Traveling from Brainerd to Minneapolis covers 130.9 miles and typically takes about 2 hours and 8 minutes of drive time. Because this journey is relatively short, you can easily complete it in a single day without needing an overnight stop. You should budget approximately $18 for fuel to make the trip comfortably. Navigating this route involves a sequence of local roads rather than a long haul on the interstate. It serves as a straightforward connection between these two Minnesota cities within the Midwest, offering a practical way to transition from the Brainerd area to the urban environment of Minneapolis.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.
Break Rhythm
1 planned break
A short stop every 2 to 3 hours is enough for this drive.
Midpoint
63.6 miles from Brainerd, MN
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 1h 16m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
US 10
54.5 mi
1h 3m
I 94
34.1 mi
38m
C. Elmer Anderson Memorial Highway
25.8 mi
29m
Highland Scenic Drive South
2.5 mi
3m
165th Avenue Southeast
1.8 mi
2m
Broadway Street East
1.5 mi
2m
Park Boulevard Southeast
1.4 mi
1m
County Road 11
0.7 mi
<1m
Longest stretch:
US 10
— 54.5 mi, about 1h 3m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Brainerd, MN and Minneapolis, MN.
1
Start on MN 371 Business
0.2 mi·25 sec·South 6th Street
2
Turn right onto Laurel Street
0.5 mi·1 min·Laurel Street
3
Continue on West Laurel Street
0.6 mi·1 min·West Laurel Street
4
Continue on CR 48
1.2 mi·1 min·Highland Scenic Drive South
5
Enter roundabout onto CR 48
108 ft·3 sec·Highland Scenic Drive South
6
Continue on CR 48
1.3 mi·1 min·Highland Scenic Drive South
7
Turn left onto MN 371
26 mi·29 min·C. Elmer Anderson Memorial Highway
8
Merge onto US 10
28 mi·32 min·US 10
Use the right lane.
9
Keep slight left at fork onto US 10
26 mi·30 min·US 10
10
Turn right onto 165th Avenue Southeast
1.8 mi·2 min·165th Avenue Southeast
11
Continue on Park Boulevard Southeast
1.4 mi·1 min·Park Boulevard Southeast
12
Continue on County Road 11
0.7 mi·57 sec·County Road 11
13
Turn right onto MN 25
0.1 mi·11 sec·State Highway 25
14
Continue on MN 25
0.3 mi·42 sec·Pine Street
15
Turn left onto CR 75
1.5 mi·2 min·Broadway Street East
16
Turn right onto CR 18
0.3 mi·40 sec·Fenning Avenue
17
Take the ramp
0.4 mi·54 sec
18
Merge onto I 94
28 mi·31 min·I 94
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
19
Keep slight right at fork onto I 94
6.1 mi·7 min·I 94
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
20
Keep slight right at fork
0.4 mi·25 sec
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
21
Keep slight left at fork
1.0 mi·2 min
Toward 4th Street NorthUse the straight / slight right lanes.
22
Keep slight right at fork
0.3 mi·40 sec
Toward 2nd Avenue NorthUse the straight / slight left lanes.
23
Turn left onto 2nd Avenue North
0.2 mi·35 sec·2nd Avenue North
24
Turn right onto CR 152
0.6 mi·1 min·North Washington Avenue
Use the straight / right lanes.
25
Continue on CR 152
0.2 mi·31 sec·Washington Avenue South
Use the left lane.
26
Arrive at destination
CR 152
Trip Plan
Since this is a manageable 2-hour and 8-minute trip, you have plenty of flexibility in your departure schedule. You won't need to plan for lengthy rest stops, as the entire distance is easily drivable in one sitting. Be prepared for a route that requires your full attention due to the high frequency of turns and the reliance on local roads. I recommend fueling up before you head out to cover your $18 estimated cost, as local roads may not offer the same quick-stop convenience as major highway corridors. Keeping your focus on navigation is key, as the lack of highway miles means you will be relying on local street signs to stay on track.
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.
Plan roughly 1 meaningful break for fuel, food, and rest.
The halfway point lands around 63.6 miles from Brainerd, MN, or about 1h 16m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 54.5 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 28 miles or 35m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 63.6 miles or 1h 16m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 2h 6m
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 Brainerd, MN so your first major turns are already loaded.
+
Leave with enough water and a charging cable within reach, not packed away.
+
Check your fuel range against the first long segment, especially if you are starting outside city service areas.
Day 1
Settle into the route from Brainerd, MN
This is one driving day of about 127.1 miles and 2h 36m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 28 miles from Brainerd, MN.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
Plan about 1 real break rather than only quick fuel stops.
The longest stretch is on US 10 for about 54.5 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Place data sourced from public business listings. Hours and availability may vary.
Heads-up: tricky spots
5 of 15
5 decision points cluster between mile 118.5 and 126.4 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
6
118.5 mi into trip|~2h 22m 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.
6
124.6 mi into trip|~2h 30m in
Keep slight right at fork
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
7
125 mi into trip|~2h 30m 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
7
126 mi into trip|~2h 32m 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
6
126.4 mi into trip|~2h 33m 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
$18.91 one way
$37.83 round trip
$3.78/gal25.4 MPG avg45 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.07
$20.38
$40.76
premium
$4.53
$22.68
$45.36
diesel
$5.61
$28.06
$56.12
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$19
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$44–$69
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 44.5 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $13 in charging
· 0 stops
· 66% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
38.1
0
$13.35
$6.10
Efficient EV
31.8
0
$11.12
$5.08
EV Truck/SUV
50.8
0
$17.79
$8.13
Gas CO2
44 kg
EV CO2
15 kg (66% 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 15, 2026
Origin
Brainerd, MN
Night
in Brainerd on Saturday
Local time
11:33 PM
CDT
Current temp
39°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
Minneapolis, MN
Night
in Minneapolis on Saturday
Local time
11:33 PM
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
28 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
2h 36m 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.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
Expect a turn-heavy local drive that keeps you engaged behind the wheel. Unlike a monotonous interstate grind, this route relies on roads like Laurel Street, West Laurel Street, and Highland Scenic Drive South to get you to your destination. With a highway share of 0%, you won't be spending your time cruising at high speeds on major freeways. The longest stretch you will encounter is 0 miles on Laurel Street, meaning you will be navigating frequent turns throughout the journey. This driving profile creates a more technical, hands-on experience compared to typical highway travel.
70% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
26 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 54.5 mi on US 10.
How Hard Is This Drive?
9/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on US 10 and I 94. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 118.5 miles in near I 94.
Driving Effort9/10
High effort - long or complex enough to need steady focus all day
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This is a demanding drive. With 15 significant decision points across 127.1 miles, you will need to stay alert - especially through interchange areas and urban stretches. Consider splitting it into segments if you are not comfortable with fast highway navigation.
Where does it get tricky?
The main spots that need attention: at 118.5 miles (I 94): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 124.6 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 125 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
Elevation Profile
Mostly flat terrain
1,211 ft830 ft
Total Climb
24 ft
Total Descent
405 ft
Highest Point
1,211 ft
Elevation Range
381 ft
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 2h 36m. Total distance: 127.1 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
2h 36m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (70%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 54.5 miles on US 10. 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.
Only with planning. This is a long drive for kids — consider splitting it into two days rather than pushing through. Plan at least 1 meaningful breaks. Dedicated rest areas are limited, so plan gas or food stops as your bathroom breaks.
The main spots that need attention: at 118.5 miles (I 94): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 124.6 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 125 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
Yes. A round trip is manageable in a single day if you plan a break at Minneapolis, MN before heading back.
