Driving Through North Dakota (Fargo, Bismarck: casino, legally, train)

[Future Trooper]

hello i was wondering could anyone tell me about how many miles is it to Williston from Fargo? how long should i expect to drive? and most importantly what would be the shortest route? any help is greatly appreciated!!

[chester]

I drive to Williston from Bismarck quite a few times a year. It takes me 3hrs to 3.5 hrs from Bismarck to Williston depending on which way you go, traffice, etc... stay away from 85...lots of hills a semi traffic. I usually go up north of Bismarck and turn off at the New Town turn off (just south of Minot) and straight over. It has some casino traffic from the turn off to Minot (but not bad)...but around the Plaza to New Town area...again you run into oil field traffic. If coming from Fargo...I would go up to Grand Forks and west on Hwy 2 all the way to Williston. That way you are on 4 lane all the way...and can travel LEGALLY 70-75 mph. Others may have different suggestions. I'm guessing you can do it all in 6 hours if not less)

[DakotaKid1982]

That's kind of a long drive, I'd guess about 5.5 to 6 hours or so. The ways you could go would be taking highway 2 east to Minot, then take highway 83 south to Bismarck and then i-94 east to Fargo, that would be 4 lane the whole way. Otherwise, if you want some nice scenery, you can take highway 85 south (2 lane) out of Williston through Theodore Roosevelt National Park-North Unit and that comes out at i-94 at Belfield, then take i-94 east to Fargo (This is the way I'd suggest I guess). There are a couple other ways too, but those would probably be the quickest I'd say. Its about 420 miles or so.

[HighPlainsDrifter73]

I traveled 3 times last year through North Dakota entering from South Dakota on I-29, going north to Grand Forks and west on US Highway 2. 4 lanes all the way and a very wonderful drive. I-29 has little traffic and the towns you go through on Highway 2 are very pleasant. Plenty of places to stop for fuel and to eat.

I'm hoping to get up in that area again in the next month or so.

[Old Surrender]

If you don't need a car once you get to Fargo, hop onto the Amtrak and take a nap. I have a couple friends from Williston who hop the train when they go back to visit family. Just a thought.

[Future Trooper]

thanks for all your help guys!