North Dakota Road Trip Ideas: 11 Best Road Trips + Itinerary
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Melissa Mahoney
Author
North Dakota is one huge state with so much to see and explore. Luckily, there are some of the best road trips in North Dakota that will let you see as much of it as possible. If you’re itching to get out on the road and see something new, try one of these road trips that will take you to the best of the best in the state. From natural beauty to a family-friendly road trip adventure, these North Dakota road trip ideas will definitely give you the opportunity to see the state to its fullest.
As you decide which road trip to take first, check out OnlyInYourState’s Ultimate Road Trip Packing List for our best road trip planning and packing tips. Whether you’re leaving for a single day or a week-long road trip, you can’t forget the snacks: here are 50 on-the-go snack ideas perfect for traveling.
Table of Contents
1-Day Road Trip In North Dakota
- Route: Theodore Roosevelt National Park > Little Missouri State Park > Medora > Sully Creek State Park > White Butte
- Distance: 200 miles
- Trip Time: 3 hours 34 minutes
At 200 miles and under four hours of driving time, this road trip around the North Dakota badlands can be done in a day. Not only will you see some of the most scenic parts of the badlands, but stop in the charming towns of Medora and Amidon. Once you start driving, you'll easily see why this is one of the best North Dakota road trips.
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3-Day Weekend Road Trip In North Dakota
- Route: Theodore Roosevelt National Park - South Unit > Theodore Roosevelt National Park - North Unit > Lewis and Clark State Park > Des Lacs Lake National Wildlife Refuge > Lake Metigoshe State Park > International Peace Garden > Icelandic State Park > Turtle River State Park > Sully's Hill National Game Preserve > Beaver Lake State Park
- Distance: 784 miles
- Trip Time: 14 hours
With 10 stops and 14 hours of drive time, this next road trip through North Dakota should be done over the course of a long weekend. This is an epic road trip to experience some of the best parts of the state's great outdoors. From state parks to a game preserve and the ever-so-lovely International Peace Garden, you'll be able to take in some jaw-dropping beauty.
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Terrifying North Dakota Road Trip
- Route: Riverside Cemetery > Empire Arts Center > Fort Totten State Historic Site > Sage Hill Bed & Breakfast > Harvey Public Library > Former Governor's Mansion > Custer's House
- Distance: miles
- Trip Time: *
If you're looking for a unique North Dakota road trip itinerary, check out this one that leads to some of the state's most haunted places. But only take this trip if you're brave enough. It goes through eastern and central North Dakota and stops by some of the most notoriously haunted places in the state. It will probably take you more than one day to get through, but don't worry, we recommended a place to stay on the trip... and that's haunted, too.
North Dakota Scenic Wonders Road Trip
- Route: Medora > Theodore Roosevelt National Park > Little Missouri National Grassland > Missouri-Yellowstone Confluence > Lewis & Clark State Park > Four Bears Memorial Bridge > Lake Ilo National Wildlife Refuge > Enchanted Highway > White Butte
- Distance: 505 miles
- Trip Time: 9 hours 39 minutes
This is one of the best routes to take to see all the beauty that western North Dakota, holds. Badlands, rolling prairies, and more await you on this trip. You'll get to see so much along the way!
Best North Dakota Road Trip For Spring
- Route: Lewis and Clark State Park > Little Missouri State Park > Sully Creek State Park > Beaver Lake State Park > Grahams Island State Park
- Distance: 564 miles
- Trip Time: 9n hours 48 minutes
Follow this North Dakota road trip map for an epic adventure to five of the least-visited state parks. Each park has its own unique attributes and beauty and visiting each one gives a great overview of what the state offers.
Best Summer Road Trip In North Dakota
- Route: Devils Lake > Lake Metigoshe > Des Lacs National Wildlife Refuge > Crow Flies High State Recreation Area > Theodore Roosevelt National Park - North Unit > Medora > White Butte > Lake Tschida > Fort Abraham Lincoln State Park
- Distance: 673 miles
- Trip Time: 12 hours
Summer is one of the best times of the year to take a road trip. And if you're looking to visit a few lakes, parks, and more over the season, this summer road trip in North Dakota is for you!
