How far is Bismarck, ND from Mekinock, ND?

The driving distance from Bismarck, ND to Mekinock, ND is about 242.9 miles (390.9 km), with a travel time of about 04h 28m by car.

  • The straight-line flight distance is about 180.3 miles (290.1 km).
  • For a round trip, plan for roughly 08h 56m of driving time before adding stops, traffic, or weather delays.
  • A comfortable departure window is usually 6:00 AM to 8:00 AM CDT.
Trip Tools

Reverse, save, or send this route

This drive is better planned with a longer stop or an overnight stay. Copy the route link, send it to another device, or print a clean version before you head out.

Reverse Route
Quick Snapshot
Road
242.88 mi
04h 28m
Flight
180.26 mi
290.1 km direct

This drive is better planned with a longer stop or an overnight stay.

Learn Distance

Choose another destination from Bismarck.

Flight Distance

Direct air line
180.26 mi
Kilometers
290.1 km
Flight Time
00h 21m

Driving Distance

Road route
242.88 mi
Kilometers
390.87 km
Drive Time
04h 28m

Gas Cost Calculator

Leave and Arrive Planner

Pick a departure time to see your estimated arrival and same-day return window.

Drive time stays fixed at 04h 28m.

Arrival Snapshot
Arrive in Mekinock
Wed, Apr 15, 2:15 AM CDT
Return by in Bismarck
Wed, Apr 15, 6:43 AM CDT
Useful when you're deciding between a quick errand, a day trip, or a longer stop.
Leave Bismarck
2026-04-14T21:47
Arrive Mekinock
Wed, Apr 15, 2:15 AM CDT
Route Timing
04h 28m
One way by road
Best Departure Window
6:00 AM to 8:00 AM CDT
Leave early for more breathing room
Arrive between
10:28 AM to 12:28 PM CDT

An early departure helps you fit a real stop into the day without turning the return into a late-night drive.

Leave by
8:04 AM CDT
Keeps a same-day return open with about 04h 00m at the destination.
Back in Bismarck
9:00 PM CDT
Early departure recommended

You are leaving earlier than the recommended window, which gives you extra margin for breaks and traffic.

Halfway Point

A useful midpoint for breaks, coffee, or meeting in the middle.

Mid-route stop
Eckelson
ND

Township in Barnes County, North Dakota

From Bismarck
121.2 mi
02h 14m
To Mekinock
121.7 mi
02h 14m

Route Weather Snapshot

Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.

Origin
53°F
Tuesday

Chance Light Rain

Starts
Tue, Apr 14 1:00 AM CDT
Wind
9 mph NE
Destination
50°F
Tuesday

Slight Chance Light Rain then Mostly Cloudy

Starts
Tue, Apr 14 1:00 AM CDT
Wind
14 mph NE

Driving Route Map

The map below follows the saved road route between Bismarck and Mekinock.

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between Bismarck and Mekinock.

  1. 1

    Start on East Rosser Avenue

    1308 ft · 47 sec · East Rosser Avenue

  2. 2

    Turn left onto North 9th Street

    2947 ft · 54 sec · North 9th Street

  3. 3

    Turn right onto East Boulevard Avenue

    69 m · 4 sec · East Boulevard Avenue

  4. 4

    Continue on State Street

    1 mi · 2 min · State Street

  5. 5

    Take the ramp right toward Fargo

    49.7 mi · 48 min

  6. 6

    Continue straight

    93.4 mi · 1 hr 29 min

  7. 7

    Take the exit slight right toward ND 32: Oriska, Fingal

    1255 ft · 38 sec

  8. 8

    Turn left onto State Highway 32

    37 mi · 44 min · State Highway 32

  9. 9

    Continue on State Highway 200

    4.5 mi · 6 min · State Highway 200

  10. 10

    Continue on Lincoln Avenue

    2532 ft · 2 min · Lincoln Avenue

  11. 11

    Turn right onto Washington Avenue

    1112 ft · 38 sec · Washington Avenue

  12. 12

    Continue on State Highway 200

    18 mi · 21 min · State Highway 200

  13. 13

    Turn left onto State Highway 18

    7 mi · 8 min · State Highway 18

  14. 14

    Continue on Dakota Avenue South

    1.1 mi · 2 min · Dakota Avenue South

  15. 15

    Continue on State Highway 18

    6.9 mi · 8 min · State Highway 18

  16. 16

    Turn right onto State Highway 15

    4 mi · 5 min · State Highway 15

  17. 17

    Turn left onto 25th Street Northeast

    12 mi · 17 min · 25th Street Northeast

  18. 18

    Continue on Highway B3

    1.2 mi · 2 min · Highway B3

  19. 19

    Continue on 25th Street Northeast

    5.3 mi · 13 min · 25th Street Northeast

  20. 20

    Arrive at your destination

    0 m · 1 sec · 25th Street Northeast

Car Route Details

A richer read on the saved driving route between Bismarck and Mekinock.

