How far is Watford City, ND from Mekinock, ND?
The driving distance from Watford City, ND to Mekinock, ND is about 324.6 miles (522.4 km), with a travel time of about 06h 39m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 274.5 miles (441.8 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 13h 19m of driving time before adding stops, traffic, or weather delays.
- A comfortable departure window is usually 6:00 AM to 7:30 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 06h 39m.
Starting early still helps, but most travelers will want a longer stop or an overnight stay on a route this long.
This departure sits inside the recommended comfort window for the route.
Halfway Point
A useful midpoint for breaks, coffee, or meeting in the middle.
Settlement in McHenry County, North Dakota, United States
Route Weather Snapshot
Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.
Mostly Sunny
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Watford City and Mekinock.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Watford City and Mekinock.
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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
1.3 km · 2 min · South Broadway
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21
Take the exit slight right toward US 2, US 52: Devils Lake, Jamestown
1771 ft · 43 sec
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22
Merge slight left onto US Highway 2
1473 ft · 25 sec · US Highway 2
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23
Continue on US-2 E
9.4 mi · 12 min · US-2 E
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24
Continue on 4th Avenue
4 mi · 5 min · 4th Avenue
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25
Continue on 57th Street North
21.7 mi · 25 min · 57th Street North
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26
Continue on 62nd Street Northeast
6.1 mi · 7 min · 62nd Street Northeast
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27
Continue on US-2 E
57.3 mi · 1 hr 4 min · US-2 E
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28
Continue straight
71.5 mi · 1 hr 37 min
-
29
Continue on 23rd Avenue
24.9 mi · 28 min · 23rd Avenue
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30
Take the exit slight right toward Grand Forks AFB Main Gate, Mekinock, Emerado
2190 ft · 1 min
-
31
Turn left onto Highway B3
1801 ft · 45 sec · Highway B3
-
32
Continue on 25th Street Northeast
5.3 mi · 13 min · 25th Street Northeast
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33
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · 25th Street Northeast
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Watford City and Mekinock.
Long-distance drive
This route is long enough that fuel, rest stops, weather, and timing matter more than any single maneuver.
US-2 E
Continue straight
71.5 mi · 01h 37m
Route Summary
A quick read on whether this route feels easy, ambitious, or worth planning around.
Better with a longer stop
This route is long enough that most travelers will be better off planning an overnight stay or a more deliberate stop window.
Mostly Sunny leaving Watford City and Sunny near Mekinock.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Watford City to Mekinock?
The road trip is about 324.6 miles (522.4 km) and usually takes 06h 39m in normal driving conditions.
Is this a same-day trip or an overnight route?
This route is long enough that most travelers will be better off planning an overnight stay or a more deliberate stop window.
What is the halfway point on this route?
Denbigh is a useful midpoint, sitting about 161.9 miles from Watford City and 162.7 miles from Mekinock.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 274.5 miles (441.8 km), while the road route adds roughly 50.1 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 7:30 AM CDT. Starting early still helps, but most travelers will want a longer stop or an overnight stay on a route this long.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $43.18 one way or $86.36 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 101.8 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Mostly Sunny around Watford City and Sunny near Mekinock.
Stop Ideas Near Denbigh
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 Denbigh.
Rugby station
Minot station
Minot, ND
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Watford City and Mekinock. Straight-line distance: 274.5 mi (441.76 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 Mekinock
Township in Grand Forks County, North Dakota
| Population | 2,387 |
| Coordinates | 48.0127700, -97.3634200 |
| Altitude | 262 |
| Country | United States |
End: Mekinock (-97.36342, 48.01277)
Estimated Travel Time
Distance: 522 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 10h 48m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 08h 06m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 06h 29m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 05h 24m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 04h 38m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 04h 02m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $3.77 | $43.18 | $86.36 |
| Mid-grade | $4.25 | $48.70 | $97.39 |
| Premium | $4.65 | $53.29 | $106.58 |
| Diesel | $5.30 | $60.73 | $121.46 |
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 19, 2026
Distance to Other Cities
Planning a road trip? See the full trip guide on Trip.ovh — stops, fuel costs, weather, and departure timing.