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Trip from Grand Rapids, MN to Lakeville, MN

Compiled and reviewed by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Apr 19, 2026 · Editorial standards

Drive Time

4h 16m

Distance

201.8 mi

325 km

Drive Score

9/10

Great drive

Same Day?

Yes, doable

Fuel Cost

$30

one way

EV Charging

Unknown

Best Time to Leave

Save up to 40 min
4 AM
4h 3m ★
6 AM
4h 16m
8 AM
4h 43m
10 AM
4h 25m
12 PM
4h 23m
3 PM
4h 27m
5 PM
4h 41m
8 PM
4h 8m

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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city in Itasca County, Minnesota, United States

Grand Rapids, MN

Wikimedia Commons

city in Dakota County, Minnesota, United States

Lakeville, MN

Wikimedia Commons

Trip Overview

Spanning 201.8 miles across Minnesota, this trip from Grand Rapids to Lakeville is a straightforward journey typically taking about 4 hours and 16 minutes. Because the drive is manageable within a single day, you likely won't need an overnight stay, keeping your travel plans flexible. You can expect to spend approximately $29 on fuel for the trek, making it a budget-friendly option for regional travel. By relying primarily on US Highway 169, Voyageur Highway, and I-494, you stay on well-maintained corridors throughout the Midwest. Whether you are heading south for business or leisure, this route provides a predictable connection between the northern and southern parts of the state.

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

100.9 miles from Grand Rapids, MN

A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 2h 14m into the drive .

Main Roads

Road Distance Duration
US Highway 169 91 mi 1h 45m
Voyageur Highway 50 mi 1h 12m
I 494 21.9 mi 27m
I 35W 11.1 mi 12m
I 94 8.3 mi 9m
MN 101 6.9 mi 8m
Central Avenue 2.3 mi 2m
Kenwood Trail /Richard J. Ames Memorial Highway 2.2 mi 3m
Longest stretch: US Highway 169 — 91 mi, about 1h 45m

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between Grand Rapids, MN and Lakeville, MN.

1

Start on Northwest 5th Street

467 ft · 14 sec · Northwest 5th Street
2

Turn right onto North Pokegama Avenue

2.1 mi · 2 min · North Pokegama Avenue
3

Continue on US 169

16 mi · 29 min · Voyageur Highway
4

Turn left

89 ft · 1 sec
5

Keep slight right at fork

352 ft · 4 sec
6

Merge onto US 169

34 mi · 42 min · Voyageur Highway
7

Continue on US 169; MN 210

0.5 mi · 1 min · 2nd Street Northeast
8

Turn left onto US 169

1.0 mi · 2 min · Minnesota Avenue North
9

Continue on US 169

0.2 mi · 13 sec · US Highway 169
10

Enter roundabout onto US Highway 169

176 ft · 2 sec · US Highway 169
11

Continue on US Highway 169

55 mi · 1 hr 4 min · US Highway 169
12

Continue on US 169

2.3 mi · 2 min · Central Avenue
13

Continue on US 169

9.5 mi · 10 min · US Highway 169
14

Keep slight right at fork onto US 169

26 mi · 30 min · US Highway 169
15

Continue on US 169

383 ft · 4 sec · POW/MIA Memorial Highway
16

Continue on MN 101

6.9 mi · 8 min · MN 101
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
17

Take the exit

0.7 mi · 1 min
Toward I 94 East: Minneapolis, Saint Paul
18

Merge onto I 94

8.3 mi · 9 min · I 94
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
19

Take the exit

0.4 mi · 31 sec
Exit 216 Toward I 494 South Use the straight / slight right lanes.
20

Continue on I 494

22 mi · 27 min · I 494
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
21

Take the exit

0.2 mi · 25 sec
Exit 5B Toward I 35W South: Albert Lea Use the slight right lane.
22

Continue on this road

0.4 mi · 50 sec · this road
Exit 5B Toward I 35W South: Albert Lea
23

Merge onto I 35W

11 mi · 12 min · I 35W
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
24

Take the exit

0.2 mi · 26 sec
Exit 85 Toward CR 5, CR 50 Use the slight right lane.
25

Turn left onto CR 5

1.3 mi · 2 min · Kenwood Trail
Use the left / straight lanes.
26

Enter roundabout onto CR 5

127 ft · 2 sec · Kenwood Trail /Richard J. Ames Memorial Highway
27

Continue on CR 5

2.2 mi · 3 min · Kenwood Trail /Richard J. Ames Memorial Highway
28

Continue on CR 5

0.1 mi · 16 sec · Kenwood Trai/Richard J. Ames Memorial Highway
29

Continue on CR 50

0.5 mi · 48 sec · 202nd Street West / Richard J. Ames Memorial Highway
Use the straight / right lanes.
30

