This 230-mile journey from Hibbing, MN, to Lakeville, MN, is designed for a single day of travel, taking approximately 3 hours and 39 minutes to complete. You'll navigate primarily on local roads, with no highway driving included, making it a more connected experience with the towns you pass through. The estimated fuel cost for this trip is around $33, and you'll have one planned stop. This Midwest drive offers a straightforward path through Minnesota, perfect for those who prefer a less highway-intensive approach to covering distance.
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
116 miles from Hibbing, MN
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 2h 18m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
I 35
109.7 mi
1h 57m
I 35W
44.3 mi
53m
US 53
31.5 mi
36m
MN 33
19.7 mi
26m
State Highway 37
17.7 mi
22m
Kenwood Trail /Richard J. Ames Memorial Highway
2.2 mi
3m
East 40th Street
1.7 mi
2m
East Beltline
1.6 mi
2m
Longest stretch:
I 35
— 109.7 mi, about 1h 57m
Traffic on I-35
Hour-of-day weekday pattern from 38 FHWA count stations on your route.
Peak
4 PM
~3,620 veh/hr typical
· worst 4,241
Quietest
2 AM
~204 veh/hr
Peak-to-quiet ratio
17.7×
busier at peak than in the quiet hours
12a6anoon6p11p
Averaged across 52 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 Hibbing, MN and Lakeville, MN.
1
Start on 4th Avenue East
120 ft·7 sec·4th Avenue East
2
Turn right onto East Howard Street
0.5 mi·1 min·East Howard Street
3
Turn right onto 12th Avenue East
176 ft·4 sec·12th Avenue East
4
Continue on Brooklyn Drive
0.2 mi·35 sec·Brooklyn Drive
5
Turn left onto East 23rd Street
394 ft·10 sec·East 23rd Street
6
Turn right onto US 169; MN 73
1.6 mi·2 min·East Beltline
Use the straight lane.
7
Enter roundabout onto MN 37
203 ft·3 sec·East 40th Street
8
Continue on MN 37
1.7 mi·2 min·East 40th Street
9
Continue on MN 37
14 mi·17 min·State Highway 37
10
Enter roundabout onto MN 37
130 ft·2 sec·State Highway 37
11
Continue on MN 37
3.9 mi·4 min·State Highway 37
12
Take the ramp
0.2 mi·29 sec
Use the right lane.
13
Merge onto US 53
32 mi·36 min·US 53
14
Take the exit onto MN 33
15 mi·18 min·MN 33
Use the straight lane.
15
Continue on MN 33
3.9 mi·7 min·MN 33
Use the straight lane.
16
Enter roundabout onto MN 33
77 ft·1 sec·MN 33
Toward I 35 South
17
Continue on MN 33
0.5 mi·40 sec·MN 33
Toward I 35 South
18
Merge onto I 35
110 mi·1 hr 57 min·I 35
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
19
Keep slight right at fork onto I 35W
44 mi·53 min·I 35W
Toward I 35W: MinneapolisUse the straight / right lanes.
20
Take the exit
0.2 mi·26 sec
Exit 85Toward CR 5, CR 50Use the slight right lane.
21
Turn left onto CR 5
1.3 mi·2 min·Kenwood Trail
Use the left / straight lanes.
22
Enter roundabout onto CR 5
127 ft·2 sec·Kenwood Trail /Richard J. Ames Memorial Highway
23
Continue on CR 5
2.2 mi·3 min·Kenwood Trail /Richard J. Ames Memorial Highway
24
Continue on CR 5
0.1 mi·16 sec·Kenwood Trai/Richard J. Ames Memorial Highway
25
Continue on CR 50
0.5 mi·48 sec·202nd Street West / Richard J. Ames Memorial Highway
Use the straight / right lanes.
26
Enter roundabout onto Holyoke Avenue
12 ft·0 sec·Holyoke Avenue
27
Continue on Holyoke Avenue
0.4 mi·1 min·Holyoke Avenue
28
Turn left onto 207th Street West
22 ft·0 sec·207th Street West
Use the left lane.
29
Arrive at destination
207th Street West
Trip Plan
Since this 230-mile trip takes just under four hours, you have plenty of flexibility in your departure time. Consider leaving mid-morning to avoid early rush hour and allow for a relaxed pace. With only one stop recommended, plan it strategically for a meal or a quick stretch. Keep an eye on your fuel gauge, especially as you transition between local roads, and remember that the $33 fuel estimate is based on average prices. The 'turn-heavy' nature of this route means staying attentive to navigation is key; double-checking your turns will ensure a smooth arrival in Lakeville.
