Business routes of Interstate 94 facts for kids

Have you ever wondered how big highways connect to the main parts of cities? That's where business routes come in! These special roads help drivers on big highways like I-94 get to the downtown areas of cities. Think of them as a detour that takes you right to the shops, restaurants, and important buildings.

There are 19 of these business routes for I-94 across the United States. They make it easier for people to visit cities along this major highway.

Montana's I-94 Business Routes

Montana has five business routes for I-94. Some are still in use today, while others were used in the past. These routes serve cities like Hysham, Forsyth, Miles City, Glendive, and Wibaux.

Miles City Business Loop

The Interstate 94 Business (I-94 Bus.) route for Miles City helps drivers get to the city center. It uses streets like Main Street and Valley Drive East. This route also includes a part of US 12.

The I-94 Bus. in Miles City starts at an exit from I-94. It heads northeast, passing by the Miles City State Fish Hatchery. The road then goes over an old railroad line. It runs between the Range Riders Museum and the Miles City Fairground.

When the route crosses the Tongue River, it officially enters Miles City. It goes through the Main Street Historic District. Here, it meets Montana Highway 59 (MT 59), and they share the road for a bit.

After the historic district, I-94 Bus. turns onto Valley Drive East. It then turns onto an old part of US 12. This section passes by a truck weigh station and farmland. Finally, I-94 Bus. ends at another exit on I-94. The road then continues as US 12 towards Baker.

Glendive Business Loop

The Interstate 94 Business (I-94 Bus.) for Glendive connects to I-94 at two different exits. This route uses West Towne Street and North Merrill Avenue. Both of these streets were once part of US 10.

I-94 Bus. starts at an exit south of West Glendive. It becomes West Towne Street, which is mostly a four-lane road. It passes by some factories and crosses a creek. The route then meets MT 200S in West Glendive.

The road curves to the east and runs along some parkland. It then crosses a railroad line and enters Glendive. The road narrows before crossing a bridge over the Yellowstone River. After the bridge, it enters the Merrill Avenue Historic District.

West Towne Street ends at Merrill Avenue. Here, I-94 Bus. and MT 200S turn sharply north onto North Merrill Avenue. They pass by an old railroad station and Dawson County High School. The area becomes more rural as you go further north. I-94 Bus. and MT 200S end at another I-94 exit. North Merrill Avenue continues as a local street, leading to museums.

North Dakota and Minnesota's I-94 Business Routes

There are five business routes entirely in North Dakota. One special route even crosses into Minnesota! These routes serve cities like Medora, Dickinson, Mandan–Bismarck, Jamestown, Valley City, and the border cities of Fargo and Moorhead, Minnesota.

Medora Business Loop

The Interstate 94 Business (I-94 Bus.) for Medora, North Dakota, is a main road through the town. It runs within Theodore Roosevelt National Park's South Unit. This route is called "Pacific Street."

I-94 Bus. begins at an exit from I-94. It crosses a small creek and follows an old railroad line. The "Maah Daah Hey Trail" runs alongside the road. After passing the Medora Camp Grounds and the Chateau De Mores Visitor Center, I-94 Bus. crosses the Little Missouri River.

Once it crosses the river, it enters "downtown" Medora. This area has many Western-themed buildings and fun tourist spots. East of 6th Street, I-94 Bus. curves away from the railroad. It ends at another I-94 exit, which is only for certain directions of traffic.

Dickinson Business Loop

The Interstate 94 Business (I-94 Bus.) for Dickinson, North Dakota, connects to I-94 at two exits. It uses 30th Avenue West, Villard Street, and 36th Street Southwest.

I-94 Bus. starts at an I-94 exit on 30th Avenue West. It goes south, passing by newer housing areas. It then curves east and reaches Villard Street, which was once part of US 10. Soon after, it meets State Avenue.

I-94 Bus. shares the road with ND 22 Truck for a short distance. Then, it meets ND 22. At 10th Avenue East, I-94 Bus. leaves Villard Street and moves onto 36th Street Southwest. This part of the road passes many dealerships for cars, trucks, and farm equipment. I-94 Bus. ends at another I-94 exit. However, 36th Street Southwest continues as a local road.

Mandan–Bismarck Business Loop

The Interstate 94 Business (I-94 Bus.) for both Mandan and Bismarck is a longer route. It runs from an exit west of Mandan to an exit in Bismarck.

The route begins at an I-94 exit with ND 25 in Mandan. It goes south, then turns southeast. It passes over hills and approaches an old railroad line. Both the road and the railway cross bridges over the Heart River. They then enter the small community of Sunny.

The route crosses the Heart River again and enters Mandan. Here, it becomes West Main Street. It meets ND 6 at 10th Avenue Northwest. West Main Street becomes East Main Street. I-94 Bus. then shares the road with ND 1806 and the Lewis and Clark National Historic Trail.

At Mandan Avenue, I-94 Bus. turns southeast onto Memorial Highway. It goes under and then along the south side of the old railroad line. The road curves east and meets I-194 (Bismarck Expressway). Then, it crosses the new Liberty Memorial Bridge over the Missouri River to enter Bismarck.

In Bismarck, Memorial Highway turns south, and I-94 Bus. smoothly moves onto West Main Avenue. It passes an old railroad line again. The road and tracks turn east at Washington Street. Further into town, the road continues alongside old railroad lines. The road curves slightly before I-94 Bus. turns north onto the "East Bismarck Expressway". I-94 Bus. ends at another I-94 exit, which is also US 83. The road then becomes Centennial Road.

Valley City Business Loop

The Interstate 94 Business (I-94 Bus.) for Valley City runs between two I-94 exits. This route also shares the road with US 10 Bus. and US 52 Bus..

The route starts at an I-94 exit. The eastbound lanes connect to CR 19 (24th Avenue Southwest). The westbound lanes connect to Main Street. These two parts of I-94 Bus. meet and run eastbound along Main Street. This street has a smaller road next to it.

The road curves northeast and then back to the east. It meets CR 21, and they share the road for a bit. East of 5th Avenue West, I-94 Bus. curves around the Sheyenne River. It passes by the old railroad station, which is now the "Rosebud Visitors Center."

The shared road with CR 21 ends at Central Avenue. Downtown Valley City starts to fade away. The route then crosses the Rainbow Arch Bridge over the Sheyenne River again. East of the bridge, the area is less urban. I-94 Bus., US 10 Bus., and US 52 Bus. end at another I-94 exit.

Fargo–Moorhead Business Loop

The Interstate 94 Business (I-94 Bus.) for Fargo, North Dakota, and Moorhead, Minnesota, is special because it crosses between two states! It's the only I-94 business route that does this.

It starts at an exit on I-94/US 52 in Mapleton Township. It then runs along Main Avenue through West Fargo and Fargo.

When the route crosses the Red River of the North into Moorhead, Minnesota, I-94 Bus. continues on Main Avenue. It then turns east onto 24th Avenue South. Finally, it turns south and ends at an exit on I-94/US 52 in Moorhead. This route also shares the road with US 10 in both states.

Michigan's I-94 Business Routes

Michigan has eight business routes for I-94. These routes connect cities like Benton Harbor–St. Joseph, Kalamazoo, Battle Creek, Marshall, Albion, Jackson, Ann Arbor, and Port Huron to the main I-94 highway.