US Trip Planner

Scenic Drives in Minnesota

Routes

60

Avg Distance

209 mi

Avg Drive

4h 11m

Destinations

53

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: 209 miles.

Fuel snapshot for this state

Regular

$4.17/gal

Diesel: $5.35/gal

Typical trip cost

$23–$61

One-way, ~209 mi avg @ 25.4 MPG

CO₂ per trip

~73 kg

ICE vehicle, one-way average

Source: US Energy Information Administration • week of 2026-06-01

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

We rate routes on a 1-10 drive score based on elevation changes, road variety, and terrain diversity. The 60 routes listed here all score 7 or higher.

Current regular gas averages $4.17/gallon in Minnesota (week of 2026-06-01). Diesel: $5.35/gallon. A typical one-way trip on these routes costs between $23 and $61. Source: US Energy Information Administration.

Drive times and distances come from OSRM routing over real OpenStreetMap road networks. Fuel costs use weekly US Energy Information Administration state-level gas prices. Drive scores factor in elevation profile, road variety, and terrain. EV charging data is sourced from NREL. Climate normals come from NOAA NCEI (1991–2020 reference period). Hazard data comes from FEMA and USGS public feeds.

Yes. Click any route to see its full trip page with turn-by-turn directions, fuel cost estimates, elevation profile, stop suggestions, weather conditions, and more.

