This straightforward 72.9-mile drive from Lakeville, MN to Stockholm, MN will take you about 1 hour and 43 minutes. It's a perfect candidate for a single-day trip, especially given the estimated fuel cost of just $11. The route is predominantly highway-focused, making for efficient travel through the Midwest region of Minnesota. You'll spend most of your time on major roads like MN 7, MN 5, and I-35W. This isn't a route that demands an overnight stop, so you can easily complete it in one go.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.
Midpoint
36.4 miles from Lakeville, MN
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 49m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
MN 7
27.1 mi
35m
MN 5
10.7 mi
14m
I 35W
8.3 mi
9m
I 494
6.1 mi
7m
County Road 3 Southwest
4.1 mi
7m
County Road 2
2.6 mi
4m
I 35
2.6 mi
2m
County Road 30 Southwest
1.8 mi
4m
Longest stretch:
MN 7
— 27.1 mi, about 35m
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 Stockholm, 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
0.3 mi·25 sec·I 494; MN 5
16
Take the exit onto MN 5
1.8 mi·2 min·MN 5
Exit 11CToward MN 5 West, US 212 WestUse the straight / right lanes.
17
Keep slight right at fork onto MN 5
9.0 mi·12 min·MN 5
Use the slight right lane.
18
Turn right onto CR 13
1.2 mi·1 min·Rolling Acres Road
Use the right lane.
19
Turn left onto MN 7
3.2 mi·4 min·MN 7
20
Enter roundabout onto MN 7
132 ft·2 sec·MN 7
21
Continue on MN 7
5.8 mi·7 min·MN 7
22
Enter roundabout onto MN 7
151 ft·2 sec·MN 7
23
Continue on MN 7
2.5 mi·3 min·MN 7
24
Enter roundabout onto MN 7
163 ft·2 sec·MN 7
25
Continue on MN 7
9.0 mi·11 min·MN 7
26
Enter roundabout onto MN 7
120 ft·1 sec·MN 7
27
Continue on MN 7
6.5 mi·8 min·MN 7
28
Turn right onto CR 2
0.9 mi·1 min·Jade Road
29
Continue on CR 2
0.6 mi·58 sec·County Highway 2
30
Continue on CR 2
2.6 mi·4 min·County Road 2
31
Continue on CR 2
1.0 mi·1 min·County Highway 2
32
Continue on CR 3
4.1 mi·7 min·County Road 3 Southwest
33
Turn left onto CR 30
1.8 mi·4 min·County Road 30 Southwest
34
Arrive at destination
CR 30
Trip Plan
Given the short 1 hour and 43-minute duration and the $11 fuel cost, this trip offers a lot of flexibility. You can depart at your leisure, perhaps in the late morning to avoid early rush hour if I-35W is a factor. There are no designated 'must-stop' points, allowing you to take breaks as needed. Keep an eye on your fuel gauge, though with such a short distance, you're unlikely to encounter issues. A practical tip for this route: since the longest stretch is 27.1 miles on MN 7, plan any quick stops before or after that segment to maintain momentum.
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 36.4 miles from Lakeville, MN, or about 49m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 27.1 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 16 miles or 21m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 36.4 miles or 49m 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 22m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Stockholm, 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 72.9 miles and 1h 43m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 16 miles from Lakeville, MN.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
The longest stretch is on MN 7 for about 27.1 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 4.5 and 22.8 — 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
6
15.9 mi into trip|~21m in
Keep slight left at fork toward I 494 West, MN 5 West
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Toward I 494 West, MN 5 West
8
22.8 mi into trip|~30m in|MN 5
Take the exit onto MN 5 toward MN 5 West, US 212 West
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the straight / right lanes.
Exit 11C
Toward MN 5 West, US 212 West
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$11.97 one way
$23.94 round trip
$4.17/gal25.4 MPG avg26 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.46
$12.80
$25.60
premium
$4.95
$14.20
$28.40
diesel
$5.35
$15.35
$30.71
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: 25.5 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-06-01.
Driving Electric?
About $8 in charging
· 0 stops
· 65% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
21.9
0
$7.65
$3.50
Efficient EV
18.2
0
$6.38
$2.92
EV Truck/SUV
29.2
0
$10.21
$4.67
Gas CO2
26 kg
EV CO2
9 kg (65% 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 May 31, 2026
Origin
Lakeville, MN
Afternoon
in Lakeville on Wednesday
Local time
4:43 PM
CDT
Current temp
57°F
Mostly Cloudy
ESE 10 to 15 mph12% chanceLive forecast
Destination
Stockholm, MN
Afternoon
in Stockholm on Wednesday
Local time
4:43 PM
CDT
Current temp
57°F
Mostly Cloudy then Slight Chance Rain Showers
ESE 10 to 15 mph22% chanceLive 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
Very similar conditions
Both ends of the route are sitting at about the same temperature right now.
Road read
1h 43m 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?
Expect a highway-focused experience on this 72.9-mile journey, with a significant 78% of the drive utilizing major roadways. The longest uninterrupted stretch you'll encounter is 27.1 miles on MN 7. This means you'll generally be on well-maintained, faster roads, offering a smooth and predictable drive. While primarily a highway route, the transition between MN 7, MN 5, and I-35W will provide some variation in the road's character. It's designed for covering distance efficiently rather than for leisurely exploration.
78% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
34 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 27.1 mi on MN 7.
How Hard Is This Drive?
9/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on MN 7 and MN 5. 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 Effort9/10
Demanding - stay alert through the decision-heavy sections
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This drive requires moderate attention. Across 72.9 miles you will encounter 20 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 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.
Doable as a same-day drive at 1h 43m. Total distance: 72.9 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 0 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
1h 43m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (78%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 27.1 miles on MN 7. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
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 Stockholm, MN before sunset when you can. Check the Trip Plan for departure windows that land you in daylight.
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: 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 Stockholm, MN before heading back.
