Gilbert, MN to Lakeville, MN is 218 miles and takes about 4h 13m via I 35 and I 35W, with a fuel budget near $35 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This all-Midwest drive is on mostly highway, making it a straightforward trip between two points in Minnesota. Given its relatively short duration and primary use of major interstates, this route is ideal for those looking to cover ground efficiently. You'll spend most of your time on the interstate, so expect a consistent driving experience throughout.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is possible, but it will make for a full day on the road.
Break Rhythm
1 planned break
Plan on a short reset every 3 to 4 hours to stay fresh behind the wheel.
Midpoint
109 miles from Gilbert, MN
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 2h 7m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
I 35
109.7 mi
1h 57m
I 35W
44.3 mi
53m
US 53
27.4 mi
31m
MN 33
19.7 mi
26m
MN 37
8.8 mi
10m
Kenwood Trail /Richard J. Ames Memorial Highway
2.2 mi
3m
State Highway 37
1.9 mi
2m
North Broadway
1.6 mi
2m
Longest stretch:
I 35
— 109.7 mi, about 1h 57m
Traffic on I-35
Hour-of-day weekday pattern from 76 FHWA count stations on your route.
Peak
4 PM
~3,678 veh/hr typical
· worst 4,337
Quietest
2 AM
~211 veh/hr
Peak-to-quiet ratio
17.4×
busier at peak than in the quiet hours
12a6anoon6p11p
Averaged across 86 weeks of 2023 FHWA Travel Monitoring Analysis System data. Weekday hours only (Mon–Fri).
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Gilbert, MN and Lakeville, MN.
1
Start on Minnesota Avenue East
27 ft·6 sec·Minnesota Avenue East
2
Turn left onto MN 37; FH 11
1.6 mi·2 min·North Broadway
Use the straight lane.
3
Continue on MN 37
1.9 mi·2 min·State Highway 37
Use the straight lane.
4
Take the ramp onto MN 37
8.8 mi·10 min·MN 37
Toward US 53 SouthUse the straight lane.
5
Continue on US 53
27 mi·31 min·US 53
6
Take the exit onto MN 33
15 mi·18 min·MN 33
Use the straight lane.
7
Continue on MN 33
3.9 mi·7 min·MN 33
Use the straight lane.
8
Enter roundabout onto MN 33
77 ft·1 sec·MN 33
Toward I 35 South
9
Continue on MN 33
0.5 mi·40 sec·MN 33
Toward I 35 South
10
Merge onto I 35
110 mi·1 hr 57 min·I 35
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
11
Keep slight right at fork onto I 35W
44 mi·53 min·I 35W
Toward I 35W: MinneapolisUse the straight / right lanes.
12
Take the exit
0.2 mi·26 sec
Exit 85Toward CR 5, CR 50Use the slight right lane.
13
Turn left onto CR 5
1.3 mi·2 min·Kenwood Trail
Use the left / straight lanes.
14
Enter roundabout onto CR 5
127 ft·2 sec·Kenwood Trail /Richard J. Ames Memorial Highway
15
Continue on CR 5
2.2 mi·3 min·Kenwood Trail /Richard J. Ames Memorial Highway
16
Continue on CR 5
0.1 mi·16 sec·Kenwood Trai/Richard J. Ames Memorial Highway
17
Continue on CR 50
0.5 mi·48 sec·202nd Street West / Richard J. Ames Memorial Highway
Use the straight / right lanes.
18
Enter roundabout onto Holyoke Avenue
12 ft·0 sec·Holyoke Avenue
19
Continue on Holyoke Avenue
0.4 mi·1 min·Holyoke Avenue
20
Turn left onto 207th Street West
22 ft·0 sec·207th Street West
Use the left lane.
21
Arrive at destination
207th Street West
Trip Plan
To make the most of this 4-hour drive, consider leaving early in the morning to avoid any potential traffic congestion, particularly as you get closer to Lakeville. With only one recommended stop and a comfortable duration, you have flexibility in pacing your journey. The 218-mile trip on I 35 and I 35W should be manageable on a single tank of gas for most vehicles, with an estimated fuel cost of $35. Keep an eye out for the numerous exits along I 35W as you approach the Minneapolis-Saint Paul metropolitan area.
