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Trip from Valley City, ND to Crosby, ND

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Compiled and reviewed by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Sep 2, 2026 · Editorial standards

Drive Time

6h 21m

Distance

327.6 mi

527 km

Drive Score

9/10

Great drive

Same Day?

Yes, doable

Fuel Cost

$51

one way

EV Charging

Unknown

Best Time to Leave

Save up to 38 min
4 AM
6h 9m ★
6 AM
6h 22m
8 AM
6h 47m
10 AM
6h 31m
12 PM
6h 28m
3 PM
6h 32m
5 PM
6h 46m
8 PM
6h 14m

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

Best Time
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Download GPX
Downtown Valley City, ND, ND

Valley City, ND

Isabelli Pontes

Downtown Crosby, ND, ND

Crosby, ND

Lars Bugge Aarset

Trip Overview

The drive from Valley City, ND to Crosby, ND covers 327.6 miles and takes about 6h 21m behind the wheel. This route is realistic as a one-day drive if you keep your stops efficient.

The route leans on US-52, United States Highway 52, 5th Street Northwest for much of the mileage, and the overall profile is mostly highway. The longest uninterrupted segment is about 80.6 miles on US-52. At current regular gas prices, budget about $50.79 one way before food or hotel costs.

Trip Pace

Same-day drive is realistic

A same-day return is possible, but it will make for a full day on the road.

Break Rhythm

1 planned break

Plan on a short reset every 3 to 4 hours to stay fresh behind the wheel.

Midpoint

163.8 miles from Valley City, ND

A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 3h 8m into the drive .

Main Roads

Road Distance Duration
US-52 80.6 mi 1h 33m
United States Highway 52 70.9 mi 1h 22m
5th Street Northwest 41.6 mi 48m
State Highway 5 34.7 mi 40m
I 94 30.2 mi 28m
United States Route 52 23.5 mi 26m
506th Street Northwest 21.6 mi 24m
US Highway 2 12.9 mi 16m
Longest stretch: US-52 — 80.6 mi, about 1h 33m

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between Valley City, ND and Crosby, 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

30 mi · 28 min · I 94; US 52
4

Take the exit

0.2 mi · 29 sec
Toward Jamestown
5

Turn left onto Business Loop East

0.6 mi · 57 sec · Business Loop East
6

Continue on 12th Avenue

0.2 mi · 17 sec · 12th Avenue
7

Continue on 12th Avenue

420 ft · 6 sec · 12th Avenue
8

Continue on 10th Street Southeast

0.7 mi · 1 min · 10th Street Southeast
9

Turn right onto US 52; US 281

0.9 mi · 1 min · 1st Avenue South
10

Turn left onto US 52; US 281

42 mi · 48 min · 5th Street Northwest
11

Continue on US 52; US 281

0.4 mi · 47 sec · 4th Avenue South
12

Turn left onto 7th Street South

1.0 mi · 2 min · 7th Street South
13

Turn right onto 1605

0.9 mi · 1 min · 19th Avenue South
14

Turn left onto US 52; ND 200

23 mi · 26 min · United States Highway 52
15

Turn right onto US 52

28 mi · 32 min · US-52
Use the right lane.
16

Continue on US 52

0.3 mi · 21 sec · United State Highway 52
17

Continue on US 52; ND 3

11 mi · 13 min · United States Highway 52
18

Continue on US 52

0.3 mi · 23 sec · 1st Street
19

Continue on US 52

6.7 mi · 7 min · US-52
20

Continue on US 52; ND 14

7.4 mi · 8 min · United States Highway 52
21

Continue on US 52; ND 14

27 mi · 31 min · US-52
22

Continue on US 52

0.8 mi · 1 min · West Street
23

Continue on US 52

19 mi · 22 min · US-52
24

Take the exit onto US 52

0.2 mi · 28 sec · US 52
Toward US 2, US 52 W: Kenmare, Williston
25

Merge onto US 2; US 52

1.6 mi · 2 min · US-2 W
26

Continue on US 2; US 52

2.7 mi · 3 min · US Highway 2
27

Continue on US 2; US 52; US 83 Byp

0.3 mi · 31 sec · US-2 W
28

Continue on US 2; US 52

10 mi · 12 min · US Highway 2
29

Keep slight right at fork onto US 52

23 mi · 26 min · United States Route 52
30

Continue on US 52

22 mi · 24 min · 506th Street Northwest
31

Continue on US 52; ND 5

29 mi · 33 min · United States Highway 52
32

Continue on ND 5

35 mi · 40 min · State Highway 5
33

Turn right onto 8th Avenue Southeast

0.2 mi · 30 sec · 8th Avenue Southeast
34

Turn left onto Main Street South

0.6 mi · 1 min · Main Street South
35

Arrive at destination

Main Street South

Trip Plan

Morning Departure

Start early — leave by 6-7 AM to arrive at a reasonable hour.

Evening Departure

This is a long drive — plan for a morning departure or consider splitting it into two days.

