 Three federal highways pass through Grand Forks : U.S. Route 2 , Interstate 29 , and U.S. Highway 81 . U.S. Highway 2 , known as Gateway Drive in the city , runs east to west through the northern part of town and is a four @-@ lane highway . The highway is the primary connection between Grand Forks , East Grand Forks , the Grand Forks Air Force Base , Grand Forks International Airport , and nearby Crookston , Minnesota . Interstate 29 runs north to south along the western part of the city , officially multiplexed with U.S. Highway 81 in the Grand Forks area . The U.S. Highway 81 business route , Washington Street and 32nd Avenue , runs through many of the city 's major commercial districts . 
