounter is 15.3 miles on State Highway 1804, allowing for a good period of steady driving. Expect a consistent, highway-like experience for the majority of this short trip.
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on State Highway 1804 and Dakota Parkway. Navigation is very simple - set it and forget it for most of the drive. The trickiest moment comes early in the drive near ND 1804 / State Highway 1804.
Very easy - short and simple to drive
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
The drive from Buford, ND to Williston, ND is easy. At 30m with 91% highway, most drivers will find it relaxed and low-stress.
Where does it get tricky?
The main spots that need attention: near the start (ND 1804 / State Highway 1804): Lane positioning matters here; at 15.3 miles (US 2; ND 1804 / Theodore Roosevelt Expressway): Lane positioning matters here; at 22.4 miles (2nd Avenue West): Navigation decision point.
Mostly flat terrain
Total Climb
323 ft
Total Descent
405 ft
Highest Point
2,135 ft
~16.3 mi in
Elevation Range
278 ft
Williston is a city on the Missouri River, near the northwestern corner of North Dakota, that is now experiencing explosive growth due to an oil boom. It is about 230 miles northwest of Bismarck - the state capital - by car. Williston is the county seat. Its population grew from 15,000 in 2010 to about 27,000 in 2018.
City content from Wikivoyage (CC BY-SA 4.0) and Wikidata (CC0).
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 30m. Total distance: 22.9 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 0 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
30m drive, comfortable solo distance.
EV Driver
0 DC fast chargers along the route. Coverage: unknown.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (91%). Straightforward navigation.
Compiled by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy from open government datasets — OSRM over OpenStreetMap for geometry, EIA for fuel prices, and USGS 3DEP for elevation. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.
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