Origin
Fort Totten, ND
Afternoon in Fort Totten on Monday
Local time
3:30 PM
CDT
Current temp
44°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Fort Totten, ND to Valley City, ND
Drive Time
2h 30m
Distance
121.5 mi
196 km
Drive Score
8/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$18
one way
EV Charging
None
0 DC fast
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
2h 20m
★
6 AM
2h 30m
8 AM
2h 51m
10 AM
2h 38m
12 PM
2h 36m
3 PM
2h 39m
5 PM
2h 50m
8 PM
2h 24m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Fort Totten, ND
Phil Evenden
Valley City, ND
Isabelli Pontes
Trip Overview
If you are planning to travel from Fort Totten to Valley City, expect a straightforward 121.5-mile journey across the North Dakota plains. The drive typically takes about 2 hours and 30 minutes, making it a manageable day trip that does not require an overnight stay. You will primarily utilize US-52, US-281, and I-94 to complete the trek. Budgeting approximately $18 for fuel should cover your needs for this excursion. Navigating entirely within the Great Plains region, the route offers a consistent landscape that is ideal for those who prefer steady highway driving over complex navigation.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.
Break Rhythm
1 planned break
A short stop every 2 to 3 hours is enough for this drive.
Midpoint
60.8 miles from Fort Totten, ND
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h 24m into the drive .
Drive Character
This trip is heavily focused on highway travel, with 94% of your time spent on major roads. You will encounter a mix of highway types, including a longest uninterrupted stretch of 41.6 miles on US-52. Because the route relies so heavily on high-speed thoroughfares, you can maintain a consistent pace throughout the journey. Behind the wheel, you should expect a predictable experience that transitions from smaller US routes onto the wider, faster I-94. The character of the drive is efficient and functional, perfect for travelers looking to move between these two North Dakota points without unnecessary delays.
Most of the miles stay on highways, which makes pacing and fuel planning easier than turn-by-turn city driving.
There are about 19 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.
US-52 is the longest continuous segment at about 41.6 miles.
How Hard Is This Drive?
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on US-52 and US 281. Navigation is very simple — set it and forget it for most of the drive. The trickiest moment comes early in the drive near BIA 6 / Ephriam Hill Road.
Route Complexity
2/10
Very easy - short and simple to drive
The drive from Fort Totten, ND to Valley City, ND is easy. At 2h 30m with 94% highway, most drivers will find it relaxed and low-stress.
Where does it get tricky?
The main spots that need attention: near the start (BIA 6 / Ephriam Hill Road): Navigation decision point; at 0.1 miles (BIA 7 / 3rd Avenue North): Navigation decision point; at 0.2 miles (BIA 7 / Bureau of Indian Affairs Road 7): Navigation decision point.
Critical Maneuvers
5 of 11 key pointsThese are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
5
0 mi into trip
|
~0m in
|
BIA 6 / Ephriam Hill Road
Turn right onto BIA 6 / Ephriam Hill Road
Navigation decision point
5
0.1 mi into trip
|
~0m in
|
BIA 7 / 3rd Avenue North
Turn left onto BIA 7 / 3rd Avenue North
Navigation decision point
4
0.2 mi into trip
|
~0m in
|
BIA 7 / Bureau of Indian Affairs Road 7
Turn right onto BIA 7 / Bureau of Indian Affairs Road 7
Navigation decision point
5
1.1 mi into trip
|
~3m in
|
ND 57 / State Highway 57
At end of road, turn left onto ND 57 / State Highway 57
Navigation decision point
5
119.4 mi into trip
|
~2h 27m in
|
I 94 Business
Take the exit onto I 94 Business toward I 94 BUS: Valley City
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early
Exit 290
Toward I 94 BUS: Valley City
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| US-52 | 41.6 mi | 48m |
| US 281 | 36.5 mi | 50m |
| I 94 | 30.6 mi | 28m |
| State Highway 57 | 5.3 mi | 8m |
| West Main Street | 1.8 mi | 2m |
| 4th Avenue North | 1.4 mi | 3m |
| 1st Avenue North | 1 mi | 1m |
| Bureau of Indian Affairs Road 7 | 0.9 mi | 2m |
Longest stretch:
US-52
— 41.6 mi, about 48m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Fort Totten, ND and Valley City, ND.
1
Start on 2nd Avenue North
147 ft
·
9 sec
·
2nd Avenue North
2
Turn right onto BIA 6
492 ft
·
18 sec
·
Ephriam Hill Road
3
Turn left onto BIA 7
524 ft
·
16 sec
·
3rd Avenue North
4
Turn right onto BIA 7
0.9 mi
·
2 min
·
Bureau of Indian Affairs Road 7
5
At end of road, turn left onto ND 57
5.3 mi
·
8 min
·
State Highway 57
6
At end of road, turn left onto US 281
36 mi
·
50 min
·
US 281
7
Enter roundabout onto US 52; US 281
166 ft
·
5 sec
·
4th Avenue North
8
Continue on US 52; US 281
1.4 mi
·
3 min
·
4th Avenue North
9
Continue on US 52; US 281
42 mi
·
48 min
·
US-52
10
Turn right onto US 52; US 281
1.0 mi
·
1 min
·
1st Avenue North
11
Turn slight right onto 10th Street Southeast
0.6 mi
·
57 sec
·
10th Street Southeast
12
Turn straight onto 12th Avenue
0.3 mi
·
23 sec
·
12th Avenue
13
Continue on Business Loop East
0.6 mi
·
57 sec
·
Business Loop East
14
Take the ramp
0.5 mi
·
1 min
15
Merge onto I 94; US 52
31 mi
·
28 min
·
I 94; US 52
16
Take the exit onto I 94 Business
0.2 mi
·
26 sec
·
I 94 Business
Exit 290
Toward I 94 BUS: Valley City
17
Turn left onto I 94 Business
0.2 mi
·
16 sec
·
24th Avenue Southwest
18
At end of road, turn right onto I 94 Business
1.8 mi
·
2 min
·
West Main Street
19
Arrive at destination
I 94 Business
Trip Plan
Since this is a relatively short drive, you have plenty of flexibility in your departure schedule to avoid peak traffic. Plan for at least one stop to stretch your legs, which will break up the 2.5-hour duration effectively. Keep an eye on your fuel gauge before leaving Fort Totten, as having your $18 of gas ready will ensure you do not need to hunt for stations during the longest 41.6-mile stretch. Given the rural nature of the Great Plains, checking weather conditions before you head out is a smart way to ensure a smooth trip. Embracing the simplicity of this route allows you to reach Valley City refreshed and ready for your next destination.
