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Salt Lake City, UT to Bismarck, ND

State capital to state capital route

16h 21m
Drive Time
900
Miles
$105
Gas Cost
7
Stops

How Long Is the Drive from Salt Lake City Ut to Bismarck Nd?

The drive from Salt Lake City Ut to Bismarck Nd takes approximately 16h 21m, covering 900 miles via the highway. Under normal conditions, expect to spend around $105 on gas.

Travel time can vary — during peak hours, weekends, or holidays, the journey may take 22–23+ hours. For the fastest trip, leave early morning (before 7 AM) or travel on weekday evenings.

Traffic Estimate

🟢 Light traffic
13h 54m
🔵 Typical
16h 21m
🔴 Heavy traffic
23h 42m

Traffic is usually worst during weekday rush hours (7–9 AM, 4–7 PM) and holiday weekends.

Route Details

Distance900 miles
Drive Time16h 21min
Avg Speed55 mph
TrafficLight to Moderate

Cost Breakdown

Gas (30 MPG)$105
Tolls (est.)$0-20
Food/Snacks$15-30
Total$120-$155

Route Tips: I-95

Plan rest stops every 2-3 hours on longer drives. Check traffic conditions before departure and keep your tank above quarter-full.

You'll likely need 2 fuel stops along the way.

Best Time to Drive from Salt Lake City Ut to Bismarck Nd

For a long drive like Salt Lake City Ut to Bismarck Nd, plan to depart early in the morning. This lets you cover most of the distance before afternoon traffic builds up. Consider breaking the trip with a lunch stop midway.

🟢 Best: Early morning (6-8 AM)
🔴 Avoid: Rush hour (4-7 PM)

Approximate route shown. Use Google Maps for turn-by-turn directions.

Open in Google Maps ⚡ View EV Route

Driving vs Flying

🚗 Driving
16h 21m
~$105 gas
✈️ Flying
4h 18m
~$135–$315 flight

✈️ Flying is faster when you factor in airport time. Flight time is ~1h 48m but add ~2.5 hours for check-in, security, and boarding.

All Travel Options

🚗 Drive
16h 21m
~$105
🚌 Bus
20h 0m
~$72–$162
🚂 Train
16h 22m
~$108–$270

Estimated times and prices. Bus/train availability varies by route. Driving gives the most flexibility for stops and schedules.

FAQ

How long is the drive from Salt Lake City, UT to Bismarck, ND?
The drive takes approximately 16 hours and 21 minutes covering 900 miles.
How much gas will I need?
At 30 MPG, you'll use about 30 gallons of gas, costing approximately $105 at $3.50/gallon.
What's the best time to leave?
Early morning (6-8 AM) is ideal to avoid rush hour traffic in both cities.

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