You can normally do this drive in one day.
Plan roughly 1 meaningful break for fuel, food, and rest.
The halfway point lands around 163.8 miles from Valley City, ND, or about 3h 8m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 80.6 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 72 miles or 1h 19m in

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

Halfway reset

Around 163.8 miles or 3h 8m in

This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.

Final approach

Final hour starts around 5h 12m

Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Crosby, 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 327.6 miles and 6h 21m.

Your first comfortable stop window is around 72 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 US-52 for about 80.6 miles.

Where to Stop

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

seat of Ward County, North Dakota, United States

Mid-route town

Meal stop

Minot, ND

164 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

Munster, ND

Fuel and coffee

A short stop after about 72 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.

Martin, ND

Meal break

The midpoint is around 163.8 miles from Valley City, ND, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.

Before the longest stretch

Fuel check

Top up before US-52 if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 80.6 miles.

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

Stops Along Your Drive

Picked by where they fit in your drive — first break, midpoint reset, final stretch.

Best meal stop · final third

Vardon’s Restaurants- Grille and Bar and Chophouse

4.9 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Minot, North Dakota

Around the midpoint, right off the route

Final third · 2h 16m to go 0.7 mi from route ~2 min detour $20 to $30

Hours: 11 am–10 pm

+17018525502

Visit website

Best coffee break

Alley Beans | Coffee & Roastery

4.9 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Valley City, North Dakota

Near the start, right off the route

0.2 mi from route $1 to $10

Hours: 6 am–6 pm

+17014903752

Visit website

Wild Prairie Bakery

4.8 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Valley City, North Dakota

0 mi

The Vault

4.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Valley City, North Dakota

0.1 mi

Vardon’s Restaurants- Grille and Bar and Chophouse

4.9 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Around the midpoint, right off the route

Final third 0.7 mi from route ~2 min detour $20 to $30

Minot, North Dakota

Hours: 11 am–10 pm

+17018525502

Visit website

Zorbas Mediterranean Restaurant

4.5 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Around the midpoint, ~10 min detour

Final third 4 mi from route ~10 min detour $20 to $30

Minot, North Dakota

Hours: 11 am–9 pm

+17018220671

Visit website

Badlands Restaurant and Bar

4.1 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Around the midpoint, ~12 min detour

Final third 5 mi from route ~12 min detour $20 to $30

Minot, North Dakota

Hours: 11 am–10 pm

+17018527335

Visit website

Alley Beans | Coffee & Roastery

4.9 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, right off the route

0.2 mi from route $1 to $10

Valley City, North Dakota

Hours: 6 am–6 pm

+17014903752

Visit website

Wild Prairie Bakery

4.8 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, right off the route

0 mi from route $1 to $10

Valley City, North Dakota

Hours: 6:30 am–2 pm

+17014903393

The Vault

4.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, right off the route

0.1 mi from route $1 to $10

Valley City, North Dakota

Hours: 8 am–5 pm

+17018406264

Visit website

Epworth's Holy Grounds

4.8 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, right off the route

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

Valley City, North Dakota

Hours: 6 am–6 pm

+17018408713

Visit website

Viking Grounds

4.1 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Near the start, right off the route

0.4 mi from route ~1 min detour

Valley City, North Dakota

Hours: 7:30 am–2 pm

+17018457137

Jams Thai Food Cafe

4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, right off the route

Home stretch 0.5 mi from route ~1 min detour $10 to $20

Crosby, North Dakota

Taube Museum of Art

4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Around the midpoint, ~12 min detour

Final third 5 mi from route ~12 min detour

Minot, North Dakota

Hours: 10:30 am–5:30 pm

+17018384445

Visit website

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

Heads-up: tricky spots

5 of 15

5 decision points cluster between mile 32.5 and 202.6 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.

4
32.5 mi into trip | ~32m in

Take the exit toward Jamestown

Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early

Toward Jamestown
4
35.2 mi into trip | ~36m in | US 52; US 281 / 5th Street Northwest

Turn left onto US 52; US 281 / 5th Street Northwest

Navigation decision point

4
77.2 mi into trip | ~1h 25m in | 7th Street South

Turn left onto 7th Street South

Navigation decision point

5
102.1 mi into trip | ~1h 56m in | US 52 / US-52

Turn right onto US 52 / US-52

Lane positioning matters here

Use the right lane.
6
202.6 mi into trip | ~3h 54m in | US 52

Take the exit onto US 52 toward US 2, US 52 W: Kenmare, Williston

Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one

Toward US 2, US 52 W: Kenmare, Williston

Fuel & Cost

Regular Gas

$50.79 one way

$101.58 round trip

$3.94/gal 25.4 MPG avg 115 kg CO2
Fuel Type $/gal One Way Round Trip
midgrade $4.32 $55.69 $111.38
premium $4.93 $63.56 $127.12
diesel $5.60 $72.21 $144.43

No toll roads detected on this route.

Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)

Fuel

$51

Meals

$25–$50

Total

$76–$101

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

Estimated CO2 emission: 114.6 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-08-31.

Driving Electric?

