Major city · United States
Tioga
Skip Tioga unless you work in the oil fields or want a quiet overnight on US 2 between Williston and Minot: one night max, no major sights.
Tioga calls itself the Oil Capital of North Dakota, a town of about 1,200 people on US 2 in the western part of the state. There are no must-see attractions inside town limits; the annual Grain Palace Festival in nearby Ray (15 mi SW) is the only event that draws visitors. Most travellers use Tioga as a fuel-and-sleep stop on the drive between Williston and Minot or as a base for hunting and fishing in the surrounding prairie.
More
More ways in
Local time, weather, currency, airports
- Weather
- see forecast
- Currency
- USD
- Best months
- Jun–Sep
- avoid Dec–Feb (cold, snow, limited services)
- Airports
- XWA · MOT
- 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 Tioga911 ▾
- Police, fire, ambulance911
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 Tioga, 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
- SafetyVery low crime.
Show all 12 answers
- RestroomsFree public toilets are scarce in big cities; use cafés, department stores, libraries, stations.United States-wide
- Emergency numbers911 police, fire, 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 mi west; rental cars available.).
- Getting aroundTioga is walkable in 15 minutes end to end.
Cost cheat-sheet
Typical prices for the everyday things, as ranges. Your currency is shown next to the local price.
- CoffeeCoffee (diner)$2–3
- BeerBeer (bottle at bar)$4–6
- Budget bedMotel double room, a night, per roomUS$80
- Mid-range bedMotel double room, a night, per roomUS$120
- High-end bedMotel double room, a night, per roomUS$180
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 mi west; rental cars available.) · MOT Minot International Airport (About 75 mi east; rental cars available.)
Best months at a glance
From the guide's best and avoid lists
Jan
Avoid
−7°C (19°F)19°F (−7°C)
Feb
Avoid
−4°C (25°F)25°F (−4°C)
Mar
not flagged
3°C (37°F)37°F (3°C)
Apr
not flagged
13°C (55°F)55°F (13°C)
May
not flagged
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
2°C (36°F)36°F (2°C)
Dec
Avoid
−5°C (23°F)23°F (−5°C)
Best: Jun–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 Jan (5). Averages, not a forecast.
Weather and climate
Tioga: next 7 days
Loading forecast…
Forecast: Open-Meteo (CC BY 4.0), model data for this point.
Air quality
Loading…
Model estimate (CAMS via Open-Meteo), not a street-level station; readings near busy roads run higher.
Jan
−7°C (19°F)19°F (−7°C)
−18°C (0°F)0°F (−18°C)
5 rd
Feb
−4°C (25°F)25°F (−4°C)
−15°C (5°F)5°F (−15°C)
5 rd
Mar
3°C (37°F)37°F (3°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)
11°C (52°F)52°F (11°C)
11 rd
Jul
29°C (84°F)84°F (29°C)
14°C (57°F)57°F (14°C)
9 rd
Aug
28°C (82°F)82°F (28°C)
13°C (55°F)55°F (13°C)
8 rd
Sep
22°C (72°F)72°F (22°C)
7°C (45°F)45°F (7°C)
7 rd
Oct
13°C (55°F)55°F (13°C)
0°C (32°F)32°F (0°C)
6 rd
Nov
2°C (36°F)36°F (2°C)
−9°C (16°F)16°F (−9°C)
5 rd
Dec
−5°C (23°F)23°F (−5°C)
−16°C (3°F)3°F (−16°C)
5 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
Tioga is walkable in 15 minutes end to end. You need a car to reach Ray, Williston or any other nearby 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 restaurants, shops and the Fort Union Trading Post.
Ray (Grain Palace Festival)
goDoor to door: 20 min
ND-40 south, about 15 mi (20 min)
Only worth the drive during the first weekend of August.
Theodore Roosevelt National Park (North Unit)
goDoor to door: 1 h 15 min
US 2 east to Watford City, then US 85 south, about 1 h 15 min
A full day trip; the North Unit has a scenic drive and bison.
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.
Along US 2 / Main Street
The Microtel Inn & Suites and Tioga Motel are both on or just off the main highway; walk to the Model Tavern and a few eateries.
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
| Motel double room1 × 1 night × US$120 | US$120 |
| Food, local transport, entries2 × 1 day × US$130 | US$260 |
| Gas (full tank, typical sedan)1 × US$45 | US$45 |
| Buffer 10%Price creep, a taxi you did not plan, one splurge | US$43 |
| Trip total≈ US$234 per person per day, bed included | US$468 |
2026 estimate in USD; flights and car rental excluded.
Prices of common things
| Coffee (diner) | $2–3 |
| Burger and fries | $10–15 |
| Beer (bottle at bar) | $4–6 |
| Motel room (double) | $80–180 |
2026 estimate; check locally.
Watch out
Safety
- Winter storms can close US 2; check ND Roads before driving.
- Oil-field traffic: heavy trucks on US 2 and county roads, especially at shift change (roughly 06:00 and 18:00).Oil-field traffic: heavy trucks on US 2 and county roads, especially at shift change (roughly 6:00 AM and 6:00 PM).
- Services are limited: fill up fuel in Williston or Minot if you can.
Emergency numbers
- Police, fire, ambulance
- 911
Pocket card
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TiogaTioga
Pocket card · Voykit
My bed tonight
—
—
—
Emergency
- Police, fire, ambulance911
Embassy
My embassy: —
Fare anchors (2026 estimate)
- Tioga → Williston (US 2): about 30 min, 30 mi
- Tioga → Minot (US 2): about 1 h, 75 mi
No public transport; you need a car.
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 Tioga. 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: Jun–Sep · avoid Dec–Feb (cold, snow, limited services) · month by month →
- 2 airports 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
- An airport-to-bed path that says whether a late landing still works
- Walking clusters with bag rules
- Day plans checked against opening hours
- Field-verified times and fares
Sources
Ask about Tioga
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