U.S. Route 281
Encyclopedia
U.S. Route 281 is a north–south United States highway. At 1,872 miles (3,013 km) long it is the longest continuous three-digit U.S. Route.
The highway's northern terminus is at the International Peace Garden
, north of Dunseith, North Dakota
, at the Canadian border, where it continues as Highway 10
. The route between Dunseith and the border is shared with North Dakota Highway 3
. The southern terminus of US 281 is in Brownsville, Texas
, just short of the Mexican border. Thus, US 281 is the only continuous three-digit US route to extend from the Canadian border to the Mexican border.
. A project to construct a stack interchange at I-410 (the "San Antonio Web") was completed June 9, 2008; formerly there was no direct access between the two freeways and surface streets were required travel between the freeways. North of San Antonio, US 281 is not a freeway and forms the Main Street
of Blanco
. It overlaps US 290 south of Johnson City
. US 290 continues toward Austin, so US 281 and US 290 between San Antonio and Austin are available as a scenic and less congested alternate to I-35.
North of San Antonio, US 281 continues through central and north-central
Texas, passing through many towns, including Stephenville, Mineral Wells and Jacksboro before reaching Wichita Falls, where the highway begins a concurrency with I-44 north across the Red River
into Oklahoma
.
on a route concurrent with Interstate 44 starting in Wichita Falls
. About 6 miles (9.7 km) north of the Red River, US-281 leaves I-44 at Randlett, Oklahoma and follows a two-lane roadway paralleling I-44, which becomes the Wichita Falls-Lawton section of the H.E. Bailey Turnpike, from Randlett to a point 6 miles (9.7 km) south of Lawton
.
Through the Lawton/Fort Sill metropolitan area, US-281 again overlaps a free section of I-44, while the former US-281 alignment through the city of Lawton is designated as Business US-281 between I-44 exits 34 and 39B. About 8 miles (12.9 km) north of downtown Lawton, US-281 departs from I-44 to continue north through the cities of Apache, Anadarko
, Gracemont, Binger and Hinton. About 2 miles (3.2 km) north of its junction with Interstate 40 near Hinton, US-281 crosses a 1930's-vintage 38-span steel pony truss bridge over the South Canadian River that served traffic of the former east–west US-66 before that highway was superseded by I-40 in the 1960s. A four-mile (6 km) section of US-281's paving from north of I-40 to a point south of Geary is the original 18 feet (5.5 m) concrete surface of Route 66.
Through central and northern Oklahoma, US-281 then proceeds through the cities of Geary, Watonga, Seiling and Alva. The highway crosses the Kansas state line about 14 miles (22.5 km) north of Alva at Hardtner, Kansas.
in Barber County
and passes through Medicine Lodge
, Pratt
,
St. John
and Great Bend
, the only city along the route in Kansas which has more than 7,000 people. Along its venture through southern Kansas, US-281 intersects several major east–west routes: first US-54 and US-400, which heads east to Wichita
and west to Dodge City
, Garden City
and Liberal
; US-50, which veers east to Hutchinson
and west to Garden City; and US-56, heading to Dodge City westbound and Emporia
and Overland Park
eastbound.
Following a four-mile (6 km) concurrency with K-4
near Hoisington
, the highway intersects Interstate 70 at Russell
before joining K-18
near Paradise
for an eight-mile (13 km) concurrency.
The two highways split at Luray
, and US-281 turns north into Osborne County
, passing through the town of Osborne
before joining US-24 and K-9
for another concurrency. US-281 joins US-36 at Smith Center
, turning east before the two highways split, with US-281 turning north for its final stretch in the state, passing through Lebanon
. All sections of US-281 in Kansas are two-lane. The last stretches of the highway overlaid with bricks, through downtown Pratt and Hoisington, were recently resurfaced with concrete.
and meets U.S. Route 136
there. It continues north to Hastings
and meets U.S. Route 6
and U.S. Route 34
. Between Hastings and Grand Island
, U.S. 281 overlaps U.S. 34 and is designated as the Tom Osborne Expressway after the former Nebraska Cornhuskers football coach and U.S. Representative, who is a native of Hastings.
At Grand Island, U.S. 281 intersects Interstate 80
, loses U.S. 34 and intersects U.S. Route 30
. U.S. 281 continues north of Grand Island to St. Libory
as expressway. From there northward, U.S. 281 is a two-lane undivided highway passing mostly through unpopulated areas, with the exception of the regional trade center O'Neill
, where it junctions U.S. Route 20
and U.S. Route 275
. U.S. 281 exits the state north of Spencer
.
. Just north of the South Dakota-Nebraska border, it is cosigned with U.S. 18. It crosses the Missouri River
at Fort Randall Dam
. Just south of Armour
, U.S. 18 leaves the U.S. 281 alignment. North of Armour, U.S. 281 makes a short jaunt west on South Dakota Highway 44, then continues north. U.S. 281 and Interstate 90
intersect at Plankinton
. West of Huron, U.S. 14 is cosigned with U.S. 281 for 7 miles (11.3 km). U.S. 281 becomes an expressway at South Dakota Highway 20
. This expressway continues through Aberdeen
to a point near Westport
. South Dakota Highway 10 is cosigned with U.S. 281 for 3 miles (4.8 km) near Barnard
. It exits the state north of Frederick
.
U.S. 281 was recently realigned in the city of Aberdeen. A bypass was built that travels on the west side of Aberdeen, and the U.S. 281 designation was moved onto that new roadway. It runs north from U.S. Highway 12
and connects with the old alignment south of 24th Avenue Northeast.
