Brooklyn Park, MN to Grand Marais, MN is 263.3 miles and takes about 5h 15m via I 35 and Highway 61, with a fuel budget near $43 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This trip stays within Minnesota, moving from the Midwest region to the North Shore of Lake Superior. It's a straightforward, mostly highway drive that's perfect for a single-day excursion. You'll spend most of your time on major roadways, making it an efficient way to reach your destination.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is possible, but it will make for a full day on the road.
Break Rhythm
1 planned break
Plan on a short reset every 3 to 4 hours to stay fresh behind the wheel.
Midpoint
131.7 miles from Brooklyn Park, MN
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 2h 27m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
I 35
127.3 mi
2h 19m
Highway 61
82.8 mi
1h 46m
MN 61
23.5 mi
32m
I 35W
16.5 mi
17m
MN-610
5.1 mi
5m
US 10
3.4 mi
3m
Zane Avenue North
2.2 mi
4m
7th Avenue
1.2 mi
2m
Longest stretch:
I 35
— 127.3 mi, about 2h 19m
Traffic on I-35
Hour-of-day weekday pattern from 15 FHWA count stations on your route.
Peak
4 PM
~1,919 veh/hr typical
· worst 2,275
Quietest
2 AM
~71 veh/hr
Peak-to-quiet ratio
27×
busier at peak than in the quiet hours
12a6anoon6p11p
Averaged across 52 weeks of 2023 FHWA Travel Monitoring Analysis System data. Weekday hours only (Mon–Fri).
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Brooklyn Park, MN and Grand Marais, MN.
1
Start on CR 14
2.2 mi·4 min·Zane Avenue North
Use the left lane.
2
Take the ramp
0.4 mi·50 sec
Toward MN 610 EastUse the right lane.
3
Merge onto MN 610
5.1 mi·5 min·MN-610
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
4
Merge onto US 10
3.4 mi·3 min·US 10
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
5
Take the exit
0.8 mi·1 min
Exit 236Toward I 35W North: DuluthUse the straight / slight left lanes.
6
Merge onto I 35W
16 mi·17 min·I 35W
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
7
Keep slight left at fork onto I 35
127 mi·2 hr 19 min·I 35
8
Take the exit
0.1 mi·12 sec
Toward MN 61 North
9
Merge onto MN 61
23 mi·32 min·MN 61
Use the straight lane.
10
Continue on MN 61
1.2 mi·2 min·7th Avenue
Use the straight lane.
11
Turn straight onto MN 61
83 mi·1 hr 46 min·Highway 61
Use the straight / left lanes.
12
Turn right onto West 1st Street
53 ft·1 sec·West 1st Street
13
Arrive at destination
West 1st Street
Trip Plan
Given the 5h 15m drive time, leaving Brooklyn Park in the morning is ideal to maximize daylight. With only one recommended stop, you have flexibility in pacing your journey. Keep an eye on your fuel gauge as the longest stretch without significant services is 127.3 miles on I 35. Planning a fuel stop before this segment will ensure a smooth continuation to Grand Marais. This drive is easily accomplished in one day, so you can depart when it's most convenient for you.
Morning Departure
An early start around 7-8 AM gets you there with plenty of daylight left.
Evening Departure
A late afternoon start means arriving after dark. Morning is better.
You can normally do this drive in one day.
Plan roughly 1 meaningful break for fuel, food, and rest.
The halfway point lands around 131.7 miles from Brooklyn Park, MN, or about 2h 27m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 127.3 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 58 miles or 1h 6m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 131.7 miles or 2h 27m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 4h 14m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Grand Marais, MN than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving Brooklyn Park, 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 Brooklyn Park, MN
This is one driving day of about 263.3 miles and 5h 15m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 58 miles from Brooklyn Park, 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 I 35 for about 127.3 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 10
5 decision points cluster between mile 2.2 and 11.9 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
7
2.2 mi into trip|~4m in
Take the ramp toward MN 610 East
Lane positioning matters here
Use the right lane.
