Trip from Albany, MN to Minneapolis, MN

Compiled and reviewed by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Apr 19, 2026 · Editorial standards

Drive Time

1h 39m

Distance

86.2 mi

139 km

Drive Score

7/10

Good drive

Same Day?

Yes, doable

Fuel Cost

$13

one way

EV Charging

Unknown

Best Time to Leave

Save up to 22 min

4 AM

1h 32m ★

6 AM

1h 39m

8 AM

1h 54m

10 AM

1h 44m

12 PM

1h 43m

3 PM

1h 45m

5 PM

1h 53m

8 PM

1h 35m

Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.

Best Time Drive vs Fly

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Albany, MN

Tom Fisk

Trip Overview

This straightforward 86.2-mile drive from Albany to Minneapolis, Minnesota, is easily manageable as a single-day trip, taking approximately 1 hour and 39 minutes. The majority of your journey, 96%, will be on major highways, specifically I-94, offering a direct and efficient path. With an estimated fuel cost of around $13, this route is budget-friendly for a quick excursion. You'll be traveling within the Midwest region of the US, making for a familiar drive. The route is designed for efficiency, with no recommended overnight stops, making it ideal for a quick transit or a day trip.

Trip Pace

Same-day drive is realistic

A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.

Midpoint

43.1 miles from Albany, MN

A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 47m into the drive .

Main Roads

Road	Distance	Duration
I 94	82.8 mi	1h 31m
North Washington Avenue	0.6 mi	1m
8th Street	0.3 mi	<1m
Railroad Avenue	0.2 mi	<1m
2nd Avenue North	0.2 mi	<1m
Washington Avenue South	0.2 mi	<1m

Longest stretch: I 94 — 82.8 mi, about 1h 31m

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between Albany, MN and Minneapolis, MN.

Start on MN 238

0.2 mi · 26 sec · Railroad Avenue

Turn left onto MN 238

0.3 mi · 38 sec · 8th Street

Take the ramp

0.3 mi · 35 sec

Merge onto I 94

77 mi · 1 hr 23 min · I 94

Use the straight / slight right lanes.

Keep slight right at fork onto I 94

6.1 mi · 7 min · I 94

Use the straight / slight right lanes.

Keep slight right at fork

0.4 mi · 25 sec

Use the straight / slight right lanes.

Keep slight left at fork

1.0 mi · 2 min

Toward 4th Street North Use the straight / slight right lanes.

Keep slight right at fork

0.3 mi · 40 sec

Toward 2nd Avenue North Use the straight / slight left lanes.

Turn left onto 2nd Avenue North

0.2 mi · 35 sec · 2nd Avenue North

Turn right onto CR 152

0.6 mi · 1 min · North Washington Avenue

Use the straight / right lanes.

Continue on CR 152

0.2 mi · 31 sec · Washington Avenue South

Use the left lane.

Arrive at destination

CR 152

Trip Plan

Given the short duration of 1 hour and 39 minutes, this route offers great flexibility. You can depart Albany at your leisure, but leaving earlier in the morning can help you avoid potential traffic as you near Minneapolis. Keep an eye on your fuel gauge, especially during the longest stretch on I-94, as services can be more spaced out on interstates. The $13 fuel estimate suggests that most standard vehicles won't need frequent refueling. Plan for a brief stop if needed, but the minimal travel time means you can likely complete this journey without a dedicated rest break.

Morning Departure

Leave by 9 AM and you'll arrive before lunch.

Evening Departure

Even a 4 PM departure gets you there before dark in summer.

You can normally do this drive in one day.

You may only need one short stretch break if traffic stays light.

The halfway point lands around 43.1 miles from Albany, MN, or about 47m into the drive.

The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 82.8 miles.

This is a comfortable same-day trip.

Departure

Before you leave

Start with fuel, water, and navigation already sorted so the first hour feels easy.

First stop

Around 19 miles or 21m in

Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.

Halfway reset

Around 43.1 miles or 47m in

This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.

Final approach

Final hour starts around 1h 20m

Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Minneapolis, MN than in the middle of the route.

