How far is Thompson, ND from Devils Lake, ND?

The driving distance from Thompson, ND to Devils Lake, ND is about 97 miles (156.1 km), with a travel time of about 01h 32m by car.

  • The straight-line flight distance is about 84.6 miles (136.1 km).
  • For a round trip, plan for roughly 03h 04m 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
96.96 mi
01h 32m
Flight
84.55 mi
136.07 km direct

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

Learn Distance

Choose another destination from Thompson.

Flight Distance

Direct air line
84.55 mi
Kilometers
136.07 km
Flight Time
00h 10m

Driving Distance

Road route
96.96 mi
Kilometers
156.05 km
Drive Time
01h 32m

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 32m.

Arrival Snapshot
Arrive in Devils Lake
Tue, May 12, 9:00 PM CDT
Return by in Thompson
Tue, May 12, 10:32 PM CDT
Useful when you're deciding between a quick errand, a day trip, or a longer stop.
Leave Thompson
2026-05-12T19:28
Arrive Devils Lake
Tue, May 12, 9:00 PM CDT
Route Timing
01h 32m
One way by road
Best Departure Window
8:00 AM to 10:00 AM CDT
Aim for a morning departure
Arrive between
9:32 AM to 11:32 AM CDT

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

Leave by
3:26 PM CDT
Keeps a same-day return open with about 03h 00m at the destination.
Back in Thompson
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
Niagara
ND

Human settlement in Grand Forks County, North Dakota, United States of America

From Thompson
49.7 mi
00h 46m
To Devils Lake
47.3 mi
00h 46m

Route Weather Snapshot

Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.

Origin
65°F
Tuesday

Mostly Sunny

Starts
Tue, May 12 6:00 AM CDT
Wind
26 to 37 mph NW
Destination
68°F
Tuesday

Sunny

Starts
Tue, May 12 6:00 AM CDT
Wind
26 to 32 mph NW

Driving Route Map

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

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between Thompson and Devils Lake.

  1. 1

    Start on Broadway Street

    2600 ft · 1 min · Broadway Street

  2. 2

    Continue on State Highway 15

    1.1 mi · 2 min · State Highway 15

  3. 3

    Take the ramp left toward I 29 North: Grand Forks

    1276 ft · 31 sec

  4. 4

    Merge slight left

    10.7 mi · 11 min

  5. 5

    Take the exit slight right toward US 2: Grand Forks, Grand Forks Airport, Grand Forks Air Force Base, East Grand Forks, Minnesota

    1197 ft · 29 sec

  6. 6

    Keep slight left to continue on US 2: Grand Forks International Airport, Grand Forks Air Force Base, Turtle River State Park

    40 m · 5 sec

  7. 7

    Turn left onto Gateway Drive

    3.8 mi · 6 min · Gateway Drive

  8. 8

    Continue on 18th Avenue

    34.2 mi · 38 min · 18th Avenue

  9. 9

    Continue on United States Highway 2

    5.5 mi · 6 min · United States Highway 2

  10. 10

    Continue on 41st Street Northeast

    20.6 mi · 23 min · 41st Street Northeast

  11. 11

    Continue on Highway 2 East

    22 mi · 41 min · Highway 2 East

  12. 12

    Turn right onto College Drive South

    1.2 km · 2 min · College Drive South

  13. 13

    Arrive at your destination

    0 m · 1 sec · College Drive North

Car Route Details

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

OSRM road route
Drive Character

Straightforward drive

The saved road route has a manageable number of maneuvers and should be easy to follow with normal attention to signs.

Directions
13 steps
2 turns on the saved route
Ramps & Exits
3
1 merges, 2 ramps or exits
Navigation Density
13.4 / 100 mi
Decision points by distance
Main Roads
18th Avenue
34.2 mi · 35%
Highway 2 East
22 mi · 23%
41st Street Northeast
20.6 mi · 21%
I 29 North
10.9 mi · 11%
United States Highway 2
5.5 mi · 6%
Gateway Drive
3.84 mi · 4%
Longest Stretch

18th Avenue

Continue on 18th Avenue

34.2 mi · 00h 38m

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
01h 32m
Day trip friendly
Same-Day Return
03h 04m
Round-trip wheel time
Road vs Air
+12.4 mi
84.6 mi direct line
Halfway Stop
Niagara
00h 46m from Thompson
Leave By
3:26 PM CDT
Morning start is best
Weather Watch

Mostly Sunny leaving Thompson and Sunny near Devils Lake.

Trip Questions

Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.

How long does it take to drive from Thompson to Devils Lake?

The road trip is about 97 miles (156.1 km) and usually takes 01h 32m 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?

Niagara is a useful midpoint, sitting about 49.7 miles from Thompson and 47.3 miles from Devils Lake.

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

The direct path is about 84.6 miles (136.1 km), while the road route adds roughly 12.4 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 3:26 PM CDT.

How much will gas cost for this route?

Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $12.90 one way or $25.79 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 30.4 kg one way.

What should you check before leaving?

Before you leave, expect Mostly Sunny around Thompson and Sunny near Devils Lake.

Stop Ideas Near Niagara

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

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

RAIL

Grand Forks

57 mi away
5555 DeMers Avenue
RAIL

Devils Lake

75 mi away
Railroad Ave. and Third St.

Flight Path Map

This map shows the direct air route between Thompson and Devils Lake. Straight-line distance: 84.55 mi (136.07 km).

Photo coming soon

#1 Thompson

City in North Dakota, United States

Population1,027
Coordinates47.7735900, -97.1098000
Altitude266
CountryUnited States
Devils Lake

#2 Devils Lake

City in North Dakota, United States of America

Population7,229
Coordinates48.1127800, -98.8651200
Altitude441
CountryUnited States
Start: Broadway Street (-97.1098, 47.773536)
End: College Drive North (-98.865208, 48.112779)

Estimated Travel Time

Distance: 156 km by road

SpeedTime
30 mph (48.3 km/h)03h 13m
40 mph (64.37 km/h)02h 25m
50 mph (80.47 km/h)01h 56m
60 mph (96.56 km/h)01h 36m
70 mph (112.65 km/h)01h 23m
80 mph (129 km/h)01h 12m

Fuel, Round Trip and CO2

Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.

One-way fuel
3.42 gal
12.95 L · about $12.90
Round trip
$25.79
6.84 gal · 25.9 L
Estimated CO2
30.4 kg one way
Round trip: 60.8 kg / 134 lb CO2, using regular gasoline.
Fuel$/galOne wayRound trip
Regular gas $3.77 $12.90 $25.79
Mid-grade $4.25 $14.55 $29.09
Premium $4.65 $15.92 $31.83
Diesel $5.30 $18.14 $36.28

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 Thompson and Devils Lake. The current time is 19:28:45.

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.