Toward MN 610 East
5
2.6 mi into trip|~4m in|MN 610 / MN-610
Merge onto MN 610 / MN-610
Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
5
7.7 mi into trip|~10m in|US 10
Merge onto US 10
Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
7
11.2 mi into trip|~14m in
Take the exit toward I 35W North: Duluth
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight left lanes.
Exit 236
Toward I 35W North: Duluth
5
11.9 mi into trip|~16m in|I 35W
Merge onto I 35W
Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$39.55 one way
$79.09 round trip
$3.82/gal25.4 MPG avg92 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.12
$42.70
$85.40
premium
$4.60
$47.69
$95.39
diesel
$4.80
$49.72
$99.43
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$40
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$65–$90
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 92.1 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-07-13.
Driving Electric?
About $28 in charging
· 0 stops
· 66% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
79
0
$27.65
$12.64
Efficient EV
65.8
0
$23.04
$10.53
EV Truck/SUV
105.3
1
$36.86
$16.85
Gas CO2
92 kg
EV CO2
31 kg (66% less)
Plan for 0 charging stops, roughly every 270 miles. Allow 25-40 minutes per stop at a DC fast charger.
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 Jul 18, 2026
Origin
Brooklyn Park, MN
Evening
in Brooklyn Park on Saturday
Local time
8:27 PM
CDT
Current temp
70°F
Mostly Clear
NNW 5 to 10 mph0% chanceLive forecast
Special Weather Statement
Special Weather Statement issued July 17 at 1:17PM CDT by NWS Grand Forks ND
Special Weather Statement
Special Weather Statement issued July 17 at 12:53PM CDT by NWS Duluth MN
Destination
Grand Marais, MN
Evening
in Grand Marais on Saturday
Local time
8:27 PM
CDT
Current temp
46°F
Patchy Smoke
NW 10 mph1% chanceLive forecast
Special Weather Statement
Special Weather Statement issued July 17 at 1:17PM CDT by NWS Grand Forks ND
Special Weather Statement
Special Weather Statement issued July 17 at 12:53PM CDT by NWS Duluth MN
57°F
Cloverland, WI
132 mi in
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
24 degrees cooler at arrival
A meaningful temperature swing is a good cue to rethink layers, water, and how soon you want to arrive.
Road read
5h 15m on the road
An early start around 7-8 AM gets you there with plenty of daylight left.
Weather data from the National Weather Service. Conditions may change; check closer to your travel date.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
This drive is predominantly on highways, with 98% of the route utilizing them. You'll experience a longest stretch of 127.3 miles on I 35 before transitioning. The majority of your time will be spent on high-speed, limited-access roads, with only a small portion on surface streets. Expect a consistent cruising experience with minimal interruptions from traffic lights or frequent turns.
98% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
13 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 127.3 mi on I 35.
How Hard Is This Drive?
7/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 35 and Highway 61. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 2.2 miles in.
Driving Effort7/10
Demanding - plan breaks and stay ahead of the key maneuvers
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This is a demanding drive. With 10 significant decision points across 263.3 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 2.2 miles: Lane positioning matters here; at 2.6 miles (MN 610 / MN-610): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here; at 7.7 miles (US 10): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here.
Doable as a same-day drive at 5h 15m. Total distance: 263.3 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
5h 15m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (98%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 127.3 miles on I 35. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Yes — we found about 1 rest area or service plaza within a short detour of the route (from OpenStreetMap). See the Rest Stops tab under Nearby Places for locations and mile markers. Plan to stretch, use the bathroom, and top off fluids every 2–3 hours on longer drives.
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 Grand Marais, 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. There are 1 rest area along the route for bathroom stops.
The main spots that need attention: at 2.2 miles: Lane positioning matters here; at 2.6 miles (MN 610 / MN-610): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here; at 7.7 miles (US 10): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here.
Not recommended in a single day. At 5.3 hours each way, a round trip means 10.5 hours of driving — that is an unsafe level of fatigue for most drivers. Plan at least one night at Grand Marais, MN before the return drive.
