How far is Watford City, ND from Stanley, ND?
The driving distance from Watford City, ND to Stanley, ND is about 83 miles (133.6 km), with a travel time of about 01h 49m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 54.4 miles (87.6 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 03h 38m 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 01h 49m.
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.
Township in McKenzie County, North Dakota
Route Weather Snapshot
Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Watford City and Stanley.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Watford City and Stanley.
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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 3 toward State Highway 8
90 m · 3 sec · State Highway 8
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12
Exit the roundabout onto State Highway 8
24 mi · 36 min · State Highway 8
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13
Continue on 6th Avenue Southeast
2805 ft · 49 sec · 6th Avenue Southeast
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14
Turn right onto Main Street
1695 ft · 31 sec · Main Street
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15
Turn right onto 2nd Avenue Southeast
15 m · 2 sec · 2nd Avenue Southeast
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16
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · 2nd Avenue Southeast
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Watford City and Stanley.
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 8
Exit the roundabout onto State Highway 8
24 mi · 00h 36m
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.
Sunny leaving Watford City and Sunny near Stanley.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Watford City to Stanley?
The road trip is about 83 miles (133.6 km) and usually takes 01h 49m 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?
Hawkeye is a useful midpoint, sitting about 41.4 miles from Watford City and 41.6 miles from Stanley.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 54.4 miles (87.6 km), while the road route adds roughly 28.6 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 2:52 PM CDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $11.05 one way or $22.10 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 26 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Sunny around Watford City and Sunny near Stanley.
Stop Ideas Near Hawkeye
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 Hawkeye.
Stanley
Williston
Sidney, MT
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Watford City and Stanley. Straight-line distance: 54.46 mi (87.64 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 Stanley
City in North Dakota
| Population | 2,708 |
| Coordinates | 48.3172400, -102.3904500 |
| Altitude | 684 |
| Country | United States |
End: Stanley (-102.39045, 48.31724)
Estimated Travel Time
Distance: 134 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 02h 45m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 02h 04m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 01h 39m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 01h 23m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 01h 11m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 01h 02m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $3.77 | $11.05 | $22.10 |
| Mid-grade | $4.25 | $12.46 | $24.92 |
| Premium | $4.65 | $13.64 | $27.27 |
| Diesel | $5.30 | $15.54 | $31.08 |
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 01, 2026
Distance to Other Cities
Planning a road trip? See the full trip guide on Trip.ovh — stops, fuel costs, weather, and departure timing.