Major city · United States
MontevideoMontevideo, Minnesota
Skip unless you need a quiet overnight on US-212 between Minneapolis and South Dakota: one night, no more.
Montevideo is a small agricultural town on the Minnesota River, best known as a stopover on US-212. The main sight is the Camp Release State Monument, marking the end of the Dakota War of 1862. Most travellers pass through in under an hour.
More
More ways in
Local time, weather, currency, airports
- Weather
- see forecast
- Currency
- USD
- Best months
- May–Sep
- avoid Dec–Feb (cold, snow)
- Airport
- MSP
- Nights
- 1
Not a trip line yet
Rules in force · 7Crossing between the US, Canada and Mexico by land needs …Cannabis is legal in Canada and in many US states, but ta…
- North America ↗Crossing between the US, Canada and Mexico by land needs your passport even on a day trip; rental cars need the company's written permission to cross, and most US and Canadian rental insurance stops at the Mexican border.
- North America ↗Cannabis is legal in Canada and in many US states, but taking any amount across the US, Canadian or Mexican border is a federal crime — including edibles and vapes.
- North America ↗The busiest US and Canadian national parks need timed-entry, campsite or lodge reservations in summer; release dates are months ahead.
- United States ↗Check whether you need an ESTA (Visa Waiver Program) or a visa on the official CBP and State Department sites; apply only through esta.cbp.dhs.gov, not third-party sites, and allow time before you book.
- United States ↗Several popular national parks use timed-entry or vehicle reservations in peak season; check each park's page on nps.gov and book on recreation.gov before fixing your dates.
- United States ↗Medical care is very expensive for visitors; buy travel insurance with high medical cover before you fly.
- United States ↗Tipping is expected: about 15–20% at sit-down restaurants and bars, and a tip for taxis, hotel staff and guides.
Entry rules depend on your passport. Full visa guide
What is in this basic guide9 covered · 4 not yet ▾
In this guide
Not in this guide yet
- Walking areas with bag rules
- Day plans checked against opening hours
- Airport-to-bed timings and the last safe connection
- Field-checked times and prices
Official sites
Emergency numbers for Montevideo911 ▾
- Police, Fire, Ambulance911
Tap a number to call from your phone. These are the numbers listed in this guide; a row marked check has not been verified.
EssentialsQuick answers and what things cost
Essentials
Quick answers and what things cost
Quick answers
The questions people ask first about Montevideo, one line each. Tap a card for the full answer.
- Cash or card?Currency is the US dollar (USD, $).United States-wide
- SIM or eSIMAT&T, Verizon and T-Mobile cover the country; prepaid SIMs at their stores and Walmart/Target (passport required), or an eSIM before you fly.United States-wide
- Tap waterTap water is drinkable nearly everywhere; boil or treat water from streams in parks.United States-wide
- TippingSit-down restaurant: 18–22% of the pre-tax bill.United States-wide
- Plugs & powerSockets A/B. US/Canada (A/B): fits · UK/Ireland (G): adapter · Australia/NZ (I): adapter. 120 V: UK and AU 230 V-only devices need a converter; most chargers are dual-voltage.United States-wide
- SafetyVery safe.
Show all 12 answers
- RestroomsFree public toilets are scarce in big cities; use cafés, department stores, libraries, stations.United States-wide
- Emergency numbers911 police, fire, ambulance
- Sundays & holidaysFederal holidays close offices, banks and post offices; national parks stay open.United States-wide
- Your embassyFind your embassy's 24-hour line before you fly.
- AirportMSP Minneapolis–Saint Paul International (About 2 h 15 min east on US-212; the nearest major airport.).
- Getting aroundYou need a car.
Cost cheat-sheet
Typical prices for the everyday things, as ranges. Your currency is shown next to the local price.
- Street or quick mealDiner breakfast$8–12
- Budget bedMotel room (Viking, Sportsmen, Fiesta City), a night, per roomUS$45
- Mid-range bedMotel room (Viking, Sportsmen, Fiesta City), a night, per roomUS$70
- High-end bedMotel room (Viking, Sportsmen, Fiesta City), a night, per roomUS$100
A day, not counting the bed: Budget US$60 · Mid US$100 · High US$180
Prices in local money; change the currency in the header to see yours next to them. Every price and the budget calculator →
DecideWhat it is known for, and when the weather works
Decide
What it is known for, and when the weather works
At a glance
What the city is known for, how you fly in, and where to find the phrases.
- Airports
- MSP Minneapolis–Saint Paul International (About 2 h 15 min east on US-212; the nearest major airport.)
Best months at a glance
From the guide's best and avoid lists
Jan
Avoid
−5°C (23°F)23°F (−5°C)
Feb
Avoid
−2°C (28°F)28°F (−2°C)
Mar
not flagged
5°C (41°F)41°F (5°C)
Apr
not flagged
14°C (57°F)57°F (14°C)
May
Best
21°C (70°F)70°F (21°C)
Jun
Best
27°C (81°F)81°F (27°C)
Jul
Best
29°C (84°F)84°F (29°C)
Aug
Best
28°C (82°F)82°F (28°C)
Sep
Best
23°C (73°F)73°F (23°C)
Oct
not flagged
15°C (59°F)59°F (15°C)
Nov
not flagged
5°C (41°F)41°F (5°C)
Dec
Avoid
−3°C (27°F)27°F (−3°C)
Best: May–Sep. Avoid: Dec–Feb. Month by month →
Warmest Jul (29°C (84°F)84°F (29°C)), coolest Jan (−16°C (3°F)3°F (−16°C) low), wettest May (11 rain days), driest Feb (5). Averages, not a forecast.
