Trip from New Salem, ND to Valley City, ND

Compiled and reviewed by the Trip.ovh planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Apr 18, 2026 · Editorial standards

Drive Time

2h 43m

Distance

166.4 mi

268 km

Drive Score

8/10

Great drive

Same Day?

Yes, doable

Fuel Cost

$26

one way

EV Charging

Unknown

Best Time to Leave

Save up to 32 min

4 AM

2h 33m ★

6 AM

2h 44m

8 AM

3h 5m

10 AM

2h 51m

12 PM

2h 49m

3 PM

2h 52m

5 PM

3h 4m

8 PM

2h 37m

Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.

Best Time Drive vs Fly

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Trip Overview

The drive from New Salem, ND to Valley City, ND covers 166.4 miles and takes about 2h 43m behind the wheel. This route is realistic as a one-day drive if you keep your stops efficient.

The route leans on I 94, West Main Street, 8th Street North for much of the mileage, and the overall profile is highway-focused drive. The longest uninterrupted segment is about 162.7 miles on I 94. At current regular gas prices, budget about $26.01 one way before food or hotel costs.

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

83.2 miles from New Salem, ND

A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h 22m into the drive .

Who Is This Route For?

Weekend Trip

Doable as a same-day drive at 2h 43m. Total distance: 166.4 miles.

Family Friendly

Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.

Solo Traveler

2h 43m drive, comfortable solo distance.

First-Time Driver

Mostly highway driving (98%). Straightforward navigation.

Drive Character

This is a 2h 43m highway drive covering 166.4 miles, with most of the trip on I 94 and West Main Street. The longest continuous stretch is about 162.7 miles on I 94.

Most of the miles stay on highways, which makes pacing and fuel planning easier than turn-by-turn city driving.

There are about 10 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.

I 94 is the longest continuous segment at about 162.7 miles.

How Hard Is This Drive?

This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 94 and West Main Street. Navigation is very simple - set it and forget it for most of the drive. The trickiest moment comes around 0.1 miles in near 5th Street North.

Driving Effort 2/10

Very easy - short and simple to drive

Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.

The drive from New Salem, ND to Valley City, ND is easy. At 2h 43m with 98% highway, most drivers will find it relaxed and low-stress.

Where does it get tricky?

The main spots that need attention: at 0.1 miles (5th Street North): Navigation decision point; at 0.3 miles (CR 139 / Ash Avenue): Navigation decision point; at 0.5 miles (8th Street North): Navigation decision point.

Critical Maneuvers

5 of 8 key points

These are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.

5

0.1 mi into trip | ~0m in | 5th Street North

Turn right onto 5th Street North

Navigation decision point

5

0.3 mi into trip | ~1m in | CR 139 / Ash Avenue

At end of road, turn left onto CR 139 / Ash Avenue

Navigation decision point

4

0.5 mi into trip | ~1m in | 8th Street North

Turn right onto 8th Street North

Navigation decision point

5

1.6 mi into trip | ~3m in | I 94

Merge onto I 94

Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here

Use the straight / slight right lanes.

5

164.3 mi into trip | ~2h 40m 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
I 94	162.7 mi	2h 36m
West Main Street	1.8 mi	2m
8th Street North	0.9 mi	1m
Ash Avenue	0.2 mi	<1m
5th Street North	0.2 mi	<1m
24th Avenue Southwest	0.2 mi	<1m
I 94 Business	0.2 mi	<1m
Elm Avenue	<0.1 mi	<1m

Longest stretch: I 94 — 162.7 mi, about 2h 36m

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between New Salem, ND and Valley City, ND.

1

Start on Elm Avenue

430 ft · 21 sec · Elm Avenue

2

Turn right onto 5th Street North

0.2 mi · 47 sec · 5th Street North

3

At end of road, turn left onto CR 139

0.2 mi · 23 sec · Ash Avenue

4

Turn right onto 8th Street North

0.9 mi · 1 min · 8th Street North

5

Take the ramp

0.3 mi · 32 sec

6

Merge onto I 94

163 mi · 2 hr 36 min · I 94

Use the straight / slight right lanes.

7

Take the exit onto I 94 Business

0.2 mi · 26 sec · I 94 Business

Exit 290 Toward I 94 BUS: Valley City

8

Turn left onto I 94 Business

0.2 mi · 16 sec · 24th Avenue Southwest

9

At end of road, turn right onto I 94 Business

1.8 mi · 2 min · West Main Street

10

Arrive at destination

I 94 Business

Trip Plan

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 83.2 miles from New Salem, ND, or about 1h 22m into the drive.

The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 162.7 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 37 miles or 37m in

Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.

Halfway reset

Around 83.2 miles or 1h 22m 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 13m

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 New Salem, 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 New Salem, ND

This is one driving day of about 166.4 miles and 2h 43m.