Before You Leave

Open the route before leaving Albany, MN so your first major turns are already loaded.

Day 1

Settle into the route from Albany, MN

This is one driving day of about 86.2 miles and 1h 39m.

Your first comfortable stop window is around 19 miles from Albany, MN.

This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.

The longest stretch is on I 94 for about 82.8 miles.

Where to Stop

Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.

city in Sherburne County, Minnesota, United States

Mid-route town

Meal stop

Big Lake, MN

43 mi into the route

Best for: Lunch, fuel, and a longer reset

This sits close to the middle of the route, so it works well for the longest stop of the day.

Pacing Suggestions

Sartell, MN

Fuel and coffee

A short stop after about 19 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.

Big Lake, MN

Meal break

The midpoint is around 43.1 miles from Albany, MN, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.

Before the longest stretch

Fuel check

Top up before I 94 if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 82.8 miles.

These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.

Nearby Places

Restaurants, cafes, gas stations and more along your route.

Top Restaurant

Maynard's Restaurant of Rogers

4.5 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Rogers, Minnesota

Later in the drive, right off the route

0.5 mi from route ~1 min detour $20 to $30 mile 61.5

Hours: 11 am–11 pm

+17634280700

Visit website

FIKA Café

4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Minneapolis, Minnesota

1.7 mi

Phoever ❤️ Vietnamese Cuisine & Coffee

4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Columbia Heights, Minnesota

2.1 mi

Top Coffee Stop

Spyhouse Coffee Roasters | Downtown / Emery

4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Minneapolis, Minnesota

Near the end, right off the route

0.2 mi from route $1 to $10 mile 86.2

Hours: 6:30 am–5 pm

Visit website

The Mill

4.8 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Albany, Minnesota

0.2 mi

Fawkes Alley Coffee

4.8 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Minneapolis, Minnesota

1.2 mi

Maynard's Restaurant of Rogers

4.5 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Later in the drive, right off the route

0.5 mi from route ~1 min detour $20 to $30 mile 61.5

Rogers, Minnesota

Hours: 11 am–11 pm

+17634280700

Visit website

FIKA Café

4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, short detour

1.7 mi from route ~4 min detour $20 to $30 mile 86.2

Minneapolis, Minnesota

Hours: 10 am–8 pm

+16125245108

Visit website

Phoever ❤️ Vietnamese Cuisine & Coffee

4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, short detour

2.1 mi from route ~5 min detour $10 to $20 mile 80

Columbia Heights, Minnesota

Hours: 11 am–12 pm

+17632088754

Visit website

Lynde’s Restaurant & Catering

4.5 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, short detour

2.4 mi from route ~6 min detour $10 to $20 mile 73.9

Osseo, Minnesota

Hours: 6 am–2 pm

+17634243696

Visit website

Lake and Bryant Cafe

4.8 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, short detour

2.5 mi from route ~6 min detour $10 to $20 mile 86.2

Minneapolis, Minnesota

Hours: 7 am–5 pm

+16126594450

Visit website

Hamdi Restaurant

4.2 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Near the end, short detour

