Connecting Duluth to Minneapolis covers 153.9 miles and typically takes about 2 hours and 20 minutes of drive time. This straightforward journey within the Midwest is perfect for a single-day trip, meaning you won't need to worry about overnight logistics. You should budget approximately $22 for fuel to complete the transit comfortably. Because this route relies on local roads rather than major interstates, you get a direct feel for the landscape as you transition between these two Minnesota hubs. It is an efficient way to travel if you prefer a steady pace over the high-speed monotony of a highway trek.
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
76.9 miles from Duluth, MN
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 1h 24m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
I 35
128.7 mi
2h 19m
I 35W
23.4 mi
27m
Washington Avenue South
0.8 mi
2m
I-35 South Entrance Ramp From Mesaba Avenue
0.3 mi
<1m
Mesaba Avenue
0.2 mi
<1m
West 1st Street
0.2 mi
<1m
Priley Drive
<0.1 mi
<1m
Longest stretch:
I 35
— 128.7 mi, about 2h 19m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Duluth, MN and Minneapolis, MN.
1
Start on Priley Drive
323 ft·25 sec·Priley Drive
2
Continue on Priley Drive
81 ft·9 sec·Priley Drive
3
Turn right onto West 1st Street
0.2 mi·24 sec·West 1st Street
4
Turn left onto MN 194
0.2 mi·14 sec·Mesaba Avenue
5
Keep slight left at fork onto MN 194
0.3 mi·33 sec·I-35 South Entrance Ramp From Mesaba Avenue
6
Merge onto I 35
0.5 mi·42 sec·I 35
7
Keep slight left at fork onto I 35
128 mi·2 hr 19 min·I 35
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
8
Keep slight right at fork onto I 35W
23 mi·27 min·I 35W
Toward I 35W: MinneapolisUse the straight / right lanes.
9
Take the exit
0.2 mi·42 sec
Exit 17CToward Washington AvenueUse the slight right lane.
10
Turn right onto CR 152
0.8 mi·2 min·Washington Avenue South
Use the straight / left / right lanes.
11
Arrive at destination
CR 152
Trip Plan
Since this is a relatively short trip with zero mandatory stops, you have the flexibility to depart whenever it best suits your schedule. Keep in mind that because you are navigating local roads, your travel time may fluctuate more than it would on a controlled-access highway. It is wise to check your fuel levels before leaving Duluth, as the $22 cost is a baseline estimate that can vary based on your vehicle's efficiency. Use the lack of planned stops to your advantage by building in your own breaks along the local roads whenever you feel the need to stretch. Pay close attention to the turn-heavy sections early on to ensure you maintain your momentum toward Minneapolis.
Morning Departure
Leave by 9 AM and you'll arrive before lunch.
Evening Departure
Even a 4 PM departure gets you there before dark in summer.
You can normally do this drive in one day.
Plan roughly 1 meaningful break for fuel, food, and rest.
The halfway point lands around 76.9 miles from Duluth, MN, or about 1h 24m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 128.7 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 34 miles or 38m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 76.9 miles or 1h 24m 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 18m
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 Duluth, 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 Duluth, MN
This is one driving day of about 153.8 miles and 2h 51m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 34 miles from Duluth, 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 128.7 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 9
5 decision points cluster between mile 0.4 and 153 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
5
0.4 mi into trip|~1m in|MN 194 / I-35 South Entrance Ramp From Mesaba Avenue
Keep slight left at fork onto MN 194 / I-35 South Entrance Ramp From Mesaba Avenue
Highway fork - watch signs carefully
6
1.2 mi into trip|~2m in|I 35
Keep slight left at fork onto I 35
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
7
129.4 mi into trip|~2h 21m in|I 35W
Keep slight right at fork onto I 35W toward I 35W: Minneapolis
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / right lanes.
Toward I 35W: Minneapolis
7
152.8 mi into trip|~2h 48m in
Take the exit toward Washington Avenue
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight right lane.
Exit 17C
Toward Washington Avenue
6
153 mi into trip|~2h 49m in|CR 152 / Washington Avenue South
Turn right onto CR 152 / Washington Avenue South
Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / left / right lanes.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$22.89 one way
$45.78 round trip
$3.78/gal25.4 MPG avg54 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.07
$24.66
$49.32
premium
$4.53
$27.44
$54.88
diesel
$5.61
$33.96
$67.91
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$23
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$48–$73
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 53.8 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $16 in charging
· 0 stops
· 67% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
46.1
0
$16.15
$7.38
Efficient EV
38.5
0
$13.46
$6.15
EV Truck/SUV
61.5
0
$21.53
$9.84
Gas CO2
54 kg
EV CO2
18 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
Duluth, MN
Late night
in Duluth on Tuesday
Local time
5:48 AM
CDT
Current temp
35°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
Minneapolis, MN
Late night
in Minneapolis on Tuesday
Local time
5:48 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
24 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
2h 51m 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?
Expect a turn-heavy local drive rather than a mindless highway cruise, as this route features 0% highway travel. Your journey begins with navigation through Priley Drive, West 1st Street, and Mesaba Avenue, which sets a technical tone for the start of your trip. Since the longest stretch is 0 miles on Priley Drive, you will find yourself constantly engaged with the road's nuances. This setup avoids the typical interstate grind, offering a more hands-on experience behind the wheel. Prepare for a road personality that demands your attention through its sequence of local turns.
99% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
11 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 128.7 mi on I 35.
How Hard Is This Drive?
6/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 35 and I 35W. You will hit about 9 points where you need to pay attention to lane position or signs. The trickiest moment comes around 0.4 miles in near MN 194 / I-35 South Entrance Ramp From Mesaba Avenue.
Driving Effort6/10
Moderate - straightforward overall, but long enough or busy enough to require pacing
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This drive requires moderate attention. Across 153.8 miles you will encounter 9 spots where lane choice or exit timing matters. Not difficult for experienced highway drivers, but worth previewing the tricky sections before you go.
Where does it get tricky?
The main spots that need attention: at 0.4 miles (MN 194 / I-35 South Entrance Ramp From Mesaba Avenue): Highway fork - watch signs carefully; at 1.2 miles (I 35): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 129.4 miles (I 35W): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
Duluth is a city of about 86,000 people (2018) in northern Minnesota. It is one of the most scenic cities in the Midwest. Duluth has a thriving tourism industry, with antique shops, excellent restaurants, cozy inns, and scenic views of the lake. There is a ski resort inside city limits.
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.
Doable as a same-day drive at 2h 51m. Total distance: 153.8 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
2h 51m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (99%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 128.7 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 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. There are 1 rest area along the route for bathroom stops.
The main spots that need attention: at 0.4 miles (MN 194 / I-35 South Entrance Ramp From Mesaba Avenue): Highway fork - watch signs carefully; at 1.2 miles (I 35): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 129.4 miles (I 35W): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
Yes. A round trip is manageable in a single day if you plan a break at Minneapolis, MN before heading back.
