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Trip from Cross Lake, MN to Minneapolis, MN

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Compiled and reviewed by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Apr 21, 2026 · Editorial standards

Drive Time

3h 4m

Distance

144.4 mi

232 km

Drive Score

8/10

Great drive

Same Day?

Yes, doable

Fuel Cost

$21

one way

EV Charging

Unknown

Best Time to Leave

Save up to 34 min
4 AM
2h 53m ★
6 AM
3h 4m
8 AM
3h 27m
10 AM
3h 12m
12 PM
3h 10m
3 PM
3h 14m
5 PM
3h 26m
8 PM
2h 58m

Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.

Best Time Drive vs Fly
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Downtown Cross Lake, MN, MN

Cross Lake, MN

Tom Fisk

Trip Overview

This 144.4-mile journey from Cross Lake, MN to Minneapolis, MN is a straightforward, one-day drive, taking approximately 3 hours and 4 minutes. With 83% of the route on highways, it's a practical option for a quick trip or a return journey. The estimated fuel cost is around $21, making it an economical choice. You'll primarily be on US Highway 169 and I-94, with a brief section on County Road 11. This drive is focused on efficient travel, fitting well within the Midwest region.

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

72.2 miles from Cross Lake, MN

A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h 37m into the drive .

Main Roads

Road Distance Duration
US Highway 169 73.3 mi 1h 23m
I 94 21.2 mi 25m
County Road 11 14.5 mi 19m
MN 6 14.1 mi 24m
MN 101 6.9 mi 8m
State Highway 18 4.3 mi 7m
Central Avenue 2.3 mi 2m
Voyageur Highway 2.3 mi 2m
Longest stretch: US Highway 169 — 73.3 mi, about 1h 23m

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between Cross Lake, MN and Minneapolis, MN.

1

Start on CH 3; IC C

3.2 mi · 4 min · County Road 11
2

Keep slight right at fork onto CH 3; IC C

341 ft · 5 sec · County Road 3
3

Enter roundabout onto CR 11

213 ft · 4 sec · County Road 11
4

Continue on CR 11

3.6 mi · 4 min · County Road 11
5

Continue on CR 11

7.7 mi · 10 min · County Road 11
6

Turn right onto MN 6

4.7 mi · 8 min · MN 6
7

Turn left onto MN 6; MN 210

1.1 mi · 1 min · West Main Street
8

Enter roundabout onto MN 6; MN 210

110 ft · 1 sec · Voyageur Highway
9

Continue on MN 6; MN 210

2.3 mi · 2 min · Voyageur Highway
10

Continue on MN 6; MN 210

0.7 mi · 50 sec · Archibald Road
11

At end of road, turn left onto MN 6; MN 210

0.4 mi · 29 sec · East Front Street
12

Turn right onto MN 6

9.4 mi · 16 min · MN 6
13

Turn left onto MN 18

4.3 mi · 7 min · State Highway 18
14

Turn straight onto US 169; MN 18

37 mi · 42 min · US Highway 169
15

Continue on US 169

2.3 mi · 2 min · Central Avenue
16

Continue on US 169

9.5 mi · 10 min · US Highway 169
17

Keep slight right at fork onto US 169

26 mi · 30 min · US Highway 169
18

Continue on US 169

383 ft · 4 sec · POW/MIA Memorial Highway
19

Continue on MN 101

6.9 mi · 8 min · MN 101
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
20

Take the exit

0.7 mi · 1 min
Toward I 94 East: Minneapolis, Saint Paul
21

Merge onto I 94

15 mi · 17 min · I 94
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
22

Keep slight right at fork onto I 94

6.1 mi · 7 min · I 94
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
23

Keep slight right at fork

0.4 mi · 25 sec
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
24

Keep slight left at fork

1.0 mi · 2 min
Toward 4th Street North Use the straight / slight right lanes.
25

Keep slight right at fork

0.3 mi · 40 sec
Toward 2nd Avenue North Use the straight / slight left lanes.
26

Turn left onto 2nd Avenue North

0.2 mi · 35 sec · 2nd Avenue North
27

Turn right onto CR 152

0.6 mi · 1 min · North Washington Avenue
Use the straight / right lanes.
28

Continue on CR 152

0.2 mi · 31 sec · Washington Avenue South
Use the left lane.
29

Arrive at destination

CR 152

Trip Plan

Given the 3-hour duration, this route is easily manageable as a single-day trip, offering flexibility for when you depart. Consider leaving Cross Lake in the morning to avoid potential midday traffic as you near Minneapolis. With one main stop suggested, you'll have plenty of time to fuel up and take a break. Pay attention to the transition from US Highway 169 to I-94, as this is a key point in navigating the latter half of your drive. Your estimated fuel cost of $21 should cover the journey comfortably.

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 72.2 miles from Cross Lake, MN, or about 1h 37m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 73.3 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 32 miles or 48m in

Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.