2.2 mi from route ~5 min detour $10 to $20 mile 86.2

Minneapolis, Minnesota

Hours: 10 am–10 pm

+16128239660

Visit website

Lake & Irving Restaurant & Bar

4.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, short detour

2.9 mi from route ~7 min detour $20 to $30 mile 86.2

Minneapolis, Minnesota

Hours: 4–9 pm

+16123542453

Visit website

The Coffee Shop NE

4.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, short detour

3.1 mi from route ~8 min detour $10 to $20 mile 86.2

Minneapolis, Minnesota

Hours: 6:30 am–6 pm

+16122598478

Visit website

Spyhouse Coffee Roasters | Downtown / Emery

4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, right off the route

0.2 mi from route $1 to $10 mile 86.2

Minneapolis, Minnesota

Hours: 6:30 am–5 pm

Visit website

The Mill

4.8 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, right off the route

0.2 mi from route $10 to $20

Albany, Minnesota

Hours: 6 am–3 pm

+13208456455

Visit website

4.8 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, short detour

1.9 mi from route ~5 min detour $1 to $10 mile 86.2

Minneapolis, Minnesota

Hours: 6 am–4 pm

Visit website

Bad Axe Throwing Minneapolis City Center

4.9 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, right off the route

0.5 mi from route ~1 min detour $40 to $50 mile 86.2

Minneapolis, Minnesota

Hours: 6–9:30 pm

+18448180999

Visit website

Prince The Tour

4.5 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, right off the route

0.4 mi from route ~1 min detour mile 86.2

Minneapolis, Minnesota

Hours: 10 am–4 pm

+16127102923

Playground Plaza

4.3 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Later in the drive, short detour

2.7 mi from route ~7 min detour mile 67.7

Maple Grove, Minnesota

Hours: 7 am–9 pm

+17632283833

Visit website

Granite City Jump

4.4 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Early in the drive, ~11 min detour

4.5 mi from route ~11 min detour mile 24.6

St Cloud, Minnesota

Hours: 10 am–8 pm

+13203422148

Visit website

Place data sourced from public business listings. Hours and availability may vary.

Heads-up: tricky spots

5 of 10

5 decision points cluster between mile 77.5 and 85.4 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.

77.5 mi into trip | ~1h 25m in | I 94

Keep slight right at fork onto I 94

Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here

Use the straight / slight right lanes.

83.6 mi into trip | ~1h 32m in

Keep slight right at fork

Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here

Use the straight / slight right lanes.

84 mi into trip | ~1h 33m in

Keep slight left at fork toward 4th Street North

Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here

Use the straight / slight right lanes. Toward 4th Street North

85 mi into trip | ~1h 35m in

Keep slight right at fork toward 2nd Avenue North

Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here

Use the straight / slight left lanes. Toward 2nd Avenue North

85.4 mi into trip | ~1h 36m in | CR 152 / North Washington Avenue

Turn right onto CR 152 / North Washington Avenue

Lane positioning matters here

Use the straight / right lanes.

Fuel & Cost

Regular Gas

$12.83 one way

$25.66 round trip

$3.78/gal 25.4 MPG avg 30 kg CO₂

Fuel Type	$/gal	One Way	Round Trip
midgrade	$4.07	$13.82	$27.65
premium	$4.53	$15.38	$30.76
diesel	$5.61	$19.03	$38.06

No toll roads detected on this route.

Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)

Fuel

$13

Meals

$25–$50

Total

$38–$63

Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.

Estimated CO2 emission: 30.2 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.

Driving Electric?

About $9 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO₂

Vehicle Type	kWh	DC Fast	Home Charge
Average EV	25.9	$9.05	$4.14
Efficient EV	21.6	$7.54	$3.45
EV Truck/SUV	34.5	$12.07	$5.52

Gas CO2

30 kg

EV CO2

10 kg (67% less)

This trip is well within single-charge range for most EVs. No charging stops needed if you start fully charged.

DC fast charging avg $0.35/kWh. Home charging avg $0.16/kWh. US grid CO2: 0.39 kg/kWh.

Travel Intel

Current conditions at both ends of the drive.

Forecast as of Apr 16, 2026

Origin

Albany, MN

Morning in Albany on Sunday

Local time

11:12 AM

CDT

Current temp

66°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

Destination

Minneapolis, MN

Morning in Minneapolis on Sunday

Local time

11:12 AM

CDT

Current temp

67°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

Seasonal Notes

Summer travel usually means heavier construction, hotter rest stops, and busier weekend traffic around major cities.

Winter travel shortens daylight, so a route that looks manageable on paper can feel much longer after dark.

Holiday weekends tend to make both departure and arrival windows slower than the raw route time suggests.

Time zone

Same local time

Origin and destination are on the same clock, so arrival timing is easier to judge at a glance.

Temperature spread

1 degrees warmer at arrival

A meaningful temperature swing is a good cue to rethink layers, water, and how soon you want to arrive.

Road read

1h 39m on the road

Use the two city cards together: check the sky where you start, then compare it with the local time and temperature at arrival.

