Connecting Little Falls to Lakeville, this 119.4-mile journey takes you through the heart of Minnesota in approximately 2 hours and 27 minutes. You can easily complete this trip in a single day, as it functions perfectly as a straightforward point-to-point drive. Expect to budget about $17 for fuel, keeping your travel costs manageable. The route utilizes US 10, I-94, and I-494 to navigate from the central region toward the southern suburbs. Since the entire trip remains within the Midwest, the transition between these two areas is seamless and familiar. It is an ideal route for those prioritizing efficiency and reliability over winding backroads.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.
Midpoint
59.7 miles from Little Falls, MN
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 1h 14m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
US 10
50.3 mi
58m
I 494
21.9 mi
27m
I 94
21.1 mi
22m
I 35W
11.1 mi
12m
Kenwood Trail /Richard J. Ames Memorial Highway
2.2 mi
3m
165th Avenue Southeast
1.8 mi
2m
Broadway Street East
1.5 mi
2m
1st Street Southeast
1.5 mi
2m
Longest stretch:
US 10
— 50.3 mi, about 58m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Little Falls, MN and Lakeville, MN.
1
Start on 1st Street Southeast
1.5 mi·2 min·1st Street Southeast
2
Continue on CR 76
1.1 mi·1 min·Haven Road
3
Take the ramp
0.3 mi·33 sec
4
Merge onto US 10
24 mi·27 min·US 10
Use the right lane.
5
Keep slight left at fork onto US 10
26 mi·30 min·US 10
6
Turn right onto 165th Avenue Southeast
1.8 mi·2 min·165th Avenue Southeast
7
Continue on Park Boulevard Southeast
1.4 mi·1 min·Park Boulevard Southeast
8
Continue on County Road 11
0.7 mi·57 sec·County Road 11
9
Turn right onto MN 25
0.1 mi·11 sec·State Highway 25
10
Continue on MN 25
0.3 mi·42 sec·Pine Street
11
Turn left onto CR 75
1.5 mi·2 min·Broadway Street East
12
Turn right onto CR 18
0.3 mi·40 sec·Fenning Avenue
13
Take the ramp
0.4 mi·54 sec
14
Merge onto I 94
21 mi·22 min·I 94
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
15
Take the exit
0.4 mi·31 sec
Exit 216Toward I 494 SouthUse the straight / slight right lanes.
16
Continue on I 494
22 mi·27 min·I 494
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
17
Take the exit
0.2 mi·25 sec
Exit 5BToward I 35W South: Albert LeaUse the slight right lane.
18
Continue on this road
0.4 mi·50 sec·this road
Exit 5BToward I 35W South: Albert Lea
19
Merge onto I 35W
11 mi·12 min·I 35W
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
20
Take the exit
0.2 mi·26 sec
Exit 85Toward CR 5, CR 50Use the slight right lane.
21
Turn left onto CR 5
1.3 mi·2 min·Kenwood Trail
Use the left / straight lanes.
22
Enter roundabout onto CR 5
127 ft·2 sec·Kenwood Trail /Richard J. Ames Memorial Highway
23
Continue on CR 5
2.2 mi·3 min·Kenwood Trail /Richard J. Ames Memorial Highway
24
Continue on CR 5
0.1 mi·16 sec·Kenwood Trai/Richard J. Ames Memorial Highway
25
Continue on CR 50
0.5 mi·48 sec·202nd Street West / Richard J. Ames Memorial Highway
Use the straight / right lanes.
26
Enter roundabout onto Holyoke Avenue
12 ft·0 sec·Holyoke Avenue
27
Continue on Holyoke Avenue
0.4 mi·1 min·Holyoke Avenue
28
Turn left onto 207th Street West
22 ft·0 sec·207th Street West
Use the left lane.