Your first comfortable stop window is around 37 miles from New Salem, 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 I 94 for about 162.7 miles.

Where to Stop

Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.

Halfway Point

Midpoint

About 83.2 mi from New Salem, ND · 1h 22m into the drive

Mid-route town

Meal stop

Medina, ND

83 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

Bismarck, ND

Fuel and coffee

A short stop after about 37 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.

Medina, ND

Meal break

The midpoint is around 83.2 miles from New Salem, ND, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.

Before the longest stretch

Fuel check

Top up before I 94 if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 162.7 miles.

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.

After long uninterrupted mileage, take five minutes before the last urban segment to reset and refocus on exits, merges, and city traffic.

These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.

Nearby Places

Restaurants, cafes, gas stations and more along your route.

Top Restaurant

Marlin's Family Restaurant

4.0 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Bismarck, North Dakota

Early in the drive, right off the route

0.5 mi from route ~1 min detour $10 to $20 mile 35.7

Hours: Open 24 hours

+17012221568

Visit website

Viking Grounds

4.1 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Valley City, North Dakota

0.4 mi

Babb's Coffee House

4.5 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Jamestown, North Dakota

1.9 mi

Top Coffee Stop

Alley Beans | Coffee & Roastery

4.9 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Valley City, North Dakota

Near the end, right off the route

0.2 mi from route $1 to $10 mile 166.4

Hours: 6 am–6 pm

+17014903752

Visit website

Wild Prairie Bakery

4.8 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Valley City, North Dakota

0 mi

Udderly Caffeinated

4.8 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

New Salem, North Dakota

0.2 mi

Marlin's Family Restaurant

4.0 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Early in the drive, right off the route

0.5 mi from route ~1 min detour $10 to $20 mile 35.7

Bismarck, North Dakota

Hours: Open 24 hours

+17012221568

Visit website

Viking Grounds

4.1 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Near the end, right off the route

0.4 mi from route ~1 min detour mile 166.4

Valley City, North Dakota

Hours: 7:30 am–2 pm

+17018457137

Babb's Coffee House

4.5 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Later in the drive, short detour

1.9 mi from route ~5 min detour $10 to $20 mile 130.7

Jamestown, North Dakota

Hours: 6:30 am–5 pm

+17012512227

Visit website

Caribou Coffee

4.2 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Later in the drive, short detour

1.7 mi from route ~4 min detour Moderately mile 130.7

Jamestown, North Dakota

Hours: 6 am–6 pm

+17012520981

Visit website

Caribou Coffee

4.5 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Later in the drive, short detour

1.7 mi from route ~4 min detour $1 to $10 mile 130.7

Jamestown, North Dakota

Hours: 6 am–7 pm

+17012521174

Visit website

Big Boy Restaurant

4.5 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Early in the drive, short detour

2.5 mi from route ~6 min detour $10 to $20 mile 35.7

Bismarck, North Dakota

Hours: 10 am–9 pm

+17012234125

Visit website

Paradiso Mexican Restaurant

3.9 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Early in the drive, short detour

2.6 mi from route ~7 min detour $10 to $20 mile 35.7

Bismarck, North Dakota

Hours: 11 am–9 pm

+17012241111

Visit website

India Clay Oven Bar and Grill

4.8 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Early in the drive, ~9 min detour

3.6 mi from route ~9 min detour Moderately mile 35.7

Bismarck, North Dakota

Hours: 11 am–2:15 pm

+17017512975

Visit website

Alley Beans | Coffee & Roastery

4.9 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, right off the route

0.2 mi from route $1 to $10 mile 166.4

Valley City, North Dakota

Hours: 6 am–6 pm

+17014903752

Visit website

Wild Prairie Bakery

4.8 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, right off the route

0 mi from route $1 to $10 mile 166.4

Valley City, North Dakota

Hours: 6:30 am–2 pm

+17014903393

Udderly Caffeinated

4.8 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, right off the route

0.2 mi from route

New Salem, North Dakota

Hours: 7 am–1 pm

+17018439741

The Vault

4.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, right off the route

0.1 mi from route $1 to $10 mile 166.4

Valley City, North Dakota

Hours: 8 am–5 pm

+17018406264

Visit website

The Metro Perk & Market

4.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, right off the route

0.2 mi from route ~1 min detour $10 to $20

New Salem, North Dakota

Hours: 10:30 am–3 pm

+17018439900

Visit website

Epworth's Holy Grounds

4.8 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, right off the route

0.6 mi from route ~2 min detour $1 to $10 mile 166.4

Valley City, North Dakota

Hours: 6 am–6 pm

+17018408713

Visit website

Plantation Coffee Bar

4.4 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Later in the drive, short detour

1.4 mi from route ~4 min detour $1 to $10 mile 130.7

Jamestown, North Dakota

Hours: 6:30 am–2 pm

+17013683800

Visit website

Balancing Goat Coffee Co.

