If you are planning a trip from Burnsville to Hermantown, expect a straightforward journey covering 166.4 miles. You should budget about 3 hours and 10 minutes behind the wheel, making this a very manageable day trip that doesn't require an overnight stay. Your travel path will take you through the Midwest, utilizing a mix of Cliff Road East, I-35E North, and the Purple Heart Memorial Highway. With an estimated fuel cost of $24, it is an economical choice for a quick getaway. Whether you are heading north for business or leisure, this route provides a direct connection between these two Minnesota locations.
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
83.2 miles from Burnsville, MN
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 1h 37m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
I 35
113.9 mi
2h 2m
I 35E
36.6 mi
44m
Midway Road
6.9 mi
9m
Cliff Road East
2.1 mi
3m
MN 13
2 mi
2m
Maple Grove Road
2 mi
3m
I 694
0.8 mi
<1m
Nicollet Avenue South
0.6 mi
1m
Longest stretch:
I 35
— 113.9 mi, about 2h 2m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Burnsville, MN and Hermantown, MN.
1
Start on Nicollet Avenue South
0.6 mi·1 min·Nicollet Avenue South
2
Turn right onto MN 13
2.0 mi·2 min·MN 13
3
Turn right onto CR 32
2.1 mi·3 min·Cliff Road East
Use the straight lane.
4
Turn left
0.3 mi·40 sec
Toward I 35E NorthUse the straight / left lanes.
5
Merge onto I 35E
10 mi·12 min·I 35E
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
6
Keep slight left at fork onto I 35E
2.7 mi·4 min·I 35E
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
7
Keep slight left at fork onto I 35E
0.4 mi·35 sec·I 35E
8
Merge onto I 35E; I 94
350 ft·5 sec·Purple Heart Memorial Highway
9
Take the exit onto I 35E
5.2 mi·6 min·I 35E
Exit 242BToward I 35E North, US 10 WestUse the straight / slight right lanes.
10
Keep slight right at fork onto US 10
0.3 mi·19 sec·US 10
Exit 113-114Toward US 10 West, I 694 West, I 694 EastUse the straight / slight right lanes.
11
Take the exit
0.5 mi·35 sec
Exit 114Toward I 35E North, I 694 EastUse the slight right lane.
12
Merge onto I 694
0.8 mi·59 sec·I 694
13
Keep slight left at fork onto I 35E
18 mi·19 min·I 35E
Toward I 35E North: DuluthUse the slight left lane.
14
Keep slight left at fork onto I 35
114 mi·2 hr 2 min·I 35
15
Take the exit
0.2 mi·32 sec
Exit 246Toward CR 13: Midway Road
16
Turn left onto CH 13
6.9 mi·9 min·Midway Road
17
Turn slight right
302 ft·6 sec
18
Turn straight onto CR 6
2.0 mi·3 min·Maple Grove Road
19
Turn right onto Ugstad Road
264 ft·7 sec·Ugstad Road
20
Arrive at destination
Ugstad Road
Trip Plan
Since the total drive time is just over three hours, you have plenty of flexibility to plan your departure around your personal schedule. While the route only necessitates one stop, taking a break midway will help you stay sharp, especially given the turn-heavy nature of the roads. Make sure to factor the $24 fuel cost into your travel budget before heading out from Burnsville. Because this path relies on local roads rather than long stretches of interstate, keep a close eye on your GPS to ensure you stay on track through the various turns. Taking your time on these local segments will ensure a much more comfortable arrival in Hermantown.
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 83.2 miles from Burnsville, MN, or about 1h 37m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 113.9 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 37 miles or 47m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 83.2 miles or 1h 37m 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 34m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Hermantown, 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 166.4 miles and 3h 10m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 37 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 I 35 for about 113.9 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 16
5 decision points cluster between mile 4.7 and 25.3 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
6
4.7 mi into trip|~8m in
Turn left toward I 35E North
Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / left lanes.
Toward I 35E North
8
18.5 mi into trip|~26m in|I 35E
Take the exit onto I 35E toward I 35E North, US 10 West
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Exit 242B
Toward I 35E North, US 10 West
9
23.7 mi into trip|~33m in|US 10
Keep slight right at fork onto US 10 toward US 10 West, I 694 West, I 694 East
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Exit 113-114
Toward US 10 West, I 694 West, I 694 East
8
24 mi into trip|~33m in
Take the exit toward I 35E North, I 694 East
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the slight right lane.
Exit 114
Toward I 35E North, I 694 East
7
25.3 mi into trip|~35m in|I 35E
Keep slight left at fork onto I 35E toward I 35E North: Duluth
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight left lane.
Toward I 35E North: Duluth
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$24.76 one way
$49.53 round trip
$3.78/gal25.4 MPG avg58 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.07
$26.68
$53.37
premium
$4.53
$29.69
$59.38
diesel
$5.61
$36.74
$73.48
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$25
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$50–$75
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 58.2 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $17 in charging
· 0 stops
· 67% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
49.9
0
$17.47
$7.99
Efficient EV
41.6
0
$14.56
$6.66
EV Truck/SUV
66.6
0
$23.30
$10.65
Gas CO2
58 kg
EV CO2
19 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 15, 2026
Origin
Burnsville, MN
Late night
in Burnsville on Sunday
Local time
3:06 AM
CDT
Current temp
47°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
Hermantown, MN
Late night
in Hermantown on Sunday
Local time
3:06 AM
CDT
Current temp
37°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
10 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
3h 10m 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?
This 166.4-mile journey is best described as a turn-heavy local drive rather than a straight interstate sprint. You will find yourself navigating through a variety of road types, requiring consistent attention as the route transitions away from major thoroughfares. Because this is not a traditional highway-heavy trip, you should be prepared for more frequent adjustments compared to a standard cruise on a wide-open freeway. The personality of this drive is practical and functional, focusing on local connections that lead you steadily toward your destination in Hermantown. Keep in mind that the winding nature of these roads keeps the driving experience engaging from start to finish.
92% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
20 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 113.9 mi on I 35.
How Hard Is This Drive?
10/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 35 and I 35E. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 4.7 miles in.
Driving Effort10/10
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 16 significant decision points across 166.4 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 4.7 miles: Lane positioning matters here; at 18.5 miles (I 35E): Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 23.7 miles (US 10): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Doable as a same-day drive at 3h 10m. Total distance: 166.4 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
3h 10m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (92%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 113.9 miles on I 35. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
We did not find dedicated rest areas on this route. For a drive this long, plan bathroom and stretch breaks around gas stations, fast-food stops, or small-town downtowns — check the Nearby Places section for options.
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 Hermantown, 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 4.7 miles: Lane positioning matters here; at 18.5 miles (I 35E): Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 23.7 miles (US 10): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Possible but tiring. At 3.2 hours each way, an in-and-out day trip would put you behind the wheel for 6.3 hours — manageable with a long break at Hermantown, MN, but most travelers stay overnight.
