How far is Stanley, ND from Watford City, ND?
The driving distance from Stanley, ND to Watford City, ND is about 81 miles (130.4 km), with a travel time of about 01h 35m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 54.4 miles (87.6 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 03h 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.
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.
This route works well as a day trip with time at the destination.
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 01h 35m.
A morning start gives you useful time at the destination and keeps the return out of the late evening.
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.
Quarter in the city of Prague in the Czech Republic
Route Weather Snapshot
Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.
Sunny
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Stanley and Watford City.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Stanley and Watford City.
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1
Start on 2nd Avenue Southeast
15 m · 8 sec · 2nd Avenue Southeast
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2
Turn left onto Main Street
1695 ft · 34 sec · Main Street
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3
Turn left onto 6th Avenue Southeast
2805 ft · 47 sec · 6th Avenue Southeast
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4
Continue on State Highway 8
24 mi · 36 min · State Highway 8
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5
Enter the roundabout and take exit 1 toward State Highway 23
8 m · 1 sec · State Highway 23
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6
Exit the roundabout onto State Highway 23
6.5 mi · 9 min · State Highway 23
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7
Continue on Main Street
2645 ft · 2 min · Main Street
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8
Continue on State Highway 23
21 mi · 24 min · State Highway 23
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9
Enter the roundabout and take exit 3 toward State Highway 23
95 m · 4 sec · State Highway 23
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10
Exit the roundabout onto State Highway 23
12.1 mi · 14 min · State Highway 23
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11
Exit the rotary onto State Highway 23
12.8 mi · 15 min · State Highway 23
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12
Turn right onto Highway 1806 West
1364 ft · 28 sec · Highway 1806 West
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13
Continue on 4th Avenue Northeast
1.1 mi · 2 min · 4th Avenue Northeast
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14
Continue on State Highway 23 Business
1237 ft · 32 sec · State Highway 23 Business
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15
Continue on 4th Avenue Northeast
1.7 mi · 5 min · 4th Avenue Northeast
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16
Turn left onto Main Street North
904 ft · 31 sec · Main Street North
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17
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · Main Street North
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Stanley and Watford City.
Highway-focused drive
Most of the mileage stays on named highways, so the important moments are ramps, exits, merges, and the final local approach.
State Highway 8
Continue on State Highway 8
24 mi · 00h 36m
Route Summary
A quick read on whether this route feels easy, ambitious, or worth planning around.
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.
Sunny leaving Stanley and Sunny near Watford City.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Stanley to Watford City?
The road trip is about 81 miles (130.4 km) and usually takes 01h 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?
New Town is a useful midpoint, sitting about 40.5 miles from Stanley and 40.5 miles from Watford City.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 54.4 miles (87.6 km), while the road route adds roughly 26.6 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 8:00 AM to 10:00 AM CDT. If you want a more comfortable same-day return, try to leave by 3:18 PM CDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $10.79 one way or $21.57 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 25.4 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Sunny around Stanley and Sunny near Watford City.
Stop Ideas Near New Town
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 New Town.
Stanley
Williston
Minot, ND
Minot station
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Stanley and Watford City. Straight-line distance: 54.46 mi (87.64 km).
#1 Stanley
City in North Dakota
| Population | 2,708 |
| Coordinates | 48.3172400, -102.3904500 |
| Altitude | 684 |
| 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: 130 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 02h 42m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 02h 01m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 01h 37m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 01h 21m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 01h 09m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 01h 00m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $3.77 | $10.79 | $21.57 |
| Mid-grade | $4.25 | $12.16 | $24.33 |
| Premium | $4.65 | $13.31 | $26.62 |
| Diesel | $5.30 | $15.17 | $30.34 |
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 01, 2026
Distance to Other Cities
Planning a road trip? See the full trip guide on Trip.ovh — stops, fuel costs, weather, and departure timing.