Halfway reset

Around 72.2 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 29m

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 Cross Lake, 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 Cross Lake, MN

This is one driving day of about 144.4 miles and 3h 4m.

Your first comfortable stop window is around 32 miles from Cross Lake, 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 Highway 169 for about 73.3 miles.

Where to Stop

Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.

city in Mille Lacs County, Minnesota

Mid-route town

Meal stop

Milaca, MN

72 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.

Popular next leg

Milaca, MN to Minneapolis, MN

66 mi · 1h 21m

Pacing Suggestions

Brainerd, MN

Fuel and coffee

A short stop after about 32 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.

Milaca, MN

Meal break

The midpoint is around 72.2 miles from Cross Lake, MN, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.

Before the longest stretch

Fuel check

Top up before US Highway 169 if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 73.3 miles.

These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.

Stops Along Your Drive

Picked by where they fit in your drive — first break, midpoint reset, final stretch.

Best meal stop · final third

Chapala Mexican Restaurant in Princeton

4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Princeton, Minnesota

Around the midpoint, right off the route

Final third · 1h 6m to go 0.9 mi from route ~2 min detour $10 to $20

Hours: 11 am–9 pm

+17632007541

Visit website

Dark Horse Brew & Bistro

4.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Crosslake, Minnesota

1 mi

FIKA Café

4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Minneapolis, Minnesota

1.7 mi

Best coffee break · home stretch

Spyhouse Coffee Roasters | Downtown / Emery

4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Minneapolis, Minnesota

Near the end, right off the route

Home stretch · 0min to go 0.2 mi from route $1 to $10

Hours: 6:30 am–5 pm

Visit website

Crosslake Coffee

4.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Crosslake, Minnesota

0.7 mi

Mixed Company - A Kava House

4.8 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Crosby, Minnesota

1.2 mi

Chapala Mexican Restaurant in Princeton

4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Around the midpoint, right off the route

Final third 0.9 mi from route ~2 min detour $10 to $20

Princeton, Minnesota

Hours: 11 am–9 pm

+17632007541

Visit website

Dark Horse Brew & Bistro

4.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, short detour

1 mi from route ~3 min detour $10 to $20

Crosslake, Minnesota

Hours: 8 am–4 pm

+12186926900

Visit website

FIKA Café

4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, short detour

Home stretch 1.7 mi from route ~4 min detour $20 to $30

Minneapolis, Minnesota

Hours: 10 am–8 pm

+16125245108

Visit website

Lake and Bryant Cafe

4.8 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, short detour

Home stretch 2.5 mi from route ~6 min detour $10 to $20

Minneapolis, Minnesota

Hours: 7 am–5 pm

+16126594450

Visit website

Hamdi Restaurant

4.2 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Near the end, short detour

Home stretch 2.2 mi from route ~5 min detour $10 to $20

Minneapolis, Minnesota

Hours: 10 am–10 pm

+16128239660

Visit website

Lake & Irving Restaurant & Bar

4.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, short detour

Home stretch 2.9 mi from route ~7 min detour $20 to $30

Minneapolis, Minnesota

Hours: 4–9 pm

+16123542453

Visit website

The Coffee Shop NE

4.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, short detour

Home stretch 3.1 mi from route ~8 min detour $10 to $20

Minneapolis, Minnesota

Hours: 6:30 am–6 pm

+16122598478

Visit website

Finnish Bistro Coffee & Cafe

4.5 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, short detour

Home stretch 3.4 mi from route ~8 min detour $10 to $20

St Paul, Minnesota

Hours: 6:30 am–8:30 pm

+16516459181

Visit website

Spyhouse Coffee Roasters | Downtown / Emery

4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, right off the route

Home stretch 0.2 mi from route $1 to $10

Minneapolis, Minnesota

Hours: 6:30 am–5 pm

Visit website

Crosslake Coffee

4.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, right off the route

0.7 mi from route ~2 min detour $1 to $10

Crosslake, Minnesota

Hours: 7 am–12 pm

+12186923994

Mixed Company - A Kava House

4.8 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, short detour

First break 1.2 mi from route ~3 min detour $1 to $10

Crosby, Minnesota

Hours: 7 am–2 pm

+12185451010

Visit website

Fawkes Alley Coffee

4.8 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, short detour

Home stretch 1.2 mi from route ~3 min detour $1 to $10

Minneapolis, Minnesota

Hours: 8 am–4 pm

Visit website

Bordertown Coffee

4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, short detour

Home stretch 1.5 mi from route ~4 min detour $10 to $20

Minneapolis, Minnesota

Hours: 7:30 am–6 pm

+16123797277

Visit website

Spyhouse Coffee Roasters | Northeast

4.4 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Near the end, short detour

