This 366.3-mile drive from Oakes, ND to Watford City, ND is a solid day trip, clocking in at about 6 hours and 19 minutes of pure driving time. You'll spend virtually all of your time on highways, with a 99% highway share, making it a straightforward journey across the Great Plains. The estimated fuel cost for this trip is around $57. While the route is designed for a single day, you could certainly break it up if you prefer a more relaxed pace. It's a route focused on covering ground efficiently, with one recommended stop.
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
183.1 miles from Oakes, ND
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 3h 6m 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
53.4 mi
1h 2m
ND 1
14.7 mi
13m
Main Street South
2.4 mi
4m
United States Highway 85 Business
0.6 mi
1m
7th Street South
0.5 mi
1m
1st Street
0.2 mi
<1m
Longest stretch:
I 94
— 231.2 mi, about 3h 41m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Oakes, ND and Watford City, ND.
1
Start on ND 1
0.5 mi·1 min·7th Street South
2
Continue on ND 1
15 mi·18 min·State Highway 1
3
Continue on ND 1; ND 13
0.2 mi·34 sec·1st Street
4
Continue on ND 1
38 mi·44 min·State Highway 1
5
Take the ramp onto ND 1
15 mi·13 min·ND 1
Toward I 94 West, US 52 West, ND 1 North: Bismarck
6
Continue on I 94; US 52
106 mi·1 hr 40 min·I 94; US 52
7
Continue on I 94; US 83
125 mi·2 hr 1 min·I 94; US 83
8
Take the exit
0.2 mi·31 sec
9
Turn right onto US 85
63 mi·1 hr 13 min·Theodore Roosevelt Expressway
10
Turn right onto US 85 Business; ND 23
0.6 mi·1 min·United States Highway 85 Business
11
Turn left onto US 85 Business; ND 23 Business
2.4 mi·4 min·Main Street South
Use the left lane.
12
Continue on ND 23 Business
56 ft·7 sec·Main Street North
13
Arrive at destination
ND 23 Business
Trip Plan
For this 6-hour, 19-minute drive, consider an early morning departure from Oakes to maximize your daylight and arrive in Watford City with time to spare. With a fuel cost estimated at $57, it's wise to fill up before you leave or at your one recommended stop to avoid any surprises. The longest stretch on I 94 is over 230 miles, so plan your breaks accordingly; perhaps one longer stop midway through that segment. Keep an eye on your fuel gauge, especially as you approach the end of that long stretch.
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 183.1 miles from Oakes, ND, or about 3h 6m 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 81 miles or 1h 30m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 183.1 miles or 3h 6m 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 7m
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 Oakes, 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 Oakes, ND
This is one driving day of about 366.3 miles and 6h 19m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 81 miles from Oakes, 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.
Place data sourced from public business listings. Hours and availability may vary.
Heads-up: tricky spots
4 of 4
4 decision points cluster between mile 54.1 and 363.9 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
5
54.1 mi into trip|~1h 4m 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...
3
300 mi into trip|~5h in
Take the exit
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early
3
300.3 mi into trip|~5h in|US 85 / Theodore Roosevelt Expressway
Turn right onto US 85 / Theodore Roosevelt Expressway
Navigation decision point
6
363.9 mi into trip|~6h 15m 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
$57.27 one way
$114.53 round trip
$3.97/gal25.4 MPG avg128 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.36
$62.88
$125.75
premium
$4.89
$70.49
$140.98
diesel
$5.61
$80.87
$161.75
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$57
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$82–$107
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 128.2 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $38 in charging
· 1 stop
· 66% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
109.9
1
$38.46
$17.58
Efficient EV
91.6
1
$32.05
$14.65
EV Truck/SUV
146.5
1
$51.28
$23.44
Gas CO2
128 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.
Forecast as of Apr 12, 2026
Origin
Oakes, ND
Evening
in Oakes on Saturday
Local time
8:31 PM
CDT
Current temp
42°F
Areas Of Fog
S 9 mph16% chanceLive forecast
Destination
Watford City, ND
Evening
in Watford City on Saturday
Local time
8:31 PM
CDT
Current temp
71°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
43°F
New Salem, ND
183 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
29 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
6h 19m 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.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
Expect a highway-focused drive for nearly the entire 366.3 miles, as 99% of this route utilizes major roadways. The primary roads you'll be on are I 94, the Theodore Roosevelt Expressway, and State Highway 1. The longest stretch without a break is a significant 231.2 miles on I 94, so be prepared for extended periods of consistent driving. This route is characterized by its efficiency, allowing you to make good time across the landscape.
99% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
13 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 around 54.1 miles in near ND 1.
Driving Effort3/10
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 19m, endurance matters. Plan breaks every 2-3 hours. The 4 decision points are all manageable with basic attention.
Where does it get tricky?
The main spots that need attention: at 54.1 miles (ND 1): Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 300 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early; at 300.3 miles (US 85 / Theodore Roosevelt Expressway): Navigation decision point.
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 6h 19m. Total distance: 366.3 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
The longest stretch is about 231.2 miles on I 94. 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.
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. Dedicated rest areas are limited, so plan gas or food stops as your bathroom breaks.
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 54.1 miles (ND 1): Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 300 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early; at 300.3 miles (US 85 / Theodore Roosevelt Expressway): Navigation decision point.
Not recommended in a single day. At 6.3 hours each way, a round trip means 12.7 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.
