Fall Road Trips in Minnesota
Routes
30
Avg Distance
300 mi
Avg Drive
6h 0m
Destinations
19
Minnesota in the fall means vibrant colors across its expansive landscapes. This collection of 30 routes offers an average drive of 300 miles with a drive score range of 7-10. Many trips are mostly highway with mostly flat terrain and max elevations around 1,400 feet, making for comfortable cruising. Daylight hours are still ample for exploring.
Fuel snapshot for this state
Regular
$3.82/gal
Diesel: $4.80/gal
Typical trip cost
$38–$57
One-way, ~300 mi avg @ 25.4 MPG
CO₂ per trip
~105 kg
ICE vehicle, one-way average
Source: US Energy Information Administration • week of 2026-07-13
Climate through the year: Minnesota
Minnesota peaks at around 83°F in Jul and cools to 24°F / 9°F in Jan. Wettest month is Jun at ~4.6 in of rain. Table highlights Fall months.
| Month | High °F | Low °F | Rain in | Snow in |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jan | 24 | 9 | 0.9 | 11 |
| Feb | 29 | 13 | 0.9 | 9.5 |
| Mar | 42 | 25 | 1.7 | 8.2 |
| Apr | 57 | 38 | 2.9 | 3.5 |
| May | 69 | 50 | 3.9 | — |
| Jun | 79 | 60 | 4.6 | — |
| Jul | 83 | 65 | 4.1 | — |
| Aug | 81 | 63 | 4.3 | — |
| Sep peak | 73 | 54 | 3 | — |
| Oct peak | 58 | 41 | 2.6 | 0.8 |
| Nov peak | 42 | 28 | 1.6 | 6.8 |
| Dec | 29 | 15 | 1.2 | 11.4 |
Source: NOAA NCEI Monthly Climate Normals, 1991–2020 reference period. Sampled at the major-airport station for MN — microclimates along specific routes can vary significantly.
Planning Tips
- Check the weather forecast for your route, not just your origin and destination.
- Bring layers for shoulder-season travel — mornings and evenings can be much cooler than midday.
- Minnesota routes can vary in condition depending on the time of year. Check for construction zones.
Frequently Asked Questions
Fall Routes
Editor's pick
Roseau, MN → Lakeville, MN
This route scores a perfect 10 for its drive. Covering 381 miles with 7.5 hours of driving, it offers a long stretch of mostly highway through mostly flat terrain.
Editor's pick
Eagan, MN → Warroad, MN
Through: Bemidji
With a strong drive score of 9, this 373-mile trip takes about 7.8 hours. It's a predominantly highway route traversing mostly flat terrain, reaching a maximum elevation of 1,437 feet.
Editor's pick
Warroad, MN → Bloomington, MN
Through: Bemidji
Another route earning a drive score of 9, this 365-mile journey is estimated at 7.6 hours. It consists of mostly highway driving over mostly flat terrain, with a highest elevation of 1,472 feet.
Brooklyn Park, MN → Roseau, MN
Roseau, MN → Maple Grove, MN
Lakeville, MN → East Grand Forks, MN
Bloomington, MN → Baudette, MN
Through: Bemidji
Lakeville, MN → Thief River Falls, MN
International Falls, MN → Eden Prairie, MN
Baudette, MN → Blaine, MN
Through: Bemidji
Bloomington, MN → Thief River Falls, MN
International Falls, MN → Plymouth, MN
International Falls, MN → Maple Grove, MN
Thief River Falls, MN → Eden Prairie, MN
Brooklyn Park, MN → International Falls, MN
Through: Iron Range
Thief River Falls, MN → Minneapolis, MN
Pipestone, MN → Woodbury, MN
Plymouth, MN → Thief River Falls, MN
Brooklyn Park, MN → Thief River Falls, MN
Thief River Falls, MN → Maple Grove, MN
Woodbury, MN → Blue Earth, MN
Through: Minneapolis
Bloomington, MN → Grand Marais, MN
Eagan, MN → Grand Marais, MN
International Falls, MN → Saint Cloud, MN
Through: Bemidji
Lakeville, MN → Bagley, MN
Minneapolis, MN → Grand Marais, MN
Brooklyn Park, MN → Grand Marais, MN
Babbitt, MN → Lakeville, MN
Red Lake, MN → Saint Paul, MN
Through: Park Rapids → Bemidji
Baudette, MN → Saint Cloud, MN
Through: Bemidji