Spanning 167.7 miles across North Dakota, this drive from Fort Totten to Bismarck typically takes about 3 hours and 18 minutes to complete. Because the trip is relatively straightforward, you can easily manage it as a single-day excursion without needing an overnight stay. You will primarily navigate via State Highway 3, US 281, and I-94 to reach the state capital. Budget roughly $25 for fuel to cover the distance comfortably. Since both the origin and destination sit within the Great Plains, you can expect consistent terrain as you traverse the heart of the region. This route offers a practical, efficient connection for travelers looking to move between these two points with minimal fuss.
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
83.9 miles from Fort Totten, ND
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 1h 48m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
State Highway 3
41.2 mi
47m
I 94
40.8 mi
39m
US 281
23.5 mi
34m
State Highway 200
16.4 mi
19m
State Highway 15
13.9 mi
16m
State Highway 30
13 mi
15m
United States Highway 52
10 mi
11m
State Highway 57
5.3 mi
8m
Longest stretch:
State Highway 3
— 41.2 mi, about 47m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Fort Totten, ND and Bismarck, ND.
1
Start on 2nd Avenue North
147 ft·9 sec·2nd Avenue North
2
Turn right onto BIA 6
492 ft·18 sec·Ephriam Hill Road
3
Turn left onto BIA 7
524 ft·16 sec·3rd Avenue North
4
Turn right onto BIA 7
0.9 mi·2 min·Bureau of Indian Affairs Road 7
5
At end of road, turn left onto ND 57
5.3 mi·8 min·State Highway 57
6
At end of road, turn left onto US 281
23 mi·34 min·US 281
7
Turn right onto ND 15
14 mi·16 min·State Highway 15
8
Turn left onto ND 30
13 mi·15 min·State Highway 30
9
Turn right onto US 52; ND 200
10.0 mi·11 min·United States Highway 52
10
Continue on ND 200
16 mi·19 min·State Highway 200
11
Turn left onto ND 3
41 mi·47 min·State Highway 3
12
Take the ramp
0.2 mi·30 sec
13
Merge onto I 94
41 mi·39 min·I 94
14
Take the exit onto US 83
0.3 mi·41 sec·US 83
Toward US 83 North: Bismarck, Minot
15
Turn left onto US 83; ND 1804
1.1 mi·1 min·State Street
16
Continue on ND 1804
0.2 mi·14 sec·East Boulevard Avenue
17
Turn straight onto ND 1804
0.6 mi·59 sec·North 7th Street
18
Turn right onto East Rosser Avenue
0.1 mi·17 sec·East Rosser Avenue
19
Arrive at destination
East Rosser Avenue
Trip Plan
Since you have a total of 167.7 miles ahead of you, planning for one strategic stop will help keep you refreshed for the full duration of the 3-hour and 18-minute drive. Aim to depart early in the day to take full advantage of the daylight, especially if you prefer to handle the majority of the highway miles before afternoon traffic increases. Keep a close eye on your fuel gauge when navigating the sections outside of the interstate, as service frequency can vary. Because this trip is designed for a single day, you have the flexibility to adjust your pace based on your personal comfort levels. A helpful tip for this specific route is to prioritize your fuel stop during the longest 41.2-mile stretch on State Highway 3 to ensure you remain well-prepared for the final push into Bismarck.
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 83.9 miles from Fort Totten, ND, or about 1h 48m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 41.2 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 37 miles or 54m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 83.9 miles or 1h 48m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 2h 48m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Bismarck, ND than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving Fort Totten, 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 Fort Totten, ND
This is one driving day of about 167.7 miles and 3h 18m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 37 miles from Fort Totten, 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 State Highway 3 for about 41.2 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Place data sourced from public business listings. Hours and availability may vary.
Heads-up: tricky spots
5 of 13
5 decision points cluster between mile 0 and 165.4 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
5
0 mi into trip|~0m in|BIA 6 / Ephriam Hill Road
Turn right onto BIA 6 / Ephriam Hill Road
Navigation decision point
5
0.1 mi into trip|~0m in|BIA 7 / 3rd Avenue North
Turn left onto BIA 7 / 3rd Avenue North
Navigation decision point
4
0.2 mi into trip|~0m in|BIA 7 / Bureau of Indian Affairs Road 7
Turn right onto BIA 7 / Bureau of Indian Affairs Road 7
Navigation decision point
5
1.1 mi into trip|~3m in|ND 57 / State Highway 57
At end of road, turn left onto ND 57 / State Highway 57
Navigation decision point
5
165.4 mi into trip|~3h 14m in|US 83
Take the exit onto US 83 toward US 83 North: Bismarck, Minot
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Toward US 83 North: Bismarck, Minot
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$26.22 one way
$52.44 round trip
$3.97/gal25.4 MPG avg59 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.36
$28.79
$57.57
premium
$4.89
$32.27
$64.54
diesel
$5.61
$37.03
$74.05
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$26
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$51–$76
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 58.7 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $18 in charging
· 0 stops
· 66% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
50.3
0
$17.61
$8.05
Efficient EV
41.9
0
$14.67
$6.71
EV Truck/SUV
67.1
0
$23.48
$10.73
Gas CO2
59 kg
EV CO2
20 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.
Forecast as of Apr 16, 2026
Origin
Fort Totten, ND
Evening
in Fort Totten on Saturday
Local time
8:30 PM
CDT
Current temp
63°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
Bismarck, ND
Evening
in Bismarck on Saturday
Local time
8:30 PM
CDT
Current temp
70°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
46°F
Goodrich, ND
84 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
7 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 18m 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.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
Expect a highway-focused experience, as 98% of this journey is spent on major roads. The character of the drive shifts as you transition between state highways and the interstate, offering a mix of regional connectivity and faster transit. You will tackle a longest uninterrupted stretch of 41.2 miles while on State Highway 3, which requires sustained focus. While the interstate portions provide a predictable pace, the highway segments invite you to settle into a steady rhythm behind the wheel. The road maintains a consistent personality throughout, prioritizing directness over winding, technical maneuvers.
98% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
19 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 41.2 mi on State Highway 3.
How Hard Is This Drive?
2/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on State Highway 3 and I 94. Navigation is very simple - set it and forget it for most of the drive. The trickiest moment comes early in the drive near BIA 6 / Ephriam Hill Road.
Driving Effort2/10
Very easy - short and simple to drive
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
The drive from Fort Totten, ND to Bismarck, ND is easy. At 3h 18m with 98% highway, most drivers will find it relaxed and low-stress.
Where does it get tricky?
The main spots that need attention: near the start (BIA 6 / Ephriam Hill Road): Navigation decision point; at 0.1 miles (BIA 7 / 3rd Avenue North): Navigation decision point; at 0.2 miles (BIA 7 / Bureau of Indian Affairs Road 7): Navigation decision point.
Bismarck (Hidasta: mirahacii arumaaguash; Arikara: ituhtaáwe) is the capital of North Dakota and the county seat of Burleigh County. Bismarck is North Dakota's second most populous city, after Fargo.
The longest stretch is about 41.2 miles on State Highway 3. 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: near the start (BIA 6 / Ephriam Hill Road): Navigation decision point; at 0.1 miles (BIA 7 / 3rd Avenue North): Navigation decision point; at 0.2 miles (BIA 7 / Bureau of Indian Affairs Road 7): Navigation decision point.
Possible but tiring. At 3.3 hours each way, an in-and-out day trip would put you behind the wheel for 6.6 hours — manageable with a long break at Bismarck, ND, but most travelers stay overnight.
