Origin
Cottonwood, MN
Night in Cottonwood on Saturday
Local time
11:42 PM
CDT
Current temp
46°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Cottonwood, 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
3h 2m
Distance
140.6 mi
226 km
Drive Score
8/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$21
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
2h 51m
★
6 AM
3h 2m
8 AM
3h 25m
10 AM
3h 10m
12 PM
3h 8m
3 PM
3h 11m
5 PM
3h 24m
8 PM
2h 55m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Cottonwood, MN
Wikimedia Commons
Trip Overview
This 140.6-mile drive from Cottonwood, MN to Minneapolis, MN is a straightforward, highway-focused journey that can easily be completed in a single day, with an estimated driving time of about 3 hours and 2 minutes. With 95% of the route on highways, you'll find it to be an efficient way to travel between these two points in the Midwest. The estimated fuel cost for this trip is around $21, making it a budget-friendly option. You'll spend the majority of your time on US 212, which accounts for the longest uninterrupted stretch of 112.8 miles, offering a consistent pace for most of the drive.
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
70.3 miles from Cottonwood, MN
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h 32m into the drive .
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| US 212 | 112.8 mi | 2h 23m |
| State Highway 23 | 14.9 mi | 18m |
| I 35W | 5.4 mi | 7m |
| Crosstown Highway | 4.9 mi | 6m |
| MN 65 | 0.8 mi | 1m |
| 5th Avenue South | 0.6 mi | 2m |
| Barstad Road | 0.6 mi | 1m |
| Washington Avenue South | 0.2 mi | <1m |
Longest stretch:
US 212
— 112.8 mi, about 2h 23m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Cottonwood, MN and Minneapolis, MN.
1
Start on CR 10
455 ft
·
13 sec
·
Main Street
2
Turn left onto CR 32
0.6 mi
·
1 min
·
Barstad Road
3
Turn right onto CR 10
0.1 mi
·
22 sec
·
390th Street
4
Turn left onto MN 23
15 mi
·
18 min
·
State Highway 23
5
Turn right onto US 212; MN 23
72 mi
·
1 hr 34 min
·
US 212; MN 23
6
Enter roundabout onto US 212
156 ft
·
2 sec
·
US 212
7
Continue on US 212
10 mi
·
11 min
·
US 212
8
Keep slight right at fork onto US 212
31 mi
·
36 min
·
US 212
Use the straight lane.
9
Continue on MN 62
4.9 mi
·
6 min
·
Crosstown Highway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
10
Take the exit
0.2 mi
·
23 sec
Exit 112A
Toward I 35W North
Use the slight left / straight lanes.
11
Merge onto I 35W
5.4 mi
·
7 min
·
I 35W
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
12
Keep slight left at fork onto MN 65
0.5 mi
·
32 sec
·
MN 65
Toward I 94 West
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
13
Keep slight left at fork onto MN 65
0.3 mi
·
42 sec
·
MN 65
Toward 5th Avenue South
14
Continue on 5th Avenue South
0.6 mi
·
2 min
·
5th Avenue South
Use the straight / slight left lanes.
15
Turn left onto CR 152
0.2 mi
·
31 sec
·
Washington Avenue South
Use the left / straight lanes.
16
Arrive at destination
CR 152
Trip Plan
Given the 3-hour duration, this route is ideal for a single-day trip from Cottonwood to Minneapolis. Aim to depart in the morning to take advantage of lighter traffic, especially as you approach the Minneapolis area. With only one recommended stop and a 95% highway share, you can easily cover the 140.6 miles without extensive breaks, though a brief pause along US 212 might be welcome. Keep an eye on your fuel levels, as the longest stretch is 112.8 miles; planning your last refueling stop before this segment will ensure a smooth arrival. The estimated fuel cost of $21 is quite reasonable for this distance.
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 70.3 miles from Cottonwood, MN, or about 1h 32m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 112.8 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 31 miles or 41m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 70.3 miles or 1h 32m 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 28m
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 Cottonwood, 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 Cottonwood, MN
This is one driving day of about 140.6 miles and 3h 2m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 31 miles from Cottonwood, 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 212 for about 112.8 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Mid-route town
Meal stop
70 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
Fuel and coffee
A short stop after about 31 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 70.3 miles from Cottonwood, MN, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Before the longest stretch
Fuel checkTop up before US 212 if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 112.8 miles.
These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.
Heads-up: tricky spots
5 of 105 decision points cluster between mile 97.6 and 139.5 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
6
97.6 mi into trip
|
~2h 7m in
|
US 212
Keep slight right at fork onto US 212
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight lane.
7
133.4 mi into trip
|
~2h 50m in
Take the exit toward I 35W North
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight left / straight lanes.
Exit 112A
Toward I 35W North
5
133.6 mi into trip
|
~2h 50m in
|
I 35W
Merge onto I 35W
Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
7
139 mi into trip
|
~2h 58m in
|
MN 65
Keep slight left at fork onto MN 65 toward I 94 West
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Toward I 94 West
5
139.5 mi into trip
|
~2h 58m in
|
MN 65
Keep slight left at fork onto MN 65 toward 5th Avenue South
Highway fork - watch signs carefully
Toward 5th Avenue South
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$20.92 one way
$41.85 round trip
$3.78/gal
25.4 MPG avg
49 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.07 | $22.55 | $45.09 |
| premium | $4.53 | $25.09 | $50.17 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $31.04 | $62.09 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$21
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$46–$71
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 49.2 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $15 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 42.2 | 0 | $14.76 | $6.75 |
| Efficient EV | 35.2 | 0 | $12.30 | $5.62 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 56.2 | 0 | $19.68 | $9.00 |
Gas CO2
49 kg
EV CO2
16 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.
Destination
Minneapolis, MN
Night in Minneapolis on Saturday
Local time
11:42 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
21 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
3h 2m 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 experience for this 140.6-mile trip, as 95% of the route utilizes major roads like US 212, State Highway 23, and I-35W. The drive is characterized by its efficient, highway-focused profile, with a significant 112.8-mile stretch on US 212 providing a long, uninterrupted segment. This means you'll likely encounter steady speeds and minimal delays for much of the journey. While primarily highway, the transition onto I-35W as you approach Minneapolis will introduce more traffic and a faster pace typical of urban interstate driving.
95% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
16 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 112.8 mi on US 212.
How Hard Is This Drive?
7/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on US 212 and State Highway 23. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 97.6 miles in near US 212.
Driving Effort
7/10
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 140.6 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 97.6 miles (US 212): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 133.4 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here; at 133.6 miles (I 35W): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here.
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 3h 2m. Total distance: 140.6 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
3h 2m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (95%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 112.8 miles on US 212. 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 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 97.6 miles (US 212): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 133.4 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here; at 133.6 miles (I 35W): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here.
Possible but tiring. At 3.0 hours each way, an in-and-out day trip would put you behind the wheel for 6.1 hours — manageable with a long break at Minneapolis, MN, but most travelers stay overnight.
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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