How far is Watford City, ND from Minot, ND?
The driving distance from Watford City, ND to Minot, ND is about 126.3 miles (203.3 km), with a travel time of about 02h 16m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 96.5 miles (155.3 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 04h 32m 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 02h 16m.
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.
City in North Dakota
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 Minot.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Watford City and Minot.
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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
2.7 mi · 6 min · South Broadway
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21
Turn left onto Burdick Expressway West
23 m · 2 sec · Burdick Expressway West
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22
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · Burdick Expressway West
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Watford City and Minot.
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 23
Exit the roundabout onto State Highway 23
21 mi · 00h 24m
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.
Mostly Sunny leaving Watford City and Sunny near Minot.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Watford City to Minot?
The road trip is about 126.3 miles (203.3 km) and usually takes 02h 16m 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?
Parshall is a useful midpoint, sitting about 62.3 miles from Watford City and 64 miles from Minot.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 96.5 miles (155.3 km), while the road route adds roughly 29.8 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 1:58 PM CDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $16.82 one way or $33.64 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 39.6 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Mostly Sunny around Watford City and Sunny near Minot.
Stop Ideas Near Parshall
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 Parshall.
Stanley
Minot, ND
Minot station
Williston
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Watford City and Minot. Straight-line distance: 96.52 mi (155.34 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 Minot
The most populous city in Ward County, North Dakota.
| Population | 47,428 |
| Coordinates | 48.2325100, -101.2962700 |
| Altitude | 494 |
| Country | United States |
End: Burdick Expressway West (-101.296255, 48.232455)
Estimated Travel Time
Distance: 203 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 04h 12m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 03h 09m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 02h 31m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 02h 06m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 01h 48m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 01h 34m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $3.77 | $16.82 | $33.64 |
| Mid-grade | $4.25 | $18.97 | $37.94 |
| Premium | $4.65 | $20.76 | $41.51 |
| Diesel | $5.30 | $23.66 | $47.31 |
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.