Grand Forks sits on the west bank of the Red River where the Red Lake River joins it, with I-29 running north to south along the western edge of the city toward Fargo and the Canadian border. US 2, Gateway Drive, crosses the north side and heads west past the airport and Grand Forks Air Force Base toward Devils Lake, while US 81, Washington Street, runs through the city as a main north-south arterial. DeMers Avenue and the Sorlie Bridge carry traffic from downtown across the river into East Grand Forks.
Columbia Road, 32nd Avenue South and 42nd Street carry most of the city's commercial and university traffic, and the south end has grown steadily with new subdivisions. Drives across town are short and the grid is easy, but open ground surrounds the city on every side, and blowing snow can close I-29 and US 2 with little warning. Black ice is a constant danger on the bridges, and a car that slides into a ditch or will not start on a frozen morning is the typical winter request.
Grand Forks International Airport lies west of town on US 2 and doubles as the training base for UND's aviation program, so its lots stay busy. Cities Area Transit runs buses across both Grand Forks and East Grand Forks, and the University of North Dakota campus fills with student cars that sit outside through the coldest weeks.
On-site repair here usually means a driveway or attached garage in the newer south end, an alley or detached garage in the older north and central neighborhoods, or a lot on campus or at work. Base housing is a special case because of access rules. In deep cold, a garage makes a big difference to how long a repair takes, so mention whether one is available.