How far is Mekinock, ND from Bismarck, ND?

The driving distance from Mekinock, ND to Bismarck, ND is about 239.7 miles (385.7 km), with a travel time of about 03h 49m by car.

  • The straight-line flight distance is about 180.3 miles (290.1 km).
  • For a round trip, plan for roughly 07h 39m 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
239.69 mi
03h 49m
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 Mekinock.

Flight Distance

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

Driving Distance

Road route
239.69 mi
Kilometers
385.74 km
Drive Time
03h 49m

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 49m.

Arrival Snapshot
Arrive in Bismarck
Thu, Apr 23, 11:21 AM CDT
Return by in Mekinock
Thu, Apr 23, 3:10 PM CDT
Useful when you're deciding between a quick errand, a day trip, or a longer stop.
Leave Mekinock
2026-04-23T07:31
Arrive Bismarck
Thu, Apr 23, 11:21 AM CDT
Route Timing
03h 49m
One way by road
Best Departure Window
6:00 AM to 8:00 AM CDT
Leave early for more breathing room
Arrive between
9:50 AM to 11:50 AM CDT

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

Leave by
9:20 AM CDT
Keeps a same-day return open with about 04h 00m at the destination.
Back in Mekinock
9:00 PM CDT
Early departure recommended

This departure sits inside the recommended comfort window for the route.

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 Mekinock
121.2 mi
01h 54m
To Bismarck
118.5 mi
01h 54m

Route Weather Snapshot

Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.

Origin
70°F
Thursday

Light Rain Likely

Starts
Thu, Apr 23 6:00 AM CDT
Wind
20 to 29 mph S
Destination
60°F
Thursday

Rain Likely

Starts
Thu, Apr 23 6:00 AM CDT
Wind
12 to 29 mph W

Driving Route Map

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

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

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

  1. 1

    Start on 25th Street Northeast

    5.3 mi · 13 min · 25th Street Northeast

  2. 2

    Continue on Highway B3

    1.2 mi · 2 min · Highway B3

  3. 3

    Continue on 25th Street Northeast

    12 mi · 17 min · 25th Street Northeast

  4. 4

    Turn right onto State Highway 15

    4 mi · 5 min · State Highway 15

  5. 5

    Turn left onto State Highway 18

    6.9 mi · 8 min · State Highway 18

  6. 6

    Continue on Dakota Avenue

    1.1 mi · 2 min · Dakota Avenue

  7. 7

    Continue on State Highway 18

    7 mi · 8 min · State Highway 18

  8. 8

    Turn right onto State Highway 200

    18 mi · 21 min · State Highway 200

  9. 9

    Continue on Washington Avenue

    1112 ft · 45 sec · Washington Avenue

  10. 10

    Turn left onto Lincoln Avenue

    2532 ft · 1 min · Lincoln Avenue

  11. 11

    Continue on State Highway 200

    4.5 mi · 6 min · State Highway 200

  12. 12

    Continue on State Highway 32

    36.8 mi · 43 min · State Highway 32

  13. 13

    Take the ramp right toward I 94 West: Valley City

    1285 ft · 32 sec

  14. 14

    Merge slight left

    134.6 mi · 2 hr 8 min

  15. 15

    Continue straight

    8.2 mi · 8 min

  16. 16

    Take the exit slight right toward US 83 North: Bismarck, Minot

    1619 ft · 42 sec

  17. 17

    Turn left onto State Street

    1.1 mi · 2 min · State Street

  18. 18

    Continue on East Boulevard Avenue

    869 ft · 15 sec · East Boulevard Avenue

  19. 19

    Turn straight onto North 7th Street

    3131 ft · 59 sec · North 7th Street

  20. 20

    Turn right onto East Rosser Avenue

    548 ft · 17 sec · East Rosser Avenue

  21. 21

    Arrive at your destination

    0 m · 1 sec · East Rosser Avenue

Car Route Details

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

OSRM road route
Drive Character

Highway-focused drive

Most of the mileage stays on named highways, so the important moments are ramps, exits, merges, and the final local approach.

Directions
21 steps
7 turns on the saved route
Ramps & Exits
3
1 merges, 2 ramps or exits
Navigation Density
8.8 / 100 mi
Decision points by distance
Main Roads
I 94 West
143 mi · 60%
State Highway 32
36.8 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

I 94 West

Merge slight left

135 mi · 02h 08m

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
03h 49m
Long day trip
Same-Day Return
07h 40m
Round-trip wheel time
Road vs Air
+59.4 mi
180.3 mi direct line
Halfway Stop
Eckelson
01h 54m from Mekinock
Leave By
9:20 AM CDT
Early departure recommended
Weather Watch

Light Rain Likely leaving Mekinock and Rain Likely near Bismarck.

Trip Questions

Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.

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

The road trip is about 239.7 miles (385.7 km) and usually takes 03h 49m 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 Mekinock and 118.5 miles from Bismarck.

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 59.4 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 9:20 AM CDT.

How much will gas cost for this route?

Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $31.90 one way or $63.81 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 75.2 kg one way.

What should you check before leaving?

Before you leave, expect Light Rain Likely around Mekinock and Rain Likely near Bismarck.

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 Mekinock and Bismarck. Straight-line distance: 180.26 mi (290.1 km).

Photo coming soon

#1 Mekinock

Township in Grand Forks County, North Dakota

Population2,387
Coordinates48.0127700, -97.3634200
Altitude262
CountryUnited States
Bismarck

#2 Bismarck

The capital of North Dakota.

Population74,018
Coordinates46.8083300, -100.7837400
Altitude514
CountryUnited States
Start: 25th Street Northeast (-97.363604, 48.012771)
End: East Rosser Avenue (-100.783735, 46.808545)

Estimated Travel Time

Distance: 386 km by road

SpeedTime
30 mph (48.3 km/h)07h 59m
40 mph (64.37 km/h)05h 59m
50 mph (80.47 km/h)04h 47m
60 mph (96.56 km/h)03h 59m
70 mph (112.65 km/h)03h 25m
80 mph (129 km/h)02h 59m

Fuel, Round Trip and CO2

Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.

One-way fuel
8.46 gal
32.02 L · about $31.90
Round trip
$63.81
16.92 gal · 64.04 L
Estimated CO2
75.2 kg one way
Round trip: 150.4 kg / 332 lb CO2, using regular gasoline.
Fuel$/galOne wayRound trip
Regular gas $3.77 $31.90 $63.81
Mid-grade $4.25 $35.98 $71.96
Premium $4.65 $39.37 $78.75
Diesel $5.30 $44.87 $89.74

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 Mekinock and Bismarck. The current time is 07:31:22.

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.