Enter roundabout onto Holyoke Avenue

12 ft · 0 sec · Holyoke Avenue
31

Continue on Holyoke Avenue

0.4 mi · 1 min · Holyoke Avenue
32

Turn left onto 207th Street West

22 ft · 0 sec · 207th Street West
Use the left lane.
33

Arrive at destination

207th Street West

Trip Plan

Planning for this 201.8-mile trip is simple, but keeping a few logistics in mind will make your time on the road much smoother. Since there is only one recommended stop, try to time your break to coincide with the end of the long 91-mile stretch on US Highway 169 to stretch your legs before hitting the busier highway sections. Leaving early in the day is your best bet to avoid peak congestion on I-494 as you near Lakeville. Keep your fuel budget of $29 in mind, but consider topping off your tank before entering the heavier traffic zones to avoid higher costs or unexpected delays. Flexibility is your biggest advantage here, so monitor local traffic reports before departure to adjust your pace accordingly.

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 100.9 miles from Grand Rapids, MN, or about 2h 14m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 91 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 44 miles or 1h 4m in

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

Halfway reset

Around 100.9 miles or 2h 14m 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 28m

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 Grand Rapids, 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 Grand Rapids, MN

This is one driving day of about 201.8 miles and 4h 16m.

Your first comfortable stop window is around 44 miles from Grand Rapids, 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 91 miles.

Where to Stop

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

city in Sherburne County, Minnesota, United States

Mid-route town

Meal stop

Big Lake, MN

101 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

Cross Lake, MN

Fuel and coffee

A short stop after about 44 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.

Braham, MN

Meal break

The midpoint is around 100.9 miles from Grand Rapids, 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 91 miles.

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

Nearby Places

Restaurants, cafes, gas stations and more along your route.

Top Restaurant

Chapala Mexican Restaurant in Princeton

4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Princeton, Minnesota

Around the midpoint, short detour

2.2 mi from route ~6 min detour $10 to $20 mile 129.7

Hours: 11 am–9 pm

+17632007541

Visit website

Top Coffee Stop

Dragonfly Coffee

4.8 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Grand Rapids, Minnesota

Near the start, right off the route

0.1 mi from route $1 to $10

Hours: 8 am–3 pm

+12189995771

Visit website

Rapid Nutrition & Coffee Co

4.8 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Grand Rapids, Minnesota

1.1 mi

Munkabeans Coffeehouse

4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Hopkins, Minnesota

2.9 mi

Chapala Mexican Restaurant in Princeton

4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Around the midpoint, short detour

2.2 mi from route ~6 min detour $10 to $20 mile 129.7

Princeton, Minnesota

Hours: 11 am–9 pm

+17632007541

Visit website

Green Mill Restaurant & Bar

4.0 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Near the end, ~9 min detour

3.6 mi from route ~9 min detour $10 to $20 mile 201.8

Lakeville, Minnesota

Hours: 11 am–10 pm

+19524358100

Visit website

Nawal Restaurant

4.4 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Near the end, ~11 min detour

4.2 mi from route ~11 min detour $10 to $20 mile 187.4

Burnsville, Minnesota

Hours: 6 am–9 pm

+19524566701

Maynard's Restaurant of Rogers

4.5 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Later in the drive, ~11 min detour

4.5 mi from route ~11 min detour $20 to $30 mile 158.6

Rogers, Minnesota

Hours: 11 am–11 pm

+17634280700

Visit website

Dragonfly Coffee

4.8 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, right off the route

0.1 mi from route $1 to $10

Grand Rapids, Minnesota

Hours: 8 am–3 pm

+12189995771

Visit website

Rapid Nutrition & Coffee Co

4.8 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, short detour

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

Grand Rapids, Minnesota

Hours: 7 am–4 pm

Visit website

Munkabeans Coffeehouse

4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, short detour

2.9 mi from route ~7 min detour $10 to $20 mile 173

Hopkins, Minnesota

Hours: 6:30 am–5 pm

+19529389056

Visit website

Forest History Center

4.8 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, short detour

1.7 mi from route ~4 min detour

Grand Rapids, Minnesota

Hours: Closed

+12183274482

Visit website

Woodland Trails Regional Park

4.8 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Later in the drive, short detour