29
Arrive at destination
207th Street West
Trip Plan
To make the most of your 119.4-mile trek, plan your departure to avoid peak traffic hours, especially as you approach the I-494 corridor near your destination. Since there are no designated stops programmed into this route, you have the flexibility to power through the 2-hour and 27-minute duration or pull off as needed for fuel and refreshments. Keep an eye on your gas gauge early on US 10 to ensure you are comfortable before entering the busier interstate segments. Because this is a relatively short drive, you have the advantage of being able to leave at your own pace without needing an overnight stay. Prioritize a steady speed to maintain your $17 fuel budget and ensure a smooth arrival in Lakeville.
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 59.7 miles from Little Falls, MN, or about 1h 14m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 50.3 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 26 miles or 31m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 59.7 miles or 1h 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 1h 58m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Lakeville, MN than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving Little Falls, 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 Little Falls, MN
This is one driving day of about 119.4 miles and 2h 27m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 26 miles from Little Falls, MN.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
The longest stretch is on US 10 for about 50.3 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 14
5 decision points cluster between mile 2.8 and 119.4 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
5
2.8 mi into trip|~5m in|US 10
Merge onto US 10
Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here
Use the right lane.
7
80.6 mi into trip|~1h 37m in
Take the exit toward I 494 South
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Exit 216
Toward I 494 South
7
103 mi into trip|~2h 5m in
Take the exit toward I 35W South: Albert Lea
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight right lane.
Exit 5B
Toward I 35W South: Albert Lea
8
114.6 mi into trip|~2h 19m in
Take the exit toward CR 5, CR 50
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the slight right lane.
Exit 85
Toward CR 5, CR 50
6
119.4 mi into trip|~2h 27m in|207th Street West
Turn left onto 207th Street West
Lane positioning matters here
Use the left lane.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$17.77 one way
$35.54 round trip
$3.78/gal25.4 MPG avg42 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.07
$19.15
$38.29
premium
$4.53
$21.30
$42.61
diesel
$5.61
$26.36
$52.72
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$18
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$43–$68
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 41.8 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $13 in charging
· 0 stops
· 67% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
35.8
0
$12.54
$5.73
Efficient EV
29.9
0
$10.45
$4.78
EV Truck/SUV
47.8
0
$16.72
$7.64
Gas CO2
42 kg
EV CO2
14 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 14, 2026
Origin
Little Falls, MN
Night
in Little Falls on Saturday
Local time
11:42 PM
CDT
Current temp
40°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
Lakeville, MN
Night
in Lakeville on Saturday
Local time
11:42 PM
CDT
Current temp
51°F
Chance Showers And Thunderstorms then Patchy Fog
NE 5 to 10 mph30% 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
11 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
2h 27m 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 heavily focused on highway travel, with 88% of your journey spent on high-speed thoroughfares. You will start with a notable 50.3-mile stretch on US 10, which serves as the longest uninterrupted portion of the trip before you transition onto the interstate system. As you move from the more open stretches into the busier corridors of I-94 and I-494, the environment shifts from rural highway driving to a more standard metropolitan flow. Expect a consistent, fast-paced rhythm behind the wheel rather than technical, slow-speed maneuvering. The experience is practical and functional, designed to get you to your destination with minimal diversions.
88% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
29 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 50.3 mi on US 10.
How Hard Is This Drive?
8/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on US 10 and I 494. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 2.8 miles in near US 10.
Driving Effort8/10
Demanding - plan breaks and stay ahead of the key maneuvers
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This is a demanding drive. With 14 significant decision points across 119.4 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 2.8 miles (US 10): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here; at 80.6 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here; at 103 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here.
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 2h 27m. Total distance: 119.4 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 0 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
2h 27m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (88%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 50.3 miles on US 10. 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 Lakeville, 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. Dedicated rest areas are limited, so plan gas or food stops as your bathroom breaks.
The main spots that need attention: at 2.8 miles (US 10): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here; at 80.6 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here; at 103 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here.
Yes. A round trip is manageable in a single day if you plan a break at Lakeville, MN before heading back.
