How far is Park River, ND from Bismarck, ND?

The driving distance from Park River, ND to Bismarck, ND is about 249.8 miles (402 km), with a travel time of about 03h 54m by car.

  • The straight-line flight distance is about 179.3 miles (288.6 km).
  • For a round trip, plan for roughly 07h 48m 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
249.77 mi
03h 54m
Flight
179.32 mi
288.59 km direct

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

Learn Distance

Choose another destination from Park River.

Flight Distance

Direct air line
179.32 mi
Kilometers
288.59 km
Flight Time
00h 21m

Driving Distance

Road route
249.77 mi
Kilometers
401.97 km
Drive Time
03h 54m

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 54m.

Arrival Snapshot
Arrive in Bismarck
Wed, May 13, 2:15 AM CDT
Return by in Park River
Wed, May 13, 6:09 AM CDT
Useful when you're deciding between a quick errand, a day trip, or a longer stop.
Leave Park River
2026-05-12T22:21
Arrive Bismarck
Wed, May 13, 2:15 AM CDT
Route Timing
03h 54m
One way by road
Best Departure Window
6:00 AM to 8:00 AM CDT
Leave early for more breathing room
Arrive between
9:54 AM to 11:54 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
9:12 AM CDT
Keeps a same-day return open with about 04h 00m at the destination.
Back in Park River
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
Sanborn
ND

City in North Dakota, USA

From Park River
124.8 mi
01h 57m
To Bismarck
125 mi
01h 57m

Route Weather Snapshot

Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.

Origin
66°F
Tuesday

Mostly Sunny

Starts
Tue, May 12 6:00 AM CDT
Wind
29 to 33 mph NW
Destination
75°F
Tuesday

Sunny

Starts
Tue, May 12 6:00 AM CDT
Wind
12 to 22 mph NW

Driving Route Map

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

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between Park River and Bismarck.

  1. 1

    Start on the route

    42 m · 12 sec

  2. 2

    Turn right onto Park Street East

    1.1 mi · 3 min · Park Street East

  3. 3

    Continue on State Highway 17

    4.5 mi · 5 min · State Highway 17

  4. 4

    Turn left onto State Highway 32

    27.3 mi · 32 min · State Highway 32

  5. 5

    Turn right onto United States Highway 2

    5.5 mi · 6 min · United States Highway 2

  6. 6

    Turn left onto State Highway 32

    22.3 mi · 26 min · State Highway 32

  7. 7

    Continue on 4th Street North

    2771 ft · 2 min · 4th Street North

  8. 8

    Continue on State Highway 32

    5.2 mi · 6 min · State Highway 32

  9. 9

    At the end of the road, turn right onto State Highway 45

    10.7 mi · 12 min · State Highway 45

  10. 10

    Continue on State Highway 45

    6.6 mi · 8 min · State Highway 45

  11. 11

    Continue on 9th Street Northeast

    2079 ft · 1 min · 9th Street Northeast

  12. 12

    Continue on 9th Street Southeast

    2091 ft · 1 min · 9th Street Southeast

  13. 13

    Turn right onto State Highway 200

    2.6 mi · 3 min · State Highway 200

  14. 14

    Turn left onto State Highway 1

    8.8 mi · 10 min · State Highway 1

  15. 15

    Continue on Wheat Street

    2196 ft · 1 min · Wheat Street

  16. 16

    Continue on State Highway 1

    28 mi · 33 min · State Highway 1

  17. 17

    Take the ramp right toward I 94 West: Bismarck

    1123 ft · 28 sec

  18. 18

    Merge slight left

    115 mi · 1 hr 49 min

  19. 19

    Continue straight

    8.2 mi · 8 min

  20. 20

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

    1619 ft · 42 sec

  21. 21

    Turn left onto State Street

    1.1 mi · 2 min · State Street

  22. 22

    Continue on East Boulevard Avenue

    869 ft · 15 sec · East Boulevard Avenue

  23. 23

    Turn straight onto North 7th Street

    3131 ft · 59 sec · North 7th Street

  24. 24

    Turn right onto East Rosser Avenue

    548 ft · 17 sec · East Rosser Avenue

  25. 25

    Arrive at your destination

    0 m · 1 sec · East Rosser Avenue

Car Route Details

A richer read on the saved driving route between Park River 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
25 steps
10 turns on the saved route
Ramps & Exits
3
1 merges, 2 ramps or exits
Navigation Density
10 / 100 mi
Decision points by distance
Main Roads
I 94 West
123 mi · 49%
State Highway 32
54.7 mi · 22%
State Highway 1
36.8 mi · 15%
State Highway 45
17.3 mi · 7%
United States Highway 2
5.5 mi · 2%
State Highway 17
4.49 mi · 2%
Longest Stretch

I 94 West

Merge slight left

115 mi · 01h 49m

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 54m
Long day trip
Same-Day Return
07h 48m
Round-trip wheel time
Road vs Air
+70.5 mi
179.3 mi direct line
Halfway Stop
Sanborn
01h 57m from Park River
Leave By
9:12 AM CDT
Early departure recommended
Weather Watch

Mostly Sunny leaving Park River and Sunny near Bismarck.

Trip Questions

Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.

How long does it take to drive from Park River to Bismarck?

The road trip is about 249.8 miles (402 km) and usually takes 03h 54m 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?

Sanborn is a useful midpoint, sitting about 124.8 miles from Park River and 125 miles from Bismarck.

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

The direct path is about 179.3 miles (288.6 km), while the road route adds roughly 70.5 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 9:12 AM CDT.

How much will gas cost for this route?

Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $33.22 one way or $66.45 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 78.3 kg one way.

What should you check before leaving?

Before you leave, expect Mostly Sunny around Park River and Sunny near Bismarck.

Stop Ideas Near Sanborn

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

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

RAIL

Fargo

110 mi away
420 4th Street North

Flight Path Map

This map shows the direct air route between Park River and Bismarck. Straight-line distance: 179.32 mi (288.59 km).

Park River

#1 Park River

City in Walsh County, North Dakota, United States

Population1,305
Coordinates48.3986000, -97.7412000
Altitude303
CountryUnited States
Bismarck

#2 Bismarck

The capital of North Dakota.

Population74,018
Coordinates46.8083300, -100.7837400
Altitude514
CountryUnited States
Start: (-97.741141, 48.3986)
End: East Rosser Avenue (-100.783735, 46.808545)

Estimated Travel Time

Distance: 402 km by road

SpeedTime
30 mph (48.3 km/h)08h 19m
40 mph (64.37 km/h)06h 14m
50 mph (80.47 km/h)04h 59m
60 mph (96.56 km/h)04h 09m
70 mph (112.65 km/h)03h 34m
80 mph (129 km/h)03h 06m

Fuel, Round Trip and CO2

Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.

One-way fuel
8.81 gal
33.36 L · about $33.22
Round trip
$66.45
17.62 gal · 66.72 L
Estimated CO2
78.3 kg one way
Round trip: 156.6 kg / 345 lb CO2, using regular gasoline.
Fuel$/galOne wayRound trip
Regular gas $3.77 $33.22 $66.45
Mid-grade $4.25 $37.47 $74.94
Premium $4.65 $41.00 $82.00
Diesel $5.30 $46.73 $93.46

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

There is no time difference between Park River and Bismarck. The current time is 22:21:48.

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.