How far is Minot, ND from Thompson, ND?

The driving distance from Minot, ND to Thompson, ND is about 222.9 miles (358.8 km), with a travel time of about 04h 27m by car.

  • The straight-line flight distance is about 196.1 miles (315.6 km).
  • For a round trip, plan for roughly 08h 55m 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
222.93 mi
04h 27m
Flight
196.09 mi
315.58 km direct

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

Learn Distance

Choose another destination from Minot.

Flight Distance

Direct air line
196.09 mi
Kilometers
315.58 km
Flight Time
00h 23m

Driving Distance

Road route
222.93 mi
Kilometers
358.77 km
Drive Time
04h 27m

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 27m.

Arrival Snapshot
Arrive in Thompson
Sat, Apr 18, 2:18 PM CDT
Return by in Minot
Sat, Apr 18, 6:45 PM CDT
Useful when you're deciding between a quick errand, a day trip, or a longer stop.
Leave Minot
2026-04-18T09:50
Arrive Thompson
Sat, Apr 18, 2:18 PM CDT
Route Timing
04h 27m
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 Minot
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
New Rockford
ND

City in Eddy County, North Dakota, United States

From Minot
111.2 mi
02h 13m
To Thompson
111.7 mi
02h 13m

Route Weather Snapshot

Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.

Origin
41°F
Saturday

Mostly Sunny

Starts
Sat, Apr 18 6:00 AM CDT
Wind
20 mph NW
Destination
35°F
Saturday

Partly Sunny

Starts
Sat, Apr 18 6:00 AM CDT
Wind
22 to 25 mph NNW

Driving Route Map

The map below follows the saved road route between Minot and Thompson.

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between Minot and Thompson.

  1. 1

    Start on Burdick Expressway West

    2743 ft · 1 min · Burdick Expressway West

  2. 2

    Turn right onto Valley Street

    21.2 mi · 28 min · Valley Street

  3. 3

    Continue on West Street

    1.3 km · 1 min · West Street

  4. 4

    Continue on US-52

    27 mi · 31 min · US-52

  5. 5

    Continue on United States Highway 52

    7.4 mi · 9 min · United States Highway 52

  6. 6

    Continue on US-52

    6.7 mi · 8 min · US-52

  7. 7

    Continue on 1st Street

    1845 ft · 24 sec · 1st Street

  8. 8

    Continue on US-52

    11.1 mi · 13 min · US-52

  9. 9

    Continue on United State Highway 52

    1400 ft · 22 sec · United State Highway 52

  10. 10

    Continue on US-52

    14.9 mi · 17 min · US-52

  11. 11

    Turn left onto State Highway 15

    24.3 mi · 30 min · State Highway 15

  12. 12

    Turn left

    2.9 mi · 4 min

  13. 13

    Turn right onto State Highway 15

    25.1 mi · 29 min · State Highway 15

  14. 14

    At the end of the road, turn left onto State Highway 20

    8.1 mi · 9 min · State Highway 20

  15. 15

    Turn right onto State Highway 15

    12.1 mi · 14 min · State Highway 15

  16. 16

    Continue on Railroad Avenue

    3083 ft · 1 min · Railroad Avenue

  17. 17

    Continue on State Highway 15

    7.4 mi · 9 min · State Highway 15

  18. 18

    Continue on Railroad Avenue

    3250 ft · 2 min · Railroad Avenue

  19. 19

    Continue on State Highway 15

    51.6 mi · 1 hr 1 min · State Highway 15

  20. 20

    Arrive at your destination

    0 m · 1 sec · Broadway Street

Car Route Details

A richer read on the saved driving route between Minot and Thompson.

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
20 steps
6 turns on the saved route
Ramps & Exits
0
0 merges, 0 ramps or exits
Navigation Density
9 / 100 mi
Decision points by distance
Main Roads
State Highway 15
120 mi · 54%
US-52
59.7 mi · 27%
Valley Street
21.2 mi · 10%
State Highway 20
8.11 mi · 4%
United States Highway 52
7.38 mi · 3%
Railroad Avenue
1.2 mi · 1%
Longest Stretch

State Highway 15

Continue on State Highway 15

51.6 mi · 01h 01m

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 27m
Long day trip
Same-Day Return
08h 56m
Round-trip wheel time
Road vs Air
+26.8 mi
196.1 mi direct line
Halfway Stop
New Rockford
02h 13m from Minot
Leave By
8:04 AM CDT
Early departure recommended
Weather Watch

Mostly Sunny leaving Minot and Partly Sunny near Thompson.

Trip Questions

Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.

How long does it take to drive from Minot to Thompson?

The road trip is about 222.9 miles (358.8 km) and usually takes 04h 27m 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?

New Rockford is a useful midpoint, sitting about 111.2 miles from Minot and 111.7 miles from Thompson.

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

The direct path is about 196.1 miles (315.6 km), while the road route adds roughly 26.8 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 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 $29.68 one way or $59.36 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 69.9 kg one way.

What should you check before leaving?

Before you leave, expect Mostly Sunny around Minot and Partly Sunny near Thompson.

Stop Ideas Near New Rockford

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

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

RAIL

Devils Lake

52 mi away
Railroad Ave. and Third St.
RAIL

Rugby station

100 mi away
201 West Dewey Street

Flight Path Map

This map shows the direct air route between Minot and Thompson. Straight-line distance: 196.09 mi (315.58 km).

Minot

#1 Minot

The most populous city in Ward County, North Dakota.

Population47,428
Coordinates48.2325100, -101.2962700
Altitude494
CountryUnited States
Photo coming soon

#2 Thompson

City in North Dakota, United States

Population1,027
Coordinates47.7735900, -97.1098000
Altitude266
CountryUnited States
Start: Minot (-101.29627, 48.23251)
End: Thompson (-97.1098, 47.77359)

Estimated Travel Time

Distance: 359 km by road

SpeedTime
30 mph (48.3 km/h)07h 25m
40 mph (64.37 km/h)05h 34m
50 mph (80.47 km/h)04h 27m
60 mph (96.56 km/h)03h 42m
70 mph (112.65 km/h)03h 11m
80 mph (129 km/h)02h 46m

Fuel, Round Trip and CO2

Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.

One-way fuel
7.87 gal
29.78 L · about $29.68
Round trip
$59.36
15.74 gal · 59.56 L
Estimated CO2
69.9 kg one way
Round trip: 139.9 kg / 308 lb CO2, using regular gasoline.
Fuel$/galOne wayRound trip
Regular gas $3.77 $29.68 $59.36
Mid-grade $4.25 $33.47 $66.94
Premium $4.65 $36.63 $73.25
Diesel $5.30 $41.74 $83.48

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 18, 2026

There is no time difference between Minot and Thompson. The current time is 09:50:25.

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.