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Trip from Mahnomen, MN to Minneapolis, MN

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

Drive Time

4h 38m

Distance

235.7 mi

379 km

Drive Score

9/10

Great drive

Same Day?

Yes, doable

Fuel Cost

$35

one way

EV Charging

Unknown

Best Time to Leave

Save up to 40 min
4 AM
4h 25m ★
6 AM
4h 38m
8 AM
5h 5m
10 AM
4h 48m
12 PM
4h 45m
3 PM
4h 49m
5 PM
5h 4m
8 PM
4h 30m

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

city in Minnesota, United States

Mahnomen, MN

Wikimedia Commons

Trip Overview

This 235.7-mile journey from Mahnomen, MN, to Minneapolis, MN, is a manageable one-day drive, taking approximately 4 hours and 38 minutes. You'll primarily travel on US 10 and US 59, with about 60% of the route on highways. The estimated fuel cost for this trip is around $35, making it an economical option. This drive offers a mixed terrain, perfect for experiencing the heart of the Midwest without feeling rushed. Given its duration, it's well-suited for a single-day excursion, allowing you to reach your destination with time to spare.

Trip Pace

Same-day drive is realistic

A same-day return is possible, but it will make for a full day on the road.

Break Rhythm

1 planned break

Plan on a short reset every 3 to 4 hours to stay fresh behind the wheel.

Midpoint

117.8 miles from Mahnomen, MN

A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 2h 16m into the drive .

Main Roads

Road Distance Duration
West Mason Avenue 78.4 mi 1h 29m
US 10 71.1 mi 1h 22m
US 59 35.2 mi 40m
I 94 34.1 mi 38m
Ash Avenue Northwest 7.3 mi 8m
165th Avenue Southeast 1.8 mi 2m
Broadway Street East 1.5 mi 2m
Park Boulevard Southeast 1.4 mi 1m
Longest stretch: West Mason Avenue — 78.4 mi, about 1h 29m

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between Mahnomen, MN and Minneapolis, MN.