The South Dakota section of U.S. 281, with the exception of concurrencies with U.S. 18 and U.S. 14, is defined at South Dakota Codified Laws § 31-4-229.
and intersects Interstate 94
and U.S. Route 52
at Jamestown, ND. 281 and 52 remain paired together to Carrington
. From there, U.S. 281 continues northward through Sheyenne
. Ten miles north of Sheyenne the highway curves in order to go around Devil's Lake
, and then continues to west of Minnewaukan, North Dakota
. From there it goes to North Dakota Highway 5
at Rocklake
. U.S. 281 follows ND 5 westward to Dunseith
, where 281 turns northward to its end at the Canadian border in the International Peace Garden
. The northernmost section of U.S. 281 passes through North Dakota's Turtle Mountains
. Recently, 281 was rebuilt near Minnewaukan, North Dakota
to accommodate flooding close to the city.
and Edinburg
. The entire freeway is located in Hidalgo County
.
to Loop 1604.
, Wichita County
, Texas
.
of U.S. Route 281 running within the northeastern and eastern portions of Great Bend, Kansas
. This mostly unsigned, two-lane surface highway
bypasses downtown Great Bend. The only visible indication of this being a bypass is via street signs along intersecting streets.
/K-156) and Pine Streets. 10th Street, which is normally east–west, travels slightly southwest-northeast for one block with its intersection with the bypass.
The bypass travels mostly to the northwest until near Park and Frey Streets. Then, it steers towards the north-northwest.
After intersecting with 22nd Street, 281 Bypass starts to curve to the west until it intersects with 24th Street. It remains unsigned on 24th Street until its northwestern terminus with its parent route on Main Street (US-281). The northwestern terminus of U.S. Highway 281 Bypass is directly adjacent to Brit Spaugh Park in Great Bend.
The highway's northern terminus is at the International Peace Garden
International Peace Garden
The International Peace Garden is a 3.65 sq. mi. park located on the international border between Canada and the United States, in the state of North Dakota and the province of Manitoba. Established on July 14, 1932, the park plants over 150,000 flowers each year...
, north of Dunseith, North Dakota
Dunseith, North Dakota
As of the census of 2000, there were 739 people, 253 households, and 178 families residing in the city. The population density was 729.2 people per square mile . There were 282 housing units at an average density of 278.2 per square mile...
, at the Canadian border, where it continues as Highway 10
Manitoba Highway 10
Provincial Trunk Highway 10 is a north-south highway that runs from the North Dakota border at the International Peace Garden near Boissevain, north through Brandon, Dauphin, Swan River, and The Pas to the Saskatchewan boundary at Flin Flon. The speed limit is 100 km/h...
. The route between Dunseith and the border is shared with North Dakota Highway 3
North Dakota Highway 3
North Dakota Highway 3 is a major north–south highway in North Dakota. It runs from Manitoba Highway 10 at the International Peace Garden to South Dakota Highway 45 south of Ashley.-Major Junctions:*I-94 at exit 200 and running concurrent to exit 208...
. The southern terminus of US 281 is in Brownsville, Texas
Brownsville, Texas
Brownsville is a city in the southernmost tip of the state of Texas, in the United States. It is located on the northern bank of the Rio Grande, directly north and across the border from Matamoros, Tamaulipas, Mexico. Brownsville is the 16th largest city in the state of Texas with a population of...
, just short of the Mexican border. Thus, US 281 is the only continuous three-digit US route to extend from the Canadian border to the Mexican border.
Texas
US 281 begins at an intersection with Business US 77 and SH 48 about 2 miles (3.2 km) from the Mexico border. It travels along the border through the Rio Grande Valley, turning north at Hidalgo, travelling through many small towns, alternating as a divided highway and main street, until joining I-37. It splits with I-37 and travels through Pleasanton, travelling north to San Antonio. In San Antonio, US 281 overlaps I-410 on the south side of the city until the interchange with I-37. US 281 and I-37 then overlap north into downtown San Antonio until I-37 ends at I-35. US 281 continues north from downtown San Antonio as a freeway, intersecting I-410 again on the north side of the city, with access to the San Antonio International AirportSan Antonio International Airport
San Antonio International Airport is a commercial airport in San Antonio, Texas, USA. The airport has three runways and covers . Its elevation is above sea level. SAT is a Class C airport.- Overview :...
. A project to construct a stack interchange at I-410 (the "San Antonio Web") was completed June 9, 2008; formerly there was no direct access between the two freeways and surface streets were required travel between the freeways. North of San Antonio, US 281 is not a freeway and forms the Main Street
Main Street
Main Street is the metonym for a generic street name of the primary retail street of a village, town, or small city in many parts of the world...
of Blanco
Blanco, Texas
Blanco is a city in Blanco County, Texas, United States. The population was 2,205 at the 2010 census. The region Devil's Backbone is located nearby in the colorful Texas Hill Country....
. It overlaps US 290 south of Johnson City
Johnson City, Texas
Johnson City is a city in Blanco County, Texas, United States. The population was 1,191 at the 2000 census. It is the county seat of Blanco County. It was the hometown of President Lyndon Johnson and was founded by James Polk Johnson, nephew of Samuel Ealy Johnson, Sr., cousin to President Johnson....
. US 290 continues toward Austin, so US 281 and US 290 between San Antonio and Austin are available as a scenic and less congested alternate to I-35.
North of San Antonio, US 281 continues through central and north-central
North Texas
North Texas is a distinct cultural and geographic area forming the central-northeastern section of the U.S. state of Texas. North Texas is generally considered to include the area south of Oklahoma, east of Abilene, and north of Waco...
Texas, passing through many towns, including Stephenville, Mineral Wells and Jacksboro before reaching Wichita Falls, where the highway begins a concurrency with I-44 north across the Red River
Red River (Mississippi watershed)
The Red River, or sometimes the Red River of the South, is a major tributary of the Mississippi and Atchafalaya Rivers in the southern United States of America. The river gains its name from the red-bed country of its watershed. It is one of several rivers with that name...
into Oklahoma
Oklahoma
Oklahoma is a state located in the South Central region of the United States of America. With an estimated 3,751,351 residents as of the 2010 census and a land area of 68,667 square miles , Oklahoma is the 28th most populous and 20th-largest state...
