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Trip from Lakeville, MN to New Ulm, MN

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

Drive Time

1h 53m

Distance

83.8 mi

135 km

Drive Score

9/10

Great drive

Same Day?

Yes, doable

Fuel Cost

$12

one way

EV Charging

Unknown

Best Time to Leave

Save up to 24 min
4 AM
1h 46m ★
6 AM
1h 54m
8 AM
2h 10m
10 AM
2h 0m
12 PM
1h 58m
3 PM
2h 0m
5 PM
2h 10m
8 PM
1h 49m

Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.

city in Dakota County, Minnesota, United States

Lakeville, MN

Wikimedia Commons

city in Minnesota, USA

New Ulm, MN

Wikimedia Commons

Trip Overview

This straightforward 83.8-mile drive from Lakeville, MN to New Ulm, MN is easily manageable as a single-day trip, taking about 1 hour and 53 minutes. You'll primarily be on US 169 and US Highway 14, with a section of State Highway 99. With a fuel cost estimated at $12, it's an economical option for exploring the Midwest. The route is mostly highway driving, making it a functional journey rather than a scenic exploration. It's a solid choice if you're looking for a direct and efficient way to get between these two Minnesota communities.

Trip Pace

Same-day drive is realistic

A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.

Midpoint

41.9 miles from Lakeville, MN

A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 56m into the drive .

Main Roads

Road Distance Duration
US 169 33.4 mi 40m
US Highway 14 11 mi 12m
State Highway 99 10.8 mi 14m
Country Trail West /Richard J. Ames Memorial Highway 5 mi 6m
Langford Boulevard /Richard J. Ames Memorial Highway 2.9 mi 3m
Eagle Creek Avenue /Richard J. Ames Memorial Highway 2.5 mi 3m
Cleary Lake Avenue /Richard J. Ames Memorial Highway 2.3 mi 3m
185th Street West /Richard J. Ames Memorial Highway 2 mi 3m
Longest stretch: US 169 — 33.4 mi, about 40m

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between Lakeville, MN and New Ulm, MN.

1

Start on 207th Street West

22 ft · 5 sec · 207th Street West
2

Turn right onto Holyoke Avenue

0.4 mi · 1 min · Holyoke Avenue
3

Enter roundabout onto CR 50

198 ft · 3 sec · 202nd Street West / Richard J. Ames Memorial Highway
4

Continue on CR 50

0.5 mi · 50 sec · 202nd Street West / Richard J. Ames Memorial Highway
5

Continue on CR 5

0.7 mi · 1 min · Kenwood Trail / Richard J. Ames Memorial Highway
6

Continue on CR 5

1.6 mi · 2 min · Kenwood Trail /Richard J. Ames Memorial Highway
7

Enter roundabout onto CR 60

244 ft · 4 sec · 185th Street West /Richard J. Ames Memorial Highway
8

Continue on CR 60

2.0 mi · 3 min · 185th Street West /Richard J. Ames Memorial Highway
Use the left lane.
9

Continue on CR 21

1.0 mi · 1 min · 185th Street East /Richard J. Ames Memorial Highway
10

Continue on CR 21

2.3 mi · 3 min · Cleary Lake Avenue /Richard J. Ames Memorial Highway
11

Continue on CR 21

2.5 mi · 3 min · Eagle Creek Avenue /Richard J. Ames Memorial Highway
Use the left lane.
12