1

Start on West Monroe Avenue

8 ft · 2 sec · West Monroe Avenue
2

Turn right onto South Main Street

0.3 mi · 46 sec · South Main Street
3

Turn left onto East Jefferson Avenue

0.3 mi · 47 sec · East Jefferson Avenue
4

At end of road, turn right onto US 59

35 mi · 40 min · US 59
5

Turn left onto US 10

45 mi · 51 min · US 10
6

Enter roundabout

103 ft · 1 sec
7

Continue

66 ft · 0 sec
8

Turn straight onto US 10

7.3 mi · 8 min · Ash Avenue Northwest
9

Continue on US 10

78 mi · 1 hr 29 min · West Mason Avenue
Use the right lane.
10

Keep slight left at fork onto US 10

26 mi · 30 min · US 10
11

Turn right onto 165th Avenue Southeast

1.8 mi · 2 min · 165th Avenue Southeast
12

Continue on Park Boulevard Southeast

1.4 mi · 1 min · Park Boulevard Southeast
13

Continue on County Road 11

0.7 mi · 57 sec · County Road 11
14

Turn right onto MN 25

0.1 mi · 11 sec · State Highway 25
15

Continue on MN 25

0.3 mi · 42 sec · Pine Street
16

Turn left onto CR 75

1.5 mi · 2 min · Broadway Street East
17

Turn right onto CR 18

0.3 mi · 40 sec · Fenning Avenue
18

Take the ramp

0.4 mi · 54 sec
19

Merge onto I 94

28 mi · 31 min · I 94
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
20

Keep slight right at fork onto I 94

6.1 mi · 7 min · I 94
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
21

Keep slight right at fork

0.4 mi · 25 sec
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
22

Keep slight left at fork

1.0 mi · 2 min
Toward 4th Street North Use the straight / slight right lanes.
23

Keep slight right at fork

0.3 mi · 40 sec
Toward 2nd Avenue North Use the straight / slight left lanes.
24

Turn left onto 2nd Avenue North

0.2 mi · 35 sec · 2nd Avenue North
25

Turn right onto CR 152

0.6 mi · 1 min · North Washington Avenue
Use the straight / right lanes.
26

Continue on CR 152

0.2 mi · 31 sec · Washington Avenue South
Use the left lane.
27

Arrive at destination

CR 152

Trip Plan

For this 235.7-mile trip, departing in the morning is advisable to maximize daylight and allow for a relaxed pace. With a total duration of under five hours, you might only need one planned stop for fuel or a break. Keep an eye on your fuel gauge, especially before embarking on the longest stretch of 78.4 miles. Since this is a straightforward, single-day drive, you have the flexibility to adjust your departure time based on your preferences. Enjoy the straightforward progression through Minnesota.

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 117.8 miles from Mahnomen, MN, or about 2h 16m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 78.4 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 52 miles or 1h in

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

Halfway reset

Around 117.8 miles or 2h 16m in

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

Final approach

Final hour starts around 3h 43m

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 Mahnomen, 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 Mahnomen, MN

This is one driving day of about 235.7 miles and 4h 38m.

Your first comfortable stop window is around 52 miles from Mahnomen, 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 West Mason Avenue for about 78.4 miles.

Where to Stop

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

city in Morrison County, Minnesota, United States

Mid-route town

Meal stop

Little Falls, MN

118 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.

Popular next leg

Little Falls, MN to Minneapolis, MN

96.1 mi · 1h 59m

Pacing Suggestions

Perham, MN

Fuel and coffee

A short stop after about 52 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.

Little Falls, MN

Meal break

The midpoint is around 117.8 miles from Mahnomen, MN, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.

Before the longest stretch

Fuel check

Top up before West Mason Avenue if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 78.4 miles.

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

Nearby Places

Restaurants, cafes, gas stations and more along your route.

Top Restaurant

FIKA Café

4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Minneapolis, Minnesota

Near the end, short detour

1.7 mi from route ~4 min detour $20 to $30 mile 235.7

Hours: 10 am–8 pm

+16125245108

Visit website

Lake and Bryant Cafe

4.8 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Minneapolis, Minnesota

2.5 mi

Hamdi Restaurant

4.2 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Minneapolis, Minnesota

2.2 mi

Top Coffee Stop

Spyhouse Coffee Roasters | Downtown / Emery

4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Minneapolis, Minnesota

Near the end, right off the route

0.2 mi from route $1 to $10 mile 235.7

Hours: 6:30 am–5 pm

Visit website

Fawkes Alley Coffee

4.8 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Minneapolis, Minnesota

1.2 mi

Bordertown Coffee

4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Minneapolis, Minnesota

1.5 mi

FIKA Café

4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, short detour

1.7 mi from route ~4 min detour $20 to $30 mile 235.7

Minneapolis, Minnesota

Hours: 10 am–8 pm

+16125245108

Visit website

Lake and Bryant Cafe

4.8 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, short detour

2.5 mi from route ~6 min detour $10 to $20 mile 235.7

Minneapolis, Minnesota

Hours: 7 am–5 pm

+16126594450

Visit website

Hamdi Restaurant

4.2 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Near the end, short detour

