Origin
Minneapolis, MN
Afternoon in Minneapolis on Sunday
Local time
3:21 PM
CDT
Current temp
67°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Minneapolis, MN to Cottonwood, MN
Compiled and reviewed by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Apr 19, 2026 · Editorial standards
Drive Time
3h 2m
Distance
140.5 mi
226 km
Drive Score
8/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$21
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
2h 51m
★
6 AM
3h 2m
8 AM
3h 25m
10 AM
3h 10m
12 PM
3h 8m
3 PM
3h 11m
5 PM
3h 24m
8 PM
2h 55m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Cottonwood, MN
Wikimedia Commons
Trip Overview
This straightforward 140.5-mile drive from Minneapolis to Cottonwood, MN, is easily manageable as a single-day trip, taking approximately 3 hours and 2 minutes to complete. The route primarily utilizes US Highway 212, with a brief section on State Highway 23/67, keeping you on high-speed roads for about 97% of the journey. With an estimated fuel cost of $21, it's an economical option for exploring the Midwest. This highway-focused drive offers a direct path, making it a practical choice when you want to get from point A to point B efficiently within Minnesota.
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
70.3 miles from Minneapolis, MN
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h 29m into the drive .
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| US Highway 212 | 71.8 mi | 1h 34m |
| US 212 | 41 mi | 48m |
| State Highway 23/67 | 14.9 mi | 18m |
| MN 100 | 4.7 mi | 5m |
| I 394 | 3.3 mi | 4m |
| Crosstown Highway | 1.7 mi | 2m |
| Barstad Road | 0.6 mi | 1m |
| Washington Avenue South | 0.4 mi | 1m |
Longest stretch:
US Highway 212
— 71.8 mi, about 1h 34m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Minneapolis, MN and Cottonwood, MN.
1
Start on CR 152
0.4 mi
·
1 min
·
Washington Avenue South
2
Turn left onto North 1st Avenue
426 ft
·
18 sec
·
North 1st Avenue
Use the left lane.
3
Turn right onto North 3rd Street
418 ft
·
16 sec
·
North 3rd Street
4
Turn straight onto I 394
3.3 mi
·
4 min
·
I 394
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
5
Take the exit
0.2 mi
·
11 sec
Exit 5B-A
Toward MN 100 South, MN 100 North: Park Place-Xenia
Use the slight right lane.
6
Keep slight left at fork
0.3 mi
·
26 sec
Toward MN 100 South: Park Place-Xenia
7
Keep slight right at fork
0.3 mi
·
47 sec
Toward MN 100 South
Use the straight / right lanes.
8
Keep slight left at fork
402 ft
·
9 sec
Use the straight / right lanes.
9
Keep slight left at fork
0.4 mi
·
47 sec
Toward MN 100 South
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
10
Keep slight left at fork
0.2 mi
·
20 sec
Toward MN 100 South
Use the slight left lane.
11
Merge onto MN 100
4.7 mi
·
5 min
·
MN 100
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
12
Take the exit
0.5 mi
·
1 min
Toward MN 62 West
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
13
Merge onto MN 62
1.7 mi
·
2 min
·
Crosstown Highway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
14
Take the exit onto US 212
4.6 mi
·
5 min
·
US 212
Exit 106A
Toward US 212
Use the slight right lane.
15
Keep slight left at fork onto US 212
36 mi
·
43 min
·
US 212
Use the slight left lane.
16
Enter roundabout onto US 212
145 ft
·
2 sec
·
US Highway 212
17
Continue on US 212
72 mi
·
1 hr 34 min
·
US Highway 212
18
Turn left onto MN 23; MN 67
15 mi
·
18 min
·
State Highway 23/67
19
Turn right onto CR 10
0.1 mi
·
20 sec
·
390th Street
20
At end of road, turn left onto CR 32
0.6 mi
·
1 min
·
Barstad Road
21
Turn right onto CR 10
455 ft
·
12 sec
·
Main Street
22
Arrive at destination
CR 10
Trip Plan
Given its 3-hour duration, this drive is perfectly suited for a single-day excursion from Minneapolis to Cottonwood, offering flexibility in your departure time. You'll want to factor in one planned stop, perhaps midway, to stretch your legs and refuel if necessary, especially considering the longest uninterrupted stretch of 71.8 miles. The fuel cost is estimated at $21, so ensure your tank is adequately filled before you leave to minimize stops. Pay attention to signage as you transition between US Highway 212 and State Highway 23/67 to maintain your route.
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 70.3 miles from Minneapolis, MN, or about 1h 29m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 71.8 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 31 miles or 40m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 70.3 miles or 1h 29m 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 28m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Cottonwood, MN than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving Minneapolis, 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 Minneapolis, MN
This is one driving day of about 140.5 miles and 3h 2m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 31 miles from Minneapolis, 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 Highway 212 for about 71.8 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Mid-route town
Meal stop
70 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 31 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 70.3 miles from Minneapolis, MN, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Before the longest stretch
Fuel checkTop up before US Highway 212 if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 71.8 miles.
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 195 decision points cluster between mile 3.8 and 5 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
8
3.8 mi into trip
|
~6m in
Take the exit toward MN 100 South, MN 100 North: Park Place-Xenia
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 5B-A
Toward MN 100 South, MN 100 North: Park Place-X...
7
4.3 mi into trip
|
~6m in
Keep slight right at fork toward MN 100 South
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / right lanes.
Toward MN 100 South
7
4.6 mi into trip
|
~7m in
Keep slight left at fork
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / right lanes.
7
4.6 mi into trip
|
~7m in
Keep slight left at fork toward MN 100 South
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Toward MN 100 South
7
5 mi into trip
|
~8m in
Keep slight left at fork toward MN 100 South
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight left lane.
Toward MN 100 South
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$20.91 one way
$41.82 round trip
$3.78/gal
25.4 MPG avg
49 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.07 | $22.53 | $45.06 |
| premium | $4.53 | $25.07 | $50.14 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $31.02 | $62.04 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$21
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$46–$71
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 49.2 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $15 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 42.2 | 0 | $14.75 | $6.74 |
| Efficient EV | 35.1 | 0 | $12.29 | $5.62 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 56.2 | 0 | $19.67 | $8.99 |
Gas CO2
49 kg
EV CO2
16 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.
Destination
Cottonwood, MN
Afternoon in Cottonwood on Sunday
Local time
3:21 PM
CDT
Current temp
46°F
Unavailable
Live 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
21 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
3h 2m 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 predominantly highway-focused experience on this trip, with nearly all 97% of your travel occurring on major roads. US Highway 212 forms the backbone of this route, offering a consistent and efficient driving surface. You'll encounter a longest stretch of 71.8 miles on US Highway 212, meaning you can settle in for a good amount of time without frequent turns or significant slowdowns. The transition to State Highway 23/67 is brief, maintaining the overall character of a smooth, high-speed journey through the Minnesota landscape.
97% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
22 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 71.8 mi on US Highway 212.
How Hard Is This Drive?
10/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on US Highway 212 and US 212. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 3.8 miles in.
Driving Effort
10/10
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 19 significant decision points across 140.5 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 3.8 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 4.3 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 4.6 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
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 3h 2m. Total distance: 140.5 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
3h 2m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (97%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 71.8 miles on US Highway 212. 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 Cottonwood, 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 3.8 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 4.3 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 4.6 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
Possible but tiring. At 3.0 hours each way, an in-and-out day trip would put you behind the wheel for 6.1 hours — manageable with a long break at Cottonwood, 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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