Major city · United States
Max
Skip unless you have a specific reason (rodeo, hunting, or camping on Lake Sakakawea). A 30-minute stop for a meal or a photo is enough.
Max is a tiny North Dakota town (pop. ~280) on US 83, 30 miles south of Minot. It has a café, a bar, a rodeo grounds, and a campground near Lake Sakakawea. Most travellers pass through without stopping; it works as a quick lunch break or a base for hunting/fishing on the lake.
More
More ways in
Local time, weather, currency, airports
- Weather
- see forecast
- Currency
- USD
- Best months
- Jun–Sep (rodeo, camping, lake)
- avoid Dec–Feb (cold, limited services)
- Airport
- MOT
- Nights
- 0
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 Max911 ▾
- 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 Max, 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.
- AirportMOT Minot International Airport (About 30 miles north via US 83; rental cars available.).
- 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.
- CoffeeCoffee at Centennial Cafe$2–4
- Budget bedB&B double room, a night, per roomUS$80
- Mid-range bedB&B double room, a night, per roomUS$100
- High-end bedB&B double room, a night, per roomUS$150
A day, not counting the bed: Budget US$40 · Mid US$100 · High US$200
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
- MOT Minot International Airport (About 30 miles north via US 83; rental cars available.)
Best months at a glance
From the guide's best and avoid lists
Jan
Avoid
−6°C (21°F)21°F (−6°C)
Feb
Avoid
−3°C (27°F)27°F (−3°C)
Mar
not flagged
4°C (39°F)39°F (4°C)
Apr
not flagged
14°C (57°F)57°F (14°C)
May
not flagged
21°C (70°F)70°F (21°C)
Jun
Best
26°C (79°F)79°F (26°C)
Jul
Best
30°C (86°F)86°F (30°C)
Aug
Best
29°C (84°F)84°F (29°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: Jun–Sep. Avoid: Dec–Feb. Month by month →
Warmest Jul (30°C (86°F)86°F (30°C)), coolest Jan (−17°C (1°F)1°F (−17°C) low), wettest Jun (11 rain days), driest Jan (5). Averages, not a forecast.
Weather and climate
Max: next 7 days
Loading forecast…
Forecast: Open-Meteo (CC BY 4.0), model data for this point.
Air quality
Loading…
Model estimate (CAMS via Open-Meteo), not a street-level station; readings near busy roads run higher.
Jan
−6°C (21°F)21°F (−6°C)
−17°C (1°F)1°F (−17°C)
5 rd
Feb
−3°C (27°F)27°F (−3°C)
−14°C (7°F)7°F (−14°C)
5 rd
Mar
4°C (39°F)39°F (4°C)
−8°C (18°F)18°F (−8°C)
6 rd
Apr
14°C (57°F)57°F (14°C)
−1°C (30°F)30°F (−1°C)
7 rd
May
21°C (70°F)70°F (21°C)
6°C (43°F)43°F (6°C)
9 rd
Jun
26°C (79°F)79°F (26°C)
12°C (54°F)54°F (12°C)
11 rd
Jul
30°C (86°F)86°F (30°C)
15°C (59°F)59°F (15°C)
9 rd
Aug
29°C (84°F)84°F (29°C)
14°C (57°F)57°F (14°C)
8 rd
Sep
23°C (73°F)73°F (23°C)
8°C (46°F)46°F (8°C)
7 rd
Oct
15°C (59°F)59°F (15°C)
1°C (34°F)34°F (1°C)
6 rd
Nov
5°C (41°F)41°F (5°C)
−7°C (19°F)19°F (−7°C)
5 rd
Dec
−3°C (27°F)27°F (−3°C)
−14°C (7°F)7°F (−14°C)
5 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. Everything is on or just off US 83.
See & doDay-trips, door to door
See & do
Day-trips, door to door
Day-trips
Door to door: 30 min
US 83 north, about 30 min
Larger town with restaurants, shopping, and the Scandinavian Heritage Park.
Lake Sakakawea
goDoor to door: 15 min
About 10 miles south of Max
Fishing, boating, and camping; check lake levels.
Door to door: 20 min
US 83 south, about 20 min
Garrison Dam and the North Dakota Fishing Hall of Fame.
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.
Max city centre
One campground and one B&B; book ahead for rodeo weekends.
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
- $30–50 (camping, self-catering)
- Mid
- $80–120 (B&B, café meals)
Trip budget
| B&B double room1 × 1 night × US$100 | US$100 |
| Food, local transport, entries2 × 1 day × US$100 | US$200 |
| Meal at Centennial Cafe2 × US$15 | US$30 |
| Buffer 10%Price creep, a taxi you did not plan, one splurge | US$33 |
| Trip total≈ US$182 per person per day, bed included | US$363 |
2026 estimate in USD; flights and car rental excluded.
Prices of common things
| Coffee at Centennial Cafe | $2–4 |
| Lunch special at Centennial Cafe | $8–12 |
| Camping at Max City Camper Park | $10 per night |
2026 estimate; check locally.
Watch out
Safety
- Centennial Cafe hours may vary; call ahead.
- Max City Camper Park is open spring to fall only.
- No ATM in town; bring cash.
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.
MaxMax
Pocket card · Voykit
My bed tonight
—
—
—
Take me to this addressTake me to this address
Emergency
- Police, fire, ambulance911
Embassy
My embassy: —
Fare anchors (2026 estimate)
- Minot Airport → Max (taxi or rideshare): about $40–60 (check)
Say or show
- Hello — Hello
- Thank you — Thank you
- How much? — How much?
- Where is the café? — Where is the café?
English is universal; no language barrier.
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 Max. 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: Jun–Sep (rodeo, camping, lake) · avoid Dec–Feb (cold, limited services) · month by month →
- 1 airport and 1 area to sleep in
- Weather: a 7-day forecast and monthly averages
- Cost per day in 2 bands
- 3 day-trips, door to door
- 3 things to watch out for, with emergency numbers
Coming as the guide grows
- An airport-to-bed path that says whether a late landing still works
- Walking clusters with bag rules
- Day plans checked against opening hours
- Field-verified times and fares
Sources
- officialMax official website
- secondaryWikivoyage: Max, revision 4104706 (CC BY-SA 4.0)
Ask about Max
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