Major city · United States
StanleyStanley, North Dakota
Skip unless you need a bed on US 2 between Williston and Minot. Half a day: the Pioneer Museum and a meal at Joyce's Cafe.
Stanley is a small town on US 2 in western North Dakota, population 1,458. It has a local museum, a couple of diners and two chain hotels. Most travellers use it as an overnight stop between Williston and Minot, or as a base for hunting and fishing in the nearby lakes and badlands.
More
More ways in
Local time, weather, currency, airports
- Weather
- see forecast
- Currency
- USD
- Best months
- May–Sep
- avoid Dec–Feb (cold, snow)
- Airport
- XWA
- Nights
- 1
Not a trip line yet
Rules in force · 7Crossing between the US, Canada and Mexico by land needs …Cannabis is legal in Canada and in many US states, but ta…
- North America ↗Crossing between the US, Canada and Mexico by land needs your passport even on a day trip; rental cars need the company's written permission to cross, and most US and Canadian rental insurance stops at the Mexican border.
- North America ↗Cannabis is legal in Canada and in many US states, but taking any amount across the US, Canadian or Mexican border is a federal crime — including edibles and vapes.
- North America ↗The busiest US and Canadian national parks need timed-entry, campsite or lodge reservations in summer; release dates are months ahead.
- United States ↗Check whether you need an ESTA (Visa Waiver Program) or a visa on the official CBP and State Department sites; apply only through esta.cbp.dhs.gov, not third-party sites, and allow time before you book.
- United States ↗Several popular national parks use timed-entry or vehicle reservations in peak season; check each park's page on nps.gov and book on recreation.gov before fixing your dates.
- United States ↗Medical care is very expensive for visitors; buy travel insurance with high medical cover before you fly.
- United States ↗Tipping is expected: about 15–20% at sit-down restaurants and bars, and a tip for taxis, hotel staff and guides.
Entry rules depend on your passport. Full visa guide
What is in this basic guide9 covered · 4 not yet ▾
In this guide
Not in this guide yet
- Walking areas with bag rules
- Day plans checked against opening hours
- Airport-to-bed timings and the last safe connection
- Field-checked times and prices
Official sites
Emergency numbers for Stanley911 ▾
Tap a number to call from your phone. These are the numbers listed in this guide; a row marked check has not been verified.
EssentialsQuick answers and what things cost
Essentials
Quick answers and what things cost
Quick answers
The questions people ask first about Stanley, one line each. Tap a card for the full answer.
- Cash or card?Currency is the US dollar (USD, $).United States-wide
- SIM or eSIMAT&T, Verizon and T-Mobile cover the country; prepaid SIMs at their stores and Walmart/Target (passport required), or an eSIM before you fly.United States-wide
- Tap waterTap water is drinkable nearly everywhere; boil or treat water from streams in parks.United States-wide
- TippingSit-down restaurant: 18–22% of the pre-tax bill.United States-wide
- Plugs & powerSockets A/B. US/Canada (A/B): fits · UK/Ireland (G): adapter · Australia/NZ (I): adapter. 120 V: UK and AU 230 V-only devices need a converter; most chargers are dual-voltage.United States-wide
- SafetyStanley is a low-crime small town.
Show all 12 answers
- RestroomsFree public toilets are scarce in big cities; use cafés, department stores, libraries, stations.United States-wide
- Emergency numbers911 police · 911 fire and ambulance
- Sundays & holidaysFederal holidays close offices, banks and post offices; national parks stay open.United States-wide
- Your embassyFind your embassy's 24-hour line before you fly.
- AirportXWA Williston Basin International Airport (About 30 min west on US 2; rental cars available.).
- Getting aroundStanley is walkable along Main Street.
Cost cheat-sheet
Typical prices for the everyday things, as ranges. Your currency is shown next to the local price.
- CoffeeCoffee at Joyce's Cafe$2–3
- Budget bedStandard double room (Mainstay Suites or Microtel), a night, per roomUS$90
- Mid-range bedStandard double room (Mainstay Suites or Microtel), a night, per roomUS$120
- High-end bedStandard double room (Mainstay Suites or Microtel), a night, per roomUS$160
A day, not counting the bed: Budget US$80 · Mid US$130 · High US$200
Prices in local money; change the currency in the header to see yours next to them. Every price and the budget calculator →
DecideWhat it is known for, and when the weather works
Decide
What it is known for, and when the weather works
At a glance
What the city is known for, how you fly in, and where to find the phrases.
- Airports
- XWA Williston Basin International Airport (About 30 min west on US 2; rental cars available.)
Best months at a glance
From the guide's best and avoid lists
Jan
Avoid
−6°C (21°F)21°F (−6°C)
Feb
Avoid
−3°C (27°F)27°F (−3°C)
Mar
not flagged
4°C (39°F)39°F (4°C)
Apr
not flagged
13°C (55°F)55°F (13°C)
May
Best
20°C (68°F)68°F (20°C)
Jun
Best
25°C (77°F)77°F (25°C)
Jul
Best
29°C (84°F)84°F (29°C)
Aug
Best
28°C (82°F)82°F (28°C)
Sep
Best
22°C (72°F)72°F (22°C)
Oct
not flagged
13°C (55°F)55°F (13°C)
Nov
not flagged
3°C (37°F)37°F (3°C)
Dec
Avoid
−4°C (25°F)25°F (−4°C)
Best: May–Sep. Avoid: Dec–Feb. Month by month →
Warmest Jul (29°C (84°F)84°F (29°C)), coolest Jan (−18°C (0°F)0°F (−18°C) low), wettest Jun (11 rain days), driest Feb (5). Averages, not a forecast.
