Jamestown to Riverton Road Trip: Plains, Badlands & Mountain Vistas

This route from Jamestown, ND to Riverton, WY covers 787 miles (1,267 km) of dramatic transitions: from the flat plains of the Red River Valley to the rugged badlands of the Little Missouri, then across the high plains of Montana and Wyoming, finally descending into the Wind River Basin. The drive takes approximately 12 hours without stops, but with exploration, plan for two full days.

The route follows I-94 west to I-94 Business in Bismarck, then US-83 south to I-94 again, then I-94 west to exit 72 at Glendive, MT for MT-16 south. Once in Wyoming, take I-90 west to exit 25 for US-14 west (Greybull Highway), then continue on US-20/US-26 through Thermopolis to Riverton. A notable driving quirk: the section between Glendive and Broadus, MT on MT-16 is a two-lane road with no cell service for 70 miles.

Key coordinates: Jamestown (46.9105° N, 98.7084° W), Riverton (43.0247° N, 108.3801° W). The halfway point is near Miles City, MT, a classic cowboy town.

The route traverses three distinct ecoregions: the Northern Great Plains, the Missouri Plateau (badlands), and the Rocky Mountain foothills. The best stop from Jamestown, ND to Riverton, WY is Theodore Roosevelt National Park's South Unit (near Medora, ND), offering stunning badlands scenery. Another highlight is the Bighorn Canyon National Recreation Area (near Lovell, WY). For things to do between Jamestown, ND and Riverton, WY, consider a detour to Devils Tower National Monument (off I-90 near Sundance, WY).

• Theodore Roosevelt NP (Medora, ND): scenic drive, wildlife, bison, prairie dogs. Entrance fee: $30/vehicle. Allow 2-3 hours.
• Bighorn Canyon (Lovell, WY): boat tours, hiking, desert landscapes. Free entry.
• Devils Tower (WY): iconic monolithic butte; rock climbing, walking trail. Fee: $25/vehicle.

Road conditions vary: winter (Oct-Apr) can bring snow, ice, and low visibility on I-94 and I-90. Summer brings thunderstorms and potential hail. Always check weather alerts. The section through eastern Montana is known for strong crosswinds. Keep an emergency kit with blankets, water, and snacks.

• Family suitability: Many parks and dinosaur sites; the route is family-friendly. The Plains Art Museum in Fargo, ND, and the Children's Museum of Montana in Great Falls (near Riverton) are good for kids.
• Pet-friendly: Most rest stops allow pets on leash. National parks require leashes. The Bighorn Canyon offers pet-friendly trails.
• Fatigue management: The long, straight stretches in ND and MT can induce drowsiness. Plan stops every 2 hours at designated rest areas (e.g., New Salem, ND; Glendive, MT; Sheridan, WY).

The journey primarily uses Interstates 94 and 90, with a 66-mile stretch of state highway (MT-16) between Glendive and Broadus, MT. This section has limited services. Plan fuel stops: Jamestown, Bismarck, Glendive, Miles City, Sheridan, and Riverton are reliable. Avoid skipping fill-ups in the MT-16 corridor.

• Fuel costs: Gas prices range from $3.20-$3.80/gal along the route; Wyoming tends to be cheaper than North Dakota.
• Toll roads: None. All highways are toll-free.
• Road quality: I-94 and I-90 are excellent; MT-16 is well-maintained but narrow with occasional potholes after winter.
• Cell service: Reliable on interstates; dead zone for 70 miles on MT-16 between Glendive and Broadus (AT&T/Verizon have partial coverage, T-Mobile often none).