Hibbing, MN to Minnetonka, MN is 207 miles and takes about 4h 15m via MN 65 and US Highway 169, with a fuel budget near $31 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This drive stays entirely within the Midwest, offering a straightforward trip through Minnesota. It's primarily a highway-focused route, so expect efficient travel with minimal fuss. Given its manageable length and 98% highway share, this is a classic one-day road trip, perfect for a quick relocation or a visit to the Twin Cities area.
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
103.5 miles from Hibbing, MN
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 2h 11m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
MN 65
54.7 mi
1h 8m
State Highway 65
53.4 mi
1h 7m
US Highway 169
32.9 mi
37m
MN 23
18.3 mi
20m
Highway 169 West
13.7 mi
16m
I 494
11.1 mi
13m
I 94
8.3 mi
9m
MN 101
6.9 mi
8m
Longest stretch:
MN 65
— 54.7 mi, about 1h 8m
Traffic on I-94
Hour-of-day weekday pattern from 7 FHWA count stations on your route.
Peak
4 PM
~4,722 veh/hr typical
Quietest
2 AM
~204 veh/hr
Peak-to-quiet ratio
23.1×
busier at peak than in the quiet hours
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Averaged across 47 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 Minnetonka, MN.
1
Start on 4th Avenue East
120 ft·10 sec·4th Avenue East
2
Turn left onto East Howard Street
0.2 mi·36 sec·East Howard Street
3
Turn left onto 1st Avenue
1.7 mi·3 min·1st Avenue
Use the left lane.
4
Turn right onto West 41st Street
0.1 mi·13 sec·West 41st Street
5
Take the ramp
0.2 mi·25 sec
Toward US 169 South, MN 73 South
6
Merge onto US 169; MN 73
14 mi·16 min·Highway 169 West
7
Turn left onto MN 65
19 mi·23 min·MN 65
8
Enter roundabout onto MN 65
135 ft·1 sec·MN 65
9
Continue on MN 65
36 mi·45 min·MN 65
10
Turn left onto MN 210; MN 65
1.1 mi·1 min·West Highway 210
11
Take the exit onto MN 65
53 mi·1 hr 7 min·State Highway 65
12
Turn right onto MN 23
18 mi·20 min·MN 23
13
Turn left
0.4 mi·45 sec
14
Merge onto US 169
6.5 mi·7 min·US Highway 169
15
Keep slight right at fork onto US 169
26 mi·30 min·US Highway 169
16
Continue on US 169
383 ft·4 sec·POW/MIA Memorial Highway
17
Continue on MN 101
6.9 mi·8 min·MN 101
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
18
Take the exit
0.7 mi·1 min
Toward I 94 East: Minneapolis, Saint Paul
19
Merge onto I 94
8.3 mi·9 min·I 94
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
20
Take the exit
0.4 mi·31 sec
Exit 216Toward I 494 SouthUse the straight / slight right lanes.
21
Continue on I 494
11 mi·13 min·I 494
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
22
Take the exit
0.5 mi·1 min
Exit 16BToward MN 7 WestUse the straight / slight right lanes.
23
Turn straight onto MN 7
2.4 mi·3 min·Minnesota State Highway 7
24
Turn left onto CR 101
239 ft·10 sec·County Road 101
Use the left lane.
25
Arrive at destination
CR 101
Trip Plan
Since this is a 4h 15m drive, leaving in the morning is your best bet to maximize daylight and avoid late-night driving. With only one recommended stop and a 98% highway share, you can easily cover the 207 miles in a single day. Keep an eye on your fuel levels, especially during the 54.7-mile stretch on MN 65, as services might be less frequent. The estimated fuel cost of $31 is a good budget to keep in mind as you plan your departure.
