I-94 · ND
I-94 across North Dakota: road conditions right now
Fargo, ND to Bismarck, ND
The 200 miles of I-94 between Fargo and Bismarck cross the flattest, windiest terrain on the interstate system. Ground blizzards close it under clear skies, and NDDOT issues "No Travel Advised" for the whole stretch several times a winter.
Conditions at Sat, 12:15 PM CDT
Highest risk along I-94: 2 of 5 (low), departing at that time.
- NWS Special Weather Statement, until Sat, 3:00 PM CDT
The road authority linked below has the final word on closures and chain requirements.
Clear driving for the whole 2 h 37 min.
Conditions: Cloudy, Light rain
Checkpoints along I-94
| Where | You pass | Weather | Risk | Why |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Fargo, ND | Sat 1:00 PM | 50°F | low | Sources differ: NWS says Slight Chance Light Rain at 53°F |
| Casselton, ND | Sat 1:30 PM | 49°F | low | Nothing flagged |
| Valley City, ND | Sat 2:00 PM | 48°F | low | Nothing flagged |
| Jamestown, ND | Sat 2:30 PM | 47°F | low | NWS Special Weather Statement in effect until Sat 3:00 PM |
| I-94 between Jamestown, ND and Lincoln, ND | Sat 3:00 PM | 50°F | low | NWS Special Weather Statement in effect until Sat 3:00 PM |
| Bismarck, ND | Sat 3:30 PM – 3:37 PM | 51°F | low | Nothing flagged |
Why this stretch is hard in winter
- Jamestown to Bismarck is the most exposed section; drifting closes it even a day after the snow stops.
- Wind chills reach -40°F; a breakdown is dangerous within minutes.
- Glare ice from freezing drizzle is common in November and March when temperatures hover at freezing.
What this page checks
- Hourly forecast at every checkpoint for the time you would be there: temperature, precipitation type and rate, gusts, visibility.
- Active National Weather Service watches, warnings, and advisories on the route.
- Snow on the ground (NOAA SNODAS) and the Weather Prediction Center winter impact outlook.
- Pavement temperature and surface state from state DOT road sensors, when you are leaving within a few hours.
- Chain controls, closures, and winter road condition reports from state DOT feeds where they are published openly.
- Seasonal closures of mountain roads the router might otherwise use.
Official sources for this corridor
Questions drivers ask about I-94
- How cold is too cold to drive I-94 in North Dakota?
- The road itself handles -30°F fine. The risk is being stranded: pack blankets, food, and a full tank, and treat any NWS Extreme Cold Warning on this page as a reason to delay a night drive.
Conditions change by the hour. This page is a planning aid built on public forecasts and DOT feeds; the road authority linked above has the final word on closures and chain requirements.
Other corridors: I-80 across Wyoming · I-70 through the Colorado mountains · I-80 over Donner Pass · I-90 over Snoqualmie Pass · I-84 through the Blue Mountains · I-15 over Cajon Pass · all corridors