Rest Area
0 mi from route
Trip from Lisbon, ND to Watford City, ND
Pin this tripCompiled and reviewed by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Jul 19, 2026 · Editorial standards
Drive Time
6h 16m
Distance
363.9 mi
586 km
Drive Score
8/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$54
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
6h 4m
★
6 AM
6h 16m
8 AM
6h 42m
10 AM
6h 25m
12 PM
6h 23m
3 PM
6h 27m
5 PM
6h 40m
8 PM
6h 9m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Lisbon, ND
Bob Jenkin
Watford City, ND
Wikimedia Commons
Trip Overview
Lisbon to Watford City is 363.9 miles and takes about 6h 16m via I 94, Theodore Roosevelt Expressway, and State Highway 1, with a fuel budget near $57 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This route keeps you within North Dakota, traversing the Great Plains region for its entirety. It's a straightforward, mostly highway trip, ideal for a single-day drive if you're looking to cover ground efficiently. Expect a practical, no-frills experience focused on getting you from point A to point B.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is possible, but it will make for a full day on the road.
Break Rhythm
1 planned break
Plan on a short reset every 3 to 4 hours to stay fresh behind the wheel.
Midpoint
182 miles from Lisbon, ND
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 3h 4m into the drive .
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| I 94 | 231.2 mi | 3h 41m |
| Theodore Roosevelt Expressway | 63.1 mi | 1h 13m |
| State Highway 1 | 19.6 mi | 22m |
| State Highway 46 | 19.1 mi | 22m |
| ND 1 | 14.7 mi | 13m |
| State Highway 32 | 12.5 mi | 14m |
| Main Street South | 2.4 mi | 4m |
| United States Highway 85 Business | 0.6 mi | 1m |
Longest stretch:
I 94
— 231.2 mi, about 3h 41m
Traffic on I-94
Hour-of-day weekday pattern from 16 FHWA count stations on your route.
Peak
5 PM
~575 veh/hr typical · worst 809
Quietest
3 AM
~57 veh/hr
Peak-to-quiet ratio
10.1×
busier at peak than in the quiet hours
12a
6a
noon
6p
11p
Averaged across 49 weeks of 2023 FHWA Travel Monitoring Analysis System data. Weekday hours only (Mon–Fri).
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Lisbon, ND and Watford City, ND.
1
Start on ND 27
68 ft
·
6 sec
·
5th Avenue East
2
Turn right onto ND 32
0.5 mi
·
1 min
·
Main Street
3
Continue on ND 32
13 mi
·
14 min
·
State Highway 32
4
At end of road, turn left onto ND 32; ND 46
19 mi
·
22 min
·
State Highway 46
5
Turn right onto ND 1
20 mi
·
22 min
·
State Highway 1
6
Take the ramp onto ND 1
15 mi
·
13 min
·
ND 1
Toward I 94 West, US 52 West, ND 1 North: Bismarck
7
Continue on I 94; US 52
106 mi
·
1 hr 40 min
·
I 94; US 52
8
Continue on I 94; US 83
125 mi
·
2 hr 1 min
·
I 94; US 83
9
Take the exit
0.2 mi
·
31 sec
10
Turn right onto US 85
63 mi
·
1 hr 13 min
·
Theodore Roosevelt Expressway
11
Turn right onto US 85 Business; ND 23
0.6 mi
·
1 min
·
United States Highway 85 Business
12
Turn left onto US 85 Business; ND 23 Business
2.4 mi
·
4 min
·
Main Street South
Use the left lane.
13
Continue on ND 23 Business
56 ft
·
7 sec
·
Main Street North
14
Arrive at destination
ND 23 Business
Trip Plan
Given the 6h 16m estimated duration, you can comfortably complete this drive in one day. Aim for an early morning departure to maximize daylight and allow for any unexpected delays. With only one stop suggested, consider planning your break around the halfway point or where you might need to refuel. Keep an eye on your fuel gauge, especially as you transition off I 94 onto Theodore Roosevelt Expressway and State Highway 1, as services might become less frequent on these state routes.
