How far is Mekinock, ND from Watford City, ND?
The driving distance from Mekinock, ND to Watford City, ND is about 322.1 miles (518.3 km), with a travel time of about 05h 17m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 274.5 miles (441.8 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 10h 34m 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 05h 17m.
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.
Settlement in McHenry County, North Dakota, United States
Route Weather Snapshot
Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.
Partly Sunny
Mostly Sunny
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Mekinock and Watford City.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Mekinock and Watford City.
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1
Start on 25th Street Northeast
5.3 mi · 13 min · 25th Street Northeast
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2
Continue on Highway B3
116 m · 13 sec · Highway B3
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3
Take the ramp right toward US 2 West: Devils Lake
1984 ft · 54 sec
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4
Merge slight left onto 18th Avenue
24.9 mi · 28 min · 18th Avenue
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5
Continue on United States Highway 2
5.5 mi · 6 min · United States Highway 2
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6
Continue on 41st Street Northeast
20.6 mi · 23 min · 41st Street Northeast
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7
Continue on Highway 2 East
81.1 mi · 1 hr 48 min · Highway 2 East
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8
Continue on US-2 W
21.5 mi · 23 min · US-2 W
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9
Continue on 62nd Street Northeast
6.1 mi · 7 min · 62nd Street Northeast
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10
Continue on 57th Street North
21.7 mi · 25 min · 57th Street North
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11
Continue on 4th Avenue
4 mi · 5 min · 4th Avenue
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12
Continue on US-2 W
9.4 mi · 12 min · US-2 W
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13
Continue on US Highway 2
1281 ft · 22 sec · US Highway 2
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14
Take the exit slight right toward US 83: Air Base, Bismarck
1395 ft · 34 sec
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15
Keep slight left
43 m · 5 sec
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16
Turn left onto South Broadway
1.1 mi · 2 min · South Broadway
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17
Continue on US-83 S
646 ft · 14 sec · US-83 S
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18
Continue on US Highway 83
14.8 mi · 17 min · US Highway 83
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19
Turn right onto 247th Avenue Southwest
9.9 mi · 11 min · 247th Avenue Southwest
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20
Continue on State Highway 23
1.2 mi · 1 min · State Highway 23
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21
Continue on 247th Avenue Southwest
16 mi · 18 min · 247th Avenue Southwest
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22
Continue on State Highway 23
1570 ft · 20 sec · State Highway 23
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23
Continue on 39th Street Northwest
11.7 mi · 13 min · 39th Street Northwest
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24
Continue on State Highway 23
10 mi · 12 min · State Highway 23
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25
Enter the roundabout and take exit 2 toward State Highway 23
51 m · 2 sec · State Highway 23
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26
Exit the roundabout onto State Highway 23
6.5 mi · 9 min · State Highway 23
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27
Continue on Main Street
2645 ft · 2 min · Main Street
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28
Continue on State Highway 23
21 mi · 24 min · State Highway 23
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29
Enter the roundabout and take exit 3 toward State Highway 23
95 m · 4 sec · State Highway 23
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30
Exit the roundabout onto State Highway 23
12.1 mi · 14 min · State Highway 23
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31
Exit the rotary onto State Highway 23
12.8 mi · 15 min · State Highway 23
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32
Turn right onto Highway 1806 West
1364 ft · 28 sec · Highway 1806 West
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33
Continue on 4th Avenue Northeast
1.1 mi · 2 min · 4th Avenue Northeast
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34
Continue on State Highway 23 Business
1237 ft · 32 sec · State Highway 23 Business
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35
Continue on 4th Avenue Northeast
1.7 mi · 5 min · 4th Avenue Northeast
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36
Turn left onto Main Street North
904 ft · 31 sec · Main Street North
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37
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · Main Street North
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Mekinock and Watford City.
Long-distance drive
This route is long enough that fuel, rest stops, weather, and timing matter more than any single maneuver.
Highway 2 East
Continue on Highway 2 East
81.1 mi · 01h 48m
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.
Partly Sunny leaving Mekinock and Mostly Sunny near Watford City.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Mekinock to Watford City?
The road trip is about 322.1 miles (518.3 km) and usually takes 05h 17m 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?
Denbigh is a useful midpoint, sitting about 160.9 miles from Mekinock and 161.1 miles from Watford City.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 274.5 miles (441.8 km), while the road route adds roughly 47.6 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 6:26 AM CDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $42.84 one way or $85.68 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 101 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Partly Sunny around Mekinock and Mostly Sunny near Watford City.
Stop Ideas Near Denbigh
Useful break, food, and waypoint ideas within about 15 miles of the route midpoint.
Transit and Meeting Points
Useful pickup, handoff, or rendezvous points close to Denbigh.
Rugby station
Minot station
Minot, ND
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Mekinock and Watford City. Straight-line distance: 274.5 mi (441.76 km).
#1 Mekinock
Township in Grand Forks County, North Dakota
| Population | 2,387 |
| Coordinates | 48.0127700, -97.3634200 |
| Altitude | 262 |
| 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: 518 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 10h 43m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 08h 03m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 06h 26m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 05h 22m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 04h 36m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 04h 01m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $3.77 | $42.84 | $85.68 |
| Mid-grade | $4.25 | $48.31 | $96.63 |
| Premium | $4.65 | $52.87 | $105.74 |
| Diesel | $5.30 | $60.25 | $120.51 |
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 05, 2026
Distance to Other Cities
Planning a road trip? See the full trip guide on Trip.ovh — stops, fuel costs, weather, and departure timing.