2.2 mi from route ~5 min detour $10 to $20 mile 235.7

Minneapolis, Minnesota

Hours: 10 am–10 pm

+16128239660

Visit website

Lake & Irving Restaurant & Bar

4.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, short detour

2.9 mi from route ~7 min detour $20 to $30 mile 235.7

Minneapolis, Minnesota

Hours: 4–9 pm

+16123542453

Visit website

The Coffee Shop NE

4.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, short detour

3.1 mi from route ~8 min detour $10 to $20 mile 235.7

Minneapolis, Minnesota

Hours: 6:30 am–6 pm

+16122598478

Visit website

Lynde’s Restaurant & Catering

4.5 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, short detour

3.3 mi from route ~8 min detour $10 to $20 mile 218.8

Osseo, Minnesota

Hours: 6 am–2 pm

+17634243696

Visit website

Finnish Bistro Coffee & Cafe

4.5 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, short detour

3.4 mi from route ~8 min detour $10 to $20 mile 235.7

St Paul, Minnesota

Hours: 6:30 am–8:30 pm

+16516459181

Visit website

Key West Bistro

4.9 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, ~9 min detour

3.5 mi from route ~9 min detour $10 to $20 mile 235.7

Minneapolis, Minnesota

Hours: 8:30 am–6 pm

+16127299718

Visit website

Spyhouse Coffee Roasters | Downtown / Emery

4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, right off the route

0.2 mi from route $1 to $10 mile 235.7

Minneapolis, Minnesota

Hours: 6:30 am–5 pm

Visit website

Fawkes Alley Coffee

4.8 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, short detour

1.2 mi from route ~3 min detour $1 to $10 mile 235.7

Minneapolis, Minnesota

Hours: 8 am–4 pm

Visit website

Bordertown Coffee

4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, short detour

1.5 mi from route ~4 min detour $10 to $20 mile 235.7

Minneapolis, Minnesota

Hours: 7:30 am–6 pm

+16123797277

Visit website

Spyhouse Coffee Roasters | Northeast

4.4 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Near the end, short detour

1.6 mi from route ~4 min detour $1 to $10 mile 235.7

Minneapolis, Minnesota

Hours: 7 am–7 pm

+16123454348

Visit website

Caffetto Coffee House

4.5 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, short detour

1.8 mi from route ~4 min detour $1 to $10 mile 235.7

Minneapolis, Minnesota

Hours: 7 am–12 pm

+16128720911

Visit website

Code Blu Coffee

4.8 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, short detour

1.9 mi from route ~5 min detour $1 to $10 mile 235.7

Minneapolis, Minnesota

Hours: 6 am–4 pm

Visit website

Mojo Coffee Gallery

4.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, short detour

2.1 mi from route ~5 min detour $10 to $20 mile 235.7

Minneapolis, Minnesota

Hours: 7 am–6 pm

+16123614949

Visit website

SK Coffee: Whittier

4.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, short detour

1.9 mi from route ~5 min detour $1 to $10 mile 235.7

Minneapolis, Minnesota

Hours: 7:30 am–5 pm

+16128706114

Visit website

Bad Axe Throwing Minneapolis City Center

4.9 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, right off the route

0.5 mi from route ~1 min detour $40 to $50 mile 235.7

Minneapolis, Minnesota

Hours: 6–9:30 pm

+18448180999

Visit website

Prince The Tour

4.5 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, right off the route

0.4 mi from route ~1 min detour mile 235.7

Minneapolis, Minnesota

Hours: 10 am–4 pm

+16127102923

Playground Plaza

4.3 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Near the end, short detour

2.3 mi from route ~6 min detour mile 218.8

Maple Grove, Minnesota

Hours: 7 am–9 pm

+17632283833

Visit website

Summerland Family Fun Park

4.4 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Later in the drive, short detour

2.8 mi from route ~7 min detour mile 168.3

Sauk Rapids, Minnesota

Hours: Closed

+13202510940

Visit website

Becker County Parks & Recreation

4.3 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Near the start, short detour

2.6 mi from route ~7 min detour mile 33.7

Detroit Lakes, Minnesota

Hours: 6 am–10 pm

+12188462612

Visit website

Granite City Jump

4.4 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Later in the drive, ~10 min detour

4 mi from route ~10 min detour mile 168.3

St Cloud, Minnesota

Hours: 10 am–8 pm

+13203422148

Visit website

Place data sourced from public business listings. Hours and availability may vary.

Heads-up: tricky spots

5 of 16

5 decision points cluster between mile 227 and 234.9 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.

