Shell large for the genus, surface dull white, almost chalky, dark pink between the axial ribs; whorls nearly flat-sided, sutures not deeply impressed, aperture greater than 1/3 the length of the shell. Protoconch missing; early whorls with 10 axial ribs per whorl, increasing to 12 on the final whorl; ribs slightly impressed and flexed in the subsutural area, extending from suture to suture, narrowed upon the pillar and flexed toward the inner lip; lip not preceded by a thickened axial rib on the back of the last whorl; spiral sculpture of numerous fine striae, visible under magnification. Sinus deep, U-shaped, not strongly outward projecting, bordered on the inside by curved parietal callus; lip edge thin, stromboid notch shallow; anterior canal scarcely defined, deeply notched; inner lip raised above the pillar. Height, 29.3, diameter, 11.2 mm.

Drillia valida differs from other eastern Pacific clavine species in having nearly flat-sided whorls. It does not have a thickened axial rib back of the lip that is characteristic in the genus. If there were evidence of carination on the protoconch it would be assignable to Elaeocyma, but the general facies suggests Drillia. The Latin name means stout or powerful, suggested by the massive appearance of the shell.

Pacific Mexico. Type Locality: Dewey Channel, near Cedros Island, outer coast of Baja California.