Weather data from the National Weather Service. Conditions may change; check closer to your travel date.

What kind of drive is this?

Expect a predominantly highway-focused experience on this route, with 96% of the drive taking place on interstates. The longest continuous stretch you'll encounter is a significant 82.8 miles on I-94, allowing for consistent speed and minimal interruptions. This means you'll likely experience a steady pace for most of your journey. While primarily interstate driving, the route does incorporate local roads like North Washington Avenue and 8th Street as you approach your destination in Minneapolis, offering a slight shift in scenery and driving feel before reaching the city.

96% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.

12 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.

Longest single stretch: 82.8 mi on I 94.

How Hard Is This Drive?

7/10

This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 94 and North Washington Avenue. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 77.5 miles in near I 94.

Driving Effort 7/10

Demanding - plan breaks and stay ahead of the key maneuvers

Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.

This drive requires moderate attention. Across 86.2 miles you will encounter 10 spots where lane choice or exit timing matters. Not difficult for experienced highway drivers, but worth previewing the tricky sections before you go.

Where does it get tricky?

The main spots that need attention: at 77.5 miles (I 94): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 83.6 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 84 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.

About the Cities

Arriving in Minneapolis, MN

Full guide →

Minneapolis is a city of about 430,000 people (2019) and the largest city in Minnesota. Along with neighboring Saint Paul, it forms the urban core of the Twin Cities region, the third largest metropolitan area in the Midwest after Chicago and Detroit.

City content from Wikivoyage (CC BY-SA 4.0) and Wikidata (CC0).

Who Is This Route For?

Weekend Trip

Doable as a same-day drive at 1h 39m. Total distance: 86.2 miles.

Family Friendly

Moderate complexity with 0 natural rest stops along the way.

Solo Traveler

1h 39m drive, comfortable solo distance.

First-Time Driver

Mostly highway driving (96%). Some complex stretches to watch for.

Frequently Asked Questions

The longest stretch is about 82.8 miles on I 94. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.

It helps. This route has a higher-than-average number of complex decision points, which get harder in the dark. If the last hour of the trip is on surface roads or mountain grades, aim to arrive at Minneapolis, MN before sunset when you can. Check the Trip Plan for departure windows that land you in daylight.

Yes. At under 2 hours behind the wheel, this works well for families — plan one quick stop if you have younger kids.

Yes. A round trip is manageable in a single day if you plan a break at Minneapolis, MN before heading back.

How this page is built

Compiled by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy from open government datasets — OSRM over OpenStreetMap for geometry, and EIA for fuel prices. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.

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Trip from Albany, MN to Minneapolis, MN

Best Time to Leave

Trip Overview

Main Roads

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Trip Plan

Before You Leave

Where to Stop

Pacing Suggestions

Nearby Places

Maynard's Restaurant of Rogers

Spyhouse Coffee Roasters | Downtown / Emery

Maynard's Restaurant of Rogers

FIKA Café

Phoever ❤️ Vietnamese Cuisine & Coffee

Lynde’s Restaurant & Catering

Lake and Bryant Cafe

Hamdi Restaurant

Lake & Irving Restaurant & Bar

The Coffee Shop NE

Spyhouse Coffee Roasters | Downtown / Emery

The Mill

Fawkes Alley Coffee

Bordertown Coffee

Spyhouse Coffee Roasters | Northeast

District Coffee

Caffetto Coffee House

Code Blu Coffee

Bad Axe Throwing Minneapolis City Center

Prince The Tour

Playground Plaza

Granite City Jump

Heads-up: tricky spots

Fuel & Cost

Travel Intel

Albany, MN

Minneapolis, MN

Same local time

1 degrees warmer at arrival

1h 39m on the road

What kind of drive is this?

How Hard Is This Drive?

About the Cities

Arriving in Minneapolis, MN

Who Is This Route For?

Frequently Asked Questions

Which road carries most of the drive?

Should I avoid arriving after dark?

Is this a good trip with kids?

Where does this route get tricky?

Can I do this as a round trip in one go?

How this page is built

Explore More

Continue From Minneapolis, MN

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