.
Oklahoma
US-281 enters the state of Oklahoma at the Red River bridge north of Burkburnett, TexasBurkburnett, Texas
Burkburnett is a city in Wichita County, Texas, United States. It is part of the Wichita Falls, Texas Metropolitan Statistical Area. The population was 10,927 at the 2000 census. The community's newspaper is the Burkburnett Informer/Star...
on a route concurrent with Interstate 44 starting in Wichita Falls
Wichita Falls, Texas
Wichita Falls is a city in and the county seat of Wichita County, Texas, United States, United States. Wichita Falls is the principal city of the Wichita Falls Metropolitan Statistical Area, which encompasses all of Archer, Clay and Wichita counties. According to the U.S. Census estimate of 2010,...
. About 6 miles (9.7 km) north of the Red River, US-281 leaves I-44 at Randlett, Oklahoma and follows a two-lane roadway paralleling I-44, which becomes the Wichita Falls-Lawton section of the H.E. Bailey Turnpike, from Randlett to a point 6 miles (9.7 km) south of Lawton
Lawton, Oklahoma
The city of Lawton is the county seat of Comanche County, in the U.S. state of Oklahoma. Located in the southwestern region of Oklahoma approximately southwest of Oklahoma City, it is the principal city of the Lawton Oklahoma Metropolitan Statistical Area...
.
Through the Lawton/Fort Sill metropolitan area, US-281 again overlaps a free section of I-44, while the former US-281 alignment through the city of Lawton is designated as Business US-281 between I-44 exits 34 and 39B. About 8 miles (12.9 km) north of downtown Lawton, US-281 departs from I-44 to continue north through the cities of Apache, Anadarko
Anadarko, Oklahoma
Anadarko is a city in Caddo County, Oklahoma, United States. The population was 6,645 at the 2000 census. It is the county seat of Caddo County.-Early History:Anadarko got its name when its post office was established in 1873...
, Gracemont, Binger and Hinton. About 2 miles (3.2 km) north of its junction with Interstate 40 near Hinton, US-281 crosses a 1930's-vintage 38-span steel pony truss bridge over the South Canadian River that served traffic of the former east–west US-66 before that highway was superseded by I-40 in the 1960s. A four-mile (6 km) section of US-281's paving from north of I-40 to a point south of Geary is the original 18 feet (5.5 m) concrete surface of Route 66.
Through central and northern Oklahoma, US-281 then proceeds through the cities of Geary, Watonga, Seiling and Alva. The highway crosses the Kansas state line about 14 miles (22.5 km) north of Alva at Hardtner, Kansas.
Kansas
Passing largely through sparsely populated areas of central Kansas, US-281 enters the state at HardtnerHardtner, Kansas
Hardtner is a city in Barber County, Kansas, United States. As of the 2010 census, the city population was 172.-History:By 1908 the townspeople had realized that they would need a railroad line to the outside world in order to survive. The town's founder Jacob Achenbach, helped set up a company to...
in Barber County
Barber County, Kansas
Barber County is a county located in South Central Kansas, in the Central United States. As of the 2010 census, the county population was 4,861. Its county seat and most populous city is Medicine Lodge...
and passes through Medicine Lodge
Medicine Lodge, Kansas
Medicine Lodge is the most populous city in and the county seat of Barber County, Kansas, United States. As of the 2010 census, the city population was 2,009.-19th century:...
, Pratt
Pratt, Kansas
Pratt is a city in and the county seat of Pratt County in the U.S. state of Kansas. As of the 2010 census, the city population was 6,835. Pratt is home to Pratt Community College.-19th century:Pratt was founded in 1884 and named after Caleb S...
,
St. John
St. John, Kansas
St. John is a city in and the county seat of Stafford County, Kansas, United States. As of the 2010 census, the city population was 1,295.-19th century:...
and Great Bend
Great Bend, Kansas
Great Bend, named for its location at the historic big bend of the Arkansas River, is the most populous city in and the county seat of Barton County, Kansas, United States. As of the 2010 census, the city population was 15,995.-History:...
, the only city along the route in Kansas which has more than 7,000 people. Along its venture through southern Kansas, US-281 intersects several major east–west routes: first US-54 and US-400, which heads east to Wichita
Wichita, Kansas
Wichita is the largest city in the U.S. state of Kansas.As of the 2010 census, the city population was 382,368. Located in south-central Kansas on the Arkansas River, Wichita is the county seat of Sedgwick County and the principal city of the Wichita metropolitan area...
and west to Dodge City
Dodge City, Kansas
Dodge City is a city in, and the county seat of, Ford County, Kansas, United States. Named after nearby Fort Dodge, the city is famous in American culture for its history as a wild frontier town of the Old West. As of the 2010 census, the city population was 27,340.-History:The first settlement of...
, Garden City
Garden City, Kansas
Garden City is a city in and the county seat of Finney County, Kansas, United States. As of the 2010 census, the city population was 26,658. The city is home to Garden City Community College and the Lee Richardson Zoo, the largest zoological park in western Kansas.-History:In February 1878, James...
and Liberal
Liberal, Kansas
Liberal is the county seat of Seward County, Kansas, United States. As of the 2010 census, the city population was 20,525.- History :S.S. Rogers built the first house in what would become Liberal in 1872. Rogers became famous in the region for giving water to weary travelers...
