History of Interstates and U.S. Highways in North Dakota
North Dakota’s highways have been essential for connecting its largely rural areas to major trade routes and neighboring states. Early routes such as U.S. 2 and U.S. 83 provided vital connections across the northern plains, linking the state's farms and towns to larger markets. With the introduction of the Interstate Highway System, I-94 and I-29 became the main arteries for transportation, commerce, and travel throughout the state.
These highways are crucial for agricultural and energy industries, moving goods like wheat, corn, and oil to national and international markets. I-94, which runs across the southern part of the state, serves as a critical route for freight transport, while I-29 runs along the eastern border, connecting North Dakota to Canada and major U.S. highways. U.S. 2 is also an important east-west corridor in the northern region of the state, supporting the movement of goods and travelers across the Upper Midwest.
North Dakota continues to maintain and improve its highways to accommodate the demands of its growing energy sector and agricultural economy. Projects are underway to upgrade rural routes, improve road surfaces, and modernize interchanges to ensure the state’s highways remain efficient and safe for commercial and personal travel.
Busiest and Longest Federal Interstates and U.S. Highways in North Dakota
| Interstate or Highway | Length (mi) | Length (km) | Southern or Western Terminus | Northern or Eastern Terminus | Created |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| I-94 | 352 | 566 | Montana Border | Minnesota Border | 1956 |
| I-29 | 217 | 349 | South Dakota Border | Canada Border | 1956 |
| U.S. 2 | 358 | 576 | Montana Border | Minnesota Border | 1926 |
| U.S. 83 | 224 | 360 | South Dakota Border | Canada Border | 1926 |
| U.S. 52 | 192 | 309 | South Dakota Border | Canada Border | 1926 |
| U.S. 85 | 241 | 388 | South Dakota Border | Montana Border | 1926 |
| U.S. 281 | 166 | 267 | South Dakota Border | Canada Border | 1926 |
| U.S. 12 | 92 | 148 | Montana Border | South Dakota Border | 1926 |
| U.S. 10 | 45 | 72 | Montana Border | Minnesota Border | 1926 |
| U.S. 1804 | 135 | 217 | Williston, ND | Bismarck, ND | 1958 |
North Dakota Designated Highways
North Dakota Interstate Highway 29, I-29 S
North Dakota Interstate Highway 94, 10th St SE
North Dakota Interstate Highway 94, 12th Ave SE
North Dakota Interstate Highway 94, 17th St SW
North Dakota Interstate Highway 94, 26th Ave
North Dakota Interstate Highway 94, Business Loop E
North Dakota Interstate Highway 94, Centennial Rd
North Dakota Interstate Highway 94, E Main Ave
North Dakota Interstate Highway 94, E Main St
North Dakota Interstate Highway 94, E Villard St
North Dakota Interstate Highway 94, I-94 Bus
North Dakota Interstate Highway 94, I-94 Bus Loop
North Dakota Interstate Highway 94, I-94 E
North Dakota Interstate Highway 94, I-94 W
North Dakota Interstate Highway 94, I94 Business Loop E
North Dakota Interstate Highway 94, Memorial Hwy
North Dakota Interstate Highway 94, N Bismarck Expy
North Dakota Interstate Highway 94, W Main Ave
North Dakota Interstate Highway 94, W Main St
North Dakota Interstate Highway 94, W Villard St
North Dakota Interstate Highway 194, I-194 N
North Dakota Interstate Highway 194, I-194 S
North Dakota US Highway 2, 2nd Ave W
North Dakota US Highway 2, 2nd St W
North Dakota US Highway 2, 11th St W
North Dakota US Highway 2, 64th St NE
North Dakota US Highway 2, Burdick Expy E
North Dakota US Highway 2, Burdick Expy W
North Dakota US Highway 2, Demers Ave
North Dakota US Highway 2, Gateway Dr
North Dakota US Highway 2, Highway 2 and 52 W
North Dakota US Highway 2, Main St
North Dakota US Highway 2, N 5th St
North Dakota US Highway 2, US-2
North Dakota US Highway 2, W Dakota Pkwy
North Dakota US Highway 2, W Railroad Ave
North Dakota US Highway 10, Main Ave
North Dakota US Highway 10, Main Ave E
North Dakota US Highway 10, Main Ave W
North Dakota US Highway 12, 1st St N
North Dakota US Highway 12, 1st St S
North Dakota US Highway 12, Adams Ave
North Dakota US Highway 12, US-12
North Dakota US Highway 52, 1st St
North Dakota US Highway 52, 10th St
North Dakota US Highway 52, 10th St E
North Dakota US Highway 52, 10th St W
North Dakota US Highway 52, 43rd Ave NE
North Dakota US Highway 52, 102nd St NW
North Dakota US Highway 52, 506th St NW
North Dakota US Highway 52, 548th Ave NW
North Dakota US Highway 52, Business 52
North Dakota US Highway 52, US-52
North Dakota US Highway 52, US-52 Bus
North Dakota US Highway 52, W Railway Ave
North Dakota US Highway 81, 2nd St
North Dakota US Highway 81, 10th St N
North Dakota US Highway 81, 10th St S
North Dakota US Highway 81, 13th Ave S
North Dakota US Highway 81, 19th Ave N
North Dakota US Highway 81, 28th Ave NE
North Dakota US Highway 81, 32nd Ave S
North Dakota US Highway 81, 52nd Ave S
North Dakota US Highway 81, E 12th St
North Dakota US Highway 81, Hill Ave
North Dakota US Highway 81, N Washington St
North Dakota US Highway 81, S Washington St
North Dakota US Highway 81, University Dr N
North Dakota US Highway 81, University Dr S
North Dakota US Highway 81, US-81
North Dakota US Highway 83, 3rd St E
North Dakota US Highway 83, 33rd Ave NW
North Dakota US Highway 83, N Broadway
North Dakota US Highway 83, S Broadway
North Dakota US Highway 83, S Saint Paul Ave
North Dakota US Highway 83, State St
North Dakota US Highway 83, US-83
North Dakota US Highway 85, 1st Ave NW
North Dakota US Highway 85, 1st Ave SW
North Dakota US Highway 85, 2nd Ave SW
North Dakota US Highway 85, 2nd St
North Dakota US Highway 85, 6th St NE
North Dakota US Highway 85, Elk St
North Dakota US Highway 85, US-85
North Dakota US Highway 281, 1st Ave
North Dakota US Highway 281, 1st Ave N
North Dakota US Highway 281, 1st Ave S
North Dakota US Highway 281, 1st St N
North Dakota US Highway 281, 1st St S
North Dakota US Highway 281, 4th Ave N
North Dakota US Highway 281, 4th Ave S
North Dakota US Highway 281, 5th St NW
North Dakota US Highway 281, 39th St NE
North Dakota US Highway 281, 64th Ave NE
North Dakota US Highway 281, 65th Ave NE
North Dakota US Highway 281, 68th St NE
North Dakota US Highway 281, C Ave S
North Dakota US Highway 281, Main Ave E
North Dakota US Highway 281, Main Ave W
North Dakota US Highway 281, Main St
North Dakota US Highway 281, US-281