How far is Bottineau, ND from Watford City, ND?
The driving distance from Bottineau, ND to Watford City, ND is about 202.8 miles (326.4 km), with a travel time of about 03h 34m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 148.4 miles (238.8 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 07h 08m of driving time before adding stops, traffic, or weather delays.
- A comfortable departure window is usually 6:00 AM to 8:00 AM CDT.
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.
This drive is better planned with a longer stop or an overnight stay.
Flight Distance
Driving Distance
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 03h 34m.
An early departure helps you fit a real stop into the day without turning the return into a late-night drive.
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.
City in Ward County, North Dakota, United States
Route Weather Snapshot
Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.
Sunny
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Bottineau and Watford City.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Bottineau and Watford City.
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1
Start on 5th Street East
16 m · 8 sec · 5th Street East
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2
Turn left onto Main Street
2415 ft · 1 min · Main Street
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3
Turn right onto 11th Street West
1.3 km · 2 min · 11th Street West
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4
Continue on State Highway 5
41.8 mi · 48 min · State Highway 5
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5
Turn left onto US-83
33.2 mi · 40 min · US-83
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6
Continue on North Broadway
6.2 mi · 13 min · North Broadway
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7
Continue on US-83 S
646 ft · 14 sec · US-83 S
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8
Continue on US Highway 83
14.8 mi · 17 min · US Highway 83
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9
Turn right onto 247th Avenue Southwest
9.9 mi · 11 min · 247th Avenue Southwest
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10
Continue on State Highway 23
1.2 mi · 1 min · State Highway 23
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11
Continue on 247th Avenue Southwest
16 mi · 18 min · 247th Avenue Southwest
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12
Continue on State Highway 23
1570 ft · 20 sec · State Highway 23
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13
Continue on 39th Street Northwest
11.7 mi · 13 min · 39th Street Northwest
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14
Continue on State Highway 23
10 mi · 12 min · State Highway 23
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15
Enter the roundabout and take exit 2 toward State Highway 23
51 m · 2 sec · State Highway 23
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16
Exit the roundabout onto State Highway 23
6.5 mi · 9 min · State Highway 23
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17
Continue on Main Street
2645 ft · 2 min · Main Street
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18
Continue on State Highway 23
21 mi · 24 min · State Highway 23
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19
Enter the roundabout and take exit 3 toward State Highway 23
95 m · 4 sec · State Highway 23
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20
Exit the roundabout onto State Highway 23
12.1 mi · 14 min · State Highway 23
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21
Exit the rotary onto State Highway 23
12.8 mi · 15 min · State Highway 23
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22
Turn right onto Highway 1806 West
1364 ft · 28 sec · Highway 1806 West
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23
Continue on 4th Avenue Northeast
1.1 mi · 2 min · 4th Avenue Northeast
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24
Continue on State Highway 23 Business
1237 ft · 32 sec · State Highway 23 Business
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25
Continue on 4th Avenue Northeast
1.7 mi · 5 min · 4th Avenue Northeast
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26
Turn left onto Main Street North
904 ft · 31 sec · Main Street North
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27
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · Main Street North
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Bottineau and Watford City.
Highway-focused drive
Most of the mileage stays on named highways, so the important moments are ramps, exits, merges, and the final local approach.
State Highway 5
Continue on State Highway 5
41.8 mi · 00h 49m
Route Summary
A quick read on whether this route feels easy, ambitious, or worth planning around.
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.
Sunny leaving Bottineau and Sunny near Watford City.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Bottineau to Watford City?
The road trip is about 202.8 miles (326.4 km) and usually takes 03h 34m 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?
Douglas is a useful midpoint, sitting about 101.2 miles from Bottineau and 101.6 miles from Watford City.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 148.4 miles (238.8 km), while the road route adds roughly 54.4 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 9:52 AM CDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $27.00 one way or $54.00 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 63.6 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Sunny around Bottineau and Sunny near Watford City.
Stop Ideas Near Douglas
Useful break, food, and waypoint ideas within about 15 miles of the route midpoint.
Food Distribution Center - Our Savior Lord's Food Pantry - City Hall
Transit and Meeting Points
Useful pickup, handoff, or rendezvous points close to Douglas.
Minot, ND
Minot station
Stanley
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Bottineau and Watford City. Straight-line distance: 148.36 mi (238.77 km).
#1 Bottineau
City in North Dakota, United States
| Population | 2,147 |
| Coordinates | 48.8272300, -100.4457000 |
| Altitude | 499 |
| Country | United States |
#2 Watford City
City in McKenzie County, North Dakota, United States of America
| Population | 7,835 |
| Coordinates | 47.8022400, -103.2832500 |
| Altitude | 646 |
| Country | United States |
End: Main Street North (-103.283174, 47.80224)
Estimated Travel Time
Distance: 326 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 06h 45m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 05h 04m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 04h 03m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 03h 22m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 02h 53m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 02h 31m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $3.77 | $27.00 | $54.00 |
| Mid-grade | $4.25 | $30.45 | $60.90 |
| Premium | $4.65 | $33.32 | $66.65 |
| Diesel | $5.30 | $37.98 | $75.95 |
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 · May 13, 2026
Distance to Other Cities
Planning a road trip? See the full trip guide on Trip.ovh — stops, fuel costs, weather, and departure timing.