How far is Thompson, ND from Valley City, ND?

The driving distance from Thompson, ND to Valley City, ND is about 103.1 miles (166 km), with a travel time of about 01h 43m by car.

  • The straight-line flight distance is about 72.1 miles (116.1 km).
  • For a round trip, plan for roughly 03h 27m of driving time before adding stops, traffic, or weather delays.
  • A comfortable departure window is usually 8:00 AM to 10:00 AM CDT.
Trip Tools

Reverse, save, or send this route

This route works well as a day trip with time at the destination. Copy the route link, send it to another device, or print a clean version before you head out.

Reverse Route
Quick Snapshot
Road
103.17 mi
01h 43m
Flight
72.11 mi
116.05 km direct

This route works well as a day trip with time at the destination.

Learn Distance

Choose another destination from Thompson.

Flight Distance

Direct air line
72.11 mi
Kilometers
116.05 km
Flight Time
00h 08m

Driving Distance

Road route
103.17 mi
Kilometers
166.04 km
Drive Time
01h 43m

Gas Cost Calculator

Leave and Arrive Planner

Pick a departure time to see your estimated arrival and same-day return window.

Drive time stays fixed at 01h 43m.

Arrival Snapshot
Arrive in Valley City
Tue, May 12, 9:13 PM CDT
Return by in Thompson
Tue, May 12, 10:57 PM CDT
Useful when you're deciding between a quick errand, a day trip, or a longer stop.
Leave Thompson
2026-05-12T19:29
Arrive Valley City
Tue, May 12, 9:13 PM CDT
Route Timing
01h 43m
One way by road
Best Departure Window
8:00 AM to 10:00 AM CDT
Aim for a morning departure
Arrive between
9:44 AM to 11:44 AM CDT

A morning start gives you useful time at the destination and keeps the return out of the late evening.

Leave by
3:02 PM CDT
Keeps a same-day return open with about 03h 00m at the destination.
Back in Thompson
9:30 PM CDT
Morning start is best

You are leaving earlier than the recommended window, which gives you extra margin for breaks and traffic.

Halfway Point

A useful midpoint for breaks, coffee, or meeting in the middle.

Mid-route stop
Newman
ND

Township in Ward County, North Dakota

From Thompson
58.2 mi
00h 51m
To Valley City
45 mi
00h 51m

Route Weather Snapshot

Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.

Origin
65°F
Tuesday

Mostly Sunny

Starts
Tue, May 12 6:00 AM CDT
Wind
26 to 37 mph NW
Destination
70°F
Tuesday

Sunny

Starts
Tue, May 12 6:00 AM CDT
Wind
24 to 32 mph NW

Driving Route Map

The map below follows the saved road route between Thompson and Valley City.

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between Thompson and Valley City.

  1. 1

    Start on Broadway Street

    2600 ft · 1 min · Broadway Street

  2. 2

    Continue on State Highway 15

    1.5 km · 1 min · State Highway 15

  3. 3

    Take the ramp right toward I 29 South: Fargo

    1374 ft · 33 sec

  4. 4

    Merge slight left

    51 mi · 48 min

  5. 5

    Take the exit slight right toward Argusville

    1309 ft · 35 sec

  6. 6

    Turn right onto 25 Street Southeast

    1.1 mi · 1 min · 25 Street Southeast

  7. 7

    Continue on 25 Street Souteast

    6 mi · 7 min · 25 Street Souteast

  8. 8

    Continue on 25 Street Southeast

    6 mi · 7 min · 25 Street Southeast

  9. 9

    Turn left onto State Highway 18

    10 mi · 12 min · State Highway 18

  10. 10

    Turn right onto 5th Street North

    603 ft · 17 sec · 5th Street North

  11. 11

    Continue on 35th Street Southeast

    2 mi · 2 min · 35th Street Southeast

  12. 12

    Turn left onto 153rd Avenue Southeast

    1.9 mi · 5 min · 153rd Avenue Southeast

  13. 13

    Take the ramp right toward I 94 West

    1253 ft · 31 sec

  14. 14

    Merge slight left

    34 mi · 32 min

  15. 15

    Take the exit slight right toward I 94 BUS: Valley City

    1099 ft · 27 sec

  16. 16

    Turn right

    2 mi · 3 min

  17. 17

    Arrive at your destination

    0 m · 1 sec · West Main Street

Car Route Details

A richer read on the saved driving route between Thompson and Valley City.

OSRM road route
Drive Character

Highway-focused drive

Most of the mileage stays on named highways, so the important moments are ramps, exits, merges, and the final local approach.

