How far is Stanley, ND from Bismarck, ND?

The driving distance from Stanley, ND to Bismarck, ND is about 162.9 miles (262.1 km), with a travel time of about 02h 35m by car.

  • The straight-line flight distance is about 128.4 miles (206.6 km).
  • For a round trip, plan for roughly 05h 11m 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
162.86 mi
02h 35m
Flight
128.37 mi
206.59 km direct

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

Learn Distance

Choose another destination from Stanley.

Flight Distance

Direct air line
128.37 mi
Kilometers
206.59 km
Flight Time
00h 15m

Driving Distance

Road route
162.86 mi
Kilometers
262.09 km
Drive Time
02h 35m

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 02h 35m.

Arrival Snapshot
Arrive in Bismarck
Thu, Apr 23, 1:09 AM CDT
Return by in Stanley
Thu, Apr 23, 3:45 AM CDT
Useful when you're deciding between a quick errand, a day trip, or a longer stop.
Leave Stanley
2026-04-22T22:33
Arrive Bismarck
Thu, Apr 23, 1:09 AM CDT
Route Timing
02h 35m
One way by road
Best Departure Window
8:00 AM to 10:00 AM CDT
Aim for a morning departure
Arrive between
10:36 AM to 12:36 PM CDT

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

Leave by
1:18 PM CDT
Keeps a same-day return open with about 03h 00m at the destination.
Back in Stanley
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
Max
ND

City in North Dakota, USA

From Stanley
81.3 mi
01h 17m
To Bismarck
81.5 mi
01h 17m

Route Weather Snapshot

Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.

Origin
77°F
Wednesday

Partly Sunny

Starts
Wed, Apr 22 6:00 AM CDT
Wind
10 to 21 mph SE
Destination
83°F
Wednesday

Partly Sunny

Starts
Wed, Apr 22 6:00 AM CDT
Wind
7 to 17 mph SE

Driving Route Map

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

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

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

  1. 1

    Start on 2nd Avenue Southeast

    15 m · 8 sec · 2nd Avenue Southeast

  2. 2

    Turn left onto Main Street

    1695 ft · 34 sec · Main Street

  3. 3

    Turn left onto 6th Avenue Southeast

    2805 ft · 47 sec · 6th Avenue Southeast

  4. 4

    Continue on State Highway 8

    2530 ft · 43 sec · State Highway 8

  5. 5

    Turn left

    53.1 mi · 1 hr 2 min

  6. 6

    Take the exit slight right toward US 83: Air Base, Bismarck

    1751 ft · 43 sec

  7. 7

    Keep slight right

    55 m · 5 sec

  8. 8

    Merge slight left onto South Broadway

    1.3 km · 2 min · South Broadway

  9. 9

    Continue on US-83 S

    646 ft · 14 sec · US-83 S

  10. 10

    Continue on US Highway 83

    23.8 mi · 27 min · US Highway 83

  11. 11

    Continue on US-83 S

    26.1 mi · 29 min · US-83 S

  12. 12

    Continue straight

    3.9 mi · 5 min

  13. 13

    Continue straight

    48.9 mi · 54 min

  14. 14

    Keep slight right to continue on State Street

    3.4 mi · 6 min · State Street

  15. 15

    Continue on East Boulevard Avenue

    869 ft · 15 sec · East Boulevard Avenue

  16. 16

    Turn straight onto North 7th Street

    3131 ft · 59 sec · North 7th Street

  17. 17

    Turn right onto East Rosser Avenue

    548 ft · 17 sec · East Rosser Avenue

  18. 18

    Arrive at your destination

    0 m · 1 sec · East Rosser Avenue

Car Route Details

A richer read on the saved driving route between Stanley 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
18 steps
5 turns on the saved route
Ramps & Exits
2
1 merges, 1 ramps or exits
Navigation Density
11 / 100 mi
Decision points by distance
Main Roads
US-83 S
79.1 mi · 49%
US Highway 83
23.8 mi · 15%
State Street
3.39 mi · 2%
South Broadway
0.84 mi · 1%
North 7th Street
0.59 mi
6th Avenue Southeast
0.53 mi
Longest Stretch