6
227 mi into trip | ~4h 24m in | I 94

Keep slight right at fork onto I 94

Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here

Use the straight / slight right lanes.
6
233.1 mi into trip | ~4h 32m in

Keep slight right at fork

Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here

Use the straight / slight right lanes.
7
233.5 mi into trip | ~4h 32m in

Keep slight left at fork toward 4th Street North

Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here

Use the straight / slight right lanes. Toward 4th Street North
7
234.5 mi into trip | ~4h 34m in

Keep slight right at fork toward 2nd Avenue North

Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here

Use the straight / slight left lanes. Toward 2nd Avenue North
6
234.9 mi into trip | ~4h 35m in | CR 152 / North Washington Avenue

Turn right onto CR 152 / North Washington Avenue

Lane positioning matters here

Use the straight / right lanes.

Fuel & Cost

Regular Gas

$35.08 one way

$70.15 round trip

$3.78/gal 25.4 MPG avg 83 kg CO2
Fuel Type $/gal One Way Round Trip
midgrade $4.07 $37.80 $75.59
premium $4.53 $42.05 $84.11
diesel $5.61 $52.04 $104.08

No toll roads detected on this route.

Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)

Fuel

$35

Meals

$25–$50

Total

$60–$85

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

Estimated CO2 emission: 82.5 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.

Driving Electric?

About $25 in charging · 0 stops · 66% less CO2

Vehicle Type kWh Stops DC Fast Home Charge
Average EV 70.7 0 $24.75 $11.31
Efficient EV 58.9 0 $20.62 $9.43
EV Truck/SUV 94.3 1 $33.00 $15.08

Gas CO2

82 kg

EV CO2

28 kg (66% less)

Plan for 0 charging stops, roughly every 270 miles. Allow 25-40 minutes per stop at a DC fast charger.

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 17, 2026

Origin

Mahnomen, MN

Evening in Mahnomen on Saturday

Local time

8:26 PM

CDT

Current temp

37°F

Chance Light Snow

NW 18 to 22 mph 25% chance Live forecast

Flood Warning

Flood Warning issued April 17 at 8:21AM CDT until April 22 at 1:00PM CDT by NWS Grand Forks ND

Special Weather Statement

Special Weather Statement issued April 17 at 8:17AM CDT by NWS Twin Cities/Chanhassen MN

Destination

Minneapolis, MN

Evening in Minneapolis on Saturday

Local time

8:26 PM

CDT

Current temp

67°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

40°F

Little Falls, MN

118 mi in

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

30 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

4h 38m on the road

An early start around 7-8 AM gets you there with plenty of daylight left.

Weather data from the National Weather Service. Conditions may change; check closer to your travel date.

What kind of drive is this?

The character of this drive is a blend of efficient highway travel and local road cruising. With 60% of the route utilizing highways, you'll experience periods of consistent speed. However, the drive also incorporates stretches on local roads, adding variety. The longest uninterrupted segment you'll encounter is 78.4 miles on West Mason Avenue, offering a substantial period of continuous travel. This mixed profile means you'll experience different driving dynamics throughout the 4-hour, 38-minute journey.

60% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
27 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 78.4 mi on West Mason Avenue.

How Hard Is This Drive?

7/10

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 227 miles in near I 94.

Driving Effort 7/10

Demanding - plan breaks and stay ahead of the key maneuvers

Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.

This is a demanding drive. With 16 significant decision points across 235.7 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 227 miles (I 94): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 233.1 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 233.5 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.

Who Is This Route For?

Weekend Trip

Doable as a same-day drive at 4h 38m. Total distance: 235.7 miles.

Family Friendly

Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.

Solo Traveler

4h 38m drive, comfortable solo distance.

Frequently Asked Questions

The longest stretch is about 78.4 miles on West Mason Avenue. 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 227 miles (I 94): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 233.1 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 233.5 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.

Possible but tiring. At 4.6 hours each way, an in-and-out day trip would put you behind the wheel for 9.3 hours — manageable with a long break at Minneapolis, MN, but most travelers stay overnight.

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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