Connecting Jackson to Minneapolis covers 157.3 miles of Midwestern landscape, making this an easy day trip that typically requires about 2 hours and 39 minutes of driving. You will primarily navigate via Highway 71, I-90 East, and MN 4 to reach the Twin Cities. With a fuel budget of approximately $23, this is an affordable trek for a quick weekend getaway or a necessary commute. Since the drive is relatively short, you can comfortably complete the journey in a single day without needing an overnight stay. Expect a straightforward transition from the rural charm of Southern Minnesota toward the urban density of the Minneapolis metropolitan area.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.
Break Rhythm
1 planned break
A short stop every 2 to 3 hours is enough for this drive.
Midpoint
78.6 miles from Jackson, MN
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 1h 36m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
US 169
59.5 mi
1h 10m
State Highway 60
34.6 mi
41m
State Highway 4
17.8 mi
22m
I 90
13.3 mi
14m
MN 60 E
8.8 mi
10m
I 35W
7.6 mi
10m
I 494
4.2 mi
5m
70th Avenue
3 mi
3m
Longest stretch:
US 169
— 59.5 mi, about 1h 10m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Jackson, MN and Minneapolis, MN.
1
Start on US 71; CR 34
1.4 mi·2 min·US Highway 71
2
Take the exit
0.2 mi·27 sec
Toward I 90 East: Albert Lea
3
Merge onto I 90
13 mi·14 min·I 90
4
Take the exit
0.3 mi·35 sec
Toward MN 4: Saint James, Sherburn
5
Turn right onto MN 4
0.1 mi·11 sec·State Highway 4
6
Continue on MN 4
3.0 mi·3 min·70th Avenue
7
Continue on MN 4
3.7 mi·4 min·State Highway 4
8
Continue on MN 4
0.1 mi·22 sec·Broadway Avenue South
9
Continue on MN 4
14 mi·17 min·State Highway 4
10
Take the ramp onto MN 4
0.3 mi·19 sec·MN 4
Toward MN 60 East, MN 4 North: St. James, MankatoUse the right lane.
11
Merge onto MN 4; MN 60
20 mi·22 min·State Highway 60
Use the straight lane.
12
Continue on MN 60
8.8 mi·10 min·MN 60 E
13
Continue on MN 60
15 mi·19 min·State Highway 60
14
Continue on US 169
19 mi·24 min·US 169
Use the straight lane.
15
Continue on US 169; MN 93
12 mi·13 min·US 169; MN 93
Use the straight lane.
16
Continue on US 169
17 mi·19 min·US 169
Use the straight lane.
17
Take the exit
0.3 mi·41 sec
Exit 106Toward MN 41, CR 78: Chaska
18
Keep slight right at fork
264 ft·8 sec
Exit 106Toward MN 41, CR 78: Chaska
19
Turn straight onto CR 78
0.4 mi·34 sec·County Road 78
20
Continue on CR 78
0.5 mi·40 sec·Chestnut Boulevard
21
Enter roundabout onto CR 78
116 ft·2 sec·130th Street West
22
Continue on CR 78
1.0 mi·1 min·130th Street West
23
Turn left onto CR 15
0.9 mi·1 min·Marystown Road
24
Take the ramp
0.4 mi·51 sec
Toward US 169 North
25
Merge onto US 169
5.1 mi·5 min·US 169
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
26
Keep slight left at fork onto US 169
6.1 mi·7 min·US 169
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
27
Take the exit
0.7 mi·1 min
Toward I 494 East, MN 5 EastUse the slight right lane.
28
Merge onto I 494; MN 5
4.2 mi·5 min·I 494; MN 5
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
29
Take the exit
0.3 mi·37 sec
Exit 5AToward I 35W North: MinneapolisUse the straight / right lanes.
30
Merge onto I 35W
7.6 mi·10 min·I 35W
Use the straight / right lanes.
31
Keep slight left at fork onto MN 65
0.5 mi·32 sec·MN 65
Toward I 94 WestUse the straight / slight right lanes.
32
Keep slight left at fork onto MN 65
0.3 mi·42 sec·MN 65
Toward 5th Avenue South
33
Continue on 5th Avenue South
0.6 mi·2 min·5th Avenue South
Use the straight / slight left lanes.
34
Turn left onto CR 152
0.2 mi·31 sec·Washington Avenue South
Use the left / straight lanes.
