Dickinson, ND to Buffalo, WY: A Scenic Road Trip Guide

Leaving Dickinson, ND, you'll cross the Little Missouri River within the first mile, a ribbon of water that carved the nearby badlands over millennia. The route traces the western edge of the Great Plains, where the horizon stretches unbroken for hundreds of miles. This drive is a lesson in open space and sky.

From Dickinson, you'll head west on I-94, then south on US-85, eventually joining I-90 near Spearfish, SD, before reaching Buffalo, WY. The total distance is roughly 450 miles, and the driving time typically clocks in at about 6 hours and 45 minutes without stops. But factoring in meals, fuel, and photo breaks, you'll want to budget a full day.

The question of whether it's worth driving Dickinson, ND to Buffalo, WY is answered by the sheer diversity of terrain: from North Dakota's badlands to Wyoming's Big Horn Mountains. The journey itself is the destination.

For striking geology, visit Theodore Roosevelt National Park (see how to find the best stops and hidden gems between cities), but the lesser-known

The highways are well-maintained, smooth asphalt, with limited truck traffic outside of I-90. Cell coverage is decent along I-94 and I-90, but gaps exist in less populated stretches. Download offline maps before you leave.

Fuel economy is a factor: gas prices tend to be slightly higher in rural towns, so fill up in Dickinson and plan stops in Belle Fourche, SD, and Gillette, WY, where prices are competitive. Diesel is readily available at larger truck stops.

• Recommended fuel stops: Dickinson, ND; Bowman, ND; Belle Fourche, SD; Gillette, WY.
• No tolls on any part of this route.
• Most rest areas have picnic tables and restrooms, but few are staffed.

Travel time can be extended by wildlife crossings, especially at dawn and dusk, so drive alertly in open grazing areas. Weather is a major factor: winter snowstorms can close I-90 passes, while summer thunderstorms bring sudden hail. Check forecasts before departing and carry an emergency kit.

If you're a fan of roadside oddities, watch for the 'Enchanted Highway' near Regent, ND, just 30 miles south of I-94. It's a collection of giant scrap-metal sculptures that emerge from the prairie, a whimsical contrast to the emptiness.