Wahpeton to Hazen is 313.9 miles and takes about 5h 18m via I 29 and I 94, with a fuel budget near $55 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This drive stays within North Dakota, crossing the Great Plains region. It's a straightforward trip primarily on major highways, making it a solid choice for a single-day transit. You'll encounter minimal complexity, allowing for a predictable and efficient travel experience.
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
157 miles from Wahpeton, ND
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 2h 35m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
I 94
221.6 mi
3h 34m
I 29
40.4 mi
39m
State Highway 31
30.3 mi
35m
State Highway 13
10.4 mi
12m
State Highway 200 Alternate
9 mi
11m
Dakota Avenue
0.6 mi
1m
4th Avenue Northeast
0.2 mi
<1m
Main Street East
0.2 mi
<1m
Longest stretch:
I 94
— 221.6 mi, about 3h 34m
Traffic on I-94
Hour-of-day weekday pattern from 22 FHWA count stations on your route.
Peak
5 PM
~525 veh/hr typical
· worst 743
Quietest
3 AM
~64 veh/hr
Peak-to-quiet ratio
8.2×
busier at peak than in the quiet hours
12a6anoon6p11p
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 Wahpeton, ND and Hazen, ND.
1
Start on 2nd Avenue North
109 ft·6 sec·2nd Avenue North
2
Turn right onto 4th Street North
392 ft·14 sec·4th Street North
3
Turn right onto ND 13
0.6 mi·1 min·Dakota Avenue
4
Continue on ND 13
10 mi·12 min·State Highway 13
Use the straight lane.
5
Take the exit
0.4 mi·51 sec
Toward I 29 North, US 81 North: FargoUse the slight right lane.
6
Merge onto I 29; US 81
40 mi·39 min·I 29; US 81
7
Take the exit
0.2 mi·36 sec
Toward I 94 West, US 52 North: Bismarck
8
Merge onto I 94; US 52
182 mi·2 hr 53 min·I 94; US 52
9
Continue on I 94; US 83
40 mi·40 min·I 94; US 83
10
Take the exit
0.3 mi·37 sec
11
Turn right onto ND 31
30 mi·35 min·State Highway 31
12
At end of road, turn left onto ND 200 ALT
9.0 mi·11 min·State Highway 200 Alternate
13
Turn left onto 4th Avenue Northeast
457 ft·20 sec·4th Avenue Northeast
Use the left lane.
14
Continue on County Road 18
0.1 mi·33 sec·County Road 18
15
Continue on 4th Avenue Northeast
0.1 mi·27 sec·4th Avenue Northeast
16
Turn right onto Railroad Avenue
368 ft·16 sec·Railroad Avenue
17
Continue on Main Street East
0.2 mi·44 sec·Main Street East
18
Arrive at destination
Main Street East
Trip Plan
To make the most of this 5-hour drive, consider leaving in the morning to ensure you have plenty of daylight. Since the longest stretch on I 94 is over 220 miles, plan your fuel and rest stops accordingly, perhaps around the halfway point or before entering that long segment. With a fuel cost estimate of $55, it’s a manageable expense for a single day's travel. This route is well-suited for a single-day trip, offering flexibility in your departure time.
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 157 miles from Wahpeton, ND, or about 2h 35m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 221.6 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 69 miles or 1h 11m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 157 miles or 2h 35m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 4h 12m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Hazen, ND than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving Wahpeton, 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 Wahpeton, ND
This is one driving day of about 313.9 miles and 5h 18m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 69 miles from Wahpeton, 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 221.6 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 11
5 decision points cluster between mile 0 and 313.3 — 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|4th Street North
Turn right onto 4th Street North
Navigation decision point
8
11 mi into trip|~14m in
Take the exit toward I 29 North, US 81 North: Fargo
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the slight right lane.
Toward I 29 North, US 81 North: Fargo
5
51.9 mi into trip|~54m in
Take the exit toward I 94 West, US 52 North: Bismarck
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Toward I 94 West, US 52 North: Bismarck
5
304.3 mi into trip|~5h 5m in|ND 200 ALT / State Highway 200 Alternate
At end of road, turn left onto ND 200 ALT / State Highway 200 Alternate
Navigation decision point
6
313.3 mi into trip|~5h 16m in|4th Avenue Northeast
Turn left onto 4th Avenue Northeast
Lane positioning matters here
Use the left lane.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$52.19 one way
$104.38 round trip
$4.22/gal25.4 MPG avg110 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.60
$56.85
$113.70
premium
$5.18
$64.05
$128.11
diesel
$5.35
$66.12
$132.23
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$52
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$77–$102
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 109.8 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-06-01.
Driving Electric?
About $33 in charging
· 1 stop
· 66% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
94.2
1
$32.96
$15.07
Efficient EV
78.5
0
$27.47
$12.56
EV Truck/SUV
125.6
1
$43.95
$20.09
Gas CO2
110 kg
EV CO2
37 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 Jun 1, 2026
Origin
Wahpeton, ND
Afternoon
in Wahpeton on Wednesday
Local time
2:05 PM
CDT
Current temp
57°F
Chance Showers And Thunderstorms
SE 10 mph81% chanceLive forecast
Destination
Hazen, ND
Afternoon
in Hazen on Wednesday
Local time
2:05 PM
CDT
Current temp
46°F
Mostly Cloudy
SW 9 mph4% chanceLive forecast
61°F
Medina, ND
157 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
11 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
5h 18m on the road
An early start around 7-8 AM gets you there with plenty of daylight left.
Weather data from the National Weather Service. Conditions may change; check closer to your travel date.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
This trip is almost entirely highway driving, with 99% of the 313.9 miles on major roads like I 29 and I 94. You'll experience a long stretch of 221.6 miles on I 94 without needing to exit. Surface roads will only become a factor for the final fraction of a mile. Expect a consistent cruising experience with relatively few exit points for extended periods.
99% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
18 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 221.6 mi on I 94.
How Hard Is This Drive?
5/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 94 and I 29. You will hit about 11 points where you need to pay attention to lane position or signs. The trickiest moment comes early in the drive near 4th Street North.
Driving Effort5/10
Moderate - straightforward overall, but long enough or busy enough to require pacing
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This drive requires moderate attention. Across 313.9 miles you will encounter 11 spots where lane choice or exit timing matters. Not difficult for experienced highway drivers, but worth previewing the tricky sections before you go.
Where does it get tricky?
The main spots that need attention: near the start (4th Street North): Navigation decision point; at 11 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 51.9 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Wahpeton is a town in the Red River Valley of North Dakota. It has a population of about 8,000 people (2020). It is the home of North Dakota State College of Science.
Doable as a same-day drive at 5h 18m. Total distance: 313.9 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
5h 18m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (99%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 221.6 miles on I 94. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Yes — we found about 20 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.
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 20 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 (4th Street North): Navigation decision point; at 11 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 51.9 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Not recommended in a single day. At 5.3 hours each way, a round trip means 10.6 hours of driving — that is an unsafe level of fatigue for most drivers. Plan at least one night at Hazen, ND before the return drive.