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 109 miles from Gilbert, MN, or about 2h 7m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 109.7 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 48 miles or 58m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 109 miles or 2h 7m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 3h 23m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Lakeville, MN than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving Gilbert, 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 Gilbert, MN
This is one driving day of about 218 miles and 4h 13m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 48 miles from Gilbert, 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 109.7 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 11
5 decision points cluster between mile 0 and 218 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
6
0 mi into trip|~0m in|MN 37; FH 11 / North Broadway
Turn left onto MN 37; FH 11 / North Broadway
Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight lane.
7
3.4 mi into trip|~5m in|MN 37
Take the ramp onto MN 37 toward US 53 South
Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight lane.
Toward US 53 South
7
169 mi into trip|~3h 12m 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
8
213.3 mi into trip|~4h 5m in
Take the exit toward CR 5, CR 50
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 85
Toward CR 5, CR 50
6
218 mi into trip|~4h 13m in|207th Street West
Turn left onto 207th Street West
Lane positioning matters here
Use the left lane.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$35.58 one way
$71.17 round trip
$4.15/gal25.4 MPG avg76 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.46
$38.30
$76.59
premium
$4.95
$42.51
$85.02
diesel
$5.97
$51.21
$102.43
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$36
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$61–$86
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 76.3 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-09-07.
Station data from NREL Alternative Fuel Stations database.
Driving Electric?
About $23 in charging
· 0 stops
· 66% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
65.4
0
$22.89
$10.46
Efficient EV
54.5
0
$19.08
$8.72
EV Truck/SUV
87.2
1
$30.52
$13.95
Gas CO2
76 kg
EV CO2
26 kg (66% less)
Plan for 0 charging stops, roughly every 270 miles. Allow 25-40 minutes per stop at a DC fast charger.
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 Sep 12, 2026
Origin
Gilbert, MN
Late night
in Gilbert on Saturday
Local time
1:00 AM
CDT
Current temp
51°F
Showers And Thunderstorms
SW 5 to 10 mph91% chanceLive forecast
Severe Thunderstorm Warning
Severe Thunderstorm Warning issued September 11 at 8:32PM CDT until September 11 at 9:15PM CDT by NWS Twin Cities/Chanha...
Severe Thunderstorm Watch
Severe Thunderstorm Watch issued September 11 at 6:42PM CDT until September 11 at 10:00PM CDT by NWS Grand Forks ND
Destination
Lakeville, MN
Late night
in Lakeville on Saturday
Local time
1:00 AM
CDT
Current temp
62°F
Slight Chance Showers And Thunderstorms then Partly Cloudy
SW 15 mph23% chanceLive forecast
Severe Thunderstorm Warning
Severe Thunderstorm Warning issued September 11 at 8:32PM CDT until September 11 at 9:15PM CDT by NWS Twin Cities/Chanha...
Severe Thunderstorm Watch
Severe Thunderstorm Watch issued September 11 at 6:42PM CDT until September 11 at 10:00PM CDT by NWS Grand Forks ND
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
11 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
4h 13m on the road
An early start around 7-8 AM gets you there with plenty of daylight left.
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 drive is 97% highway, meaning you'll be on major interstates for almost the entire 218 miles. The longest stretch without needing to exit is 109.7 miles on I 35. You'll notice a high density of exits for a significant portion of the drive, especially as you approach the Twin Cities metro area. Surface roads are minimal, encountered only briefly at the beginning and end of your trip.
97% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
21 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 109.7 mi on I 35.
How Hard Is This Drive?
5/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 35 and I 35W. You will hit about 11 points where you need to pay attention to lane position or signs. The trickiest moment comes early in the drive near MN 37; FH 11 / North Broadway.
Driving Effort5/10
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 218 miles you will encounter 11 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: near the start (MN 37; FH 11 / North Broadway): Lane positioning matters here; at 3.4 miles (MN 37): Lane positioning matters here; at 169 miles (I 35W): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
Doable as a same-day drive at 4h 13m. Total distance: 218 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
4h 13m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (97%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 109.7 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.
Yes, with realistic expectations. Build in a stop roughly every 2 hours, have snacks and activities ready, and check the Nearby Places tabs for kid-friendly stops along the way.
The main spots that need attention: near the start (MN 37; FH 11 / North Broadway): Lane positioning matters here; at 3.4 miles (MN 37): Lane positioning matters here; at 169 miles (I 35W): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
Possible but tiring. At 4.2 hours each way, an in-and-out day trip would put you behind the wheel for 8.5 hours — manageable with a long break at Lakeville, MN, but most travelers stay overnight.
