Major city · United States
Pembina
Pembina is a border stop for passport stamps and the state museum, not a destination: 2–3 hours or an overnight if crossing late.
Pembina is a small city at the US–Canada border in North Dakota's Red River Valley, best known as a port of entry from Manitoba and for the Pembina State Museum. Most visitors stop for an hour or two on their way to or from Winnipeg; there is little reason to stay longer unless you need to rest before crossing.
More
More ways in
Local time, weather, currency, airports
- Weather
- see forecast
- Currency
- USD
- Best months
- May–Sep
- avoid Dec–Feb (cold, short days)
- Airports
- GFK · YWG
- Nights
- 0–1
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 Pembina911 ▾
- Police, fire, ambulance911
- Pembina County Sheriff+1 701 825-6500
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 Pembina, 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
- SafetyPembina is a quiet, low-crime town.
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 · +1 701 825-6500 Pembina County Sheriff
- 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.
- AirportGFK Grand Forks International Airport (About 1 h 15 min south via I-29; limited flights.).
- Getting aroundPembina is small enough to walk across in 20 minutes.
Cost cheat-sheet
Typical prices for the everyday things, as ranges. Your currency is shown next to the local price.
- Coffee$2–4
- Budget bedMotel room (double), a night, per roomUS$70
- Mid-range bedMotel room (double), a night, per roomUS$100
- High-end bedMotel room (double), a night, per roomUS$150
A day, not counting the bed: Budget US$60 · Mid US$120 · 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
- GFK Grand Forks International Airport (About 1 h 15 min south via I-29; limited flights.) · YWG Winnipeg Richardson International Airport (About 1 h 15 min north across the border; more connections.)
Best months at a glance
From the guide's best and avoid lists
Jan
Avoid
−10°C (14°F)14°F (−10°C)
Feb
Avoid
−7°C (19°F)19°F (−7°C)
Mar
not flagged
1°C (34°F)34°F (1°C)
Apr
not flagged
12°C (54°F)54°F (12°C)
May
Best
20°C (68°F)68°F (20°C)
Jun
Best
25°C (77°F)77°F (25°C)
Jul
Best
28°C (82°F)82°F (28°C)
Aug
Best
27°C (81°F)81°F (27°C)
Sep
Best
21°C (70°F)70°F (21°C)
Oct
not flagged
13°C (55°F)55°F (13°C)
Nov
not flagged
1°C (34°F)34°F (1°C)
Dec
Avoid
−7°C (19°F)19°F (−7°C)
Best: May–Sep. Avoid: Dec–Feb. Month by month →
Warmest Jul (28°C (82°F)82°F (28°C)), coolest Jan (−21°C (−6°F)−6°F (−21°C) low), wettest Jun (11 rain days), driest Feb (5). Averages, not a forecast.
Weather and climate
Pembina: 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
−10°C (14°F)14°F (−10°C)
−21°C (−6°F)−6°F (−21°C)
6 rd
Feb
−7°C (19°F)19°F (−7°C)
−18°C (0°F)0°F (−18°C)
5 rd
Mar
1°C (34°F)34°F (1°C)
−10°C (14°F)14°F (−10°C)
6 rd
Apr
12°C (54°F)54°F (12°C)
−1°C (30°F)30°F (−1°C)
7 rd
May
20°C (68°F)68°F (20°C)
7°C (45°F)45°F (7°C)
9 rd
Jun
25°C (77°F)77°F (25°C)
13°C (55°F)55°F (13°C)
11 rd
Jul
28°C (82°F)82°F (28°C)
16°C (61°F)61°F (16°C)
9 rd
Aug
27°C (81°F)81°F (27°C)
14°C (57°F)57°F (14°C)
8 rd
Sep
21°C (70°F)70°F (21°C)
9°C (48°F)48°F (9°C)
8 rd
Oct
13°C (55°F)55°F (13°C)
1°C (34°F)34°F (1°C)
7 rd
Nov
1°C (34°F)34°F (1°C)
−9°C (16°F)16°F (−9°C)
5 rd
Dec
−7°C (19°F)19°F (−7°C)
−18°C (0°F)0°F (−18°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
Pembina is small enough to walk across in 20 minutes. A car is needed to reach the museum (about 2 km south of town) and to cross the border.
See & doDay-trips, door to door
See & do
Day-trips, door to door
Day-trips
Door to door: About 1.5 h
I-29 south, about 1 h 15 min
Larger city with dining, shopping and the University of North Dakota.
Winnipeg
goDoor to door: About 1.5 h
I-29 north, cross the border, then Highway 75; about 1 h 15 min
Manitoba's capital: museums, Forks Market, Canadian cuisine.
Door to door: About 25 min
ND-5 west, about 20 min
Small town with a historic courthouse and the Icelandic State Park.
Door to door: About 2.5 h
I-29 south, about 2 h 15 min
Largest city in North Dakota; full day trip.
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.
Pembina town centre
A couple of motels near the highway; basic, fine for one night.
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 (double)1 × 1 night × US$100 | US$100 |
| Food, local transport, entries2 × 1 day × US$120 | US$240 |
| Trip total≈ US$170 per person per day, bed included | US$340 |
2026 estimate in USD; flights and car rental excluded.
Prices of common things
| Coffee | $2–4 |
| Burger and fries | $10–15 |
| Motel room (double) | $70–150 |
| Gas (per gallon) | $3–4 |
2026 estimate; check locally.
Watch out
Safety
- The border crossing can have long waits on summer weekends and Canadian holidays: check the CBSA wait times.
- Pembina State Museum hours change between summer and winter: check the website before visiting.
- No public transport to or from Pembina; you need a car or a pre-arranged ride.
Emergency numbers
- Police, fire, ambulance
- 911
- Pembina County Sheriff
- +1 701 825-6500
Pocket card
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PembinaPembina
Pocket card · Voykit
My bed tonight
—
—
—
Take me to this addressTake me to this address
Emergency
- Police, fire, ambulance911
- Pembina County Sheriff+1 701 825-6500
Embassy
My embassy: —
Fare anchors (2026 estimate)
- Pembina → Grand Forks (I-29): About 1 h 15 min, 110 km (68 mi)About 1 h 15 min, 68 mi (110 km)
- Pembina → Winnipeg (I-29 / MB-75): About 1 h 15 min, 110 km (68 mi)About 1 h 15 min, 68 mi (110 km)
Say or show
- Hello — Hello (hello)
- Thank you — Thank you (thank you)
- How much? — How much? (how much)
- Where is the border? — Where is the border? (where is the border)
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 Pembina. 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, short days) · month by month →
- 2 airports and 1 area to sleep in
- Weather: a 7-day forecast and monthly averages
- Cost per day in 3 bands
- 4 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
Ask about Pembina
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