Burnsville, MN to Grand Rapids, MN is 193.5 miles and takes about 4h 1m via Central Avenue Northeast and I-35W, with a fuel budget near $32 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This Midwest route stays within Minnesota, offering a straightforward drive from the southern part of the state to the northern. With a mixed highway and surface road profile, it's a practical option for a single-day trip. You can expect a relatively quick transit, making it ideal if you need to get to Grand Rapids without extensive detours.
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
96.8 miles from Burnsville, MN
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 2h 1m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
Central Avenue Northeast
105.8 mi
2h 10m
State Highway 65
35.8 mi
45m
I 35W
26.4 mi
33m
US 2
19 mi
21m
US 10
2.8 mi
3m
East Highway 210
1.2 mi
2m
Nicollet Avenue South
0.6 mi
1m
Northeast 5th Street
0.4 mi
<1m
Longest stretch:
Central Avenue Northeast
— 105.8 mi, about 2h 10m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Burnsville, MN and Grand Rapids, MN.
1
Start on Nicollet Avenue South
0.6 mi·1 min·Nicollet Avenue South
2
Turn left onto MN 13
0.3 mi·32 sec·MN 13
3
Take the exit
0.3 mi·44 sec
Toward I 35W North: MinneapolisUse the slight right lane.
4
Merge onto I 35W
13 mi·17 min·I 35W
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
5
Keep slight right at fork onto I 35W
5.6 mi·7 min·I 35W
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
6
Take the exit
0.3 mi·25 sec
Exit 22BToward MN 36Use the slight right lane.
7
Merge onto I 35W
0.3 mi·19 sec·I 35W
8
Keep slight left at fork onto I 35W
7.1 mi·8 min·I 35W
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
9
Keep slight right at fork onto US 10
2.8 mi·3 min·US 10
Toward US 10 WestUse the slight right lane.
10
Take the exit
0.3 mi·34 sec
Toward MN 65: Central AvenueUse the straight / slight right lanes.
11
Keep slight left at fork
222 ft·6 sec
12
Turn right onto MN 65
106 mi·2 hr 10 min·Central Avenue Northeast
Use the left lane.
13
At end of road, turn left onto MN 210; MN 65
1.2 mi·2 min·East Highway 210
14
Turn right onto MN 65
36 mi·45 min·State Highway 65
15
Enter roundabout onto US 2
250 ft·2 sec·US 2
16
Continue on US 2
19 mi·21 min·US 2
17
Continue on Northeast 6th Avenue
382 ft·15 sec·Northeast 6th Avenue
18
Turn left onto Northeast 5th Street
0.4 mi·51 sec·Northeast 5th Street
19
Continue on Northwest 5th Street
0.2 mi·23 sec·Northwest 5th Street
20
Arrive at destination
Northwest 5th Street
Trip Plan
Given the 4-hour drive time, leaving Burnsville in the morning is recommended to arrive in Grand Rapids with plenty of daylight remaining. The route has only one recommended stop, so consider making it a mid-drive break. With a fuel cost estimated at $32, it's wise to fill up before you leave Burnsville, as the longest stretch without a major change in road type is over 100 miles. Pay attention to the transition points between Central Avenue Northeast, I-35W, and State Highway 65 to maintain your expected travel time.
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 96.8 miles from Burnsville, MN, or about 2h 1m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 105.8 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 43 miles or 55m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 96.8 miles or 2h 1m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 3h 19m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Grand Rapids, MN than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving Burnsville, 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 Burnsville, MN
This is one driving day of about 193.5 miles and 4h 1m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 43 miles from Burnsville, 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 Central Avenue Northeast for about 105.8 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 14
5 decision points cluster between mile 1 and 28.1 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
6
1 mi into trip|~1m in
Take the exit toward I 35W North: Minneapolis
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight right lane.
Toward I 35W North: Minneapolis
6
14.8 mi into trip|~20m in|I 35W
Keep slight right at fork onto I 35W
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
7
20.4 mi into trip|~27m in
Take the exit toward MN 36
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight right lane.
Exit 22B
Toward MN 36
6
21 mi into trip|~28m in|I 35W
Keep slight left at fork onto I 35W
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
7
28.1 mi into trip|~36m in|US 10
Keep slight right at fork onto US 10 toward US 10 West
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight right lane.
Toward US 10 West
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$32.38 one way
$64.75 round trip
$4.25/gal25.4 MPG avg68 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.53
$34.49
$68.97
premium
$5.11
$38.92
$77.84
diesel
$6.28
$47.81
$95.62
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$32
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$57–$82
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 67.7 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-10-19.
Driving Electric?
About $20 in charging
· 0 stops
· 66% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
58.1
0
$20.32
$9.29
Efficient EV
48.4
0
$16.93
$7.74
EV Truck/SUV
77.4
0
$27.09
$12.38
Gas CO2
68 kg
EV CO2
23 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 Oct 19, 2026
Origin
Burnsville, MN
Morning
in Burnsville on Saturday
Local time
7:32 AM
CDT
Current temp
67°F
Mostly Sunny
ESE 0 to 5 mph0% chanceLive forecast
Destination
Grand Rapids, MN
Morning
in Grand Rapids on Saturday
Local time
7:32 AM
CDT
Current temp
62°F
Sunny
E 0 to 5 mph0% chanceLive forecast
39°F
Springvale, MN
97 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
5 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
4h 1m 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 193.5-mile trip is 44% highway, meaning you'll spend a significant portion of your time on surface roads. The longest continuous stretch on a single road is 105.8 miles on Central Avenue Northeast. You'll experience a shift from more urban-influenced driving on Central Avenue Northeast, with its numerous exits and intersections, to the faster pace of I-35W before transitioning back to surface roads for the final leg. Be prepared for varying speed limits and traffic patterns throughout the drive.
44% highway, the rest on surface roads — varied driving throughout.
20 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 105.8 mi on Central Avenue Northeast.
How Hard Is This Drive?
9/10
This route mixes highway mileage with some local-road sections near the start or finish. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 1 miles in.
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 14 significant decision points across 193.5 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 1 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here; at 14.8 miles (I 35W): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 20.4 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here.
Not to be confused with Grand Rapids, Michigan.
Grand Rapids is a small city in northern Minnesota and county seat of Itasca County. With more than 1,000 lakes inside the county, Grand Rapids serves as a popular destination for anglers looking for a good spot to cast a line. There are several smaller lakes in and around the downtown area, but the big kahuna is Pokegama Lake.
Doable as a same-day drive at 4h 1m. Total distance: 193.5 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
4h 1m drive, comfortable solo distance.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 105.8 miles on Central Avenue Northeast. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Yes — we found about 3 rest areas or service plazas 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 Rapids, 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 3 rest areas along the route for bathroom stops.
The main spots that need attention: at 1 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here; at 14.8 miles (I 35W): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 20.4 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here.
Possible but tiring. At 4.0 hours each way, an in-and-out day trip would put you behind the wheel for 8.1 hours — manageable with a long break at Grand Rapids, MN, but most travelers stay overnight.