Best North Dakota Road Trip For Fall
- Route: Lindenwood Park in Fargo > Red River > Turtle River State Park in Arvilla > Icelandic State Park in Cavalier > Pembina Gorge in Walhalla > Lake Metigoshe in Bottineau > Devils Lake
- Distance: 444 miles
- Trip Time: 7 hours 46 minutes
Take a mesmerizing road trip through upper North Dakota and the swaths of bright orange forests that can be found there each year during the fall. These stops are great to see the changing leaves when they are at their most vibrant. Take your camera with you on this trip or you'll regret it if you don't, it's just that beautiful!
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Best Winter Road Trip In North Dakota
- Route: Family Bakery & Restaurant in Bottineau > Hunter Cafe & Bakery in Hunter > Deaner's Diner in West Fargo > Tower Travel Center Cafe in Tower City > Fried's Family Restaurant in Mandan
- Distance: 488 miles
- Trip Time: 7 hours 36 minutes
During the winter months, you'll probably want to spend more time indoors than outside. With bitter cold temperatures, we suggest taking a pie shop road trip through North Dakota. Just bring your sweet tooth along for this ride -- you're gonna need it as you indulge in some of the best pies around the state!
Family Friendly North Dakota Road Trip
- Route: Dakota Zoo > Lewis & Clark Riverboat > National Buffalo Museum > Red River Zoo > Northern Air Family Fun Center
- Distance: 276 miles
- Trip Time: 4 hours 18 minutes
Need a trip that the whole family can enjoy? Well, here's a North Dakota road trip itinerary that is kid-friendly yet adults can have fun on too. Starting in Bismarck, this route will take you to Fargo, and there's an overnight accommodation suggestion in this itinerary as well. Check it out — this may just be one of the best road trips in North Dakota you take!
Road Trip to North Dakota Landmarks & Natural Wonders
- Route: Medora > Theodore Roosevelt National Park - North Unit > Lake Sakakawea > Rugby > The International Peace Garden > Pembina Gorge > Dakota Thunder
- Distance: 656 miles
- Trip Time: 11 hours 25 minutes
Between the badlands, the state's largest lake, and the geographical center of North America, this North Dakota road trip itinerary is hard to beat! There are so many fascinating parts of this gorgeous part of the country, so take a drive, take it all in, and enjoy!
Road Trip to Best Small Towns in North Dakota
- Route: Mandan > Almont > Glen Ullin > Hebron > Richardton > Taylor > Gladstone > Dickinson
- Distance: 124 miles
- Trip Time: 2 hours 28 minutes
The Old Red Old Ten is a scenic byway that will take you to some of the most picturesque small towns in North Dakota. This is the best road trip to take in North Dakota if you want to see the quaint, peaceful small towns that are still alive and well today. This route will take you through small towns of many sizes, all of which are unique and some that have special attractions along the way. And all of this is through the gorgeous countryside and prairies of the state on one incredibly scenic drive.
Which of these North Dakota road trip ideas are you most excited about? Which one will you do first? Please let us know!
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More to Explore
North Dakota Road Trip Ideas
What are the most popular landmarks to visit in North Dakota?
Among the most popular landmarks to visit in North Dakota include:
- Theodore Roosevelt National Park
- Frontier Village in Jamestown
- World’s Largest Buffalo in Jamestown
- Fargo Air Museum
- Devil’s Lake
- White Butte
- North Dakota Heritage Center
What are the most popular state parks to visit in North Dakota?
The most popular state parks to visit in North Dakota include:
- Fort Abraham Lincoln State Park
- Little Missouri River State Park
- Pembina Gorge State Recreation Area
- Fort Buford State Historic Site
What are the major highways in North Dakota?
The major highways in North Dakota include:
- I-29
- I-94
- I-194
- I-31