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 103.5 miles from Hibbing, MN, or about 2h 11m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 54.7 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 46 miles or 58m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 103.5 miles or 2h 11m 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 29m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Minnetonka, 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 207 miles and 4h 15m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 46 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 MN 65 for about 54.7 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 18
5 decision points cluster between mile 0.2 and 204.1 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
5
0.2 mi into trip|~0m in|1st Avenue
Turn left onto 1st Avenue
Lane positioning matters here
Use the left lane.
5
2.1 mi into trip|~4m in
Take the ramp toward US 169 South, MN 73 South
Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Toward US 169 South, MN 73 South
5
34.8 mi into trip|~44m in|MN 65
Enter roundabout onto MN 65
Roundabout - know your exit number before entering
7
192.5 mi into trip|~3h 56m 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
204.1 mi into trip|~4h 11m in
Take the exit toward MN 7 West
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Exit 16B
Toward MN 7 West
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$31.09 one way
$62.18 round trip
$3.82/gal25.4 MPG avg72 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.12
$33.57
$67.14
premium
$4.60
$37.50
$74.99
diesel
$4.80
$39.09
$78.17
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$31
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$56–$81
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 72.4 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-07-13.
EV Charging Along Route
39 DC fast chargers
· Coverage: excellent
Maple Grove, MN - Tesla Supercharger
Maple Grove, MN
Tesla
12 DCFC
Maple Grove, MN
Maple Grove, MN
RIVIAN_ADVENTURE
12 DCFC
Brooklyn Park, MN Rechargery Relay @ Hy-Vee - Zane Ave North
Station data from NREL Alternative Fuel Stations database.
Driving Electric?
About $22 in charging
· 0 stops
· 67% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
62.1
0
$21.74
$9.94
Efficient EV
51.8
0
$18.11
$8.28
EV Truck/SUV
82.8
1
$28.98
$13.25
Gas CO2
72 kg
EV CO2
24 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 Jul 19, 2026
Origin
Hibbing, MN
Late night
in Hibbing on Sunday
Local time
2:04 AM
CDT
Current temp
58°F
Chance Rain Showers
S 0 to 5 mph13% chanceLive forecast
Destination
Minnetonka, MN
Late night
in Minnetonka on Sunday
Local time
2:04 AM
CDT
Current temp
68°F
Mostly Clear
ESE 0 to 5 mph0% chanceLive forecast
89°F
Springvale, MN
104 mi in
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
10 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 15m 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 route is predominantly highway driving, with 98% of the journey on well-maintained roads like MN 65 and US Highway 169. You'll experience a long stretch of 54.7 miles on MN 65 without significant interruptions, allowing for steady progress. The character of the drive is consistent, meaning you won't encounter many abrupt changes in road type or speed limits. It’s designed for efficient travel, with the focus squarely on getting you from point A to point B smoothly.
98% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
25 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 54.7 mi on MN 65.
How Hard Is This Drive?
7/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on MN 65 and State Highway 65. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 0.2 miles in near 1st Avenue.
Driving Effort7/10
Demanding - plan breaks and stay ahead of the key maneuvers
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This is a demanding drive. With 18 significant decision points across 207 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 0.2 miles (1st Avenue): Lane positioning matters here; at 2.1 miles: Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 34.8 miles (MN 65): Roundabout - know your exit number before entering.
Elevation Profile
Mostly flat terrain
1,490 ft897 ft
Total Climb
77 ft
Total Descent
665 ft
Highest Point
1,490 ft
Elevation Range
593 ft
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 Hibbing, MN to Minnetonka, MN, road signs begin pointing toward Saint Paul along the way.
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 15m. Total distance: 207 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
4h 15m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (98%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 54.7 miles on MN 65. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Yes — we found about 5 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 Minnetonka, 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 5 rest areas along the route for bathroom stops.
The main spots that need attention: at 0.2 miles (1st Avenue): Lane positioning matters here; at 2.1 miles: Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 34.8 miles (MN 65): Roundabout - know your exit number before entering.
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 Minnetonka, MN, but most travelers stay overnight.