4.8 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, short detour

2 mi from route ~5 min detour $10 to $20 mile 23.8

Mandan, North Dakota

Hours: 6 am–4 pm

+17017510419

Visit website

Shady's Restaurant & Lounge

4.3 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Later in the drive, short detour

2 mi from route ~5 min detour $10 to $20 mile 130.7

Jamestown, North Dakota

Hours: 8 am–2 pm

+17012522057

Visit website

North Dakota State Capitol

4.5 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Early in the drive, short detour

3.1 mi from route ~8 min detour mile 35.7

Bismarck, North Dakota

Hours: 8 am–5 pm

+17013282471

Visit website

Sakakawea Statue

4.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Early in the drive, short detour

3.1 mi from route ~8 min detour mile 35.7

Bismarck, North Dakota

Hours: 7:15 am–5:30 pm

+17013282666

Visit website

Place data sourced from public business listings. Hours and availability may vary.

Fuel & Cost

Regular Gas

$26.01 one way

$52.03 round trip

$3.97/gal 25.4 MPG avg 58 kg CO₂

Fuel Type	$/gal	One Way	Round Trip
midgrade	$4.36	$28.56	$57.13
premium	$4.89	$32.02	$64.04
diesel	$5.61	$36.74	$73.48

No toll roads detected on this route.

Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)

Fuel

$26

Meals

$25–$50

Total

$51–$76

Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.

Estimated CO2 emission: 58.2 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.

Driving Electric?

About $17 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO₂

Vehicle Type	kWh	DC Fast	Home Charge
Average EV	49.9	$17.47	$7.99
Efficient EV	41.6	$14.56	$6.66
EV Truck/SUV	66.6	$23.30	$10.65

Gas CO2

58 kg

EV CO2

19 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.

Forecast as of Apr 15, 2026

Origin

New Salem, ND

Late night in New Salem on Saturday

Local time

3:46 AM

CDT

Current temp

43°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

Destination

Valley City, ND

Late night in Valley City on Saturday

Local time

3:46 AM

CDT

Current temp

64°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

65°F

Medina, ND

83 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

21 degrees warmer at arrival

A meaningful temperature swing is a good cue to rethink layers, water, and how soon you want to arrive.

Road read

2h 43m 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 New Salem, ND to Valley City, ND covers 166.4 miles and takes about 2h 43m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.

The main roads are I 94, West Main Street, 8th Street North. Most of the drive stays on highways, so watch for ramps and exits.

This is a comfortable same-day trip.

The midpoint is about 83.2 miles from New Salem, ND. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.

At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $26.01 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 New Salem, ND to Valley City, ND is easy. At 2h 43m with 98% highway, most drivers will find it relaxed and low-stress.

The main spots that need attention: at 0.1 miles (5th Street North): Navigation decision point; at 0.3 miles (CR 139 / Ash Avenue): Navigation decision point; at 0.5 miles (8th Street North): Navigation decision point.

The route from New Salem, ND to Valley City, ND does not surface many named destination signs beyond the main corridor.

How this page is built

Compiled by the Trip.ovh planning team at COD Solutions Oy from open government datasets — OSRM over OpenStreetMap for geometry, EIA for fuel prices, and NPS for national parks. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.

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Trip from New Salem, ND to Valley City, ND

Best Time to Leave

Trip Overview

Who Is This Route For?

Drive Character

How Hard Is This Drive?

Critical Maneuvers

Main Roads

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Trip Plan

Before You Leave

Where to Stop

Pacing Suggestions

Arriving in Valley City, ND

Nearby Places

Marlin's Family Restaurant

Alley Beans | Coffee & Roastery

Marlin's Family Restaurant

Viking Grounds

Babb's Coffee House

Caribou Coffee

Caribou Coffee

Big Boy Restaurant

Paradiso Mexican Restaurant

India Clay Oven Bar and Grill

Alley Beans | Coffee & Roastery

Wild Prairie Bakery

Udderly Caffeinated

The Vault

The Metro Perk & Market

Epworth's Holy Grounds

Plantation Coffee Bar

Balancing Goat Coffee Co.

Shady's Restaurant & Lounge

North Dakota State Capitol

Sakakawea Statue

Fuel & Cost

Travel Intel

New Salem, ND

Valley City, ND

Same local time

21 degrees warmer at arrival

2h 43m on the road

Frequently Asked Questions

How long is the trip from New Salem, ND to Valley City, ND?

What are the main roads on this route?

Is this a good same-day trip?

Where should I stop halfway?

How much does gas cost for this trip?

What is the best time to leave?

How many breaks should I plan?

How hard is the drive from New Salem, ND to Valley City, ND?

Where does this route get tricky?

What towns show up on signs driving from New Salem, ND to Valley City, ND?

How this page is built

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