How far is Buford, ND from Ray, ND?

The driving distance from Buford, ND to Ray, ND is about 58.7 miles (94.4 km), with a travel time of about 01h 06m by car.

  • The straight-line flight distance is about 44.9 miles (72.3 km).
  • For a round trip, plan for roughly 02h 13m of driving time before adding stops, traffic, or weather delays.
  • A comfortable departure window is usually 8:00 AM to 10:00 AM CDT.
Trip Tools

Reverse, save, or send this route

This route works well as a day trip with time at the destination. Copy the route link, send it to another device, or print a clean version before you head out.

Reverse Route
Quick Snapshot
Road
58.66 mi
01h 06m
Flight
44.94 mi
72.33 km direct

This route works well as a day trip with time at the destination.

Learn Distance

Choose another destination from Buford.

Flight Distance

Direct air line
44.94 mi
Kilometers
72.33 km
Flight Time
00h 05m

Driving Distance

Road route
58.66 mi
Kilometers
94.4 km
Drive Time
01h 06m

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 01h 06m.

Arrival Snapshot
Arrive in Ray
Thu, Apr 23, 4:09 PM CDT
Return by in Buford
Thu, Apr 23, 5:16 PM CDT
Useful when you're deciding between a quick errand, a day trip, or a longer stop.
Leave Buford
2026-04-23T15:03
Arrive Ray
Thu, Apr 23, 4:09 PM CDT
Route Timing
01h 06m
One way by road
Best Departure Window
8:00 AM to 10:00 AM CDT
Aim for a morning departure
Arrive between
9:07 AM to 11:07 AM CDT

A morning start gives you useful time at the destination and keeps the return out of the late evening.

Leave by
4:16 PM CDT
Keeps a same-day return open with about 03h 00m at the destination.
Back in Buford
9:30 PM CDT
Morning start is best

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
Williston
ND

City in Williams County, North Dakota, United States of America

From Buford
28.1 mi
00h 33m
To Ray
30.5 mi
00h 33m

Route Weather Snapshot

Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.

Origin
51°F
Thursday

Light Rain

Starts
Thu, Apr 23 6:00 AM CDT
Wind
15 to 32 mph NW
Destination
41°F
Today

Light Rain Likely then Rain And Snow

Starts
Thu, Apr 23 11:00 AM CDT
Wind
35 to 43 mph NW

Driving Route Map

The map below follows the saved road route between Buford and Ray.

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between Buford and Ray.

  1. 1

    Start on State Highway 1804

    15.3 mi · 20 min · State Highway 1804

  2. 2

    Turn right onto Theodore Roosevelt Expressway

    2.5 mi · 3 min · Theodore Roosevelt Expressway

  3. 3

    Continue on Dakota Parkway

    5.4 mi · 6 min · Dakota Parkway

  4. 4

    Continue on 2nd Avenue

    12.7 mi · 15 min · 2nd Avenue

  5. 5

    Continue on 64th Street Northwest

    19.9 mi · 23 min · 64th Street Northwest

  6. 6

    Continue on West Railroad Avenue

    1691 ft · 27 sec · West Railroad Avenue

  7. 7

    Turn left onto Score Street

    765 ft · 36 sec · Score Street

  8. 8

    Turn right onto 2nd Avenue West

    150 m · 22 sec · 2nd Avenue West

  9. 9

    Arrive at your destination

    0 m · 1 sec · 2nd Avenue East

Car Route Details

A richer read on the saved driving route between Buford and Ray.

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
9 steps
3 turns on the saved route
Ramps & Exits
0
0 merges, 0 ramps or exits
Navigation Density
15.3 / 100 mi
Decision points by distance
Main Roads
64th Street Northwest
19.9 mi · 34%
State Highway 1804
15.3 mi · 26%
2nd Avenue
12.7 mi · 22%
Dakota Parkway
5.44 mi · 9%
Theodore Roosevelt Expressway
2.46 mi · 4%
West Railroad Avenue
0.32 mi · 1%
Longest Stretch

64th Street Northwest

Continue on 64th Street Northwest

19.9 mi · 00h 23m

Route Summary

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

Trip Read

A comfortable day-trip route

This route works well as a day trip. You can leave in the morning, spend meaningful time at the destination, and still return the same day.

Drive Time
01h 06m
Day trip friendly
Same-Day Return
02h 14m
Round-trip wheel time
Road vs Air
+13.8 mi
44.9 mi direct line
Halfway Stop
Williston
00h 33m from Buford
Leave By
4:16 PM CDT
Morning start is best
Weather Watch

Light Rain leaving Buford and Light Rain Likely then Rain And Snow near Ray.

Trip Questions

Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.

How long does it take to drive from Buford to Ray?

The road trip is about 58.7 miles (94.4 km) and usually takes 01h 06m in normal driving conditions.

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

This route works well as a day trip. You can leave in the morning, spend meaningful time at the destination, and still return the same day.

What is the halfway point on this route?

Williston is a useful midpoint, sitting about 28.1 miles from Buford and 30.5 miles from Ray.

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

The direct path is about 44.9 miles (72.3 km), while the road route adds roughly 13.8 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 8:00 AM to 10:00 AM CDT. If you want a more comfortable same-day return, try to leave by 4:16 PM CDT.

How much will gas cost for this route?

Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $7.81 one way or $15.61 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 18.4 kg one way.

What should you check before leaving?

Before you leave, expect Light Rain around Buford and Light Rain Likely then Rain And Snow near Ray.

Stop Ideas Near Williston

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

Mid-route Guidance
Local place coverage is thin around Williston, 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 Williston.

RAIL

Williston

1 mi away
1 South Main Street
BUS

Sidney, MT

63 mi away
1201 West Holly Street
RAIL

Stanley

93 mi away
Main Street & Railroad Avenue

Flight Path Map

This map shows the direct air route between Buford and Ray. Straight-line distance: 44.94 mi (72.33 km).

Photo coming soon

#1 Buford

Unincorporated community in North Dakota

Population113
Coordinates47.9986300, -103.9913200
Altitude595
CountryUnited States
Ray

#2 Ray

City in North Dakota, USA

Population943
Coordinates48.3444700, -103.1651800
Altitude694
CountryUnited States
Start: State Highway 1804 (-103.991311, 47.998602)
End: 2nd Avenue East (-103.16518, 48.344359)

Estimated Travel Time

Distance: 94 km by road

SpeedTime
30 mph (48.3 km/h)01h 57m
40 mph (64.37 km/h)01h 27m
50 mph (80.47 km/h)01h 10m
60 mph (96.56 km/h)00h 58m
70 mph (112.65 km/h)00h 50m
80 mph (129 km/h)00h 43m

Fuel, Round Trip and CO2

Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.

One-way fuel
2.07 gal
7.84 L · about $7.81
Round trip
$15.61
4.14 gal · 15.68 L
Estimated CO2
18.4 kg one way
Round trip: 36.8 kg / 81 lb CO2, using regular gasoline.
Fuel$/galOne wayRound trip
Regular gas $3.77 $7.81 $15.61
Mid-grade $4.25 $8.80 $17.61
Premium $4.65 $9.63 $19.27
Diesel $5.30 $10.98 $21.96

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 23, 2026

There is no time difference between Buford and Ray. The current time is 15:03:25.

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.