How far is Watford City, ND from Thompson, ND?
The driving distance from Watford City, ND to Thompson, ND is about 326.6 miles (525.6 km), with a travel time of about 06h 33m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 286.5 miles (461.1 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 13h 06m 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 33m.
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.
Township in McHenry County, 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 Watford City and Thompson.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Watford City and Thompson.
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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
19 mi · 25 min · 247th Avenue Southwest
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18
Continue on State Highway 23
2.4 mi · 4 min · State Highway 23
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19
Continue on 233rd Avenue Southeast
5.8 mi · 9 min · 233rd Avenue Southeast
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20
At the end of the road, turn left onto State Highway 41
2 mi · 2 min · State Highway 41
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21
Turn right onto State Highway 97
2.5 mi · 3 min · State Highway 97
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22
Turn right onto US-52
24.3 mi · 28 min · US-52
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23
Continue on United States Highway 52
7.4 mi · 9 min · United States Highway 52
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24
Continue on US-52
6.7 mi · 8 min · US-52
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25
Continue on 1st Street
1845 ft · 24 sec · 1st Street
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26
Continue on US-52
11.1 mi · 13 min · US-52
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27
Continue on United State Highway 52
1400 ft · 22 sec · United State Highway 52
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28
Continue on US-52
14.9 mi · 17 min · US-52
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29
Turn left onto State Highway 15
24.3 mi · 30 min · State Highway 15
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30
Turn left
2.9 mi · 4 min
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31
Turn right onto State Highway 15
25.1 mi · 29 min · State Highway 15
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32
At the end of the road, turn left onto State Highway 20
8.1 mi · 9 min · State Highway 20
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33
Turn right onto State Highway 15
12.1 mi · 14 min · State Highway 15
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34
Continue on Railroad Avenue
3083 ft · 1 min · Railroad Avenue
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35
Continue on State Highway 15
7.4 mi · 9 min · State Highway 15
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36
Continue on Railroad Avenue
3250 ft · 2 min · Railroad Avenue
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37
Continue on State Highway 15
51.6 mi · 1 hr 1 min · State Highway 15
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38
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · Broadway Street
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Watford City and Thompson.
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 01m
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 Thompson.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Watford City to Thompson?
The road trip is about 326.6 miles (525.6 km) and usually takes 06h 33m 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?
Anamoose is a useful midpoint, sitting about 162.9 miles from Watford City and 163.7 miles from Thompson.
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 40.1 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 $43.48 one way or $86.96 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 102.5 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Mostly Sunny around Watford City and Sunny near Thompson.
Stop Ideas Near Anamoose
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 Anamoose.
Rugby station
Minot, ND
Minot station
Devils Lake
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Watford City and Thompson. Straight-line distance: 286.51 mi (461.1 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 Thompson
City in North Dakota, United States
| Population | 1,027 |
| Coordinates | 47.7735900, -97.1098000 |
| Altitude | 266 |
| Country | United States |
End: Thompson (-97.1098, 47.77359)
Estimated Travel Time
Distance: 526 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 10h 52m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 08h 09m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 06h 31m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 05h 26m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 04h 39m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 04h 04m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $3.77 | $43.48 | $86.96 |
| Mid-grade | $4.25 | $49.04 | $98.07 |
| Premium | $4.65 | $53.66 | $107.32 |
| Diesel | $5.30 | $61.16 | $122.31 |
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.