; US-50, which veers east to Hutchinson
Hutchinson, Kansas
Hutchinson is the largest city in and the county seat of Reno County, Kansas, United States, northwest of Wichita, on the Arkansas River. It has been home to salt mines since 1887, thus its nickname of "Salt City", but locals call it "Hutch"...
and west to Garden City; and US-56, heading to Dodge City westbound and Emporia
Emporia, Kansas
Emporia is a city in and the county seat of Lyon County, Kansas, United States. As of the 2010 census, the city population was 24,916. Emporia lies between Topeka and Wichita at the intersection of U.S. Route 50 with Interstates 335 and 35 on the Kansas Turnpike...
and Overland Park
Overland Park, Kansas
-Demographics:As of the census of 2000, there were 149,080 people, 59,703 households, and 39,702 families residing in the city. The population density was 2,627.0 people per square mile . There were 62,586 housing units at an average density of 1,102.9 per square mile...
eastbound.
Following a four-mile (6 km) concurrency with K-4
K-4 (Kansas highway)
K-4 is the longest designated state highway in Kansas traversing from north of Scott City at US-83 to US-59 near Nortonville in northeast Kansas. A segment of the highway in McPherson County overlaps Interstate 135, and a section in Topeka runs concurrent with Interstate 70.-Western Kansas:K-4...
near Hoisington
Hoisington, Kansas
Hoisington is a city in Barton County, Kansas, United States. As of the 2010 census, the city population was 2,706.-History:In 1886, a group of Barton County businessmen formed the Central Kansas Town Company and founded the town of Hoisington to attract the Kansas and Colorado Railroad to the...
, the highway intersects Interstate 70 at Russell
Russell, Kansas
Russell is the most populous city in and county seat of Russell County, Kansas, United States. As of the 2010 census, the city population was 4,506.-History:...
before joining K-18
K-18 (Kansas highway)
K-18 is a primarily east–west state highway running between US-24 and I-70 in north central Kansas.-Route description:K-18 begins near the town of Bogue in Graham County as it branches off to the south from US-24...
near Paradise
Paradise, Kansas
Paradise is a city in Russell County, Kansas, United States. As of the 2010 census, the city population was 49.-History:In 1859, a hunting party explored the area, including a small tributary of the Saline River which led them to a site abundant in water, timber, and bison. One of the hunters,...
for an eight-mile (13 km) concurrency.
The two highways split at Luray
Luray, Kansas
Luray is a city in Russell County, Kansas, United States. As of the 2010 census, the city population was 194.-Geography:Luray is located at at an elevation of 1,562 feet . It lies in the Smoky Hills region of the Great Plains approximately north of the Saline River. Wolf Creek, a tributary of...
, and US-281 turns north into Osborne County
Osborne County, Kansas
Osborne County is a county located in the U.S. state of Kansas. As of the 2010 census, the county population was 3,858. The largest city and county seat is Osborne.-19th century:...
, passing through the town of Osborne
Osborne, Kansas
Osborne is a city in and the county seat of Osborne County, Kansas, United States. As of the 2010 census, the city population was 1,431.-History:...
before joining US-24 and K-9
K-9 (Kansas highway)
K-9 is a state highway in the U.S. state of Kansas. The highway goes east–west through Kansas. It has its western terminus south of Dresden at an intersection with K-123 and an eastern terminus at its junction with U.S. Route 73 near Lancaster....
for another concurrency. US-281 joins US-36 at Smith Center
Smith Center, Kansas
Smith Center is a city in and the county seat of Smith County, Kansas, United States. As of the 2010 census, the city population was 1,665.-Geography:Smith Center is located at...
, turning east before the two highways split, with US-281 turning north for its final stretch in the state, passing through Lebanon
Lebanon, Kansas
Lebanon is a city in Smith County, Kansas, United States, in the north central part of the state. As of the 2010 census, the city population was 218. In 1918, a scientific survey established that the geographic center of what was then the United States lies near the town and a monument was...
. All sections of US-281 in Kansas are two-lane. The last stretches of the highway overlaid with bricks, through downtown Pratt and Hoisington, were recently resurfaced with concrete.
Nebraska
U.S. 281 enters Nebraska south of Red CloudRed Cloud, Nebraska
Red Cloud is a city in and the county seat of Webster County, Nebraska, United States. The population was 1,131 at the 2000 census.-History:The region of present-day Red Cloud was intermittently occupied and used as hunting grounds by the Pawnees until 1833. In that year, a treaty was signed in...
and meets U.S. Route 136
U.S. Route 136
U.S. Highway 136 is a spur of U.S. Highway 36. It runs from Edison, Nebraska, at U.S. Highway 6 and U.S. Highway 34 to the Interstate 74/Interstate 465 interchange in Speedway, Indiana. This is a distance of 804 miles .-Nebraska:...
there. It continues north to Hastings
Hastings, Nebraska
Hastings is a city in and the county seat of Adams County, Nebraska, United States. It is the principal city of the Hastings, Nebraska Micropolitan Statistical Area, which consists of Adams and Clay counties. The population was 24,907 at the 2010 census...
and meets U.S. Route 6
U.S. Route 6
U.S. Route 6 , also called the Grand Army of the Republic Highway, a name that honors an American Civil War veterans association, is a main route of the U.S. Highway system, running east-northeast from Bishop, California to Provincetown, Massachusetts. Until 1964, it continued south from Bishop to...
and U.S. Route 34
U.S. Route 34
U.S. Route 34 is an east–west United States highway that runs for 1,122 miles from north-central Colorado to the western suburbs of Chicago. Through Rocky Mountain National Park it is known as the Trail Ridge Road where it reaches 12,183 ft , making it the highest paved through highway in...
. Between Hastings and Grand Island
Grand Island, Nebraska
Grand Island is a city in and the county seat of Hall County, Nebraska, United States. The population was 48,520 at the 2010 census.Grand Island is home to the Nebraska Law Enforcement Training Center which is the sole agency responsible for training law enforcement officers throughout the state,...
, U.S. 281 overlaps U.S. 34 and is designated as the Tom Osborne Expressway after the former Nebraska Cornhuskers football coach and U.S. Representative, who is a native of Hastings.
