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Route History for US 2 in North Dakota

• In 1926, the route US 2 now generally follows was numbered as ND 8. At this time, ND 8 followed the path of what is now ND 297, Demers Avenue, and County Route 4 between Grand Forks and Larimore. To McCanna, ND 8 followed what is now ND 18 and 23rd Avenue. From McCanna, ND 8 followed what is now County Route 11 to what is now US 2. Through Petersburg, ND 8 followed 2nd Avenue. Through Michigan, ND 8 followed 3rd Street. Between Doyon and Churchs Ferry, ND 8 followed the path of what is now County Route 3 and County Route 2. Through Leeds, ND 8 followed Main Street, then followed what is now ND 30 to York. In Rugby, ND 8 followed what is now ND 3 and 1st Street NW, then followed 15th Avenue and 64st Street NE to Towner. Between Denbigh and Granville, ND 8 followed Center Avenue North and 59th Street North. From Granville, ND 8 followed what is now Prospect Avenue, 12th Avenue North, US 2, County Route 12, and 55th Street NE. In Minot, ND 8 followed what is now Business US 2. Between Tagus and Stanley, ND 8 followed what is now 408th Street NW, County Route 3137, and ND 8. Between Ross and Williston, ND 8 followed what is now County Route 2, US 2, County Route 15, County Route 8C, County Route 8, and US 2. Through Williston, ND 8 followed what is now Business US 2. Most of ND 8 was dirt or gravel in 1926.
• By 1950, US 2 had been paved in North Dakota. The route had been realigned to its present path except between Grand Forks and Niagara, through Minot, and between Ray and Williston.
• By 1966, all of US 2 had been realigned to its current path, except through Minot, where it followed what is now Business US 2.
• By 1968, US 2 had been rerouted around Minot.
• By 1975, two sections of US 2 had been widened to four lanes. The sections which were widened were to the west of Grand Forks, and near Williston.
• By 1978, US 2 had been widened to four lanes near Devils Lake and east of Rugby.
• By 1980, US 2 had been widened to four lanes between Grand Forks and Petersburg, between Lakota and Devils Lake, between Leeds and Rugby, near Towner, between Granville and Minot, to the west of Minot, and near Williston.
• By 1996, US 2 had been widened between Grand Forks and Minot, and near Stanley.

Key to Abbreviations for Route Numbers:

• US - US Highway
• ND - North Dakota State Highway

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