How far is West Fargo, ND from Bismarck, ND?

The driving distance from West Fargo, ND to Bismarck, ND is about 188.4 miles (303.2 km), with a travel time of about 02h 39m by car.

  • The straight-line flight distance is about 183.6 miles (295.4 km).
  • For a round trip, plan for roughly 05h 19m of driving time before adding stops, traffic, or weather delays.
  • A comfortable departure window is usually 8:00 AM to 10:00 AM CDT.
Trip Tools

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.

Reverse Route
Quick Snapshot
Road
188.37 mi
02h 39m
Flight
183.57 mi
295.43 km direct

This route works well as a day trip with time at the destination.

Learn Distance

Choose another destination from West Fargo.

Flight Distance

Direct air line
183.57 mi
Kilometers
295.43 km
Flight Time
00h 22m

Driving Distance

Road route
188.37 mi
Kilometers
303.15 km
Drive Time
02h 39m

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 39m.

Arrival Snapshot
Arrive in Bismarck
Tue, May 12, 11:32 PM CDT
Return by in West Fargo
Wed, May 13, 2:12 AM CDT
Useful when you're deciding between a quick errand, a day trip, or a longer stop.
Leave West Fargo
2026-05-12T20:53
Arrive Bismarck
Tue, May 12, 11:32 PM CDT
Route Timing
02h 39m
One way by road
Best Departure Window
8:00 AM to 10:00 AM CDT
Aim for a morning departure
Arrive between
10:40 AM to 12:40 PM CDT

A morning start gives you useful time at the destination and keeps the return out of the late evening.

Leave by
1:10 PM CDT
Keeps a same-day return open with about 03h 00m at the destination.
Back in West Fargo
9:30 PM CDT
Morning start is best

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.

Mid-route stop
Eldridge
ND

Unincorporated community in Stutsman County, in the U.

From West Fargo
94.1 mi
01h 19m
To Bismarck
94.3 mi
01h 19m

Route Weather Snapshot

Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.

Origin
49°F
Overnight

Mostly Clear

Starts
Tue, May 12 3:00 AM CDT
Wind
17 to 21 mph WNW
Destination
75°F
Tuesday

Sunny

Starts
Tue, May 12 6:00 AM CDT
Wind
12 to 22 mph NW

Driving Route Map

The map below follows the saved road route between West Fargo and Bismarck.

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between West Fargo and Bismarck.

  1. 1

    Start on 2nd Avenue West

    38 m · 11 sec · 2nd Avenue West

  2. 2

    Turn left onto 1st Street

    750 ft · 21 sec · 1st Street

  3. 3

    Turn left onto Main Avenue West

    1.9 mi · 3 min · Main Avenue West

  4. 4

    Keep slight right

    3280 ft · 1 min

  5. 5

    Merge slight left

    175.6 mi · 2 hr 46 min

  6. 6

    Continue straight

    8.2 mi · 8 min

  7. 7

    Take the exit slight right toward US 83 North: Bismarck, Minot

    1619 ft · 42 sec

  8. 8

    Turn left onto State Street

    1.1 mi · 2 min · State Street

  9. 9

    Continue on East Boulevard Avenue

    869 ft · 15 sec · East Boulevard Avenue

  10. 10

    Turn straight onto North 7th Street

    3131 ft · 59 sec · North 7th Street

  11. 11

    Turn right onto East Rosser Avenue

    548 ft · 17 sec · East Rosser Avenue

  12. 12

    Arrive at your destination

    0 m · 1 sec · East Rosser Avenue

Car Route Details

A richer read on the saved driving route between West Fargo and Bismarck.

OSRM road route
Drive Character

Straightforward drive

The saved road route has a manageable number of maneuvers and should be easy to follow with normal attention to signs.

Directions
12 steps
5 turns on the saved route
Ramps & Exits
2
1 merges, 1 ramps or exits
Navigation Density
6.4 / 100 mi
Decision points by distance
Main Roads
Main Avenue West
186 mi · 99%
State Street
1.13 mi · 1%
North 7th Street
0.59 mi
US 83 North
0.31 mi
East Boulevard Avenue
0.16 mi
1st Street
0.14 mi
Longest Stretch

Main Avenue West

Merge slight left

176 mi · 02h 46m

Route Summary

A quick read on whether this route feels easy, ambitious, or worth planning around.

Trip Read

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.

Drive Time
02h 39m
Day trip friendly
Same-Day Return
05h 20m
Round-trip wheel time
Road vs Air
+4.8 mi
183.6 mi direct line
Halfway Stop
Eldridge
01h 19m from West Fargo
Leave By
1:10 PM CDT
Morning start is best
Weather Watch

Mostly Clear leaving West Fargo and Sunny near Bismarck.

Trip Questions

Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.

How long does it take to drive from West Fargo to Bismarck?

The road trip is about 188.4 miles (303.2 km) and usually takes 02h 39m 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?

Eldridge is a useful midpoint, sitting about 94.1 miles from West Fargo and 94.3 miles from Bismarck.

How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?

The direct path is about 183.6 miles (295.4 km), while the road route adds roughly 4.8 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 1:10 PM CDT.

How much will gas cost for this route?

Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $25.08 one way or $50.15 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 59.1 kg one way.

What should you check before leaving?

Before you leave, expect Mostly Clear around West Fargo and Sunny near Bismarck.

Flight Path Map

This map shows the direct air route between West Fargo and Bismarck. Straight-line distance: 183.57 mi (295.43 km).

West Fargo

#1 West Fargo

City in North Dakota, United States of America

Population38,194
Coordinates46.8749700, -96.9003600
Altitude273
CountryUnited States
Bismarck

#2 Bismarck

The capital of North Dakota.

Population74,018
Coordinates46.8083300, -100.7837400
Altitude514
CountryUnited States
Start: 2nd Avenue West (-96.900364, 46.874799)
End: East Rosser Avenue (-100.783735, 46.808545)

Estimated Travel Time

Distance: 303 km by road

SpeedTime
30 mph (48.3 km/h)06h 16m
40 mph (64.37 km/h)04h 42m
50 mph (80.47 km/h)03h 46m
60 mph (96.56 km/h)03h 08m
70 mph (112.65 km/h)02h 41m
80 mph (129 km/h)02h 20m

Fuel, Round Trip and CO2

Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.

One-way fuel
6.65 gal
25.16 L · about $25.08
Round trip
$50.15
13.3 gal · 50.32 L
Estimated CO2
59.1 kg one way
Round trip: 118.2 kg / 261 lb CO2, using regular gasoline.
Fuel$/galOne wayRound trip
Regular gas $3.77 $25.08 $50.15
Mid-grade $4.25 $28.28 $56.56
Premium $4.65 $30.95 $61.90
Diesel $5.30 $35.27 $70.54

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

There is no time difference between West Fargo and Bismarck. The current time is 20:53:11.

Distance to Other Cities

Planning a road trip? See the full trip guide on Trip.ovh — stops, fuel costs, weather, and departure timing.

How did we calculate? Place names are translated into coordinates. The Haversine formula calculates straight-line distance; driving distance uses road network data.