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Trip from Minneapolis, MN to Grant, 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 9m

Distance

211.8 mi

341 km

Drive Score

8/10

Great drive

Same Day?

Yes, doable

Fuel Cost

$32

one way

EV Charging

Unknown

Best Time to Leave

Save up to 40 min
4 AM
3h 56m ★
6 AM
4h 9m
8 AM
4h 36m
10 AM
4h 19m
12 PM
4h 16m
3 PM
4h 20m
5 PM
4h 34m
8 PM
4h 1m

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

Downtown Grant, MN, MN

Grant, MN

Tom Fisk

Trip Overview

This 211.8-mile drive from Minneapolis, MN to Grant, MN is an easy one-day trip, taking approximately 4 hours and 9 minutes. You'll primarily be on interstates, with a 98% highway share, making it a straightforward journey. The estimated fuel cost is around $32, and with only one recommended stop, it's designed for efficiency. This route stays within the Midwest region, offering a consistent feel throughout. It's a practical option if you're looking for a direct drive without extensive detours.

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

105.9 miles from Minneapolis, MN

A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h 57m into the drive .

Main Roads

Road Distance Duration
I 35 105 mi 1h 52m
US 53 42.9 mi 51m
I 35W 27.8 mi 31m
MN 33 19.8 mi 26m
US 169 13 mi 15m
Washington Avenue South 0.9 mi 2m
Longest stretch: I 35 — 105 mi, about 1h 52m

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between Minneapolis, MN and Grant, 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

105 mi · 1 hr 52 min · I 35
10

Take the exit onto MN 33

0.6 mi · 58 sec · MN 33
Toward MN 33: Cloquet, Iron Range
11

Enter roundabout onto MN 33

127 ft · 1 sec · MN 33
12

Continue on MN 33

19 mi · 25 min · MN 33
Use the straight lane.
13

Take the exit onto MN 33

0.4 mi · 29 sec · MN 33
14

Merge onto US 53

37 mi · 43 min · US 53
Use the straight / right lanes.
15

Enter roundabout onto US 53

113 ft · 1 sec · US 53
16

Continue on US 53

5.5 mi · 8 min · US 53
Use the straight lane.
17

Take the exit

0.2 mi · 35 sec
Toward US 169: Hibbing
18

Turn left onto US 169

13 mi · 15 min · US 169
Use the straight / left lanes.
19

Turn right

1.7 mi · 6 min
20

Arrive at destination

Trip Plan

Given the 4-hour duration, this trip is perfectly suited for a single day, offering flexibility on when you depart. Plan for your one recommended stop to break up the 105-mile stretch on I-35. Keep an eye on your fuel levels, as the $32 estimated cost is based on the full journey. Departing earlier in the day can help you avoid any potential afternoon traffic, especially as you approach your destination within 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 105.9 miles from Minneapolis, MN, or about 1h 57m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 105 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 47 miles or 54m in

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

Halfway reset

Around 105.9 miles or 1h 57m 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 17m

Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Grant, 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 211.8 miles and 4h 9m.

Your first comfortable stop window is around 47 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 I 35 for about 105 miles.

Where to Stop

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

Downtown Cloquet, MN, MN

Mid-route town

Meal stop

Cloquet, MN

106 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

Rock Creek, MN

Fuel and coffee

A short stop after about 47 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.

Woodbury, MN

Meal break

The midpoint is around 105.9 miles from Minneapolis, MN, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.

Before the longest stretch

Fuel check

Top up before I 35 if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 105 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 18

5 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

$31.52 one way

$63.04 round trip

$3.78/gal 25.4 MPG avg 74 kg CO2
Fuel Type $/gal One Way Round Trip
midgrade $4.07 $33.96 $67.93
premium $4.53 $37.79 $75.58
diesel $5.61 $46.76 $93.53

No toll roads detected on this route.

Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)

Fuel

$32

Meals

$25–$50

Total

$57–$82

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

Estimated CO2 emission: 74.1 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.

Driving Electric?

About $22 in charging · 0 stops · 66% less CO2

Vehicle Type kWh Stops DC Fast Home Charge
Average EV 63.5 0 $22.24 $10.17
Efficient EV 53 0 $18.53 $8.47
EV Truck/SUV 84.7 1 $29.65 $13.56

Gas CO2

74 kg

EV CO2

25 kg (66% 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 15, 2026

Origin

Minneapolis, MN

Evening in Minneapolis on Saturday

Local time

8:26 PM

CDT

Current temp

67°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

Destination

Grant, MN

Evening in Grant on Saturday

Local time

8:26 PM

CDT

Current temp

36°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

31 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

4h 9m 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?

Expect a highway-focused experience on this route, with 98% of your travel on major roads like I-35 and US-53. The longest uninterrupted stretch you'll encounter is 105 miles on I-35, so be prepared for sustained highway driving. While predominantly interstate, the transition between these main arteries will guide your progress. This profile suggests a drive where maintaining speed and covering distance efficiently are key.

98% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
20 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 105 mi on I 35.

How Hard Is This Drive?

9/10

This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 35 and US 53. 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 9/10

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 18 significant decision points across 211.8 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 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.

On the drive from Minneapolis, MN to Grant, MN, road signs begin pointing toward Iron Range along the way.

Iron Range

134.2 mi in | ~2h 28m | via MN 33

Who Is This Route For?

Weekend Trip

Doable as a same-day drive at 4h 9m. Total distance: 211.8 miles.

Family Friendly

Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.

Solo Traveler

4h 9m drive, comfortable solo distance.

First-Time Driver

Mostly highway driving (98%). Some complex stretches to watch for.

Frequently Asked Questions

The longest stretch is about 105 miles on I 35. 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 Grant, 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 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.

Possible but tiring. At 4.2 hours each way, an in-and-out day trip would put you behind the wheel for 8.3 hours — manageable with a long break at Grant, 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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