Fairfax, MN to Brooklyn Park, MN is 99.8 miles and takes about 2 hours 6 minutes via US 212 and US 169, with a fuel budget near $15 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This trip stays within Minnesota, taking you from the Midwest region to another part of the Midwest. It's a straightforward drive, mostly on highways, making it a convenient option for a quick journey. Plan for a single-day trip, as the duration is well within typical travel limits for a day. This route is ideal if you're looking for an efficient way to get from point A to point B without extensive planning.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.
Midpoint
49.9 miles from Fairfax, MN
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 1h 3m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
US 212
52.6 mi
1h 3m
Lincoln Avenue East
17.2 mi
23m
US 169
14 mi
17m
State Highway 15
12.6 mi
15m
Brooklyn Boulevard
2.2 mi
4m
Crosstown Highway
0.3 mi
<1m
Park Street North
<0.1 mi
<1m
Zane Avenue North
—
—
Some road-level metrics are being recalculated.
Longest stretch:
US 212
— 52.6 mi, about 1h 3m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Fairfax, MN and Brooklyn Park, MN.
1
Start on Park Street North
46 ft·7 sec·Park Street North
2
Turn left onto MN 19
17 mi·23 min·Lincoln Avenue East
3
Turn left onto MN 15
13 mi·15 min·State Highway 15
4
Turn right onto US 212
13 mi·15 min·US 212
5
Enter roundabout onto US 212
156 ft·2 sec·US 212
6
Continue on US 212
10 mi·11 min·US 212
7
Keep slight right at fork onto US 212
30 mi·35 min·US 212
Use the straight lane.
8
Take the exit
0.4 mi·48 sec
Exit 162Toward US 169 South, US 169 North: Gleason RoadUse the slight right lane.
9
Merge onto MN 62
0.3 mi·20 sec·Crosstown Highway
10
Take the exit
255 ft·6 sec
Exit 105BToward US 169 NorthUse the right lane.
11
Keep slight right at fork
0.2 mi·20 sec
Exit 105BToward US 169 North
12
Merge onto US 169
14 mi·17 min·US 169
Use the straight / right lanes.
13
Take the exit
0.3 mi·37 sec
Toward CR 130: Elm Creek Boulevard, Brooklyn BoulevardUse the straight / slight right lanes.
14
Turn right onto CR 130
2.2 mi·4 min·Brooklyn Boulevard
Use the right lane.
15
Arrive at destination
CR 14
Trip Plan
Given the relatively short duration of just over 2 hours, this trip offers considerable flexibility. You can comfortably leave in the morning and arrive well before midday, or depart in the afternoon and still reach Brooklyn Park with plenty of daylight to spare. There are no designated stops in the data, so plan your own breaks as needed, perhaps around the halfway point or where you see convenient facilities. Keep an eye on your fuel, especially during the 52.6-mile stretch on US 212, as services might be less frequent in some sections. The $15 fuel cost estimate suggests this is an economical trip, but it's always wise to check current prices.
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.
You may only need one short stretch break if traffic stays light.
The halfway point lands around 49.9 miles from Fairfax, MN, or about 1h 3m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 52.6 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 22 miles or 29m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 49.9 miles or 1h 3m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 1h 41m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Brooklyn Park, MN than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving Fairfax, 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 Fairfax, MN
This is one driving day of about 99.8 miles and 2h 6m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 22 miles from Fairfax, MN.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
The longest stretch is on US 212 for about 52.6 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 11
5 decision points cluster between mile 52.8 and 97.3 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
6
52.8 mi into trip|~1h 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.
8
82.5 mi into trip|~1h 42m in
Take the exit toward US 169 South, US 169 North: Gleason Road
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 162
Toward US 169 South, US 169 North: Gleason Road
8
83.1 mi into trip|~1h 43m in
Take the exit toward US 169 North
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the right lane.
Exit 105B
Toward US 169 North
7
83.2 mi into trip|~1h 43m in
Keep slight right at fork toward US 169 North
Highway fork - watch signs carefully
Exit 105B
Toward US 169 North
7
97.3 mi into trip|~2h 1m in
Take the exit toward CR 130: Elm Creek Boulevard, Brooklyn Boulevard
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.
Toward CR 130: Elm Creek Boulevard, Brooklyn Bo...
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$14.85 one way
$29.70 round trip
$3.78/gal25.4 MPG avg35 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.07
$16.00
$32.01
premium
$4.53
$17.81
$35.61
diesel
$5.61
$22.03
$44.07
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$15
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$40–$65
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 34.9 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $10 in charging
· 0 stops
· 66% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
29.9
0
$10.48
$4.79
Efficient EV
25
0
$8.73
$3.99
EV Truck/SUV
39.9
0
$13.97
$6.39
Gas CO2
35 kg
EV CO2
12 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 Apr 20, 2026
Origin
Fairfax, MN
Evening
in Fairfax on Sunday
Local time
8:00 PM
CDT
Current temp
33°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
Brooklyn Park, MN
Evening
in Brooklyn Park on Sunday
Local time
8:00 PM
CDT
Current temp
47°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
14 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 6m 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 route is predominantly a highway-focused drive, with 79% of your journey on higher-speed roads. You'll experience a significant stretch of 52.6 miles on US 212 without needing to divert, offering a consistent pace. As you transition to Lincoln Avenue East and then US 169, expect a mix of highway speeds and potentially some local traffic depending on the time of day. The overall feel is one of efficient travel, prioritizing getting you to your destination with minimal fuss. It’s not a winding scenic byway, but rather a functional path designed for steady progress.
79% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
15 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 52.6 mi on US 212.
How Hard Is This Drive?
9/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on US 212 and Lincoln Avenue East. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 52.8 miles in near US 212.
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 11 significant decision points across 99.8 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 52.8 miles (US 212): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 82.5 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 83.1 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here.
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 2h 6m. Total distance: 99.8 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 0 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
2h 6m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (79%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 52.6 miles on US 212. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
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 Brooklyn Park, 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. Dedicated rest areas are limited, so plan gas or food stops as your bathroom breaks.
The main spots that need attention: at 52.8 miles (US 212): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 82.5 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 83.1 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here.
Yes. A round trip is manageable in a single day if you plan a break at Brooklyn Park, MN before heading back.