Directions
17 steps
5 turns on the saved route
Ramps & Exits
6
2 merges, 4 ramps or exits
Navigation Density
16.5 / 100 mi
Decision points by distance
Main Roads
I 29 South
51.2 mi · 50%
I 94 West
34.2 mi · 33%
State Highway 18
10 mi · 10%
25 Street Southeast
7.07 mi · 7%
25 Street Souteast
5.99 mi · 6%
35th Street Southeast
2 mi · 2%
Longest Stretch

I 29 South

Merge slight left

51 mi · 00h 48m

Route Summary

A quick read on whether this route feels easy, ambitious, or worth planning around.

Trip Read

A comfortable day-trip route

This route works well as a day trip. You can leave in the morning, spend meaningful time at the destination, and still return the same day.

Drive Time
01h 43m
Day trip friendly
Same-Day Return
03h 28m
Round-trip wheel time
Road vs Air
+31 mi
72.1 mi direct line
Halfway Stop
Newman
00h 51m from Thompson
Leave By
3:02 PM CDT
Morning start is best
Weather Watch

Mostly Sunny leaving Thompson and Sunny near Valley City.

Trip Questions

Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.

How long does it take to drive from Thompson to Valley City?

The road trip is about 103.1 miles (166 km) and usually takes 01h 43m in normal driving conditions.

Is this a same-day trip or an overnight route?

This route works well as a day trip. You can leave in the morning, spend meaningful time at the destination, and still return the same day.

What is the halfway point on this route?

Newman is a useful midpoint, sitting about 58.2 miles from Thompson and 45 miles from Valley City.

How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?

The direct path is about 72.1 miles (116.1 km), while the road route adds roughly 31 extra miles because roads do not follow the straight air line.

When is the best time to leave for this route?

A good departure window is usually 8:00 AM to 10:00 AM CDT. If you want a more comfortable same-day return, try to leave by 3:02 PM CDT.

How much will gas cost for this route?

Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $13.73 one way or $27.45 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 32.3 kg one way.

What should you check before leaving?

Before you leave, expect Mostly Sunny around Thompson and Sunny near Valley City.

Stop Ideas Near Newman

Useful break, food, and waypoint ideas within about 15 miles of the route midpoint.

Mid-route Guidance
Local place coverage is thin around Newman, so nearby transit and meeting points are shown instead.
Reviewed stop coverage is still thin around this midpoint, so practical transit waypoints are shown on the right.

Transit and Meeting Points

Useful pickup, handoff, or rendezvous points close to Newman.

RAIL

Fargo

27 mi away
420 4th Street North
RAIL

Detroit Lakes

97 mi away
116 Pioneer Street
RAIL

Grand Forks

103 mi away
5555 DeMers Avenue

Flight Path Map

This map shows the direct air route between Thompson and Valley City. Straight-line distance: 72.11 mi (116.05 km).

Photo coming soon

#1 Thompson

City in North Dakota, United States

Population1,027
Coordinates47.7735900, -97.1098000
Altitude266
CountryUnited States
Valley City

#2 Valley City

City in North Dakota

Population6,323
Coordinates46.9233100, -98.0031500
Altitude373
CountryUnited States
Start: Broadway Street (-97.1098, 47.773536)
End: West Main Street (-98.003152, 46.923359)

Estimated Travel Time

Distance: 166 km by road

SpeedTime
30 mph (48.3 km/h)03h 26m
40 mph (64.37 km/h)02h 34m
50 mph (80.47 km/h)02h 03m
60 mph (96.56 km/h)01h 43m
70 mph (112.65 km/h)01h 28m
80 mph (129 km/h)01h 17m

Fuel, Round Trip and CO2

Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.

One-way fuel
3.64 gal
13.78 L · about $13.73
Round trip
$27.45
7.28 gal · 27.56 L
Estimated CO2
32.3 kg one way
Round trip: 64.7 kg / 143 lb CO2, using regular gasoline.
Fuel$/galOne wayRound trip
Regular gas $3.77 $13.73 $27.45
Mid-grade $4.25 $15.48 $30.96
Premium $4.65 $16.94 $33.88
Diesel $5.30 $19.31 $38.61

Assumes 8.3 L/100 km (about 28.3 MPG). CO2 is an estimate and varies by vehicle, fuel blend, traffic, and terrain.

Prices in North Dakota · May 13, 2026

There is no time difference between Thompson and Valley City. The current time is 19:29:33.

Distance to Other Cities

Planning a road trip? See the full trip guide on Trip.ovh — stops, fuel costs, weather, and departure timing.

How did we calculate? Place names are translated into coordinates. The Haversine formula calculates straight-line distance; driving distance uses road network data.