U.S. Route 281 (US 281) is a part of the U.S. Highway System that travels from Hidalgo, Texas and Brownsville, Texas, to its northern terminus at the International Peace Garden, north of Dunseith, North Dakota. In the U.S. state of North Dakota, US 281 extends from the South Dakota state line south of Ellendale, North Dakota and ends at the North DakotaâÂÂManitoba border.
In North Dakota, US 281 is a major northâÂÂsouth artery. It enters ND south of Ellendale and intersects ND 13 in Edgeley. Later it intersects Interstate 94 and US 52 at Jamestown. There is also a truck bypass of 281/52 around the west side of the city. The bypass follows I-94 west to exit 256. 281 and 52 remain paired together to Carrington, where it intersects with ND 200. From there, US 281 continues northward through New Rockford, where it junctions with ND 15 and Sheyenne, while US 52 heads west along ND 200 and then northwest toward Minot. Ten miles north of Sheyenne the highway curves in order to go around Devil's Lake, and then continues to west of Minnewaukan. It intersects US 2 near Churchs Ferry. From there it goes past Cando to ND at Rocklake. US 281 follows ND 5 westward to Dunseith, where the highway turns north in concurrence with North Dakota Highway 3 to its end at the CanadaâÂÂUnited States border in the International Peace Garden. The northernmost section of US 281 passes through North Dakota's Turtle Mountains.
The entire route of US 281 within the state was North Dakota Highway 4. In 1934, US 281 replaced Highway 4 south of Rock Lake. US 281 was extended north to the CanadaâÂÂUnited States border between 1939 and 1940, replacing the remainder of Highway 4.
Recently, US 281 was rebuilt near Minnewaukan, North Dakota to accommodate flooding close to the city.