Home stretch 1.6 mi from route ~4 min detour $1 to $10

Minneapolis, Minnesota

Hours: 7 am–7 pm

+16123454348

Visit website

Caffetto Coffee House

4.5 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, short detour

Home stretch 1.8 mi from route ~4 min detour $1 to $10

Minneapolis, Minnesota

Hours: 7 am–12 pm

+16128720911

Visit website

Code Blu Coffee

4.8 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, short detour

Home stretch 1.9 mi from route ~5 min detour $1 to $10

Minneapolis, Minnesota

Hours: 6 am–4 pm

Visit website

Bad Axe Throwing Minneapolis City Center

4.9 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, right off the route

Home stretch 0.5 mi from route ~1 min detour $40 to $50

Minneapolis, Minnesota

Hours: 6–9:30 pm

+18448180999

Visit website

Prince The Tour

4.5 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, right off the route

Home stretch 0.4 mi from route ~1 min detour

Minneapolis, Minnesota

Hours: 10 am–4 pm

+16127102923

Woodland Trails Regional Park

4.8 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Later in the drive, ~10 min detour

Final third 4.1 mi from route ~10 min detour

Elk River, Minnesota

Hours: 6 am–10 pm

+17636351150

Visit website

Playground Plaza

4.3 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Near the end, ~11 min detour

Home stretch 4.3 mi from route ~11 min detour

Maple Grove, Minnesota

Hours: 7 am–9 pm

+17632283833

Visit website

Place data sourced from public business listings. Hours and availability may vary.

Heads-up: tricky spots

5 of 17

5 decision points cluster between mile 3.2 and 143.3 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.

6
3.2 mi into trip | ~4m in | CR 11 / County Road 11

Enter roundabout onto CR 11 / County Road 11

Roundabout - know your exit number before entering

6
135.8 mi into trip | ~2h 50m 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
141.9 mi into trip | ~2h 58m in

Keep slight right at fork

Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here

Use the straight / slight right lanes.
7
142.3 mi into trip | ~2h 58m 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
143.3 mi into trip | ~3h 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

Fuel & Cost

Regular Gas

$21.49 one way

$42.98 round trip

$3.78/gal 25.4 MPG avg 51 kg CO2
Fuel Type $/gal One Way Round Trip
midgrade $4.07 $23.16 $46.31
premium $4.53 $25.76 $51.53
diesel $5.61 $31.88 $63.76

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: 50.5 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 43.3 0 $15.16 $6.93
Efficient EV 36.1 0 $12.64 $5.78
EV Truck/SUV 57.8 0 $20.22 $9.24

Gas CO2

51 kg

EV CO2

17 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 20, 2026

Origin

Cross Lake, MN

Late night in Cross Lake on Tuesday

Local time

4:03 AM

CDT

Current temp

34°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

Destination

Minneapolis, MN

Late night in Minneapolis on Tuesday

Local time

4:03 AM

CDT

Current temp

59°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

25 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 4m 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 highway-focused drive for the majority of this trip, with 83% of the route utilizing major roadways. You'll experience a significant stretch of 73.3 miles on US Highway 169, offering a sustained period of consistent driving. While much of the route is on high-speed highways, the inclusion of County Road 11 suggests a potential shift in scenery or pace as you approach your destination. Overall, the drive prioritizes covering distance efficiently.

83% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
29 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 73.3 mi on US Highway 169.

How Hard Is This Drive?

8/10

This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on US Highway 169 and I 94. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 3.2 miles in near CR 11 / County Road 11.

Driving Effort 8/10

Demanding - plan breaks and stay ahead of the key maneuvers

Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.

This is a demanding drive. With 17 significant decision points across 144.4 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 3.2 miles (CR 11 / County Road 11): Roundabout - know your exit number before entering; at 135.8 miles (I 94): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 141.9 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.

Towns Mentioned on Route Signs

Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.

On the drive from Cross Lake, MN to Minneapolis, MN, road signs begin pointing toward Saint Paul along the way.

Saint Paul

120 mi in | ~2h 31m

About the Cities

Arriving in Minneapolis, MN

Full guide →

Minneapolis is a city of about 430,000 people (2019) and the largest city in Minnesota. Along with neighboring Saint Paul, it forms the urban core of the Twin Cities region, the third largest metropolitan area in the Midwest after Chicago and Detroit.

City content from Wikivoyage (CC BY-SA 4.0) and Wikidata (CC0).

Who Is This Route For?

Weekend Trip

Doable as a same-day drive at 3h 4m. Total distance: 144.4 miles.

Family Friendly

Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.

Solo Traveler

3h 4m drive, comfortable solo distance.

First-Time Driver

Mostly highway driving (83%). Some complex stretches to watch for.

Frequently Asked Questions

The longest stretch is about 73.3 miles on US Highway 169. 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 3.2 miles (CR 11 / County Road 11): Roundabout - know your exit number before entering; at 135.8 miles (I 94): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 141.9 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.

Possible but tiring. At 3.1 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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