Morning Departure
Leave by 9 AM and you'll arrive before lunch.
Evening Departure
Even a 4 PM departure gets you there before dark in summer.
You can normally do this drive in one day.
Plan roughly 1 meaningful break for fuel, food, and rest.
The halfway point lands around 60.8 miles from Fort Totten, ND, or about 1h 24m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 41.6 miles.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
Departure
Before you leave
Start with fuel, water, and navigation already sorted so the first hour feels easy.
First stop
Around 80 miles or 1h 46m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 60.8 miles or 1h 24m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 2h 8m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Valley City, ND than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving Fort Totten, ND so your first major turns are already loaded.
+
Leave with enough water and a charging cable within reach, not packed away.
+
Check your fuel range against the first long segment, especially if you are starting outside city service areas.
Day 1
Settle into the route from Fort Totten, ND
This is one driving day of about 121.5 miles and 2h 30m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 80 miles from Fort Totten, ND.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
Plan about 1 real break rather than only quick fuel stops.
The longest stretch is on US-52 for about 41.6 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 60.8 mi from Fort Totten, ND · 1h 24m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
61 mi into the route
Best for: Lunch, fuel, and a longer reset
This sits close to the middle of the route, so it works well for the longest stop of the day.
Pacing Suggestions
Fuel and coffee
A short stop after about 80 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 60.8 miles from Fort Totten, ND, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Arriving in Valley City, ND
The final approach into Valley City, ND usually feels slower than the middle of the drive, so avoid planning your tightest schedule at the very end.
Try to arrive with enough fuel left to skip an immediate station stop unless you already know the area around Valley City, ND.
These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$18.45 one way
$36.91 round trip
$3.86/gal
25.4 MPG avg
43 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.25 | $20.34 | $40.69 |
| premium | $4.80 | $22.94 | $45.87 |
| diesel | $5.64 | $26.99 | $53.99 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$18
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$43–$68
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 42.5 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-06.
Driving Electric?
About $13 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 36.4 | 0 | $12.76 | $5.83 |
| Efficient EV | 30.4 | 0 | $10.63 | $4.86 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 48.6 | 0 | $17.01 | $7.78 |
Gas CO2
43 kg
EV CO2
14 kg (67% less)
This trip is well within single-charge range for most EVs. No charging stops needed if you start fully charged.
DC fast charging avg $0.35/kWh. Home charging avg $0.16/kWh. US grid CO2: 0.39 kg/kWh.
Travel Intel
Current conditions at both ends of the drive.
Destination
Valley City, ND
Afternoon in Valley City on Monday
Local time
3:30 PM
CDT
Current temp
38°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Along the Route
38°F
Jamestown, ND
61 mi in
Seasonal Notes
Summer travel usually means heavier construction, hotter rest stops, and busier weekend traffic around major cities.
Winter travel shortens daylight, so a route that looks manageable on paper can feel much longer after dark.
Holiday weekends tend to make both departure and arrival windows slower than the raw route time suggests.
Time zone
Same local time
Origin and destination are on the same clock, so arrival timing is easier to judge at a glance.
Temperature spread
6 degrees cooler at arrival
A meaningful temperature swing is a good cue to rethink layers, water, and how soon you want to arrive.
Road read
2h 30m on the road
Use the two city cards together: check the sky where you start, then compare it with the local time and temperature at arrival.
Weather data from the National Weather Service. Conditions may change; check closer to your travel date.
Frequently Asked Questions
The drive from Fort Totten, ND to Valley City, ND covers 121.5 miles and takes about 2h 30m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are US-52, US 281, I 94. Most of the drive stays on highways, so watch for ramps and exits.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 60.8 miles from Fort Totten, ND. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $18.45 one way. This estimate uses 25.4 MPG — your actual cost will vary with your vehicle's fuel efficiency and current gas prices.
Leave by 9 AM and you'll arrive before lunch. Even a 4 PM departure gets you there before dark in summer.
Plan about 1 meaningful break for fuel, food, or rest. A short stop every 2 to 3 hours is enough for this drive.
The drive from Fort Totten, ND to Valley City, ND is easy. At 2h 30m with 94% highway, most drivers will find it relaxed and low-stress.
The main spots that need attention: near the start (BIA 6 / Ephriam Hill Road): Navigation decision point; at 0.1 miles (BIA 7 / 3rd Avenue North): Navigation decision point; at 0.2 miles (BIA 7 / Bureau of Indian Affairs Road 7): Navigation decision point.
The route from Fort Totten, ND to Valley City, ND does not surface many named destination signs beyond the main corridor.
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