Embarking on a journey from Hoyt Lakes, MN to Minneapolis, MN covers 211.8 miles and typically takes about 4 hours and 12 minutes. This highway-focused drive is easily manageable as a single-day trip, with a projected fuel cost of around $32. You'll primarily be on I-35 and US-53, experiencing a smooth and efficient passage through the Midwest. The route is designed for straightforward travel, making it a practical choice for those looking to get from point A to point B without unnecessary detours. Plan for one main stop to break up the drive.
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
105.9 miles from Hoyt Lakes, MN
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 2h 14m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
I 35
109.7 mi
1h 57m
US 53
27.4 mi
31m
I 35W
23.4 mi
27m
MN 33
19.7 mi
26m
MN 135
11.3 mi
17m
MN 37
8.8 mi
10m
State Highway 37
1.9 mi
2m
North Broadway
1.9 mi
3m
Longest stretch:
I 35
— 109.7 mi, about 1h 57m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Hoyt Lakes, MN and Minneapolis, MN.
1
Start on CH 110; FH 11
1.8 mi·3 min·Kennedy Memorial Drive
2
Continue on CH 110; FH 11
1.0 mi·1 min·County Highway 110
3
Continue on CH 110; FH 11
1.8 mi·3 min·Highway 110
4
Turn right onto CR 100; FH 11
0.9 mi·1 min·Main Street
5
Turn left onto CR 100; FH 11
0.8 mi·1 min·West 3rd Avenue North
6
Continue on CR 100; FH 11
0.4 mi·41 sec·County Highway 100
7
Continue on MN 135; FH 11
11 mi·17 min·MN 135; FH 11
Use the straight / left lanes.
8
Turn left onto MN 37; FH 11
1.9 mi·3 min·North Broadway
Use the left lane.
9
Continue on MN 37
1.9 mi·2 min·State Highway 37
Use the straight lane.
10
Take the ramp onto MN 37
8.8 mi·10 min·MN 37
Toward US 53 SouthUse the straight lane.
11
Continue on US 53
27 mi·31 min·US 53
12
Take the exit onto MN 33
15 mi·18 min·MN 33
Use the straight lane.
13
Continue on MN 33
3.9 mi·7 min·MN 33
Use the straight lane.
14
Enter roundabout onto MN 33
77 ft·1 sec·MN 33
Toward I 35 South
15
Continue on MN 33
0.5 mi·40 sec·MN 33
Toward I 35 South
16
Merge onto I 35
110 mi·1 hr 57 min·I 35
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
17
Keep slight right at fork onto I 35W
23 mi·27 min·I 35W
Toward I 35W: MinneapolisUse the straight / right lanes.
18
Take the exit
0.2 mi·42 sec
Exit 17CToward Washington AvenueUse the slight right lane.
19
Turn right onto CR 152
0.8 mi·2 min·Washington Avenue South
Use the straight / left / right lanes.
20
Arrive at destination
CR 152
Trip Plan
For this 4-hour drive, departing in the morning is ideal to maximize your daylight and arrive in Minneapolis with plenty of time. With only one stop recommended, you can choose a convenient point along I-35 to refuel and stretch your legs. The fuel cost is estimated at $32, so factor that into your budget. Given the relatively short duration, you have flexibility; however, be aware of the 109.7-mile stretch on I-35 where services might be less frequent, so ensure you have adequate fuel before entering that segment.
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 105.9 miles from Hoyt Lakes, MN, or about 2h 14m 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 47 miles or 1h 5m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 105.9 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 27m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Minneapolis, MN than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving Hoyt Lakes, 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 Hoyt Lakes, MN
This is one driving day of about 211.8 miles and 4h 12m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 47 miles from Hoyt Lakes, 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 10
5 decision points cluster between mile 18.1 and 211 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
5
18.1 mi into trip|~29m in|MN 37; FH 11 / North Broadway
Turn left onto MN 37; FH 11 / North Broadway
Lane positioning matters here
Use the left lane.
7
21.8 mi into trip|~35m 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
187.4 mi into trip|~3h 42m 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
7
210.8 mi into trip|~4h 9m in
Take the exit toward Washington Avenue
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight right lane.
Exit 17C
Toward Washington Avenue
6
211 mi into trip|~4h 10m in|CR 152 / Washington Avenue South
Turn right onto CR 152 / Washington Avenue South
Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / left / right lanes.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$31.52 one way
$63.04 round trip
$3.78/gal25.4 MPG avg74 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.07
$33.96
$67.93
premium
$4.53
$37.79
$75.58
diesel
$5.61
$46.76
$93.53
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$32
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$57–$82
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 74.1 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $22 in charging
· 0 stops
· 66% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
63.5
0
$22.24
$10.17
Efficient EV
53
0
$18.53
$8.47
EV Truck/SUV
84.7
1
$29.65
$13.56
Gas CO2
74 kg
EV CO2
25 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 18, 2026
Origin
Hoyt Lakes, MN
Evening
in Hoyt Lakes on Saturday
Local time
8:30 PM
CDT
Current temp
62°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
Minneapolis, MN
Evening
in Minneapolis on Saturday
Local time
8:30 PM
CDT
Current temp
30°F
Mostly Clear
NW 10 to 15 mph0% chanceLive forecast
63°F
Woodbury, MN
106 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
32 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 12m 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 a highway experience, with 97% of the drive taking place on major interstates like I-35 and I-35W. Expect a consistent pace for most of your journey. The longest uninterrupted stretch you'll encounter is a significant 109.7 miles on I-35, offering a period of continuous driving. While largely highway, the initial portion on US-53 will transition you onto the interstate system, setting the tone for the rest of your trip. It's a drive built for efficiency, not necessarily winding scenic byways.
97% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
20 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 US 53. You will hit about 10 points where you need to pay attention to lane position or signs. The trickiest moment comes around 18.1 miles in 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 211.8 miles you will encounter 10 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 18.1 miles (MN 37; FH 11 / North Broadway): Lane positioning matters here; at 21.8 miles (MN 37): Lane positioning matters here; at 187.4 miles (I 35W): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
Elevation Profile
Mostly flat terrain
1,472 ft830 ft
Total Climb
48 ft
Total Descent
691 ft
Highest Point
1,472 ft
Elevation Range
643 ft
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 4h 12m. Total distance: 211.8 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
4h 12m 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.
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.
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: at 18.1 miles (MN 37; FH 11 / North Broadway): Lane positioning matters here; at 21.8 miles (MN 37): Lane positioning matters here; at 187.4 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 8.4 hours — manageable with a long break at Minneapolis, MN, but most travelers stay overnight.
