Compiled and reviewed by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Sep 2, 2026 · Editorial standards
Drive Time
1h 15m
Distance
47.6 mi
77 km
Drive Score
7/10
Good drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$7
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Coulee, ND
JacLou- DL
Manitou, ND
Tom Fisk
Coulee, ND to Manitou, ND is 47.6 miles and takes about 1 hour 15 minutes via State Highway 8 and US 2, with a fuel budget near $7 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This short journey stays within the Great Plains region of North Dakota, offering a straightforward drive through the landscape. You'll primarily be on well-maintained state and federal highways, making for an uncomplicated trip. Consider this route if you're looking for a quick connection between two points without extensive planning or a need for overnight stays.
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| State Highway 8 | 15.7 mi | 23m |
| US 2 | 11 mi | 12m |
| State Highway 50 | 10.1 mi | 17m |
| 78th Street Northwest | 8 mi | 14m |
| 93rd Avenue Northwest | 1.3 mi | 3m |
| North Main Street | 0.7 mi | 1m |
| 4th Street Southwest | 0.4 mi | 1m |
| 6th Avenue Southeast | 0.3 mi | 1m |
Step-by-step road directions between Coulee, ND and Manitou, ND.
Start on Washington Avenue
At end of road, turn left onto State Highway 50
Continue on ND 50
At end of road, turn left onto ND 8
Continue on North Main Street
Turn right onto 6th Avenue Southeast
Turn left onto 4th Street Southwest
Turn right onto US 2
Turn right onto 93rd Avenue Northwest
Arrive at destination
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Mid-route town
Meal stop
24 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.
A short stop after about 10 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
The midpoint is around 23.8 miles from Coulee, ND, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.
5 decision points cluster between mile 0.2 and 46.3 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
At end of road, turn left onto State Highway 50
Navigation decision point
At end of road, turn left onto ND 8 / State Highway 8
Navigation decision point
Turn left onto 4th Street Southwest
Navigation decision point
Turn right onto US 2
Navigation decision point
Turn right onto 93rd Avenue Northwest
Navigation decision point
Regular Gas
$7.38 one way
$14.76 round trip
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.32 | $8.09 | $16.18 |
| premium | $4.93 | $9.24 | $18.47 |
| diesel | $5.60 | $10.49 | $20.99 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Drive Cost (one way)
Fuel
$7
Estimated CO2 emission: 16.7 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-08-31.
Driving Electric?
About $5 in charging · 0 stops · 65% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 14.3 | 0 | $5.00 | $2.28 |
| Efficient EV | 11.9 | 0 | $4.17 | $1.90 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 19 | 0 | $6.66 | $3.05 |
Gas CO2
17 kg
EV CO2
6 kg (65% 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
Morning in Coulee on Wednesday
Local time
6:34 AM
CDT
Current temp
53°F
Partly Cloudy
Destination
Morning in Manitou on Wednesday
Local time
6:34 AM
CDT
Current temp
51°F
Partly Cloudy
77°F
Stanley, ND
24 mi in
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 drive is predominantly highway-focused, with 77% of the route utilizing major roads like State Highway 8 and US 2. You'll experience a longest stretch of 15.7 miles on State Highway 8, allowing for a consistent pace before navigating through other segments. The character of the drive is largely defined by these highways, suggesting a smooth and efficient journey rather than one with frequent winding turns or varied terrains. Expect a consistent driving experience for the majority of the 47.6 miles.
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on State Highway 8 and US 2. Navigation is very simple - set it and forget it for most of the drive. The trickiest moment comes around 0.2 miles in near State Highway 50.
Very easy - short and simple to drive
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
The drive from Coulee, ND to Manitou, ND is easy. At 1h 15m with 77% highway, most drivers will find it relaxed and low-stress.
Where does it get tricky?
The main spots that need attention: at 0.2 miles (State Highway 50): Navigation decision point; at 18.3 miles (ND 8 / State Highway 8): Navigation decision point; at 35 miles (4th Street Southwest): Navigation decision point.
Mostly flat terrain
Total Climb
587 ft
Total Descent
365 ft
Highest Point
2,426 ft
~20.4 mi in
Elevation Range
362 ft
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 1h 15m. Total distance: 47.6 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 0 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
1h 15m drive, comfortable solo distance.
EV Driver
0 DC fast chargers along the route. Coverage: unknown.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (77%). 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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