Enter roundabout onto MN 13

232 ft · 4 sec · Richard J. Ames Memorial Highway
13

Continue on MN 13

0.8 mi · 1 min · Richard J. Ames Memorial Highway
14

Continue on MN 13

0.5 mi · 49 sec · Langford Boulevard/Richard J. Ames Memorial Highway
15

Continue on MN 13

2.9 mi · 3 min · Langford Boulevard /Richard J. Ames Memorial Highway
16

Turn slight right

0.1 mi · 9 sec
17

Continue on MN 282

1.3 mi · 1 min · Country Trail East /Richard J. Ames Memorial Highway
18

Continue on MN 282

5.0 mi · 6 min · Country Trail West /Richard J. Ames Memorial Highway
19

Continue on MN 282

0.5 mi · 50 sec · East 2nd Street /Richard J. Ames Memorial Highway
20

Continue on MN 282

0.6 mi · 1 min · 2nd Street East
21

Enter roundabout onto MN 282

107 ft · 2 sec · 2nd Street West
22

Continue on MN 282

0.2 mi · 22 sec · 2nd Street West
Use the straight lane.
23

Turn left onto US 169

5.8 mi · 6 min · US 169
Use the left lane.
24

Continue on US 169

3.8 mi · 4 min · US 169
Use the straight lane.
25

Continue on US 169

24 mi · 29 min · US 169
Use the straight lane.
26

Continue on US 169; MN 99

0.1 mi · 13 sec · US 169; MN 99
Use the straight lane.
27

Continue on MN 99

11 mi · 14 min · State Highway 99
Use the straight lane.
28

Continue on MN 99

1.6 mi · 3 min · 3rd Street
29

Continue on Old Highway 14

0.5 mi · 50 sec · Old Highway 14
30

Turn left onto 417st Lane

0.2 mi · 36 sec · 417st Lane
Use the left lane.
31

Turn right onto US 14

11 mi · 12 min · US Highway 14
32

Take the exit

0.3 mi · 47 sec
Toward CR 37
33

Continue on CR 37

0.3 mi · 31 sec · County Road 37
34

Continue on CR 37

0.4 mi · 38 sec · Highway 37
35

Continue on 20th South Street

0.4 mi · 1 min · 20th South Street
Use the straight / right lanes.
36

Turn right onto MN 15; MN 68

1.7 mi · 3 min · South Broadway
Use the straight / right lanes.
37

Turn left onto CR 13

524 ft · 24 sec · Center Street
Use the left lane.
38

Continue on CR 13

440 ft · 20 sec · Center Street
Use the left lane.
39

Arrive at destination

CR 13

Trip Plan

Given its short 1 hour and 53-minute duration, this trip offers plenty of flexibility; you can depart whenever suits your schedule. There are no designated stops provided, so plan your own breaks as needed, perhaps around the 33.4-mile mark on US 169. Keep an eye on your fuel gauge, especially since the estimated cost is $12, and it’s wise to fill up before you leave Lakeville or when you see stations along US Highway 14. The predominantly highway nature means you can maintain a steady pace, making it a simple one-day excursion.

Morning Departure

Leave by 9 AM and you'll arrive before lunch.

Evening Departure

Even a 4 PM departure gets you there before dark in summer.

You can normally do this drive in one day.
You may only need one short stretch break if traffic stays light.
The halfway point lands around 41.9 miles from Lakeville, MN, or about 56m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 33.4 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 18 miles or 26m in

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

Halfway reset

Around 41.9 miles or 56m in

This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.

Final approach

Final hour starts around 1h 35m

Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near New Ulm, MN than in the middle of the route.

Before You Leave

+

Open the route before leaving Lakeville, MN so your first major turns are already loaded.

Day 1

Settle into the route from Lakeville, MN

This is one driving day of about 83.8 miles and 1h 53m.

Your first comfortable stop window is around 18 miles from Lakeville, MN.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
The longest stretch is on US 169 for about 33.4 miles.

Where to Stop

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

Downtown Norwood Young America, MN, MN

Mid-route town

Meal stop

Norwood Young America, MN

42 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

Jordan, MN

Fuel and coffee

A short stop after about 18 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.

Le Sueur, MN

Meal break

The midpoint is around 41.9 miles from Lakeville, MN, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.

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

Heads-up: tricky spots

5 of 15

5 decision points cluster between mile 0 and 83.8 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.