At Grand Island, U.S. 281 intersects Interstate 80
Interstate 80
Interstate 80 is the second-longest Interstate Highway in the United States, following Interstate 90. It is a transcontinental artery running from downtown San Francisco, California to Teaneck, New Jersey in the New York City Metropolitan Area...
, loses U.S. 34 and intersects U.S. Route 30
U.S. Route 30
U.S. Route 30 is an east–west main route of the system of United States Numbered Highways, with the highway traveling across the northern tier of the country. It is the third longest U.S. route, after U.S. Route 20 and U.S. Route 6. The western end of the highway is at Astoria, Oregon; the...
. U.S. 281 continues north of Grand Island to St. Libory
St. Libory, Nebraska
St. Libory is an unincorporated community in southeastern Howard County, Nebraska, United States. It lies along U.S. Route 281 southeast of the city of St. Paul, the county seat of Howard County. Its elevation is 1,863 feet . Although St. Libory is unincorporated, it has a post office, with...
as expressway. From there northward, U.S. 281 is a two-lane undivided highway passing mostly through unpopulated areas, with the exception of the regional trade center O'Neill
O'Neill, Nebraska
O'Neill is a city in Holt County, Nebraska, United States. The population was 3,733 at the 2000 census. It is the county seat of Holt County.-Geography:O'Neill is located at ....
, where it junctions U.S. Route 20
U.S. Route 20
U.S. Route 20 is an east–west United States highway. As the "0" in its route number implies, US 20 is a coast-to-coast route. Spanning , it is the longest road in the United States, and the route sparsely parallels Interstate 90...
and U.S. Route 275
U.S. Route 275
U.S. Route 275 is a north–south United States highway. It is a branch of US 75, originally terminating at that route in Council Bluffs, Iowa. The highway's northern terminus is in O'Neill, Nebraska, at an intersection with U.S. Highway 20 and U.S. Highway 281. Its southern terminus is near...
. U.S. 281 exits the state north of Spencer
Spencer, Nebraska
Spencer is a village in Boyd County, Nebraska, United States. The population was 541 at the 2000 census.-Geography:Spencer is located at ....
.
South Dakota
U.S. Highway 281 enters South Dakota in Gregory CountyGregory County, South Dakota
As of the census of 2000, there were 4,792 people, 2,022 households, and 1,290 families residing in the county. The population density was 5 people per square mile . There were 2,405 housing units at an average density of 2 per square mile...
. Just north of the South Dakota-Nebraska border, it is cosigned with U.S. 18. It crosses the Missouri River
Missouri River
The Missouri River flows through the central United States, and is a tributary of the Mississippi River. It is the longest river in North America and drains the third largest area, though only the thirteenth largest by discharge. The Missouri's watershed encompasses most of the American Great...
at Fort Randall Dam
Fort Randall Dam
The Fort Randall Dam is an earth embankment dam impounding the Missouri River in South Dakota, United States and forming Lake Francis Case. It is one of six Missouri River dams, four being located in South Dakota....
. Just south of Armour
Armour, South Dakota
Armour is a city in and the county seat of Douglas County, South Dakota, United States. The population was 699 at the 2010 census.- History :...
, U.S. 18 leaves the U.S. 281 alignment. North of Armour, U.S. 281 makes a short jaunt west on South Dakota Highway 44, then continues north. U.S. 281 and Interstate 90
Interstate 90
Interstate 90 is the longest Interstate Highway in the United States at . It is the northernmost coast-to-coast interstate, and parallels US 20 for the most part. Its western terminus is in Seattle, at Edgar Martinez Drive S. near Safeco Field and CenturyLink Field, and its eastern terminus is in...
intersect at Plankinton
Plankinton, South Dakota
Plankinton is a city in Aurora County, South Dakota, United States. The population was 707 at the 2010 census. It is the county seat of Aurora County. Plankinton was named for Milwaukee meatpacker and hotel owner John Plankinton, a friend of Alexander Mitchell, the President of the Milwaukee Road...
. West of Huron, U.S. 14 is cosigned with U.S. 281 for 7 miles (11.3 km). U.S. 281 becomes an expressway at South Dakota Highway 20
South Dakota Highway 20
South Dakota Highway 20 is a state route that largely runs from border to border across the northern part of the U.S. state of South Dakota that consists of two segments. The longer segment begins at the Montana border west of Camp Crook, and terminates at the junction of U.S. Highway 212 in...
. This expressway continues through Aberdeen
Aberdeen, South Dakota
Aberdeen is a city in and the county seat of Brown County, South Dakota, United States, about 125 mi northeast of Pierre. Settled in 1880, it was incorporated in 1882. The city population was 26,091 at the 2010 census. The American News is the local newspaper...
to a point near Westport
Westport, South Dakota
Westport is a town in Brown County, South Dakota, United States. The population was 133 at the 2010 census.-Geography:Westport is located at ....
. South Dakota Highway 10 is cosigned with U.S. 281 for 3 miles (4.8 km) near Barnard
Barnard, South Dakota
Barnard is an unincorporated community in Brown County, South Dakota, United States. Although not tracked by the Census Bureau, Barnard has been assigned the ZIP Code of 57426....
. It exits the state north of Frederick
Frederick, South Dakota
Frederick is a town in Brown County, South Dakota, United States. The population was 199 at the 2010 census. Home to the annual Frederick Finn Fest, the town is part of the Aberdeen Micropolitan Statistical Area.-History:...
.
U.S. 281 was recently realigned in the city of Aberdeen. A bypass was built that travels on the west side of Aberdeen, and the U.S. 281 designation was moved onto that new roadway. It runs north from U.S. Highway 12
U.S. Route 12
U.S. Route 12 or US 12 is an east–west United States highway, running from Grays Harbor on the Pacific Ocean, in the state of Washington, to downtown Detroit, for almost . As a thoroughfare, it has mostly been supplanted by I-90 and I-94, but remains an important road for local travel.The...
and connects with the old alignment south of 24th Avenue Northeast.
