Origin
Minneapolis, MN
Afternoon in Minneapolis on Sunday
Local time
12:26 PM
CDT
Current temp
67°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Minneapolis, MN to Branch, MN
Compiled and reviewed by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Apr 19, 2026 · Editorial standards
Drive Time
59m
Distance
45.1 mi
73 km
Drive Score
6/10
Good drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$7
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
0h 54m
★
6 AM
0h 59m
8 AM
1h 9m
10 AM
1h 2m
12 PM
1h 2m
3 PM
1h 3m
5 PM
1h 8m
8 PM
0h 56m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Branch, MN
Tom Fisk
Trip Overview
This straightforward 45.1-mile drive from Minneapolis to Branch, MN, is designed for a single day, taking approximately 59 minutes. You'll spend most of your time on major highways, with an 87% highway share, making it an efficient trip. The estimated fuel cost is around $7, reflecting its short distance and efficient routing. This route is a quick hop within the Midwest region, perfect for those looking for a direct and uncomplicated journey. Given its brevity, no overnight stops are necessary, allowing for maximum flexibility in your schedule.
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| I 35W | 27.8 mi | 31m |
| I 35 | 11.2 mi | 12m |
| Forest Boulevard | 2.6 mi | 6m |
| 372nd Street | 1 mi | 2m |
| Washington Avenue South | 0.9 mi | 2m |
| Athens Trail | 0.4 mi | 1m |
| Hemingway Avenue | 0.3 mi | <1m |
Longest stretch:
I 35W
— 27.8 mi, about 31m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Minneapolis, MN and Branch, MN.
1
Start on CR 152
63 ft
·
9 sec
·
Washington Avenue South
2
Continue on CR 152
0.9 mi
·
2 min
·
Washington Avenue South
Use the left lane.
3
Take the ramp
0.2 mi
·
28 sec
Toward I 35W North
4
Merge onto I 35W
3.7 mi
·
4 min
·
I 35W
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
5
Take the exit
0.3 mi
·
25 sec
Exit 22B
Toward MN 36
Use the slight right lane.
6
Merge onto I 35W
0.3 mi
·
19 sec
·
I 35W
7
Keep slight left at fork onto I 35W
7.1 mi
·
8 min
·
I 35W
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
8
Keep slight left at fork onto I 35W
17 mi
·
18 min
·
I 35W
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
9
Keep slight left at fork onto I 35
11 mi
·
12 min
·
I 35
10
Take the exit
0.3 mi
·
42 sec
Toward CR 17
11
Turn right onto CR 17
0.4 mi
·
1 min
·
Athens Trail
Use the right lane.
12
Turn left onto CR 30
2.6 mi
·
6 min
·
Forest Boulevard
13
Turn right onto 372nd Street
1.0 mi
·
2 min
·
372nd Street
14
At end of road, turn right onto Hemingway Avenue
0.3 mi
·
37 sec
·
Hemingway Avenue
15
Turn right
354 ft
·
25 sec
16
Arrive at destination
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Mid-route town
Meal stop
23 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
Fuel and coffee
A short stop after about 10 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 22.5 miles from Minneapolis, 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 145 decision points cluster between mile 0.9 and 12.5 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
5
0.9 mi into trip
|
~2m in
Take the ramp toward I 35W North
Navigation decision point
Toward I 35W North
5
1.1 mi into trip
|
~3m in
|
I 35W
Merge onto I 35W
Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
7
4.8 mi into trip
|
~8m in
Take the exit toward MN 36
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight right lane.
Exit 22B
Toward MN 36
6
5.4 mi into trip
|
~8m in
|
I 35W
Keep slight left at fork onto I 35W
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
6
12.5 mi into trip
|
~17m in
|
I 35W
Keep slight left at fork onto I 35W
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$6.71 one way
$13.42 round trip
$3.78/gal
25.4 MPG avg
16 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.07 | $7.23 | $14.46 |
| premium | $4.53 | $8.05 | $16.09 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $9.96 | $19.92 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Drive Cost (one way)
Fuel
$7
Estimated CO2 emission: 15.8 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $5 in charging · 0 stops · 69% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 13.5 | 0 | $4.74 | $2.16 |
| Efficient EV | 11.3 | 0 | $3.95 | $1.80 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 18 | 0 | $6.31 | $2.89 |
Gas CO2
16 kg
EV CO2
5 kg (69% 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.
Destination
Branch, MN
Afternoon in Branch on Sunday
Local time
12:26 PM
CDT
Current temp
75°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
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
8 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
59m 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?
Expect a highly highway-focused experience on this trip, with 87% of the route utilizing major roadways like I-35W and I-35. The longest uninterrupted stretch you'll encounter is 27.8 miles, primarily on I-35W, offering a consistent pace. While the majority of the drive is on the interstate, you will transition onto Forest Boulevard as you approach your destination. This suggests a shift from high-speed transit to a more local road feel towards the end of your journey.
87% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
16 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 27.8 mi on I 35W.
How Hard Is This Drive?
10/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 35W and I 35. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 0.9 miles in.
Driving Effort
10/10
Focused - lots of decisions in a short distance, but it is over quickly
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This is a short but busy drive. With 14 decision points packed into just 45.1 miles, you will need to pay attention to lane changes and exits — but the whole thing is over in 59m.
Where does it get tricky?
The main spots that need attention: at 0.9 miles: Navigation decision point; at 1.1 miles (I 35W): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here; at 4.8 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here.
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
On the drive from Minneapolis, MN to Branch, MN, road signs begin pointing toward Cr 17 along the way.
Cr 17
40.5 mi in
|
~47m
About the Cities
Starting in Minneapolis, MN
Full guide →Minneapolis is a city of about 430,000 people (2019) and the largest city in Minnesota. Along with neighboring Saint Paul, it forms the urban core of the Twin Cities region, the third largest metropolitan area in the Midwest after Chicago and Detroit.
City content from Wikivoyage (CC BY-SA 4.0) and Wikidata (CC0).
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 59m. Total distance: 45.1 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 0 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
59m drive, comfortable solo distance.
EV Driver
0 DC fast chargers along the route. Coverage: unknown.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (87%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 27.8 miles on I 35W. 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 Branch, 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 0.9 miles: Navigation decision point; at 1.1 miles (I 35W): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here; at 4.8 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 Branch, 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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