About $34 in charging · 1 stop · 67% less CO2

Vehicle Type kWh Stops DC Fast Home Charge
Average EV 98.3 1 $34.40 $15.72
Efficient EV 81.9 0 $28.67 $13.10
EV Truck/SUV 131 1 $45.86 $20.97

Gas CO2

115 kg

EV CO2

38 kg (67% less)

Plan for 1 charging stop. A 30-minute DC fast charge mid-route should be enough to complete the trip comfortably.

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 Aug 30, 2026

Origin

Valley City, ND

Late night in Valley City on Wednesday

Local time

1:49 AM

CDT

Current temp

78°F

Slight Chance Rain Showers then Slight Chance Showers And Thunderstorms

E 12 mph 20% chance Live forecast

Destination

Crosby, ND

Late night in Crosby on Wednesday

Local time

1:49 AM

CDT

Current temp

77°F

Chance Showers And Thunderstorms

S 14 mph 82% chance 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

1 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

6h 21m on the road

Start early — leave by 6-7 AM to arrive at a reasonable hour.

Weather data from the National Weather Service. Conditions may change; check closer to your travel date.

What kind of drive is this?

327.6 mi in 6h 21m, mostly highway — 80.6 mi of that is on US-52.

78% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
35 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 80.6 mi on US-52.

How Hard Is This Drive?

4/10

This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on US-52 and United States Highway 52. There are only a few real navigation decisions along the way. The trickiest moment comes around 32.5 miles in.

Driving Effort 4/10

Easy - simple navigation with a manageable amount of wheel time

Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.

The route itself is not hard, but at 6h 21m, endurance matters. Plan breaks every 2-3 hours. The 15 decision points are all manageable with basic attention.

Where does it get tricky?

The main spots that need attention: at 32.5 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early; at 35.2 miles (US 52; US 281 / 5th Street Northwest): Navigation decision point; at 77.2 miles (7th Street South): Navigation decision point.

Elevation Profile

Mostly flat terrain

1,962 ft 1,221 ft

Total Climb

929 ft

Total Descent

187 ft

Highest Point

1,962 ft

~327.6 mi in

Elevation Range

741 ft

Towns Mentioned on Route Signs

Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.

Between Valley City, ND and Crosby, ND, road signs point toward Jamestown and Williston.

Jamestown

32.5 mi in | ~32m

Williston

202.6 mi in | ~3h 54m | via US 52

About the Cities

Starting in Valley City, ND

Full guide →

Founded 1874

Valley City is a town in the Coteaus and Plains area of North Dakota. It has a population of about 6,826 people. Its elevation is 1,222 feet.

Top landmarks

  • • Amphitheater and Fieldstone WPA Features at Valley City Pioneer Park — place in North Dakota listed as historic place
  • • Barnes County Courthouse — county courthouse in Valley City, United States of America
  • • Green Consolidated School

Arriving in Crosby, ND

Full guide →

Founded 1904

Crosby is a town in Western North Dakota with a population of just over a thousand. Crosby's elevation is 1,964 feet. Like much of this part of the Dakotas, it's not exactly a scenic wonderland or a thrill a minute.

City content from Wikivoyage (CC BY-SA 4.0) and Wikidata (CC0).

Who Is This Route For?

Weekend Trip

Doable as a same-day drive at 6h 21m. Total distance: 327.6 miles.

Family Friendly

Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.

Solo Traveler

6h 21m drive, plan rest stops for pacing.

First-Time Driver

Mostly highway driving (78%). Straightforward navigation.

Frequently Asked Questions

The longest stretch is about 80.6 miles on US-52. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.

We did not find dedicated rest areas on this route. For a drive this long, plan bathroom and stretch breaks around gas stations, fast-food stops, or small-town downtowns — check the Nearby Places section for options.

It helps. This is a long drive, so arriving tired and in the dark compounds. If the last hour of the trip is on surface roads or mountain grades, aim to arrive at Crosby, ND before sunset when you can. Check the Trip Plan for departure windows that land you in daylight.

Only with planning. This is a long drive for kids — consider splitting it into two days rather than pushing through. Plan at least 1 meaningful breaks. Dedicated rest areas are limited, so plan gas or food stops as your bathroom breaks.

Mostly yes along the main roads, but rural stretches through ND can have sparse or no coverage. Before you leave, download offline Google Maps or Apple Maps for the route, and consider downloading music or podcasts instead of streaming. If you depend on data for navigation, keep a paper backup of the turn-by-turn directions.

The main spots that need attention: at 32.5 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early; at 35.2 miles (US 52; US 281 / 5th Street Northwest): Navigation decision point; at 77.2 miles (7th Street South): Navigation decision point.

Not recommended in a single day. At 6.4 hours each way, a round trip means 12.7 hours of driving — that is an unsafe level of fatigue for most drivers. Plan at least one night at Crosby, ND before the return drive.

How this page is built

Compiled by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy from open government datasets — OSRM over OpenStreetMap for geometry, EIA for fuel prices, and USGS 3DEP for elevation. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.

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Crosby, ND to Valley City, ND

Plan the drive back the other way.

328.1 mi 6h 22m

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