How far is Watford City, ND from Bottineau, ND?
The driving distance from Watford City, ND to Bottineau, ND is about 204.7 miles (329.4 km), with a travel time of about 04h 10m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 148.4 miles (238.8 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 08h 20m 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 04h 10m.
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 Ward County, North Dakota, United States
Route Weather Snapshot
Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.
Sunny
Sunny
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Watford City and Bottineau.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Watford City and Bottineau.
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1
Start on Main Street North
2216 ft · 1 min · Main Street North
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2
Turn left onto 6th Avenue Southeast
1.5 km · 1 min · 6th Avenue Southeast
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3
Enter the roundabout and take exit 1 toward State Highway 23A
9 m · 1 sec · 12th Street Southeast
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4
Exit the rotary onto 12th Street Southeast
1.4 km · 2 min · 12th Street Southeast
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5
Turn left onto State Highway 23
15.7 mi · 19 min · State Highway 23
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6
Enter the roundabout and take exit 3 toward State Highway 23
82 m · 12 sec · State Highway 23
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7
Exit the rotary onto State Highway 23
12.1 mi · 14 min · State Highway 23
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8
Exit the roundabout onto State Highway 23
21 mi · 24 min · State Highway 23
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9
Continue on Main Street
2645 ft · 2 min · Main Street
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10
Continue on State Highway 23
6.5 mi · 9 min · State Highway 23
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11
Enter the roundabout and take exit 2 toward State Highway 23
51 m · 2 sec · State Highway 23
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12
Exit the roundabout onto State Highway 23
10 mi · 12 min · State Highway 23
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13
Continue on 39th Street Northwest
11.7 mi · 13 min · 39th Street Northwest
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14
Continue on State Highway 23
1570 ft · 20 sec · State Highway 23
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15
Continue on 247th Avenue Southwest
16 mi · 18 min · 247th Avenue Southwest
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16
Continue on State Highway 23
1.2 mi · 1 min · State Highway 23
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17
Continue on 247th Avenue Southwest
10.1 mi · 11 min · 247th Avenue Southwest
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18
Turn left onto US Highway 83
14.8 mi · 17 min · US Highway 83
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19
Continue on US-83 N
525 ft · 11 sec · US-83 N
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20
Continue on South Broadway
6.2 mi · 13 min · South Broadway
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21
Continue on US-83 N
33.2 mi · 40 min · US-83 N
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22
Turn right
42.6 mi · 51 min
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23
Turn left onto Main Street
2415 ft · 1 min · Main Street
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24
Turn right onto 5th Street East
16 m · 2 sec · 5th Street East
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25
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · 5th Street East
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Watford City and Bottineau.
Highway-focused drive
Most of the mileage stays on named highways, so the important moments are ramps, exits, merges, and the final local approach.
Longest stretch
Turn right
42.6 mi · 00h 51m
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.
Sunny leaving Watford City and Sunny near Bottineau.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Watford City to Bottineau?
The road trip is about 204.7 miles (329.4 km) and usually takes 04h 10m 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?
Douglas is a useful midpoint, sitting about 102.2 miles from Watford City and 102.5 miles from Bottineau.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 148.4 miles (238.8 km), while the road route adds roughly 56.3 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 8:40 AM CDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $27.23 one way or $54.45 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 64.2 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Sunny around Watford City and Sunny near Bottineau.
Stop Ideas Near Douglas
Useful break, food, and waypoint ideas within about 15 miles of the route midpoint.
Food Distribution Center - Our Savior Lord's Food Pantry - City Hall
Transit and Meeting Points
Useful pickup, handoff, or rendezvous points close to Douglas.
Minot, ND
Minot station
Stanley
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Watford City and Bottineau. Straight-line distance: 148.36 mi (238.77 km).
#1 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 |
#2 Bottineau
City in North Dakota, United States
| Population | 2,147 |
| Coordinates | 48.8272300, -100.4457000 |
| Altitude | 499 |
| Country | United States |
End: Bottineau (-100.4457, 48.82723)
Estimated Travel Time
Distance: 329 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 06h 49m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 05h 07m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 04h 05m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 03h 24m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 02h 55m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 02h 33m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $3.77 | $27.23 | $54.45 |
| Mid-grade | $4.25 | $30.71 | $61.41 |
| Premium | $4.65 | $33.60 | $67.20 |
| Diesel | $5.30 | $38.29 | $76.59 |
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.