Watford City to Buffalo: Ultimate Road Trip Guide

The journey from Watford City, ND to Buffalo, WY follows US-85 south through the heart of the Great Plains, crossing the Little Missouri River and the Powder River Basin. This route is a straight shot of about 363 miles, but it's not the highway's length that defines it—it's the uncompromising emptiness, where the next gas station can be a hundred miles away and the sky feels twice as big as the earth.

Before the oil boom, Watford City was a quiet farming town; now it's a hub for the Bakken shale, and its main street bustles with pickup trucks and diners serving 'prairie sushi' (a local term for pickled herring). As you leave, the Theodore Roosevelt National Park looms just south, its painted canyons a prelude to the geological marvels ahead.

US-85 is a two-lane highway for most of the stretch, with occasional passing lanes and a speed limit of 65 mph. It's well-maintained, but winter weather can make it treacherous. The route takes you through the geographic center of the United States (a monument near Belle Fourche marks the spot), and you'll cross the Continental Divide twice—once in South Dakota and once in Wyoming, though the elevation changes are subtle.

Fuel stops are sparse but reliable: major towns like Bowman, ND, Belle Fourche, SD, and Newcastle, WY offer gas stations, fast food, and basic services. Plan to fill up when you see a station—the distances between towns can be deceptive. Prices in the Bakken area tend to be higher than the national average due to proximity to oil fields, but they drop as you move south. There's no toll on this route, and interstate alternatives (I-94/I-25) are longer but faster and better-suited for RVs.

• Total driving time: approximately 5.5 to 6 hours without stops.
• Best fuel economy: around 25-30 mpg for most vehicles, so you can expect to spend $40-$60 on gas.
• No major traffic congestion except during hunting season (fall) and Sturgis Rally in August, which is a detour but can affect nearby roads.

The road is generally safe but requires vigilance for wildlife, especially deer and antelope at dawn and dusk. Cattle guards and open range mean livestock can wander onto the highway. The road quality is good, but in remote stretches, cell service is spotty, so carry a paper map. Emergency services can be far away—in an accident, call 911 and note the nearest mile marker.

For families, the route offers several educational stops. The Little Missouri National Grassland has hiking trails suitable for kids, and the Museum of the American West in Lusk, WY, is a fun pit stop. However, there are no major amusement parks or large attractions. Pet-friendly framework is simple: most roadside rest areas have designated pet areas, and hotels in the towns generally accept pets, but check beforehand. The key is to plan your rest stops—every two hours is recommended. Rest areas and rest zones are marked on the map, usually with picnic tables and restrooms. Fatigue management is crucial, so bring energy snacks and switch drivers if possible, or take a 20-minute nap at a rest stop.

The landscape transitions from the badlands of North Dakota to the prairies of South Dakota and finally the foothills of the Bighorn Mountains in Wyoming. You'll pass geological wonders like the Slim Buttes and the Devil's Tower (visible from a distance near Hulett, WY, a slight detour). The route is not in a UNESCO World Heritage Site, but the nearby how to find the best stops and hidden gems between cities includes the Minuteman Missile National Historic Site, which is a National Historic Site, not UNESCO.

Climatically, the region experiences extremes: summer highs can exceed 100°F, while winter lows can dip below -30°F. The wind is constant, often causing snow drifts in winter and dust storms in summer. The aesthetics are stark—endless horizons, but the sunsets are nothing short of spectacular, painting the sky in hues of orange and purple.

Local commerce is scarce but distinctive. In Bowman, ND, you'll find a family-owned hardware store that has been operating since 1945. In Belle Fourche, the Tri-State Museum offers insight into the region's ranching and mining history. Upton, WY, has a quirky roadside attraction: a giant jackrabbit statue.

As for culinary infrastructure, don't expect gourmet dining. The best stops Watford City, ND to Buffalo, WY are diners and cafes offering hearty Midwestern fare like chicken fried steak and homemade pie. In Newcastle, WY, the Longbranch Saloon is a local institution, serving buffalo burgers.