North Dakota Time Now
Timezones
zones
Quick Answer
North Dakota spans two timezones: Central (most of state) and Mountain (southwest).
Fargo, Bismarck, Grand Forks, Minot = Central Time (CT). Dickinson, Watford City, Bowman = Mountain Time (MT).
North Dakota Timezone Guide
North Dakota is one of several US states that spans two time zones. The majority of the state observes Central Time, while the southwestern portion uses Mountain Time.
Why Two Timezones?
The timezone boundary in North Dakota roughly follows the Missouri River and state highway patterns. Historically, the division was based on railroad service areas and economic ties. Most of the population lives in the Central Time portion (Fargo, Bismarck, Grand Forks), while the Mountain Time area covers the more sparsely populated southwest.
Historical Changes
In 2010, Williston — then growing rapidly due to the Bakken oil boom — petitioned the Department of Transportation to switch from Mountain to Central Time. The change aligned Williston with Bismarck and most of the state's business activity. This was one of the most recent timezone boundary changes in the US.
The Timezone Split
- Central Time (UTC-6 / CDT UTC-5): Fargo, Bismarck, Grand Forks, Minot, Williston, Mandan, Jamestown, Valley City, Wahpeton, Devils Lake
- Mountain Time (UTC-7 / MDT UTC-6): Dickinson, Watford City, Bowman, and surrounding southwestern counties
Related Tools
- South Dakota Time Now — Another dual-timezone state
- Minnesota Time Now — Neighboring Central Time state
- Wyoming Time Now — Neighboring Mountain Time state