OSRM road route
Drive Character

Straightforward drive

The saved road route has a manageable number of maneuvers and should be easy to follow with normal attention to signs.

Directions
20 steps
7 turns on the saved route
Ramps & Exits
2
0 merges, 2 ramps or exits
Navigation Density
8.2 / 100 mi
Decision points by distance
Main Roads
Fargo
143 mi · 59%
State Highway 32
37 mi · 15%
State Highway 200
22.5 mi · 9%
25th Street Northeast
17.3 mi · 7%
State Highway 18
13.9 mi · 6%
State Highway 15
4 mi · 2%
Longest Stretch

Fargo

Continue straight

93.4 mi · 01h 29m

Route Summary

A quick read on whether this route feels easy, ambitious, or worth planning around.

Trip Read

A longer out-and-back drive

This is still possible in one day, but it becomes a long driving day. Leaving early and planning your stop window matters more here.

Drive Time
04h 28m
Long day trip
Same-Day Return
08h 56m
Round-trip wheel time
Road vs Air
+62.6 mi
180.3 mi direct line
Halfway Stop
Eckelson
02h 14m from Bismarck
Leave By
8:04 AM CDT
Early departure recommended
Weather Watch

Chance Light Rain leaving Bismarck and Slight Chance Light Rain then Mostly Cloudy near Mekinock.

Trip Questions

Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.

How long does it take to drive from Bismarck to Mekinock?

The road trip is about 242.9 miles (390.9 km) and usually takes 04h 28m in normal driving conditions.

Is this a same-day trip or an overnight route?

This is still possible in one day, but it becomes a long driving day. Leaving early and planning your stop window matters more here.

What is the halfway point on this route?

Eckelson is a useful midpoint, sitting about 121.2 miles from Bismarck and 121.7 miles from Mekinock.

How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?

The direct path is about 180.3 miles (290.1 km), while the road route adds roughly 62.6 extra miles because roads do not follow the straight air line.

When is the best time to leave for this route?

A good departure window is usually 6:00 AM to 8:00 AM CDT. If you want a more comfortable same-day return, try to leave by 8:04 AM CDT.

How much will gas cost for this route?

Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $32.32 one way or $64.63 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 76.2 kg one way.

What should you check before leaving?

Before you leave, expect Chance Light Rain around Bismarck and Slight Chance Light Rain then Mostly Cloudy near Mekinock.

Stop Ideas Near Eckelson

Useful break, food, and waypoint ideas within about 15 miles of the route midpoint.

Mid-route Guidance
Local place coverage is thin around Eckelson, so nearby transit and meeting points are shown instead.
Reviewed stop coverage is still thin around this midpoint, so practical transit waypoints are shown on the right.

Transit and Meeting Points

Useful pickup, handoff, or rendezvous points close to Eckelson.

RAIL

Fargo

118 mi away
420 4th Street North

Flight Path Map

This map shows the direct air route between Bismarck and Mekinock. Straight-line distance: 180.26 mi (290.1 km).

Bismarck

#1 Bismarck

The capital of North Dakota.

Population74,018
Coordinates46.8083300, -100.7837400
Altitude514
CountryUnited States
Photo coming soon

#2 Mekinock

Township in Grand Forks County, North Dakota

Population2,387
Coordinates48.0127700, -97.3634200
Altitude262
CountryUnited States
Start: Bismarck (-100.78374, 46.80833)
End: Mekinock (-97.36342, 48.01277)

Estimated Travel Time

Distance: 391 km by road

SpeedTime
30 mph (48.3 km/h)08h 05m
40 mph (64.37 km/h)06h 04m
50 mph (80.47 km/h)04h 51m
60 mph (96.56 km/h)04h 02m
70 mph (112.65 km/h)03h 28m
80 mph (129 km/h)03h 01m

Fuel, Round Trip and CO2

Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.

One-way fuel
8.57 gal
32.44 L · about $32.32
Round trip
$64.63
17.14 gal · 64.88 L
Estimated CO2
76.2 kg one way
Round trip: 152.3 kg / 336 lb CO2, using regular gasoline.
Fuel$/galOne wayRound trip
Regular gas $3.77 $32.32 $64.63
Mid-grade $4.25 $36.45 $72.90
Premium $4.65 $39.88 $79.77
Diesel $5.30 $45.46 $90.91

Assumes 8.3 L/100 km (about 28.3 MPG). CO2 is an estimate and varies by vehicle, fuel blend, traffic, and terrain.

Prices in North Dakota · Apr 15, 2026

There is no time difference between Bismarck and Mekinock. The current time is 21:47:14.

Distance to Other Cities

Planning a road trip? See the full trip guide on Trip.ovh — stops, fuel costs, weather, and departure timing.

How did we calculate? Place names are translated into coordinates. The Haversine formula calculates straight-line distance; driving distance uses road network data.