Morning Departure
Start early — leave by 6-7 AM to arrive at a reasonable hour.
Evening Departure
This is a long drive — plan for a morning departure or consider splitting it into two days.
You can normally do this drive in one day.
Plan roughly 1 meaningful break for fuel, food, and rest.
The halfway point lands around 182 miles from Lisbon, ND, or about 3h 4m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 231.2 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 80 miles or 1h 28m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 182 miles or 3h 4m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 5h 4m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Watford City, ND than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving Lisbon, 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 Lisbon, ND
This is one driving day of about 363.9 miles and 6h 16m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 80 miles from Lisbon, 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 I 94 for about 231.2 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Mid-route town
Meal stop
182 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 80 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 182 miles from Lisbon, ND, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Before the longest stretch
Fuel checkTop up before I 94 if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 231.2 miles.
These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.
Stops Along Your Drive
Picked by where they fit in your drive — first break, midpoint reset, final stretch.
Rest Area
0 mi from route
Rest Area
0 mi from route
Rest Area
0.1 mi from route
Rest Area
0.1 mi from route
Stamart Travel Center
0.1 mi from route
Rest Area
0.1 mi from route
Rest Area
0.1 mi from route
Sweet Crude Travel Center
0.1 mi from route
Service Plaza
0.2 mi from route
Service Plaza
0.2 mi from route
Rest Area Eastbound
0.2 mi from route
TA Express
0.2 mi from route
Rest Area Westbound
0.3 mi from route
Place data sourced from public business listings. Hours and availability may vary.
Heads-up: tricky spots
5 of 75 decision points cluster between mile 0 and 361.6 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
4
0 mi into trip
|
~0m in
|
ND 32 / Main Street
Turn right onto ND 32 / Main Street
Navigation decision point
4
13 mi into trip
|
~16m in
|
ND 32; ND 46 / State Highway 46
At end of road, turn left onto ND 32; ND 46 / State Highway 46
Navigation decision point
3
32.1 mi into trip
|
~38m in
|
ND 1 / State Highway 1
Turn right onto ND 1 / State Highway 1
Navigation decision point
5
51.8 mi into trip
|
~1h 1m in
|
ND 1
Take the ramp onto ND 1 toward I 94 West, US 52 West, ND 1 North: Bismarck
Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Toward I 94 West, US 52 West, ND 1 North: Bisma...
6
361.6 mi into trip
|
~6h 12m in
|
US 85 Business; ND 23 Business / Main Street South
Turn left onto US 85 Business; ND 23 Business / Main Street South
Lane positioning matters here
Use the left lane.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$53.74 one way
$107.48 round trip
$3.75/gal
25.4 MPG avg
127 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.14 | $59.33 | $118.65 |
| premium | $4.72 | $67.57 | $135.13 |
| diesel | $4.80 | $68.71 | $137.42 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$54
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$79–$104
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 127.3 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-07-13.
Driving Electric?
About $38 in charging · 1 stop · 66% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 109.2 | 1 | $38.21 | $17.47 |
| Efficient EV | 91 | 1 | $31.84 | $14.56 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 145.6 | 1 | $50.95 | $23.29 |
Gas CO2
127 kg
EV CO2
43 kg (66% less)
Plan for 1 charging stop. A 30-minute DC fast charge mid-route should be enough to complete the trip comfortably.
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.
Origin
Lisbon, ND
Evening in Lisbon on Saturday
Local time
8:28 PM
CDT
Current temp
85°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
Watford City, ND
Evening in Watford City on Saturday
Local time
8:28 PM
CDT
Current temp
58°F
Patchy Fog
NE 1 mph
0% chance
Live forecast
89°F
Washburn, ND
182 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
27 degrees cooler at arrival
A meaningful temperature swing is a good cue to rethink layers, water, and how soon you want to arrive.
Road read
6h 16m on the road
Start early — leave by 6-7 AM to arrive at a reasonable hour.
