Road Trips from Co on Rapids, MN
Coon Rapids is a solid launchpad for short trips around the Twin Cities metro. You've got options ranging from under an hour to just over four hours, mostly on highways, with a few drives offering parks. Most are day trips, but there's a longer haul if you want to stretch it. Think of this as your base for quick escapes into the surrounding Minnesota landscape.
Total Routes
15
Shortest
0.3h
With Parks Nearby
2
Under 2 hours
12 total in this range
Annandale, MN
1h 5m50.7 mi one way
This 50.7-mile drive to Annandale takes just over an hour and has a drive score of 9. It's a highway-focused route with mostly flat terrain, making it a straightforward trip. It's a good option if you want something a bit longer than the closest metro destinations but still manageable for a day.
Saint Paul, MN
29m20.5 mi one way
This 20.5-mile route to Saint Paul is a short 0.5-hour trip with a drive score of 8. It’s a mixed drive with flat terrain, making it an easy way to get into the capital city. Since it doesn't feature parks, it's best for city exploration.
Carver, MN
53m37.5 mi one way
The drive to Carver is 37.5 miles and takes 0.9 hours with a drive score of 8. This highway-focused route offers a bit more mileage than the closest metro spots, without being a full day's commitment. The terrain data isn't specified, but it's a direct shot.
Arden Hills, MN
16m10.9 mi one way
This is the shortest option at 10.9 miles, taking only 0.3 hours. It’s a mixed drive with a score of 8. It's ideal for a very quick trip, much faster than heading to Annandale or Detroit Lakes.
New Hope, MN
19m11.1 mi one way
Full-day getaway
Weekend trip
Ely, MN
4h 47m240.5 mi one way
Grant, MN
4h 3m207.1 mi one way
This 207.1-mile trip to Grant takes 4.1 hours, making it the longest drive. It's a highway-focused route with a drive score of 8 and includes parks. This is your best bet for the furthest day trip or a potential overnight.
Browse by Mood
When to Go
Spring
Spring offers opportunities for drives to destinations with parks, like Annandale or Grant, as the terrain begins to emerge from winter.
Summer
Summer is ideal for all highway-focused drives, especially the longer ones to Detroit Lakes or Grant, with parks available on some routes.
Fall
The highway-focused drives, particularly those with flat terrain like Cloquet, are great for seeing fall colors without significant elevation changes.
Winter
Short, highway-focused trips to nearby cities like Minnetonka or Saint Paul are most practical during winter months.
Starting Somewhere Else?
Other nearby cities with their own escape planners.
Ready to plan?
Pick any destination above for full turn-by-turn directions, fuel cost, rest stops, and weather. Or visit the Co on Rapids, MN city hub for all incoming and outgoing routes.