The drive from Valley City, ND to Devils Lake, ND covers 123.6 miles and takes about 2h 32m behind the wheel.
This route is realistic as a one-day drive if you keep your stops efficient.
The route leans on State Highway 20, State Highway 1, State Highway 200 for much of the mileage,
and the overall profile is highway-focused drive.
The longest uninterrupted segment is about 57.2 miles on State Highway 20.
At current regular gas prices, budget about $19.37 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
61.8 miles from Valley City, ND
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 1h 12m into the drive
.
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 2h 32m. Total distance: 123.6 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
This is a 2h 32m highway drive covering 123.6 miles, with most of the trip on State Highway 20 and State Highway 1. The longest continuous stretch is about 57.2 miles on State Highway 20.
Most of the miles stay on highways, which makes pacing and fuel planning easier than turn-by-turn city driving.
There are about 14 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.
State Highway 20 is the longest continuous segment at about 57.2 miles.
How Hard Is This Drive?
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on State Highway 20 and State Highway 1. Navigation is very simple - set it and forget it for most of the drive. The trickiest moment comes around 1.9 miles in near I 94 Business.
Driving Effort1/10
Very easy - short and simple to drive
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
The drive from Valley City, ND to Devils Lake, ND is easy. At 2h 32m with 97% highway, most drivers will find it relaxed and low-stress.
Where does it get tricky?
The main spots that need attention: at 1.9 miles (I 94 Business): Navigation decision point; at 2.2 miles (I 94; US 52): Merge point - match speed before joining; at 9.2 miles (ND 1): Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early.
Critical Maneuvers
5 of 6 key points
These are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
3
1.9 mi into trip|~2m in|I 94 Business
Take the ramp onto I 94 Business toward I 94 West
Navigation decision point
Toward I 94 West
3
2.2 mi into trip|~3m in|I 94; US 52
Merge onto I 94; US 52
Merge point - match speed before joining
5
9.2 mi into trip|~10m in|ND 1
Take the exit onto ND 1 toward ND 1 North: Rogers
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early
Exit 283
Toward ND 1 North: Rogers
4
46.7 mi into trip|~54m in|ND 200; ND 1 / State Highway 200
Turn left onto ND 200; ND 1 / State Highway 200
Navigation decision point
4
117.9 mi into trip|~2h 23m in|ND 20 / State Highway 20
At end of road, turn right onto ND 20 / State Highway 20
Navigation decision point
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
State Highway 20
57.2 mi
1h 13m
State Highway 1
36.8 mi
42m
State Highway 200
18.5 mi
21m
I 94
7 mi
6m
West Main Street
1.9 mi
2m
College Drive South
0.7 mi
1m
Byron Street
0.5 mi
1m
Wheat Street
0.4 mi
1m
Longest stretch:
State Highway 20
— 57.2 mi, about 1h 13m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Valley City, ND and Devils Lake, ND.
1
Start on I 94 Business
1.9 mi·2 min·West Main Street
2
Take the ramp onto I 94 Business
0.3 mi·41 sec·I 94 Business
Toward I 94 West
3
Merge onto I 94; US 52
7.0 mi·6 min·I 94; US 52
4
Take the exit onto ND 1
0.2 mi·17 sec·ND 1
Exit 283Toward ND 1 North: Rogers
5
Turn right onto ND 1
28 mi·32 min·State Highway 1
6
Continue on ND 1
0.4 mi·1 min·Wheat Street
7
Continue on ND 1
8.8 mi·10 min·State Highway 1
8
Turn left onto ND 200; ND 1
18 mi·21 min·State Highway 200
9
Continue on ND 20
8.4 mi·9 min·State Highway 20
10
Continue on ND 20
0.5 mi·1 min·Byron Street
11
Continue on ND 20
44 mi·56 min·State Highway 20
12
At end of road, turn right onto ND 20
5.0 mi·7 min·State Highway 20
13
Continue on ND 20
0.7 mi·1 min·College Drive South
Use the left / straight lanes.
14
Arrive at destination
ND 20
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 61.8 miles from Valley City, ND, or about 1h 12m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 57.2 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 27 miles or 30m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 61.8 miles or 1h 12m 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 2m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Devils Lake, ND than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving Valley City, 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 Valley City, ND
This is one driving day of about 123.6 miles and 2h 32m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 27 miles from Valley City, 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 State Highway 20 for about 57.2 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 61.8 mi from Valley City, ND
· 1h 12m into the drive
3.7 mi from route
~9 min detour
$10 to $20
mile 44.1
Cooperstown, North Dakota
Hours: 7 am–2 pm
+17017972672
Place data sourced from public business listings. Hours and availability may vary.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$19.37 one way
$38.74 round trip
$3.97/gal25.4 MPG avg43 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.36
$21.27
$42.54
premium
$4.89
$23.84
$47.69
diesel
$5.61
$27.36
$54.71
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$19
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$44–$69
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 43.4 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
EV Charging Along Route
3 DC fast chargers
· Coverage: good
Stoudt Ross Ford
Valley City, ND
RED_E
2 DCFC
Puklich Chevrolet Buick GMC
Valley City, ND
Blink Network
2 DCFC
Lake Chevrolet Buick GMC
Devils Lake, ND
Blink Network
2 DCFC
Blink Network: 2
RED_E: 1
Station data from NREL Alternative Fuel Stations database.
Driving Electric?
About $13 in charging
· 0 stops
· 67% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
37.1
0
$12.98
$5.93
Efficient EV
30.9
0
$10.82
$4.94
EV Truck/SUV
49.4
0
$17.30
$7.91
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.
Forecast as of Apr 15, 2026
Origin
Valley City, ND
Late night
in Valley City on Saturday
Local time
1:57 AM
CDT
Current temp
64°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
Devils Lake, ND
Late night
in Devils Lake on Saturday
Local time
1:57 AM
CDT
Current temp
61°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
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
3 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 32m 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 Valley City, ND to Devils Lake, ND covers 123.6 miles and takes about 2h 32m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are State Highway 20, State Highway 1, State Highway 200. Most of the drive stays on highways, so watch for ramps and exits.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 61.8 miles from Valley City, ND. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $19.32 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 Valley City, ND to Devils Lake, ND is easy. At 2h 32m with 97% highway, most drivers will find it relaxed and low-stress.
The main spots that need attention: at 1.9 miles (I 94 Business): Navigation decision point; at 2.2 miles (I 94; US 52): Merge point - match speed before joining; at 9.2 miles (ND 1): Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early.
The route from Valley City, ND to Devils Lake, 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, NREL for EV charging, and NPS for national parks. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.