The South Dakota section of U.S. 281, with the exception of concurrencies with U.S. 18 and U.S. 14, is defined at South Dakota Codified Laws § 31-4-229.
North Dakota
In North Dakota, U.S. 281 is a major north–south artery. It enters south of EllendaleEllendale, North Dakota
As of the census of 2000, there were 1,559 people, 603 households, and 355 families residing in the city. The population density was 1,083.6 people per square mile . There were 750 housing units at an average density of 521.3 per square mile...
and intersects Interstate 94
Interstate 94
Interstate 94 is the northernmost east–west Interstate Highway, connecting the Great Lakes and Intermountain regions of the United States. I-94's western terminus is in Billings, Montana at a junction with Interstate 90; its eastern terminus is the U.S...
and U.S. Route 52
U.S. Route 52
U.S. Route 52 is a United States highway that runs across the northern, eastern and southeastern regions of the United States. Contrary to most other even-numbered U.S...
at Jamestown, ND. 281 and 52 remain paired together to Carrington
Carrington, North Dakota
As of the census of 2000, there were 2,268 people, 961 households, and 594 families residing in the city. The population density was 1,531.9 people per square mile . There were 1,057 housing units at an average density of 713.9 per square mile...
. From there, U.S. 281 continues northward through Sheyenne
Sheyenne, North Dakota
Sheyenne is a city in Eddy County, North Dakota in the United States. The population was 204 at the 2010 census. Sheyenne was founded in 1883. Located in the city is a U.S. post office, a senior citizen's center, and a fire department. A community center and the Log Cabin Museum are located on Main...
. Ten miles north of Sheyenne the highway curves in order to go around Devil's Lake
Devil's Lake (North Dakota)
Devils Lake is a lake in the U.S. state of North Dakota. It is the largest natural body of water and the second-largest body of water in North Dakota after the artificially created Lake Sakakawea. In 2011, it reached an unofficial historical high elevation of 1454.20 feet. Additional rises above...
, and then continues to west of Minnewaukan, North Dakota
Minnewaukan, North Dakota
As of the census of 2000, there were 318 people, 148 households, and 87 families residing in the city. The population density was 1,157.0 people per square mile . There were 199 housing units at an average density of 724.1 per square mile . The racial makeup of the city was 86.16% White, 9.75%...
. From there it goes to North Dakota Highway 5
North Dakota Highway 5
North Dakota 5 is a mostly two-lane and long east–west highway the touches the northern border of the state and is never farther than about 17 miles south of the Canadian border. The eastern terminus is located about four miles east of Joliette at the Red River where the highway continues...
at Rocklake
Rocklake, North Dakota
As of the census of 2000, there were 194 people, 89 households, and 54 families residing in the city. The population density was 897.4 people per square mile . There were 116 housing units at an average density of 536.6 per square mile . The racial makeup of the city was 95.88% White, 3.61% Native...
. U.S. 281 follows ND 5 westward to Dunseith
Dunseith, North Dakota
As of the census of 2000, there were 739 people, 253 households, and 178 families residing in the city. The population density was 729.2 people per square mile . There were 282 housing units at an average density of 278.2 per square mile...
, where 281 turns northward to its end at the Canadian border in the International Peace Garden
International Peace Garden
The International Peace Garden is a 3.65 sq. mi. park located on the international border between Canada and the United States, in the state of North Dakota and the province of Manitoba. Established on July 14, 1932, the park plants over 150,000 flowers each year...
. The northernmost section of U.S. 281 passes through North Dakota's Turtle Mountains
Turtle Mountain (plateau)
Turtle Mountain, or the Turtle Mountains, is an area in central North America, in the north-central portion of the U.S. state of North Dakota and southwestern portion of the Canadian province of Manitoba...
. Recently, 281 was rebuilt near Minnewaukan, North Dakota
Minnewaukan, North Dakota
As of the census of 2000, there were 318 people, 148 households, and 87 families residing in the city. The population density was 1,157.0 people per square mile . There were 199 housing units at an average density of 724.1 per square mile . The racial makeup of the city was 86.16% White, 9.75%...
to accommodate flooding close to the city.
Major intersections
US 281 intersects with the following Interstate Highways:- Interstate 94Interstate 94Interstate 94 is the northernmost east–west Interstate Highway, connecting the Great Lakes and Intermountain regions of the United States. I-94's western terminus is in Billings, Montana at a junction with Interstate 90; its eastern terminus is the U.S...
in Jamestown, North DakotaJamestown, North DakotaAs of the census of 2000, there were 15,527 people, 6,505 households, and 3,798 families residing in the city. The population density was 1,246.7 per square mile . There were 6,970 housing units at an average density of 559.6 per square mile... - Interstate 90Interstate 90Interstate 90 is the longest Interstate Highway in the United States at . It is the northernmost coast-to-coast interstate, and parallels US 20 for the most part. Its western terminus is in Seattle, at Edgar Martinez Drive S. near Safeco Field and CenturyLink Field, and its eastern terminus is in...
near Plankinton, South DakotaPlankinton, South DakotaPlankinton is a city in Aurora County, South Dakota, United States. The population was 707 at the 2010 census. It is the county seat of Aurora County. Plankinton was named for Milwaukee meatpacker and hotel owner John Plankinton, a friend of Alexander Mitchell, the President of the Milwaukee Road... - Interstate 80Interstate 80Interstate 80 is the second-longest Interstate Highway in the United States, following Interstate 90. It is a transcontinental artery running from downtown San Francisco, California to Teaneck, New Jersey in the New York City Metropolitan Area...
in Grand Island, NebraskaGrand Island, NebraskaGrand Island is a city in and the county seat of Hall County, Nebraska, United States. The population was 48,520 at the 2010 census.Grand Island is home to the Nebraska Law Enforcement Training Center which is the sole agency responsible for training law enforcement officers throughout the state,... - Interstate 70 in Russell, KansasRussell, KansasRussell is the most populous city in and county seat of Russell County, Kansas, United States. As of the 2010 census, the city population was 4,506.-History:...