Weather data from the National Weather Service. Conditions may change; check closer to your travel date.
National Parks Near This Route
Worth a detour if your schedule allows.
Theodore Roosevelt National Park
National Park
When Theodore Roosevelt came to Dakota Territory to hunt bison in 1883, he was a skinny, young, spectacled dude from New York. He could not have imagined how his adventure in this remote and unfamilia...
11 mi from route
~28 min detour
$30
near mile 313.7
View on nps.gov
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
What kind of drive is this?
This drive is predominantly highway, with 99% of the 363.9 miles on paved roads. You'll experience a longest stretch of 231.2 miles on I 94, offering extended periods of consistent speed. The transition to surface roads will occur later in the drive, after you've covered the bulk of the mileage on the interstate. Expect straightforward cruising with minimal complex merging or sharp turns.
99% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
14 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 231.2 mi on I 94.
How Hard Is This Drive?
3/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 94 and Theodore Roosevelt Expressway. There are only a few real navigation decisions along the way. The trickiest moment comes early in the drive near ND 32 / Main Street.
Driving Effort
3/10
Easy - simple navigation with a manageable amount of wheel time
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
The route itself is not hard, but at 6h 16m, endurance matters. Plan breaks every 2-3 hours. The 7 decision points are all manageable with basic attention.
Where does it get tricky?
The main spots that need attention: near the start (ND 32 / Main Street): Navigation decision point; at 13 miles (ND 32; ND 46 / State Highway 46): Navigation decision point; at 32.1 miles (ND 1 / State Highway 1): Navigation decision point.
Elevation Profile
Gently rolling terrain
2,684 ft
1,089 ft
Total Climb
1,770 ft
Total Descent
736 ft
Highest Point
2,684 ft
~311.9 mi in
Elevation Range
1,595 ft
About the Cities
Starting in Lisbon, ND
Full guide →Founded 1880
Lisbon is a town in the Coteaus and Plains area of North Dakota. It has a population of about 2,292 people. Elevation: 1,091 feet.
Top landmarks
- • Lisbon Opera House — former theater in Lisbon, North Dakota, United States
- • Ransom County Courthouse — county courthouse in Lisbon, United States of America
Arriving in Watford City, ND
Full guide →Founded 1914
Watford City is a small town in the Badlands area of North Dakota. It had an estimated population of about 7,900 people in 2020. Elevation is 2,119 ft (646 m).
City content from Wikivoyage (CC BY-SA 4.0) and Wikidata (CC0).
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 6h 16m. Total distance: 363.9 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
6h 16m drive, plan rest stops for pacing.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (99%). Straightforward navigation.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 231.2 miles on I 94. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Yes — we found about 14 rest areas or service plazas within a short detour of the route (from OpenStreetMap). See the Rest Stops tab under Nearby Places for locations and mile markers. Plan to stretch, use the bathroom, and top off fluids every 2–3 hours on longer drives.
It helps. This is a long drive, so arriving tired and in the dark compounds. If the last hour of the trip is on surface roads or mountain grades, aim to arrive at Watford City, ND before sunset when you can. Check the Trip Plan for departure windows that land you in daylight.
Only with planning. This is a long drive for kids — consider splitting it into two days rather than pushing through. Plan at least 1 meaningful breaks. There are 14 rest areas along the route for bathroom stops.
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 (ND 32 / Main Street): Navigation decision point; at 13 miles (ND 32; ND 46 / State Highway 46): Navigation decision point; at 32.1 miles (ND 1 / State Highway 1): Navigation decision point.
Yes — Theodore Roosevelt National Park. See the National Parks section for detour distances and tips on detours.
Not recommended in a single day. At 6.3 hours each way, a round trip means 12.5 hours of driving — that is an unsafe level of fatigue for most drivers. Plan at least one night at Watford City, ND before the return drive.
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, EIA for fuel prices, USGS 3DEP for elevation, NPS for national parks, and FHWA TMAS for hourly traffic volumes. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.
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