1.9 mi from route ~5 min detour mile 144.2

Elk River, Minnesota

Hours: 6 am–10 pm

+17636351150

Visit website

Judy Garland Museum

4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, short detour

2.1 mi from route ~5 min detour

Grand Rapids, Minnesota

Hours: 9 am–4:30 pm

+12183279276

Visit website

Children's Discovery Museum

4.4 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Near the start, short detour

2.1 mi from route ~5 min detour

Grand Rapids, Minnesota

Hours: 9 am–4:30 pm

+12183261900

Visit website

Wild Things Indoor Playground

4.5 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, short detour

2.5 mi from route ~6 min detour mile 201.8

Lakeville, Minnesota

Hours: 8 am–8 pm

+19529608796

Visit website

Missing Pieces Escape Games

4.9 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, short detour

3.3 mi from route ~8 min detour mile 187.4

Edina, Minnesota

Hours: 12–7:30 pm

+19526588974

Visit website

Playground Plaza

4.3 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Later in the drive, ~9 min detour

3.7 mi from route ~9 min detour mile 158.6

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 16

5 decision points cluster between mile 18.4 and 201.8 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.

5
18.4 mi into trip | ~32m in

Keep slight right at fork

Highway fork - watch signs carefully

7
163.1 mi into trip | ~3h 25m in

Take the exit toward I 494 South

Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here

Use the straight / slight right lanes. Exit 216 Toward I 494 South
7
185.4 mi into trip | ~3h 53m in

Take the exit toward I 35W South: Albert Lea

Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here

Use the slight right lane. Exit 5B Toward I 35W South: Albert Lea
8
197 mi into trip | ~4h 7m 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
201.8 mi into trip | ~4h 16m in | 207th Street West

Turn left onto 207th Street West

Lane positioning matters here

Use the left lane.

Fuel & Cost

Regular Gas

$30.03 one way

$60.06 round trip

$3.78/gal 25.4 MPG avg 71 kg CO2
Fuel Type $/gal One Way Round Trip
midgrade $4.07 $32.36 $64.72
premium $4.53 $36.01 $72.01
diesel $5.61 $44.55 $89.11

No toll roads detected on this route.

Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)

Fuel

$30

Meals

$25–$50

Total

$55–$80

Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.

Estimated CO2 emission: 70.6 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.

Driving Electric?

About $21 in charging · 0 stops · 66% less CO2

Vehicle Type kWh Stops DC Fast Home Charge
Average EV 60.5 0 $21.19 $9.69
Efficient EV 50.5 0 $17.66 $8.07
EV Truck/SUV 80.7 1 $28.25 $12.92

Gas CO2

71 kg

EV CO2

24 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 15, 2026

Origin

Grand Rapids, MN

Evening in Grand Rapids on Saturday

Local time

8:30 PM

CDT

Current temp

63°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

Destination

Lakeville, MN

Evening in Lakeville on Saturday

Local time

8:30 PM

CDT

Current temp

45°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

18 degrees cooler at arrival

A meaningful temperature swing is a good cue to rethink layers, water, and how soon you want to arrive.

Road read

4h 16m 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.

What kind of drive is this?

This highway-focused drive is defined by a 69% highway share, offering a consistent pace for the majority of your time behind the wheel. You will spend your longest uninterrupted stretch covering 91 miles on US Highway 169, which requires sustained attention as you transition between rural and more developed areas. The road character shifts from open regional corridors to the busier, high-traffic environment of I-494 as you approach the Twin Cities metropolitan area. Expect a mix of cruising speeds and potential slowdowns, as the route balances long-distance highway efficiency with the necessary navigation of urban infrastructure near your final destination.

69% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
33 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 91 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 Voyageur Highway. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 18.4 miles in.

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 16 significant decision points across 201.8 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 18.4 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully; at 163.1 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here; at 185.4 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. 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 Grand Rapids, MN to Lakeville, MN, road signs begin pointing toward Saint Paul along the way.

Saint Paul

154.1 mi in | ~3h 15m

Who Is This Route For?

Weekend Trip

Doable as a same-day drive at 4h 16m. Total distance: 201.8 miles.

Family Friendly

Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.

Solo Traveler

4h 16m drive, comfortable solo distance.

Frequently Asked Questions

The longest stretch is about 91 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 Lakeville, 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 18.4 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully; at 163.1 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here; at 185.4 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here.

Possible but tiring. At 4.3 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.

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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