Lakeville, MN to Spicer, MN is 114.6 miles and takes about 2h 35m via US 12 and I 494, with a fuel budget near $17 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This trip stays within Minnesota, moving from the Midwest region to another part of the Midwest. The route offers a mix of highway driving and surface roads, making it a straightforward drive for a single day. It's a practical option if you're looking for a relatively short trip with minimal fuss.
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
57.3 miles from Lakeville, MN
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 1h 17m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
US 12
15.4 mi
20m
I 494
13.7 mi
17m
US Highway 12
13.3 mi
18m
Parker Avenue East
11.8 mi
13m
Officer Bill Mathews Memorial Highwa
11 mi
14m
I 35W
8.3 mi
9m
Babcock Boulevard
6.1 mi
8m
County Road 4 Northeast
3.8 mi
5m
Longest stretch:
US 12
— 15.4 mi, about 20m
Traffic on I-35
Hour-of-day weekday pattern from 25 FHWA count stations on your route.
Peak
4 PM
~4,290 veh/hr typical
Quietest
2 AM
~243 veh/hr
Peak-to-quiet ratio
17.7×
busier at peak than in the quiet hours
12a6anoon6p11p
Averaged across 34 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 Lakeville, MN and Spicer, 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 5
125 ft·2 sec·Kenwood Trail
8
Continue on CR 5
1.2 mi·2 min·Kenwood Trail
Use the right lane.
9
Take the ramp
0.2 mi·23 sec
Toward I 35 NorthUse the right lane.
10
Merge onto I 35
2.6 mi·2 min·I 35
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
11
Keep slight left at fork onto I 35W
8.3 mi·9 min·I 35W
Use the slight left / slight right lanes.
12
Take the exit
0.3 mi·37 sec
Exit 8B-CToward I 494 East, MN 5 EastUse the straight / slight right lanes.
13
Keep slight left at fork
0.8 mi·1 min
Toward I 494 West, MN 5 West
14
Merge onto I 494; MN 5
5.8 mi·7 min·I 494; MN 5
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
15
Keep slight left at fork onto I 494; MN 5
7.9 mi·9 min·I 494; MN 5
Use the straight / right lanes.
16
Take the exit
0.3 mi·33 sec
Exit 19BToward US 12 West: WayzataUse the straight / right lanes.
17
Merge onto I 394
80 ft·1 sec·I 394
Exit 1A
18
Keep slight left at fork
0.4 mi·28 sec
Toward US 12 West: Carlson Parkway, Linner Road
19
Keep slight left at fork
0.5 mi·52 sec
Toward US 12 West: WayzataUse the straight / right lanes.
20
Merge onto US 12
11 mi·14 min·Officer Bill Mathews Memorial Highwa
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
21
Enter roundabout onto US 12
135 ft·1 sec·Babcock Boulevard
22
Continue on US 12
2.0 mi·2 min·Babcock Boulevard
23
Keep slight right at fork onto US 12
4.1 mi·5 min·Babcock Boulevard
24
Continue on US 12
3.6 mi·5 min·US 12
25
Continue on US 12
0.2 mi·19 sec·60th Street Southeast
26
Continue on US 12
0.6 mi·51 sec·US 12
27
Turn slight right onto US 12; MN 25
0.5 mi·39 sec·60th Street Southeast
28
Merge onto US 12; MN 25
1.3 mi·1 min·US 12; MN 25
29
Continue on US 12; MN 25
1.1 mi·2 min·Nelson Boulevard
30
Continue on US 12
1.9 mi·2 min·US 12
31
Continue on US 12
0.7 mi·1 min·Pacific Avenue
32
Continue on US 12
4.1 mi·5 min·US 12
33
Continue on US 12
1.0 mi·2 min·6th Street
34
Continue on US 12
3.5 mi·4 min·60th Street Southwest
35
Continue on US 12
1.9 mi·2 min·US 12
36
Continue on US 12
1.1 mi·1 min·Cokato Street
37
Continue on US 12
2.7 mi·3 min·50th Street Southwest
38
Continue on US 12
2.0 mi·2 min·US 12
39
Continue on US 12
12 mi·13 min·Parker Avenue East
40
Turn right onto US 12; MN 22
0.9 mi·2 min·North Sibley Avenue
41
Continue on US 12; MN 22
13 mi·18 min·US Highway 12
42
Continue on US 12
2.5 mi·3 min·15th Ave Northeast
43
Turn right onto CR 4
3.8 mi·5 min·County Road 4 Northeast
44
Turn left onto CR 26
3.1 mi·4 min·60th Avenue Northeast
45
Turn right onto CR 8
3.2 mi·4 min·CR 8
46
At end of road, turn left onto CR 10
0.5 mi·1 min·Lake Avenue South
47
Turn right onto MN 23
0.3 mi·41 sec·MN 23
48
Continue on MN 23
0.2 mi·30 sec·MN 23
49
Arrive at destination
MN 23
Trip Plan
Given the 2h 35m duration, leaving Lakeville in the morning allows ample time to reach Spicer without feeling rushed. With only one recommended stop, you have flexibility in how you pace the drive. Keep an eye on your fuel, as the estimated cost is $17; it's always wise to fill up before you get too low, especially when transitioning from highway to surface roads. A good time to refuel might be before you leave US 12 for smaller local routes closer to Spicer.