- Interstate 40 in Hinton, OklahomaHinton, OklahomaHinton is a town in Caddo County, Oklahoma, United States. The population was 2,175 at the 2000 census.-Geography:Hinton is located at , elevation 1,676 feet ....
- Interstate 44Interstate 44Interstate 44 is a major highway in the central United States. Its western terminus is in Wichita Falls, Texas at a concurrency with US 277, US 281 and US 287; its eastern terminus is at the Illinois state line on the Poplar Street Bridge over the Mississippi River in St...
between Wichita Falls, TexasWichita Falls, TexasWichita Falls is a city in and the county seat of Wichita County, Texas, United States, United States. Wichita Falls is the principal city of the Wichita Falls Metropolitan Statistical Area, which encompasses all of Archer, Clay and Wichita counties. According to the U.S. Census estimate of 2010,...
and a point near Medicine Park, OklahomaMedicine Park, OklahomaMedicine Park is a town in Comanche County, Oklahoma, United States, situated in the Wichita Mountains near the entrance to the Wichita Mountain Wildlife Refuge. Medicine Park has a long history as a vintage cobblestone resort town. Medicine Park is also located near the city of Lawton and Fort...
(co-signed route) - Interstate 20 south of Mineral Wells, TexasMineral Wells, TexasMineral Wells is a city in Palo Pinto and Parker counties in the U.S. state of Texas. The population was 16,946 at the 2000 census. The city is named for mineral springs in the area, which were highly popular in the early 1900s...
- Interstates 10, 410, 35, and 37 in San Antonio, TexasSan Antonio, TexasSan Antonio is the seventh-largest city in the United States of America and the second-largest city within the state of Texas, with a population of 1.33 million. Located in the American Southwest and the south–central part of Texas, the city serves as the seat of Bexar County. In 2011,...
- Interstate 37 between PleasantonPleasanton, TexasPleasanton is a city in Atascosa County, Texas, United States. The population was 8,266 at the 2000 census. Pleasanton's official motto is "The City of Live Oaks and Friendly Folks." It is part of the San Antonio-New Braunfels Metropolitan Statistical Area....
and Three RiversThree Rivers, TexasThree Rivers is a city in Live Oak County, Texas, United States. The population was 1,878 at the 2000 census.The city is named for its proximity to three rivers, the Atascosa River, the Frio River, and the Nueces River...
, TexasTexasTexas is the second largest U.S. state by both area and population, and the largest state by area in the contiguous United States.The name, based on the Caddo word "Tejas" meaning "friends" or "allies", was applied by the Spanish to the Caddo themselves and to the region of their settlement in...
(shared route)
Rio Grande Valley
The freeway passes through the cities of PharrPharr, Texas
Pharr is a city in Hidalgo County, Texas, United States. As of the 2010 census, the city population was 70,400. Pharr is connected by bridge to the Mexican city of Reynosa, Tamaulipas...
and Edinburg
Edinburg, Texas
Edinburg is a city in and the county seat of Hidalgo County, Texas, United States. The population was 77,100 at the 2010 census. The University of Texas–Pan American, the only fully accredited four-year university in the Rio Grande Valley, is located in Edinburg.Edinburg is part of the...
. The entire freeway is located in Hidalgo County
Hidalgo County, Texas
Hidalgo County is a county located in the U.S. state of Texas. Located in the Rio Grande Valley of South Texas, Hidalgo County is one of the fastest-growing counties in the United States, and is the seventh most-populous county in Texas. Its population in 2010 was 774,769, a 35% increase from 2000...
.
| Location | Destinations | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Pharr Pharr, Texas Pharr is a city in Hidalgo County, Texas, United States. As of the 2010 census, the city population was 70,400. Pharr is connected by bridge to the Mexican city of Reynosa, Tamaulipas... |
Southbound exit and northbound entrance; south end of freeway | |
| Ferguson Avenue | ||
| Sioux Road | Southbound exit and northbound entrance | |
| Trenton Road | ||
| Edinburg Edinburg, Texas Edinburg is a city in and the county seat of Hidalgo County, Texas, United States. The population was 77,100 at the 2010 census. The University of Texas–Pan American, the only fully accredited four-year university in the Rio Grande Valley, is located in Edinburg.Edinburg is part of the... |
I Road, Canton Road | |
| Freddy Gonzalez Road | ||
| , University of Texas-Pan American | No northbound entrance | |
| No southbound entrance | ||
| Russell Road | ||
| No northbound entrance | ||
| No southbound entrance; north end of freeway |
San Antonio
This is the exit list for the freeway portion of the highway in San Antonio from I-35Interstate 35 in Texas
Interstate 35 in Texas is a major north–south Interstate Highway running from Laredo near the United States-Mexico border to the Red River north of Gainesville where it crosses into Oklahoma. Along its route, it passes through the cities of San Antonio, Austin, and Waco before it splits into two...
to Loop 1604.
