Scenic Drives in Minnesota
Routes
60
Avg Distance
268 mi
Avg Drive
5h 21m
Destinations
30
Minnesota has 60 routes that score 7 or higher on our drive quality scale — roads where the scenery and terrain actually make the drive worth doing. Average distance: 268 miles.
Fuel snapshot for this state
Regular
$3.82/gal
Diesel: $4.80/gal
Typical trip cost
$34–$57
One-way, ~268 mi avg @ 25.4 MPG
CO₂ per trip
~94 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.
| 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 | 73 | 54 | 3 | — |
| Oct | 58 | 41 | 2.6 | 0.8 |
| Nov | 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
- Scenic routes often have fewer gas stations and services. Top off your tank before heading into mountainous or rural stretches.
- Budget extra time for scenic drives — pulling over for views, photos, and short hikes is half the point.
- Check weather conditions for mountain passes and high-elevation stretches, especially in shoulder seasons.
Frequently Asked Questions
Top Scenic Routes
Roseau, MN → Lakeville, MN
Eagan, MN → Warroad, MN
Through: Bemidji
Warroad, MN → Bloomington, MN
Through: Bemidji
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
Grand Marais, MN → Saint Cloud, MN
Through: Cr 61: Mora
Ely, MN → Plymouth, MN
Eagan, MN → Dilworth, MN
Eden Prairie, MN → Rice Lake, MN
Mahnomen, MN → Saint Paul, MN
Solway, MN → Eagan, MN
Through: Bemidji
Saint Paul, MN → Dilworth, MN
Maple Grove, MN → Babbitt, MN
Through: Iron Range
Woodbury, MN → East Grand Forks, MN
Co on Rapids, MN → Ely, MN
Through: Iron Range
Solway, MN → Saint Paul, MN
Through: Bemidji
Dawson, MN → Woodbury, MN
Mahnomen, MN → Minneapolis, MN
Cottonwood, MN → Woodbury, MN
Eden Prairie, MN → Dilworth, MN
Eagan, MN → Bemidji, MN
Hibbing, MN → Lakeville, MN
Plymouth, MN → Bagley, MN
Lakeville, MN → Jordan, MN
Dilworth, MN → Minneapolis, MN
Minneapolis, MN → Turtle River, MN
Through: Bemidji
Mahnomen, MN → Blaine, MN
Woodbury, MN → Stewartville, MN
Through: Minneapolis → Saint Paul → Cr 96 +2 more
Minneapolis, MN → Solway, MN
Lake Crystal, MN → Woodbury, MN
Through: Cr 78: Chaska
Mahnomen, MN → Plymouth, MN
Jordan, MN → Eden Prairie, MN
Babbitt, MN → Saint Cloud, MN
Through: Cr 61: Mora
Lake Eunice, MN → Bloomington, MN
Bloomington, MN → Chisholm, MN
Through: Iron Range