35
Arrive at destination
CR 152
Trip Plan
To make the most of your 157.3-mile journey, aim to depart early in the morning to avoid any potential congestion as you approach Minneapolis. You should plan for one strategic stop along the way to stretch your legs and manage your fuel, which will cost you roughly $23. Because this route involves several local turns, keeping a reliable GPS navigation tool active is essential to avoid missing key transitions between Highway 71, I-90, and MN 4. Flexibility is your biggest advantage here, as the manageable duration allows you to adjust your departure time based on real-time traffic reports. Always double-check your tire pressure before leaving Jackson, as the varied road surface conditions require a well-prepared vehicle.
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 78.6 miles from Jackson, MN, or about 1h 36m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 59.5 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 35 miles or 43m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 78.6 miles or 1h 36m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 2h 37m
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 Jackson, 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 Jackson, MN
This is one driving day of about 157.2 miles and 3h 16m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 35 miles from Jackson, 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 169 for about 59.5 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 20
5 decision points cluster between mile 36.2 and 155.6 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
6
36.2 mi into trip|~45m in|MN 4
Take the ramp onto MN 4 toward MN 60 East, MN 4 North: St. James, Mankato
Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the right lane.
Toward MN 60 East, MN 4 North: St. James, Manka...
7
128.4 mi into trip|~2h 36m in
Keep slight right at fork toward MN 41, CR 78: Chaska
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Exit 106
Toward MN 41, CR 78: Chaska
7
142.8 mi into trip|~2h 54m in
Take the exit toward I 494 East, MN 5 East
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the slight right lane.
Toward I 494 East, MN 5 East
7
147.7 mi into trip|~3h 1m in
Take the exit toward I 35W North: Minneapolis
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / right lanes.
Exit 5A
Toward I 35W North: Minneapolis
7
155.6 mi into trip|~3h 12m in|MN 65
Keep slight left at fork onto MN 65 toward I 94 West
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Toward I 94 West
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$23.39 one way
$46.79 round trip
$3.78/gal25.4 MPG avg55 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.07
$25.21
$50.42
premium
$4.53
$28.05
$56.10
diesel
$5.61
$34.71
$69.42
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$23
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$48–$73
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 55 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $17 in charging
· 0 stops
· 67% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
47.2
0
$16.51
$7.55
Efficient EV
39.3
0
$13.75
$6.29
EV Truck/SUV
62.9
0
$22.01
$10.06
Gas CO2
55 kg
EV CO2
18 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 Apr 20, 2026
Origin
Jackson, MN
Morning
in Jackson on Tuesday
Local time
6:30 AM
CDT
Current temp
57°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
Minneapolis, MN
Morning
in Minneapolis on Tuesday
Local time
6:30 AM
CDT
Current temp
59°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
2 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
3h 16m on the road
Use the two city cards together: check the sky where you start, then compare it with the local time and temperature at arrival.
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 rather than a monotonous interstate cruise, as this route relies on a mix of secondary roads. You will navigate through changing scenery as you transition away from the highway stretches that define the initial portion of your trip. Because the route features a 0% highway share for the specific local segments, you should remain alert for frequent intersections and changes in speed limits. The road demands active attention, offering a more engaged experience behind the wheel than a standard high-speed corridor. Be prepared for a shift in pace as you move from the open stretches of Jackson into the more structured local road network.
94% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
35 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 59.5 mi on US 169.
How Hard Is This Drive?
10/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on US 169 and State Highway 60. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 36.2 miles in near MN 4.
Driving Effort10/10
High effort - long or complex enough to need steady focus all day
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This is a demanding drive. With 20 significant decision points across 157.2 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 36.2 miles (MN 4): Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 128.4 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 142.8 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
Between Jackson, MN and Minneapolis, MN, road signs point toward Sherburn, Mankato and Cr 78: Chaska.
Minneapolis is a city of about 430,000 people (2019) and the largest city in Minnesota. Along with neighboring Saint Paul, it forms the urban core of the Twin Cities region, the third largest metropolitan area in the Midwest after Chicago and Detroit.
Doable as a same-day drive at 3h 16m. Total distance: 157.2 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
3h 16m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (94%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 59.5 miles on US 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 Minneapolis, 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 36.2 miles (MN 4): Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 128.4 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 142.8 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Possible but tiring. At 3.3 hours each way, an in-and-out day trip would put you behind the wheel for 6.5 hours — manageable with a long break at Minneapolis, MN, but most travelers stay overnight.