| County | Location | Destination | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| South end of freeway | |||
| Bexar Bexar County, Texas As of the census of 2000, there were 1,392,931 people, 488,942 households, and 345,681 families residing in the county. The population density was 1,117 people per square mile . There were 521,359 housing units at an average density of 418 per square mile... |
San Antonio | Continues south as I-37 Interstate 37 Interstate 37 is a intrastate Interstate Highway located within the U.S. state of Texas. The highway was first designated in 1959 as a route between Corpus Christi and San Antonio. Construction in the urban areas of Corpus Christi and San Antonio began in the 1960s and the segments of the... |
|
| Josephine Street | Southbound exit and northbound entrance | ||
| Saint Mary's Avenue, Mulberry Avenue | |||
| Hildebrand Avenue | |||
| Basse Road | Northbound exit and southbound entrance | ||
| Jones Maltsberger Road | |||
| Airport Boulevard – San Antonio International Airport San Antonio International Airport San Antonio International Airport is a commercial airport in San Antonio, Texas, USA. The airport has three runways and covers . Its elevation is above sea level. SAT is a Class C airport.- Overview :... |
Northbound exit and southbound entrance | ||
| Terminal Drive – San Antonio International Airport San Antonio International Airport San Antonio International Airport is a commercial airport in San Antonio, Texas, USA. The airport has three runways and covers . Its elevation is above sea level. SAT is a Class C airport.- Overview :... |
Southbound exit and entrance | ||
| Jones Maltsberger Road | Southbound exit only | ||
| Isom Road | Southbound exit and northbound entrance | ||
| Southbound exit and northbound entrance | |||
| Nakoma Road | No southbound entrance | ||
| Bitters Road | |||
| Hill Country Village Hill Country Village, Texas Hill Country Village is a city in Bexar County, Texas, United States. The population was 1,028 at the 2000 census. It is an enclave of San Antonio and is part of the San Antonio Metropolitan Statistical Area.-Geography:... |
Winding Way, Mecca Drive, Thousand Oaks Drive | Exit signage for northbound | |
| Hollywood Park Hollywood Park, Texas Hollywood Park is a town in Bexar County, Texas, United States. The population was 2,983 at the 2000 census. It is an enclave of San Antonio and is part of the San Antonio Metropolitan Statistical Area.-Geography:... |
Mecca Drive, Thousand Oaks Drive | Exit signage for southbound | |
| Donela Drive, Henderson Pass | Northbound exit and southbound entrance | ||
| San Antonio | |||
| Sonterra Boulevard | Southbound exit and northbound entrance. | ||
| North end of freeway | |||
| Comal Comal County, Texas Comal County is a county located on the Edwards Plateau in the U.S. state of Texas. In 2010, its population was 108,472. Its seat is New Braunfels.Comal County is part of the San Antonio Metropolitan Statistical Area.-History Timeline:... |
Bulverde Bulverde, Texas Bulverde is a city in Comal County, Texas, United States. The population was 3,761 at the 2000 census. It is part of the San Antonio Metropolitan Statistical Area.-Geography:Bulverde is located at , about 23 miles north of downtown San Antonio.... |
Interchange | |
| Interchange | |||
Wichita Falls
The entire freeway is located in Wichita FallsWichita Falls, Texas
Wichita Falls is a city in and the county seat of Wichita County, Texas, United States, United States. Wichita Falls is the principal city of the Wichita Falls Metropolitan Statistical Area, which encompasses all of Archer, Clay and Wichita counties. According to the U.S. Census estimate of 2010,...
, Wichita County
Wichita County, Texas
As of the census of 2000, there were 131,664 people, 48,441 households, and 32,891 families residing in the county. The population density was 210 people per square mile . There were 53,304 housing units at an average density of 85 per square mile...
, Texas
Texas
Texas is the second largest U.S. state by both area and population, and the largest state by area in the contiguous United States.The name, based on the Caddo word "Tejas" meaning "friends" or "allies", was applied by the Spanish to the Caddo themselves and to the region of their settlement in...
.
| Destinations | Notes |
|---|---|
| South end of freeway | |
| South end of SH 79 overlap | |
| Hatton Road | |
| Midwestern Parkway | |
| , Lawton Lawton, Oklahoma The city of Lawton is the county seat of Comanche County, in the U.S. state of Oklahoma. Located in the southwestern region of Oklahoma approximately southwest of Oklahoma City, it is the principal city of the Lawton Oklahoma Metropolitan Statistical Area... |
North end of freeway; continues with US 82 east/US 287 north; SH 79 continues with US 82 west/ US 287 south |
Bypass
U.S. Route 281 Bypass is a 1.4 miles (2.3 km) long bypassBypass (road)
A bypass is a road or highway that avoids or "bypasses" a built-up area, town, or village, to let through traffic flow without interference from local traffic, to reduce congestion in the built-up area, and to improve road safety....
of U.S. Route 281 running within the northeastern and eastern portions of Great Bend, Kansas
Great Bend, Kansas
Great Bend, named for its location at the historic big bend of the Arkansas River, is the most populous city in and the county seat of Barton County, Kansas, United States. As of the 2010 census, the city population was 15,995.-History:...
. This mostly unsigned, two-lane surface highway
Highway
A highway is any public road. In American English, the term is common and almost always designates major roads. In British English, the term designates any road open to the public. Any interconnected set of highways can be variously referred to as a "highway system", a "highway network", or a...
bypasses downtown Great Bend. The only visible indication of this being a bypass is via street signs along intersecting streets.
Route description
281 Bypass begins its journey near the intersection of 10th (US-56/K-96K-96 (Kansas highway)
K-96 is a state highway in central and southern Kansas. Its western terminus is at the Colorado state line east of Towner, Colorado, where it continues as Colorado State Highway 96; its eastern terminus since 1999 is at U.S. Route 54/U.S. Route 400 east of Wichita.The eastern terminus was once at...
/K-156) and Pine Streets. 10th Street, which is normally east–west, travels slightly southwest-northeast for one block with its intersection with the bypass.
The bypass travels mostly to the northwest until near Park and Frey Streets. Then, it steers towards the north-northwest.
After intersecting with 22nd Street, 281 Bypass starts to curve to the west until it intersects with 24th Street. It remains unsigned on 24th Street until its northwestern terminus with its parent route on Main Street (US-281). The northwestern terminus of U.S. Highway 281 Bypass is directly adjacent to Brit Spaugh Park in Great Bend.