Compiled and reviewed by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Sep 2, 2026 · Editorial standards
Drive Time
4h 34m
Distance
264.7 mi
426 km
Drive Score
8/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$41
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Valley City, ND
Isabelli Pontes
Killdeer, ND
Veronika Andrews
Valley City to Killdeer is 264.7 miles and takes about 4h 34m via I 94, with a fuel budget near $42 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This route stays within North Dakota, moving across the Great Plains region. It's a straightforward trip, mostly on the interstate, making it a good option if you're looking for efficiency. You'll spend most of your time cruising on the highway, so plan for a consistent pace. Consider this drive if you need to cover ground quickly within the state.
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
132.4 miles from Valley City, ND
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 2h 6m into the drive .
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| I 94 | 228.4 mi | 3h 38m |
| 3rd Avenue West | 32.3 mi | 48m |
| West Main Street | 1.9 mi | 2m |
| State Highway 22 Business | 1 mi | 2m |
| Central Avenue Southeast | 0.4 mi | 1m |
| I 94 Business | 0.3 mi | <1m |
Hour-of-day weekday pattern from 32 FHWA count stations on your route.
Peak
5 PM
~566 veh/hr typical · worst 817
Quietest
3 AM
~46 veh/hr
Peak-to-quiet ratio
12.3×
busier at peak than in the quiet hours
Averaged across 101 weeks of 2023 FHWA Travel Monitoring Analysis System data. Weekday hours only (Mon–Fri).
Step-by-step road directions between Valley City, ND and Killdeer, ND.
Start on I 94 Business
Take the ramp onto I 94 Business
Merge onto I 94; US 52
Continue on I 94; US 83
Take the exit
Keep slight right at fork
Turn slight right onto ND 22
Enter roundabout onto ND 22 Business
Continue on ND 22 Business
Continue on ND 22 Business
Arrive at destination
Given the 4h 34m drive time, departing in the morning from Valley City allows ample time to reach Killdeer before evening. With only one recommended stop and a primarily highway profile, you can easily complete this in a single day. The fuel cost is estimated at $42, so ensure you have sufficient funds or plan your fueling stops accordingly. Keep an eye on your fuel gauge, especially during the 228.4-mile stretch on I 94, as services might be spaced out in this part of the Great Plains.
Morning Departure
An early start around 7-8 AM gets you there with plenty of daylight left.
Evening Departure
A late afternoon start means arriving after dark. Morning is better.
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 58 miles or 56m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 132.4 miles or 2h 6m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 3h 29m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Killdeer, ND than in the middle of the route.
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 264.7 miles and 4h 34m.
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Mid-route town
Meal stop
132 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.
A short stop after about 58 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
The midpoint is around 132.4 miles from Valley City, ND, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Before the longest stretch
Fuel checkTop up before I 94 if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 228.4 miles.
These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.
5 decision points cluster between mile 1.9 and 263.3 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
Take the ramp onto I 94 Business toward I 94 West
Navigation decision point
Merge onto I 94; US 52
Merge point - match speed before joining
Take the exit
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early
Keep slight right at fork
Highway fork - watch signs carefully
Enter roundabout onto ND 22 Business / State Highway 22 Business
Roundabout - know your exit number before entering
Regular Gas
$41.04 one way
$82.08 round trip
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.32 | $45.00 | $90.00 |
| premium | $4.93 | $51.36 | $102.71 |
| diesel | $5.60 | $58.35 | $116.70 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$41
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$66–$91
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 92.6 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-08-31.
Driving Electric?
About $28 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 79.4 | 0 | $27.79 | $12.71 |
| Efficient EV | 66.2 | 0 | $23.16 | $10.59 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 105.9 | 1 | $37.06 | $16.94 |
Gas CO2
93 kg
EV CO2
31 kg (67% less)
Plan for 0 charging stops, roughly every 270 miles. Allow 25-40 minutes per stop at a DC fast charger.
DC fast charging avg $0.35/kWh. Home charging avg $0.16/kWh. US grid CO2: 0.39 kg/kWh.
Current conditions at both ends of the drive.
Origin
Late night in Valley City on Wednesday
Local time
1:36 AM
CDT
Current temp
64°F
Scattered Showers And Thunderstorms
Destination
Late night in Killdeer on Wednesday
Local time
12:36 AM
MDT
Current temp
61°F
Chance Showers And Thunderstorms then Mostly Cloudy
78°F
New Salem, ND
132 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
The destination clock does not match departure time, so double-check hotel check-in windows and late arrival plans.
Temperature spread
A meaningful temperature swing is a good cue to rethink layers, water, and how soon you want to arrive.
Road read
An early start around 7-8 AM gets you there with plenty of daylight left.
Weather data from the National Weather Service. Conditions may change; check closer to your travel date.
You'll be on I 94 for about 87% of this 264.7-mile trip. The longest continuous stretch on the interstate is 228.4 miles. The transition to local roads, specifically 3rd Avenue West and West Main Street, happens near the end of your drive as you enter Killdeer. Expect consistent highway cruising for the majority of your travel time.
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 94 and 3rd Avenue West. There are only a few real navigation decisions along the way. The trickiest moment comes around 1.9 miles in near I 94 Business.
Easy - simple navigation with a manageable amount of wheel time
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This is a straightforward 4h 34m drive. You will face about 5 decision points, but nothing that requires special attention if you follow navigation.
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 230.7 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early.
Gently rolling terrain
Total Climb
1,532 ft
Total Descent
468 ft
Highest Point
2,546 ft
~226.9 mi in
Elevation Range
1,324 ft
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
Founded 1914
City content from Wikivoyage (CC BY-SA 4.0) and Wikidata (CC0).
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 4h 34m. Total distance: 264.7 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
4h 34m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (87%). Straightforward navigation.
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, USGS 3DEP for elevation, and FHWA TMAS for hourly traffic volumes. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.
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