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.
Plan roughly 1 meaningful break for fuel, food, and rest.
The halfway point lands around 57.3 miles from Lakeville, MN, or about 1h 17m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 15.4 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 25 miles or 33m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 57.3 miles or 1h 17m 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 5m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Spicer, 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.
+
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 Lakeville, MN
This is one driving day of about 114.6 miles and 2h 35m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 25 miles from Lakeville, 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 12 for about 15.4 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 25
5 decision points cluster between mile 4.5 and 31.1 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
6
4.5 mi into trip|~7m in
Take the ramp toward I 35 North
Lane positioning matters here
Use the right lane.
Toward I 35 North
6
7.3 mi into trip|~10m in|I 35W
Keep slight left at fork onto I 35W
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight left / slight right lanes.
8
15.6 mi into trip|~20m 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 straight / slight right lanes.
Exit 8B-C
Toward I 494 East, MN 5 East
7
30.4 mi into trip|~40m in
Take the exit toward US 12 West: Wayzata
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / right lanes.
Exit 19B
Toward US 12 West: Wayzata
7
31.1 mi into trip|~41m in
Keep slight left at fork toward US 12 West: Wayzata
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / right lanes.
Toward US 12 West: Wayzata
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$18.81 one way
$37.63 round trip
$4.17/gal25.4 MPG avg40 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.46
$20.12
$40.25
premium
$4.95
$22.32
$44.65
diesel
$5.35
$24.14
$48.28
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$19
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$44–$69
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 40.1 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-06-01.
Driving Electric?
About $12 in charging
· 0 stops
· 68% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
34.4
0
$12.03
$5.50
Efficient EV
28.7
0
$10.03
$4.58
EV Truck/SUV
45.8
0
$16.04
$7.33
Gas CO2
40 kg
EV CO2
13 kg (68% 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 Jun 2, 2026
Origin
Lakeville, MN
Afternoon
in Lakeville on Wednesday
Local time
4:41 PM
CDT
Current temp
82°F
Mostly Sunny
SSE 5 mph0% chanceLive forecast
Special Weather Statement
Special Weather Statement issued June 2 at 11:32AM CDT by NWS Duluth MN
Special Weather Statement
Special Weather Statement issued June 2 at 5:02AM CDT by NWS Grand Forks ND
Destination
Spicer, MN
Afternoon
in Spicer on Wednesday
Local time
4:41 PM
CDT
Current temp
81°F
Mostly Sunny
SSE 10 mph0% chanceLive forecast
Special Weather Statement
Special Weather Statement issued June 2 at 11:32AM CDT by NWS Duluth MN
Special Weather Statement
Special Weather Statement issued June 2 at 5:02AM 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
1 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
2h 35m on the road
The weather snapshot is not static. If you are leaving later, give both cities one more quick forecast check before departure.
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 drive is about 50% highway, meaning you'll transition from faster Interstate speeds to surface roads. The longest continuous stretch on a single road is 15.4 miles on US 12. Expect to encounter denser traffic and more frequent exits as you navigate I 494 before the route shifts to US Highway 12. The profile is mixed highway and surface, so be prepared for a change in pace.
50% highway, the rest on surface roads — varied driving throughout.
49 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 15.4 mi on US 12.
How Hard Is This Drive?
10/10
This route mixes highway mileage with some local-road sections near the start or finish. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 4.5 miles in.
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 25 significant decision points across 114.6 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 4.5 miles: Lane positioning matters here; at 7.3 miles (I 35W): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 15.6 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Elevation Profile
Mostly flat terrain
1,218 ft843 ft
Total Climb
521 ft
Total Descent
323 ft
Highest Point
1,218 ft
~98.2 mi in
Elevation Range
375 ft
Detours Along the Way
Tagged by where each one fits in your drive — first break, midpoint, final stretch.
Doable as a same-day drive at 2h 35m. Total distance: 114.6 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
2h 35m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (50%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 15.4 miles on US 12. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Yes — we found about 1 rest area or service plaza 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 Spicer, 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 1 rest area along the route for bathroom stops.
The main spots that need attention: at 4.5 miles: Lane positioning matters here; at 7.3 miles (I 35W): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 15.6 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Yes. A round trip is manageable in a single day if you plan a break at Spicer, MN before heading back.
