How far is Thompson, ND from Watford City, ND?
The driving distance from Thompson, ND to Watford City, ND is about 339.6 miles (546.5 km), with a travel time of about 05h 33m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 286.5 miles (461.1 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 11h 07m of driving time before adding stops, traffic, or weather delays.
- A comfortable departure window is usually 6:00 AM to 8:00 AM CDT.
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.
This drive is better planned with a longer stop or an overnight stay.
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 05h 33m.
An early departure helps you fit a real stop into the day without turning the return into a late-night drive.
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.
City in North Dakota
Route Weather Snapshot
Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.
Mostly Sunny
Sunny
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Thompson and Watford City.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Thompson and Watford City.
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1
Start on Broadway Street
82 m · 9 sec · Broadway Street
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2
Continue on State Highway 15
51.6 mi · 1 hr · State Highway 15
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3
Continue on Railroad Avenue
3250 ft · 2 min · Railroad Avenue
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4
Continue on State Highway 15
7.4 mi · 9 min · State Highway 15
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5
Continue on Railroad Avenue
3083 ft · 1 min · Railroad Avenue
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6
Continue on State Highway 15
12.1 mi · 14 min · State Highway 15
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7
Turn left onto State Highway 20
8.1 mi · 9 min · State Highway 20
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8
Turn right onto State Highway 15
25.1 mi · 29 min · State Highway 15
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9
Turn left onto 1st Street North
2.9 mi · 4 min · 1st Street North
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10
Turn right onto State Highway 15
24.3 mi · 29 min · State Highway 15
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11
Turn right onto US-52
14.9 mi · 17 min · US-52
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12
Continue on United State Highway 52
1400 ft · 22 sec · United State Highway 52
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13
Continue on United States Highway 52
11.1 mi · 13 min · United States Highway 52
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14
Continue on 1st Street
1845 ft · 24 sec · 1st Street
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15
Continue on US-52
6.7 mi · 8 min · US-52
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16
Continue on United States Highway 52
7.4 mi · 9 min · United States Highway 52
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17
Continue on US-52
24.3 mi · 28 min · US-52
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18
Turn left onto State Highway 97
2.5 mi · 3 min · State Highway 97
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19
Turn left onto State Highway 41
2 mi · 2 min · State Highway 41
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20
Turn right onto 233rd Avenue Southeast
5.8 mi · 9 min · 233rd Avenue Southeast
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21
Continue on State Highway 23
2.4 mi · 4 min · State Highway 23
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22
Continue on 247th Avenue Southeast
19 mi · 25 min · 247th Avenue Southeast
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23
Continue on State Highway 23
1.2 mi · 1 min · State Highway 23
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24
Continue on 247th Avenue Southwest
16 mi · 18 min · 247th Avenue Southwest
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25
Continue on State Highway 23
1570 ft · 20 sec · State Highway 23
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26
Continue on 39th Street Northwest
11.7 mi · 13 min · 39th Street Northwest
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27
Continue on State Highway 23
10 mi · 12 min · State Highway 23
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28
Enter the roundabout and take exit 2 toward State Highway 23
51 m · 2 sec · State Highway 23
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29
Exit the roundabout onto State Highway 23
6.5 mi · 9 min · State Highway 23
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30
Continue on Main Street
2645 ft · 2 min · Main Street
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31
Continue on State Highway 23
21 mi · 24 min · State Highway 23
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32
Enter the roundabout and take exit 3 toward State Highway 23
95 m · 4 sec · State Highway 23
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33
Exit the roundabout onto State Highway 23
12.1 mi · 14 min · State Highway 23
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34
Exit the rotary onto State Highway 23
12.8 mi · 15 min · State Highway 23
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35
Turn right onto Highway 1806 West
1364 ft · 28 sec · Highway 1806 West
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36
Continue on 4th Avenue Northeast
1.1 mi · 2 min · 4th Avenue Northeast
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37
Continue on State Highway 23 Business
1237 ft · 32 sec · State Highway 23 Business
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38
Continue on 4th Avenue Northeast
1.7 mi · 5 min · 4th Avenue Northeast
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39
Turn left onto Main Street North
904 ft · 31 sec · Main Street North
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40
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · Main Street North
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Thompson and Watford City.
Long-distance drive
This route is long enough that fuel, rest stops, weather, and timing matter more than any single maneuver.
State Highway 15
Continue on State Highway 15
51.6 mi · 01h 00m
Route Summary
A quick read on whether this route feels easy, ambitious, or worth planning around.
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.
Mostly Sunny leaving Thompson 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 Thompson to Watford City?
The road trip is about 339.6 miles (546.5 km) and usually takes 05h 33m 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?
Martin is a useful midpoint, sitting about 162 miles from Thompson and 177.6 miles from Watford City.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 286.5 miles (461.1 km), while the road route adds roughly 53.1 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 5:52 AM CDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $45.18 one way or $90.35 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 106.5 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Mostly Sunny around Thompson and Sunny near Watford City.
Stop Ideas Near Martin
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 Martin.
Rugby station
Minot, ND
Devils Lake
Minot station
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Thompson and Watford City. Straight-line distance: 286.51 mi (461.1 km).
#1 Thompson
City in North Dakota, United States
| Population | 1,027 |
| Coordinates | 47.7735900, -97.1098000 |
| Altitude | 266 |
| 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: 547 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 11h 18m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 08h 29m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 06h 47m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 05h 39m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 04h 51m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 04h 14m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $3.77 | $45.18 | $90.35 |
| Mid-grade | $4.25 | $50.95 | $101.90 |
| Premium | $4.65 | $55.75 | $111.51 |
| Diesel | $5.30 | $63.54 | $127.08 |
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
Distance to Other Cities
Planning a road trip? See the full trip guide on Trip.ovh — stops, fuel costs, weather, and departure timing.