Denver to Watford City: Epic Plains Drive Guide

This route from Denver, CO to Watford City, ND spans 730 miles via US-85, a historic corridor carved through the Great Plains. The drive typically takes 11-12 hours (without stops), crossing four states: Colorado, Wyoming, South Dakota, and North Dakota.

US-85 was once part of the Black Hills and Fort Union Trail, used by Native Americans, fur traders, and settlers. Today, it offers a stark, majestic landscape of rolling hills, buttes, and endless sky.

The key question: is it worth driving Denver, CO to Watford City, ND? Yes, if you seek solitude, fossil fuel history, and the raw beauty of the Northern Plains.

US-85 is the backbone of this journey, a two-lane highway for most of its length. It transitions to divided highway near Denver and Watford City. Expect moderate traffic near towns but long stretches with few vehicles.

• Fuel stops: Approximately every 50-70 miles. Key towns: Cheyenne, Lusk, Newcastle, Belle Fourche, Buffalo, Bowman. Plan to fill up when below half a tank, especially between Lusk and Newcastle (Ortiz gas station is a reliable stop).
• Rest areas: Wyoming has limited rest areas; use town parks or truck stops. South Dakota rest areas are more frequent and clean.
• Lodging: Options in Cheyenne, Lusk, Newcastle, Belle Fourche, and Bowman. Motels and budget chains are common. Watford City has new hotels due to oil boom.

For tips on discovering hidden stops, read how to find the best stops and hidden gems between cities.

US-85 is generally safe but requires vigilance due to wildlife (deer, antelope) and oil truck traffic near Watford City. Summer thunderstorms can cause sudden downpours; winter brings ice and whiteouts.

• Family suitability: Kid-friendly stops include the Wyoming State Museum (Cheyenne), Lusk's Stagecoach Museum, Dinosaur Museum (Chadron, NE is a detour), and Custer State Park (further east). Watford City has a children's play area at Long X Park.
• Pet-friendly framework: Most motels accept pets with fees. Rest stops have grassy areas. National parks allow leashed pets on trails.
• Fatigue management: Drive in shifts if possible. Stop every 2 hours at towns: Cheyenne, Lusk, Newcastle, Belle Fourche, Buffalo. Use the MyRest app for rest stops.
• Hidden off-route spots: Red Gulch Dinosaur Tracksite (near Shell, WY), Vore Buffalo Jump (Sundance, WY), and the Enchanted Highway (Regent, ND, south of Watford City). All require short detours.

From Denver's high plains to the North Dakota Badlands, the landscape transforms through geological layers. South of Cheyenne, you'll see the Front Range foothills; north of it, the High Plains stretch to the Black Hills' western edge.

• Natural attractions: Red Canyon (near Lusk), Devil's Tower (detour near Hulett), Petrified Forest near Newcastle, and Theodore Roosevelt National Park (north of Watford City). The drive itself features buttes, prairie dog towns, and antelope herds.
• Culinary stops: Los Cuates in Cheyenne for green chili, Bristlecone Lodge in Lusk for bison burgers, Tee Pee Drive-In in Belle Fourche for Indian tacos, and Buí in Bowman for farm-to-table fare.
• Local commerce: Antique shops in Lusk, Western wear in Belle Fourche (Dakota Territory), and Native American art in Bowman. Watford City has oilfield supply stores and a mall.
• UNESCO sites: No direct UNESCO sites on route, but nearby: Fossil Butte National Monument (Wyoming) and writing rock state park (South Dakota, not UNESCO but notable).