Weather and climate
Stanley: next 7 days
Loading forecast…
Forecast: Open-Meteo (CC BY 4.0), model data for this point.
Air quality
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Model estimate (CAMS via Open-Meteo), not a street-level station; readings near busy roads run higher.
Jan
−6°C (21°F)21°F (−6°C)
−18°C (0°F)0°F (−18°C)
6 rd
Feb
−3°C (27°F)27°F (−3°C)
−16°C (3°F)3°F (−16°C)
5 rd
Mar
4°C (39°F)39°F (4°C)
−9°C (16°F)16°F (−9°C)
6 rd
Apr
13°C (55°F)55°F (13°C)
−1°C (30°F)30°F (−1°C)
7 rd
May
20°C (68°F)68°F (20°C)
6°C (43°F)43°F (6°C)
9 rd
Jun
25°C (77°F)77°F (25°C)
12°C (54°F)54°F (12°C)
11 rd
Jul
29°C (84°F)84°F (29°C)
15°C (59°F)59°F (15°C)
9 rd
Aug
28°C (82°F)82°F (28°C)
14°C (57°F)57°F (14°C)
8 rd
Sep
22°C (72°F)72°F (22°C)
8°C (46°F)46°F (8°C)
7 rd
Oct
13°C (55°F)55°F (13°C)
1°C (34°F)34°F (1°C)
6 rd
Nov
3°C (37°F)37°F (3°C)
−8°C (18°F)18°F (−8°C)
5 rd
Dec
−4°C (25°F)25°F (−4°C)
−16°C (3°F)3°F (−16°C)
6 rd
High / low, both scales · rd = rain days
Arrive & moveAirports are listed under At a glance; this is how to move once you are in
Arrive & move
Airports are listed under At a glance; this is how to move once you are in
Getting around
Stanley is walkable along Main Street. A car is needed for any sight outside town.
See & doDay-trips, door to door
See & do
Day-trips, door to door
Day-trips
Door to door: 30 min
US 2 west, about 30 min
Larger town with more restaurants and shopping.
Door to door: 20 min
ND 23 south, about 20 min
Fort Berthold Reservation; Three Affiliated Tribes Museum.
Theodore Roosevelt National Park (North Unit)
goDoor to door: 1 h 15 min
US 2 west to Watford City, then ND 23 south, about 1 h 15 min
Scenic drive, bison and prairie dogs; half-day trip.
Eat & sleepWhich area to sleep in
Eat & sleep
Which area to sleep in
Where to sleep
Areas, not hotels: pick the one that fits your arrival time and plans.
US 2 corridor
Mainstay Suites and Microtel Inn & Suites are near the highway; walk to Joyce's Cafe and the museum.
PracticalWhat a day costs, what to watch out for, and the pocket card
Practical
What a day costs, what to watch out for, and the pocket card
Cost per day
- Budget
- $80–120 excl. bed
- Mid
- $120–180 excl. bed
- High
- $180+ excl. bed
Trip budget
| Standard double room (Mainstay Suites or Microtel)1 × 1 night × US$120 | US$120 |
| Food, local transport, entries2 × 1 day × US$130 | US$260 |
| Meal at Joyce's Cafe (breakfast or lunch)2 × US$15 | US$30 |
| Dinner at La Esperanza2 × US$25 | US$50 |
| Buffer 10%Price creep, a taxi you did not plan, one splurge | US$46 |
| Trip total≈ US$253 per person per day, bed included | US$506 |
2026 estimate in USD; flights and car rental excluded.
Prices of common things
| Coffee at Joyce's Cafe | $2–3 |
| Burger and fries | $10–15 |
| Mexican combo plate | $12–18 |
| Gas (per gallon)check | $3.50–4.50 |
| Hotel room (Mainstay Suites or Microtel) | $90–160 |
2026 estimate; check locally.
Watch out
Safety
- Winter driving: US 2 can be icy or closed in blizzards; check road conditions.
- No public transport within town or to nearby towns.
- Restaurants close early; Joyce's Cafe closes at 3 PM on Saturday.
Emergency numbers
- Police
- 911
- Fire and ambulance
- 911
Pocket card
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StanleyStanley, North Dakota
Pocket card · Voykit
My bed tonight
—
—
—
Take me to this addressTake me to this address
Emergency
- Police911
- Fire and ambulance911
Embassy
My embassy: —
Fare anchors (2026 estimate)
- Williston Airport (XWA) → Stanley: about 30 min by car; rental car or taxi (check)
- Stanley → Minot: US 2 east, about 1 h 15 min
Say or show
- Hello — Hello
- Thank you — Thank you
- How much? — How much?
English is universal; no language barrier.
Deep diveWhat this guide covers so far, and its sources
Deep dive
What this guide covers so far, and its sources
Not a trip line yet
This is a basic guide: no airport-to-bed contract, walking clusters or day plans are published for Stanley. Airport, fare and schedule details are unverified; check the operators before you fly.
What we know, and what is coming
On this page
- Best months: May–Sep · avoid Dec–Feb (cold, snow) · month by month →
- 1 airport and 1 area to sleep in
- Weather: a 7-day forecast and monthly averages
- Cost per day in 3 bands
- 3 day-trips, door to door
- 3 things to watch out for, with emergency numbers
Coming as the guide grows
- Place pages for Joyce's Cafe and La Esperanza Mexican Restaurant with verified hours.
- Pioneer Museum page with opening hours and entry fee.
- Winter road condition widget for US 2.
Sources
Ask about Stanley
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