4
0 mi into trip | ~0m in | Holyoke Avenue

Turn right onto Holyoke Avenue

Navigation decision point

5
0.4 mi into trip | ~1m in | CR 50 / 202nd Street West / Richard J. Ames Memorial Highway

Enter roundabout onto CR 50 / 202nd Street West / Richard J. Ames Memorial Highway

Roundabout - know your exit number before entering

5
22.9 mi into trip | ~33m in | MN 282 / 2nd Street West

Enter roundabout onto MN 282 / 2nd Street West

Roundabout - know your exit number before entering

5
69.3 mi into trip | ~1h 33m in | 417st Lane

Turn left onto 417st Lane

Lane positioning matters here

Use the left lane.
5
83.8 mi into trip | ~1h 53m in | CR 13 / Center Street

Continue onto CR 13 / Center Street

Lane positioning matters here

Use the left lane.

Fuel & Cost

Regular Gas

$12.47 one way

$24.94 round trip

$3.78/gal 25.4 MPG avg 29 kg CO2
Fuel Type $/gal One Way Round Trip
midgrade $4.07 $13.44 $26.88
premium $4.53 $14.95 $29.90
diesel $5.61 $18.50 $37.00

No toll roads detected on this route.

Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)

Fuel

$12

Meals

$25–$50

Total

$37–$62

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

Estimated CO2 emission: 29.3 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.

Driving Electric?

About $9 in charging · 0 stops · 66% less CO2

Vehicle Type kWh Stops DC Fast Home Charge
Average EV 25.1 0 $8.80 $4.02
Efficient EV 21 0 $7.33 $3.35
EV Truck/SUV 33.5 0 $11.73 $5.36

Gas CO2

29 kg

EV CO2

10 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

Lakeville, MN

Morning in Lakeville on Sunday

Local time

9:39 AM

CDT

Current temp

45°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

Destination

New Ulm, MN

Morning in New Ulm on Sunday

Local time

9:39 AM

CDT

Current temp

71°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

26 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

1h 53m 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.

What kind of drive is this?

This is a highway-focused drive, with 67% of the journey utilizing major highways. You'll experience the practicality of US 169 for a significant stretch, including the longest uninterrupted segment of 33.4 miles. Expect a consistent driving experience for much of the trip, designed for steady progress. While not a winding, backroad adventure, the transition between US 169, State Highway 99, and US Highway 14 offers a predictable flow, keeping you moving efficiently toward your destination.

67% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
39 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 33.4 mi on US 169.

How Hard Is This Drive?

4/10

This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on US 169 and US Highway 14. There are only a few real navigation decisions along the way. The trickiest moment comes early in the drive near Holyoke Avenue.

Driving Effort 4/10

Easy - simple navigation with a manageable amount of wheel time

Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.

This is a straightforward 1h 53m drive. You will face about 15 decision points, but nothing that requires special attention if you follow navigation.

Where does it get tricky?

The main spots that need attention: near the start (Holyoke Avenue): Navigation decision point; at 0.4 miles (CR 50 / 202nd Street West / Richard J. Ames Memorial Highway): Roundabout - know your exit number before entering; at 22.9 miles (MN 282 / 2nd Street West): Roundabout - know your exit number before entering.

Who Is This Route For?

Weekend Trip

Doable as a same-day drive at 1h 53m. Total distance: 83.8 miles.

Family Friendly

Moderate complexity with 0 natural rest stops along the way.

Solo Traveler

1h 53m drive, comfortable solo distance.

First-Time Driver

Mostly highway driving (67%). Straightforward navigation.

Frequently Asked Questions

The longest stretch is about 33.4 miles on US 169. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.

Yes. At under 2 hours behind the wheel, this works well for families — plan one quick stop if you have younger kids.

The main spots that need attention: near the start (Holyoke Avenue): Navigation decision point; at 0.4 miles (CR 50 / 202nd Street West / Richard J. Ames Memorial Highway): Roundabout - know your exit number before entering; at 22.9 miles (MN 282 / 2nd Street West): Roundabout - know your exit number before entering.

Yes. A round trip is manageable in a single day if you plan a break at New Ulm, MN before heading back.

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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Explore more options from Lakeville, MN or browse trips ending in New Ulm, MN.

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