Top Scenic Routes

Eagan, MN → Warroad, MN

372.9 mi 7h 46m Score: 9/10 ~$61 fuel

Through: Bemidji

5 tricky spots High drive quality

Warroad, MN → Bloomington, MN

364.5 mi 7h 36m Score: 9/10 ~$60 fuel

Through: Bemidji

5 tricky spots High drive quality

Roseau, MN → Maple Grove, MN

344.8 mi 6h 43m Score: 10/10 ~$57 fuel

5 tricky spots High drive quality

Lakeville, MN → East Grand Forks, MN

339.4 mi 6h 10m Score: 8/10 ~$56 fuel

5 tricky spots High drive quality

Lakeville, MN → Thief River Falls, MN

318.1 mi 6h 13m Score: 8/10 ~$54 fuel

5 tricky spots High drive quality

International Falls, MN → Eden Prairie, MN

312.9 mi 6h 13m Score: 10/10 ~$51 fuel

5 tricky spots High drive quality

Thief River Falls, MN → Eden Prairie, MN

296.5 mi 5h 47m Score: 10/10 ~$50 fuel

5 tricky spots High drive quality

Woodbury, MN → Blue Earth, MN

274.4 mi 5h 20m Score: 8/10 ~$45 fuel

Through: Minneapolis

5 tricky spots High drive quality

Bloomington, MN → Grand Marais, MN

274.1 mi 5h 29m Score: 8/10 ~$47 fuel

5 tricky spots High drive quality

International Falls, MN → Saint Cloud, MN

265.4 mi 5h 30m Score: 9/10 ~$45 fuel

Through: Bemidji

5 tricky spots High drive quality

Lakeville, MN → Bagley, MN

264.9 mi 5h 23m Score: 8/10 ~$45 fuel

5 tricky spots High drive quality

Eagan, MN → Dilworth, MN

248.5 mi 4h 36m Score: 8/10 ~$42 fuel

5 tricky spots High drive quality

Saint Paul, MN → Dilworth, MN

241.1 mi 4h 27m Score: 8/10 ~$40 fuel

5 tricky spots High drive quality

Eagan, MN → Bemidji, MN

233 mi 4h 47m Score: 8/10 ~$38 fuel

5 tricky spots High drive quality

Lakeville, MN → Jordan, MN

231.6 mi 4h 48m Score: 8/10 ~$39 fuel

5 tricky spots High drive quality

Woodbury, MN → Stewartville, MN

228.1 mi 4h 42m Score: 8/10 ~$37 fuel

Through: Minneapolis → Saint Paul → Cr 96 +2 more

5 tricky spots High drive quality

Bloomington, MN → Chisholm, MN

223.1 mi 4h 19m Score: 8/10 ~$37 fuel

Through: Iron Range

5 tricky spots High drive quality

Lakeville, MN → Pelican Rapids, MN

222.2 mi 4h 9m Score: 8/10 ~$38 fuel

Through: Ch 88: Pelican Rapids → Detroit Lakes

5 tricky spots High drive quality

Eagan, MN → Chisholm, MN

220.8 mi 4h 18m Score: 8/10 ~$36 fuel

Through: Iron Range

5 tricky spots High drive quality

Apple Valley, MN → Detroit Lakes, MN

219.1 mi 4h 17m Score: 8/10 ~$37 fuel

5 tricky spots High drive quality

Plymouth, MN → Silver Bay, MN

218.3 mi 4h 14m Score: 8/10 ~$37 fuel

5 tricky spots High drive quality

Woodbury, MN → Mankato, MN

215.9 mi 4h 31m Score: 8/10 ~$35 fuel

5 tricky spots High drive quality

Eden Prairie, MN → Virginia, MN

214.1 mi 4h 8m Score: 8/10 ~$35 fuel

Through: Iron Range

5 tricky spots High drive quality

Woodbury, MN → Waseca, MN

214 mi 4h 20m Score: 8/10 ~$35 fuel

Through: Minneapolis

5 tricky spots High drive quality

Minneapolis, MN → Grant, MN

211.8 mi 4h 9m Score: 8/10 ~$35 fuel

Through: Iron Range

5 tricky spots High drive quality

Lakeville, MN → Midway, MN

210.4 mi 4h 23m Score: 8/10 ~$35 fuel

5 tricky spots High drive quality

Co on Rapids, MN → Grant, MN

207.1 mi 4h 3m Score: 8/10 ~$35 fuel

Through: Iron Range

5 tricky spots High drive quality

Saint Paul, MN → Clinton, MN

206.7 mi 4h 9m Score: 9/10 ~$35 fuel

5 tricky spots High drive quality

Woodbury, MN → Benson, MN

201.7 mi 4h 12m Score: 8/10 ~$34 fuel

5 tricky spots High drive quality

Apple Valley, MN → Grand Rapids, MN

197 mi 4h 5m Score: 9/10 ~$33 fuel

5 tricky spots High drive quality

Woodbury, MN → Warsaw, MN

194.9 mi 3h 53m Score: 8/10 ~$33 fuel

Through: Minneapolis

5 tricky spots High drive quality

Woodbury, MN → Le Center, MN

193.4 mi 4h 8m Score: 7/10 ~$33 fuel

Woodbury, MN → Faribault, MN

190 mi 3h 49m Score: 8/10 ~$32 fuel

Through: Minneapolis

5 tricky spots High drive quality

Woodbury, MN → Wheatland, MN

186.6 mi 3h 53m Score: 8/10 ~$32 fuel

Through: Minneapolis → Cr 2: Elko → New Market

5 tricky spots High drive quality

Saint Paul, MN → Tyler, MN

185 mi 4h Score: 9/10 ~$31 fuel

5 tricky spots High drive quality

Saint Cloud, MN → Winona, MN

184.1 mi 3h 56m Score: 8/10 ~$31 fuel

5 tricky spots High drive quality

Eagan, MN → New York Mills, MN

183.9 mi 3h 39m Score: 8/10 ~$31 fuel

5 tricky spots High drive quality

Eagan, MN → Elbow Lake, MN

179.1 mi 3h 24m Score: 8/10 ~$30 fuel

Through: Cr 41: Elbow Lake → Evansville

5 tricky spots High drive quality

Saint Paul, MN → New York Mills, MN

176.6 mi 3h 29m Score: 8/10 ~$30 fuel

5 tricky spots High drive quality

Lakeville, MN → Duluth, MN

176 mi 3h 20m Score: 8/10 ~$30 fuel

5 tricky spots High drive quality

Woodbury, MN → Mayer, MN

173.3 mi 3h 33m Score: 8/10 ~$28 fuel

Through: Saint Paul

5 tricky spots High drive quality

Bloomington, MN → Lakewood, MN

173.1 mi 3h 20m Score: 8/10 ~$28 fuel

5 tricky spots High drive quality

Plymouth, MN → Arnold, MN

171.3 mi 3h 16m Score: 8/10 ~$28 fuel

5 tricky spots High drive quality

Eagan, MN → Cross Lake, MN

165.3 mi 3h 32m Score: 8/10 ~$28 fuel

Through: Cr 81 → Elk River

5 tricky spots High drive quality

Plymouth, MN → Duluth, MN

163.2 mi 3h 1m Score: 8/10 ~$28 fuel

5 tricky spots High drive quality

Woodbury, MN → Shakopee, MN

158.9 mi 3h 22m Score: 8/10 ~$26 fuel

5 tricky spots High drive quality

Saint Paul, MN → Breezy Point, MN

156.7 mi 3h 12m Score: 8/10 ~$27 fuel

5 tricky spots High drive quality

Lakeville, MN → Sylvan, MN

154.9 mi 3h 8m Score: 8/10 ~$25 fuel

5 tricky spots High drive quality

Woodbury, MN → Rosemount, MN

154.4 mi 3h 15m Score: 8/10 ~$25 fuel

Through: Minneapolis → Saint Paul → Cr 96 +1 more

5 tricky spots High drive quality

Blaine, MN → Cottonwood, MN

152.9 mi 3h 17m Score: 8/10 ~$26 fuel

5 tricky spots High drive quality

Blaine, MN → Blue Earth, MN

151.7 mi 2h 52m Score: 8/10 ~$26 fuel

5 tricky spots High drive quality

Minnetonka, MN → Thomson, MN

151.1 mi 2h 51m Score: 8/10 ~$26 fuel

Through: Cr 5

5 tricky spots High drive quality

Woodbury, MN → French Lake, MN

150.5 mi 3h 11m Score: 8/10 ~$25 fuel

5 tricky spots High drive quality

Woodbury, MN → Lakeland, MN

150.1 mi 3h 6m Score: 8/10 ~$25 fuel

Through: Minneapolis → Saint Paul → Cr 96

5 tricky spots High drive quality

Bloomington, MN → Esko, MN

149.9 mi 2h 47m Score: 7/10 ~$25 fuel

Maple Grove, MN → Wilson, MN

149.9 mi 2h 59m Score: 8/10 ~$25 fuel

Through: Rochester → Cr 24: Cannon Falls

5 tricky spots High drive quality

Plymouth, MN → Esko, MN

149.2 mi 2h 44m Score: 8/10 ~$25 fuel

5 tricky spots High drive quality

Woodbury, MN → Maple Plain, MN

147.8 mi 3h 7m Score: 8/10 ~$25 fuel

5 tricky spots High drive quality

Lakeville, MN → Crow Wing, MN

142.9 mi 2h 52m Score: 8/10 ~$23 fuel

5 tricky spots High drive quality

Blaine, MN → Granite Falls, MN

137.5 mi 2h 56m Score: 8/10 ~$23 fuel

5 tricky spots High drive quality

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Minnesota Trips