Major city · United States
Chaffee
Visit Chaffee for a half‑day stop (4–6 h), then continue to Fargo or nearby towns; no overnight stay needed.
Chaffee is a tiny Red River Valley town of about 530 residents, 40 mi west of Fargo. Its main attraction is the historic Maple Creek Crossing; accommodation and dining are found in nearby Wheatland, Casselton or Buffalo.
More
More ways in
Local time, weather, currency, airports
- Weather
- see forecast
- Currency
- USD
- Best months
- check
- avoid check
- Airport
- FAR
- 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
Emergency numbers for Chaffee911 ▾
- Police, fire, ambulance911
- North Dakota Highway Patrol (non-emergency)701-328-2455
- Poison Control (24 h)1-800-222-1222
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 Chaffee, 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
- SafetyChaffee is a quiet farm town and personal safety is not the issue: the risks are weather and distance.
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 · 701-328-2455 North Dakota Highway Patrol (non-emergency) · 1-800-222-1222 Poison Control (24 h)
- 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.
- AirportFAR Fargo Hector International Airport (About 45 mi east, 1 h drive via I‑94.).
- Getting aroundCar is the only practical mode; exit 324 off I‑94 is 6 mi north of town.
Cost cheat-sheet
Typical prices for the everyday things, as ranges. Your currency is shown next to the local price.
- Budget bedCampground pitch (tent), a night, per roomUS$20
- Mid-range bedSmall-town motel double room, a night, per roomUS$110
- High-end bedSmall-town motel double room, a night, per roomUS$160
A day, not counting the bed: Budget US$45 · Mid US$95 · 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
- FAR Fargo Hector International Airport (About 45 mi east, 1 h drive via I‑94.)
Weather and climate
Chaffee: 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
−8°C (18°F)18°F (−8°C)
−18°C (0°F)0°F (−18°C)
7 rd
Feb
−5°C (23°F)23°F (−5°C)
−15°C (5°F)5°F (−15°C)
6 rd
Mar
3°C (37°F)37°F (3°C)
−7°C (19°F)19°F (−7°C)
7 rd
Apr
13°C (55°F)55°F (13°C)
1°C (34°F)34°F (1°C)
8 rd
May
21°C (70°F)70°F (21°C)
8°C (46°F)46°F (8°C)
10 rd
Jun
26°C (79°F)79°F (26°C)
13°C (55°F)55°F (13°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
22°C (72°F)72°F (22°C)
9°C (48°F)48°F (9°C)
8 rd
Oct
14°C (57°F)57°F (14°C)
2°C (36°F)36°F (2°C)
7 rd
Nov
3°C (37°F)37°F (3°C)
−6°C (21°F)21°F (−6°C)
6 rd
Dec
−5°C (23°F)23°F (−5°C)
−14°C (7°F)7°F (−14°C)
7 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
Car is the only practical mode; exit 324 off I‑94 is 6 mi north of town. No public transit.
See & doDay-trips, door to door
See & do
Day-trips, door to door
Day-trips
Door to door: About 1 h
I-94 east from exit 324, about 45 mi
The nearest real city: food, hotels, airport. Do it as a base, not a day trip.
Door to door: About 30 min
County roads north-east, about 20 mi
Closest cluster of motels and cafés if you want to sleep near Chaffee.
Door to door: About 20 min
I-94 east to exit 331, about 15 mi
Fuel, groceries and a handful of places to eat; the practical supply stop.
Door to door: About 35 min
I-94 east, about 30 mi
Small heritage stop; only worth the detour if you are already driving the valley.
Door to door: About 1 h 15 min
US-2 and county roads north, about 60 mi
Long empty drive for a very small town; combine with other valley stops.
Door to door: About 2 h
I-29 north from Fargo, about 90 mi total
Too far for a return day from Chaffee; sleep there instead.
Door to door: About 1 h 45 min
I-29 south then ND-13, about 85 mi
Southern valley town; pair with a night rather than a round trip.
Door to door: About 2 h 30 min
I-29 north then ND-5, about 130 mi
Far north-east; only if you are already heading to the Canadian border.
Door to door: About 50 min
I-94 east, about 40 mi
Suburb of Fargo with the same hotel and food choice, slightly cheaper.
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.
Wheatland
Small motels 12 mi north; convenient for I‑94 access.
Casselton
Hotels and B&Bs 15 mi east, near rail line.
Buffalo
Larger town 20 mi north‑east, more dining options.
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
- $40–70 excl. bed (fuel, fast food, site fees)
- Mid
- $70–120 excl. bed (fuel, one sit-down meal, snacks)
- High
- $120+ excl. bed (fuel, restaurant meals, museum stops)
Trip budget
| Small-town motel double room1 × 1 night × US$110 | US$110 |
| Food, local transport, entries2 × 1 day × US$95 | US$190 |
| Fuel, Fargo return trip (about 90 mi)1 × US$12 · check | US$12 |
| Fast-food meal2 × US$9 | US$18 |
| eSIM, about a week of data2 × US$12 | US$24 |
| Buffer 10%Price creep, a taxi you did not plan, one splurge | US$35 |
| Trip total≈ US$195 per person per day, bed included | US$389 |
Casselton, Wheatland or Buffalo; check
2026 estimate in US dollars; Chaffee has no lodging of its own, so beds are priced in nearby towns. Your choices stay in this browser.
Prices of common things
| Gasoline (per gallon) | $3.30–$3.80 |
| Fast food meal | $6–$9 |
2026 estimate; check locally.
Watch out
Safety
- No public toilets, gas station or grocery in town: fill up and use facilities in Casselton or Wheatland before you turn off I-94.
- Maple Creek Crossing is a grass-and-marker site with no staff or gate: check the State Historical Society page before driving out, and skip it after heavy rain.
- Cell signal is patchy on the gravel roads south of town; download an offline map first.
- Winter storms close I-94 and the county roads with little warning; check the North Dakota DOT road report before leaving Fargo.
Emergency numbers
- Police, fire, ambulance
- 911
- North Dakota Highway Patrol (non-emergency)
- 701-328-2455
- Poison Control (24 h)
- 1-800-222-1222
Pocket card
Fill in, then print or save as PDF
Stays in this browser only; nothing is sent anywhere.
ChaffeeChaffee
Pocket card · Voykit
My bed tonight
—
—
—
To this address, pleaseTo this address, please
Emergency
- Police, fire, ambulance911
Embassy
My embassy: —
Fare anchors (2026 estimate)
- Fargo → Chaffee (car): ≈ 45 mi, about 1 h, fuel cost $5–$7 (check)
Say or show
- Excuse me / Sorry — Excuse me / Sorry (Excuse me)
- Thank you — Thank you (Thank you)
- Where is the restroom? — Where is the restroom? (Where is the restroom?)
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 Chaffee. 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: check · avoid check · month by month →
- 1 airport and 3 areas to sleep in
- Weather: a 7-day forecast and monthly averages
- Cost per day in 3 bands
- 9 day-trips, door to door
- 4 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 Chaffee
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