Weather and climate
Montevideo: next 7 days
Loading forecast…
Forecast: Open-Meteo (CC BY 4.0), model data for this point.
Air quality
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Model estimate (CAMS via Open-Meteo), not a street-level station; readings near busy roads run higher.
Jan
−5°C (23°F)23°F (−5°C)
−16°C (3°F)3°F (−16°C)
6 rd
Feb
−2°C (28°F)28°F (−2°C)
−13°C (9°F)9°F (−13°C)
5 rd
Mar
5°C (41°F)41°F (5°C)
−6°C (21°F)21°F (−6°C)
7 rd
Apr
14°C (57°F)57°F (14°C)
1°C (34°F)34°F (1°C)
9 rd
May
21°C (70°F)70°F (21°C)
8°C (46°F)46°F (8°C)
11 rd
Jun
27°C (81°F)81°F (27°C)
14°C (57°F)57°F (14°C)
11 rd
Jul
29°C (84°F)84°F (29°C)
16°C (61°F)61°F (16°C)
9 rd
Aug
28°C (82°F)82°F (28°C)
15°C (59°F)59°F (15°C)
8 rd
Sep
23°C (73°F)73°F (23°C)
10°C (50°F)50°F (10°C)
8 rd
Oct
15°C (59°F)59°F (15°C)
3°C (37°F)37°F (3°C)
7 rd
Nov
5°C (41°F)41°F (5°C)
−5°C (23°F)23°F (−5°C)
6 rd
Dec
−3°C (27°F)27°F (−3°C)
−13°C (9°F)9°F (−13°C)
6 rd
High / low, both scales · rd = rain days
Arrive & moveAirports are listed under At a glance; this is how to move once you are in
Arrive & move
Airports are listed under At a glance; this is how to move once you are in
Getting around
You need a car. The town is small enough to walk across, but sights and services are spread along the highway.
See & doDay-trips, door to door
See & do
Day-trips, door to door
Day-trips
Door to door: About 1.5 h
US-212 west then US-75 south, about 1 h 15 min
A full day trip; quarries and native culture.
Granite Falls
goDoor to door: About 20 min
US-212 east, about 15 min
Small town with a river walk and a few shops; half-hour stop.
Eat & sleepWhich area to sleep in
Eat & sleep
Which area to sleep in
Where to sleep
Areas, not hotels: pick the one that fits your arrival time and plans.
US-212 corridor (east side)
Most motels and the GrandStay are along Highway 212/7 east of downtown; easy access for through travellers.
PracticalWhat a day costs, what to watch out for, and the pocket card
Practical
What a day costs, what to watch out for, and the pocket card
Cost per day
- Budget
- $60–90 excl. bed
- Mid
- $90–150 excl. bed
- High
- $150+ excl. bed
Trip budget
| Motel room (Viking, Sportsmen, Fiesta City)1 × 1 night × US$70 | US$70 |
| Food, local transport, entries2 × 1 day × US$100 | US$200 |
| Gas for 100 mi (160 km) round trip1 × US$15 · check | US$15 |
| Meal at a diner2 × US$12 | US$24 |
| Buffer 10%Price creep, a taxi you did not plan, one splurge | US$31 |
| Trip total≈ US$170 per person per day, bed included | US$340 |
2026 estimate in USD; flights excluded. Your choices stay in this browser.
Prices of common things
| Motel room (budget) | $45–70 |
| GrandStay Hotel room | $90–160 |
| Diner breakfast | $8–12 |
| Gas (per gallon) | $3.50–4.50 (check) |
2026 estimate; check locally.
Watch out
Safety
- Camp Release Monument is a small roadside marker, not a museum; set expectations accordingly.
- Restaurants may close early (by 8–9 PM) in smaller towns; check ahead.
- Winter driving on US-212 can be hazardous; check road conditions.
Emergency numbers
- Police, Fire, Ambulance
- 911
Pocket card
Fill in, then print or save as PDF
Stays in this browser only; nothing is sent anywhere.
MontevideoMontevideo, Minnesota
Pocket card · Voykit
My bed tonight
—
—
—
To this address, pleaseTo this address, please
Emergency
- Police, Fire, Ambulance911
Embassy
Nearest consulates in Minneapolis; embassies in Washington, DC.
My embassy: —
Fare anchors (2026 estimate)
- US-212 east to Minneapolis: about 2 h 15 min, 225 km (140 mi)about 2 h 15 min, 140 mi (225 km)
- US-212 west to Watertown, SD: about 1 h 30 min, 137 km (85 mi)about 1 h 30 min, 85 mi (137 km)
Deep diveWhat this guide covers so far, and its sources
Deep dive
What this guide covers so far, and its sources
Not a trip line yet
This is a basic guide: no airport-to-bed contract, walking clusters or day plans are published for Montevideo. Airport, fare and schedule details are unverified; check the operators before you fly.
What we know, and what is coming
On this page
- Best months: May–Sep · avoid Dec–Feb (cold, snow) · month by month →
- 1 airport and 1 area to sleep in
- Weather: a 7-day forecast and monthly averages
- Cost per day in 3 bands
- 2 day-trips, door to door
- 3 things to watch out for, with emergency numbers
Coming as the guide grows
- Place pages for Camp Release Monument and Granite Falls.
- Verified restaurant hours and seasonal closures.
- Winter driving conditions page for US-212.
Sources
Ask about Montevideo
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