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 116 miles from Hibbing, MN, or about 2h 18m 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 51 miles or 1h 3m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 116 miles or 2h 18m 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 39m
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 Hibbing, 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 Hibbing, MN
This is one driving day of about 232 miles and 4h 32m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 51 miles from Hibbing, 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 17
5 decision points cluster between mile 21.8 and 232 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
5
21.8 mi into trip|~29m in
Take the ramp
Lane positioning matters here
Use the right lane.
5
53.5 mi into trip|~1h 6m in|MN 33
Take the exit onto MN 33
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight lane.
7
183 mi into trip|~3h 30m 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
227.2 mi into trip|~4h 23m 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
232 mi into trip|~4h 32m in|207th Street West
Turn left onto 207th Street West
Lane positioning matters here
Use the left lane.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$34.85 one way
$69.69 round trip
$3.82/gal25.4 MPG avg81 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.12
$37.62
$75.24
premium
$4.60
$42.02
$84.05
diesel
$4.80
$43.81
$87.61
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$35
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$60–$85
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 81.2 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-07-13.
Driving Electric?
About $24 in charging
· 0 stops
· 67% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
69.6
0
$24.36
$11.14
Efficient EV
58
0
$20.30
$9.28
EV Truck/SUV
92.8
1
$32.48
$14.85
Gas CO2
81 kg
EV CO2
27 kg (67% 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 Jul 18, 2026
Origin
Hibbing, MN
Evening
in Hibbing on Saturday
Local time
8:33 PM
CDT
Current temp
81°F
Patchy Smoke
NW 5 to 10 mph0% chanceLive forecast
Special Weather Statement
Special Weather Statement issued July 18 at 11:59AM CDT by NWS Duluth MN
Special Weather Statement
Special Weather Statement issued July 18 at 4:03AM CDT by NWS Grand Forks ND
Destination
Lakeville, MN
Evening
in Lakeville on Saturday
Local time
8:33 PM
CDT
Current temp
88°F
Sunny
N 5 mph0% chanceLive forecast
Special Weather Statement
Special Weather Statement issued July 18 at 11:59AM CDT by NWS Duluth MN
Special Weather Statement
Special Weather Statement issued July 18 at 4:03AM 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
7 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 32m 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?
Expect a 'turn-heavy local drive' for this 230-mile route, as indicated by its 0% highway share. This means you'll be interacting with local streets like East Howard Street, 12th Avenue East, and Brooklyn Drive for the majority of your journey. Without long stretches of uninterrupted highway, the drive will likely involve more frequent turns and a slower pace, offering a continuous engagement with the landscape and communities along the way. It's a drive that keeps you involved rather than letting you simply cruise.
96% 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: 109.7 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 17 points where you need to pay attention to lane position or signs. The trickiest moment comes around 21.8 miles in.
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 232 miles you will encounter 17 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 21.8 miles: Lane positioning matters here; at 53.5 miles (MN 33): Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here; at 183 miles (I 35W): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
The Iron Range is a rural area in Northeastern Minnesota where iron ore (and taconite) has been mined for generations. This area has some cultural aspects more similar to the U.P. of Michigan than the surrounding area of Minnesota. It was settled largely by Finns and some other Scandinavians and Russians.
Top landmarks
•Hull–Rust–Mahoning Open Pit Iron Mine — open pit iron mine in Hibbing, Minnesota, United States
•Andrew G. Anderson House — historic house in Hibbing, Minnesota
•Hibbing High School — high school in Hibbing, St. Louis County, Minnesota
Doable as a same-day drive at 4h 32m. Total distance: 232 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
4h 32m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (96%). 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.
Yes — we found about 9 rest areas or service plazas 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 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. There are 9 rest areas along the route for bathroom stops.
The main spots that need attention: at 21.8 miles: Lane positioning matters here; at 53.5 miles (MN 33): Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here; at 183 miles (I 35W): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
Possible but tiring. At 4.5 hours each way, an in-and-out day trip would put you behind the wheel for 9.1 hours — manageable with a long break at Lakeville, MN, but most travelers stay overnight.