Longest stretch

Turn left

53.1 mi · 01h 02m

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
02h 35m
Day trip friendly
Same-Day Return
05h 12m
Round-trip wheel time
Road vs Air
+34.5 mi
128.4 mi direct line
Halfway Stop
Max
01h 17m from Stanley
Leave By
1:18 PM CDT
Morning start is best
Weather Watch

Partly Sunny leaving Stanley and Partly Sunny near Bismarck.

Trip Questions

Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.

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

The road trip is about 162.9 miles (262.1 km) and usually takes 02h 35m 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?

Max is a useful midpoint, sitting about 81.3 miles from Stanley and 81.5 miles from Bismarck.

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

The direct path is about 128.4 miles (206.6 km), while the road route adds roughly 34.5 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 8:00 AM to 10:00 AM CDT. If you want a more comfortable same-day return, try to leave by 1:18 PM CDT.

How much will gas cost for this route?

Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $21.68 one way or $43.37 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 51.1 kg one way.

What should you check before leaving?

Before you leave, expect Partly Sunny around Stanley and Partly Sunny near Bismarck.

Stop Ideas Near Max

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

Mid-route Guidance
These suggestions come from reviewed places and nearby services around Max and the surrounding midpoint area.
Stop photo coming soon
Food stop 0.1 mi away

Food Distribution Center - Our Savior Lord's Food Pantry - City Hall

Max , ND
215 Main St, Max, ND 58759
Food bank
Stop photo coming soon
Meeting point 0.1 mi away

Max City Hall

Max , ND
Max, ND 58759
City Hall
Stop photo coming soon
Nearby stop 13.2 mi away

Garrison City Auditor

Garrison , ND
30 Central Ave NW, Garrison, ND 58540
City tax office

Transit and Meeting Points

Useful pickup, handoff, or rendezvous points close to Max.

BUS

Minot, ND

44 mi away
300 18th Avenue SW
RAIL

Minot station

46 mi away
400 1st Ave. S.W.
RAIL

Stanley

98 mi away
Main Street & Railroad Avenue
RAIL

Rugby station

114 mi away
201 West Dewey Street

Flight Path Map

This map shows the direct air route between Stanley and Bismarck. Straight-line distance: 128.37 mi (206.59 km).

Stanley

#1 Stanley

City in North Dakota

Population2,708
Coordinates48.3172400, -102.3904500
Altitude684
CountryUnited States
Bismarck

#2 Bismarck

The capital of North Dakota.

Population74,018
Coordinates46.8083300, -100.7837400
Altitude514
CountryUnited States
Start: 2nd Avenue Southeast (-102.390451, 48.317348)
End: East Rosser Avenue (-100.783735, 46.808545)

Estimated Travel Time

Distance: 262 km by road

SpeedTime
30 mph (48.3 km/h)05h 25m
40 mph (64.37 km/h)04h 04m
50 mph (80.47 km/h)03h 15m
60 mph (96.56 km/h)02h 42m
70 mph (112.65 km/h)02h 19m
80 mph (129 km/h)02h 01m

Fuel, Round Trip and CO2

Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.

One-way fuel
5.75 gal
21.75 L · about $21.68
Round trip
$43.37
11.5 gal · 43.5 L
Estimated CO2
51.1 kg one way
Round trip: 102.2 kg / 225 lb CO2, using regular gasoline.
Fuel$/galOne wayRound trip
Regular gas $3.77 $21.68 $43.37
Mid-grade $4.25 $24.45 $48.91
Premium $4.65 $26.76 $53.52
Diesel $5.30 $30.50 $61.00

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 Stanley and Bismarck. The current time is 22:33:38.

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.