Minneapolis to Turtle River is 229.5 miles and takes about 4h 44m via US 10 and State Highway 64, with a fuel budget near $37 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This trip stays within Minnesota, traversing the Midwest region. It's a straightforward drive, mostly on well-maintained highways, making it a practical choice for a single-day excursion. You'll find this route is designed for efficient travel, getting you to your destination without unnecessary 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
114.8 miles from Minneapolis, MN
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 2h 18m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
US 10
85.9 mi
1h 39m
State Highway 64 Southwest
33.7 mi
42m
State 64
28.6 mi
35m
I 94
18.3 mi
21m
I-94 W
17.1 mi
18m
US 71
14.2 mi
18m
Voyageur Highway
11 mi
14m
Paul Bunyan Expressway
4.6 mi
5m
Longest stretch:
US 10
— 85.9 mi, about 1h 39m
Traffic on I-94
Hour-of-day weekday pattern from 14 FHWA count stations on your route.
Peak
4 PM
~3,766 veh/hr typical
· worst 4,539
Quietest
2 AM
~197 veh/hr
Peak-to-quiet ratio
19.1×
busier at peak than in the quiet hours
12a6anoon6p11p
Averaged across 47 weeks of 2023 FHWA Travel Monitoring Analysis System data. Weekday hours only (Mon–Fri).
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Minneapolis, MN and Turtle River, 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
Take the ramp
1.8 mi·3 min
Toward I 94 West
5
Merge onto I 94
12 mi·15 min·I 94
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
6
Continue on I 94
17 mi·18 min·I-94 W
Exit 27Toward I 94 West: Saint CloudUse the straight / left lanes.
7
Keep slight left at fork onto I 94
6.0 mi·6 min·I 94
8
Take the exit
0.4 mi·52 sec
9
Turn right onto MN 25
0.8 mi·2 min·Pine Street
10
Continue on MN 25
0.1 mi·19 sec·State Highway 25
11
Turn left onto County Road 11
0.7 mi·53 sec·County Road 11
12
Continue on Park Boulevard Southeast
1.4 mi·1 min·Park Boulevard Southeast
13
Continue on 165th Avenue Southeast
1.8 mi·2 min·165th Avenue Southeast
14
Turn left onto US 10
54 mi·1 hr 3 min·US 10
15
Keep slight left at fork onto US 10
32 mi·35 min·US 10
16
Turn right onto MN 210
0.3 mi·35 sec·State Highway 210
17
Turn left onto MN 64
34 mi·42 min·State Highway 64 Southwest
18
At end of road, turn left onto MN 64; MN 87
0.9 mi·1 min·State Highway 87 Southwest / State 64
Toward US 71 North, MN 197: Interinational Falls, Bemidji
28
Enter roundabout onto US 71
120 ft·1 sec·Voyageur Highway
29
Continue on US 71
9.5 mi·11 min·Voyageur Highway
30
Turn right onto CR 22
0.6 mi·1 min·Island View Drive Northeast
31
Turn left onto Main Avenue West
0.8 mi·3 min·Main Avenue West
32
Arrive at destination
Main Avenue East
Trip Plan
Given the manageable 4h 44m duration, departing Minneapolis in the morning allows ample time to reach Turtle River comfortably. With only one recommended stop and a fuel cost estimated at $37, this trip offers flexibility. Consider starting your drive shortly after sunrise to maximize daylight and enjoy a relaxed pace. Keep an eye on your fuel gauge, especially during the longer 85.9-mile stretch on US 10, as services can be more spread out in rural areas.
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 114.8 miles from Minneapolis, MN, or about 2h 18m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 85.9 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 50 miles or 1h 2m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 114.8 miles or 2h 18m 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 49m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Turtle River, 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 229.5 miles and 4h 44m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 50 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 10 for about 85.9 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 21
5 decision points cluster between mile 0.4 and 218.5 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
5
0.4 mi into trip|~1m in|North 1st Avenue
Turn left onto North 1st Avenue
Lane positioning matters here
Use the left lane.
5
2.4 mi into trip|~5m in|I 94
Merge onto I 94
Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
5
212.2 mi into trip|~4h 19m in|US 71
Turn left onto US 71 toward US 2, US 71: Crookston
Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Toward US 2, US 71: Crookston
5
217.1 mi into trip|~4h 25m in|US 71 / Voyageur Highway
Take the exit onto US 71 / Voyageur Highway toward US 71 North, MN 197: Interinational Falls, Bemidji
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Toward US 71 North, MN 197: Interinational Fall...
5
218.5 mi into trip|~4h 28m in|US 71 / Voyageur Highway
Enter roundabout onto US 71 / Voyageur Highway
Roundabout - know your exit number before entering
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$34.47 one way
$68.94 round trip
$3.82/gal25.4 MPG avg80 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.12
$37.22
$74.43
premium
$4.60
$41.57
$83.14
diesel
$4.80
$43.33
$86.67
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$34
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$59–$84
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 80.3 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-07-13.
EV Charging Along Route
4 DC fast chargers
· Coverage: good
Minneapolis, MN - Tesla Supercharger
Minneapolis, MN
Tesla
10 DCFC
Nelson Auto World
Minneapolis, MN
ZEFNET
2 DCFC
Nelson Auto World
Minneapolis, MN
ZEFNET
2 DCFC
Carleton & University
Saint Paul, MN
ZEFNET
2 DCFC
ZEFNET: 3
Tesla: 1
Station data from NREL Alternative Fuel Stations database.
Driving Electric?
About $24 in charging
· 0 stops
· 66% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
68.9
0
$24.10
$11.02
Efficient EV
57.4
0
$20.08
$9.18
EV Truck/SUV
91.8
1
$32.13
$14.69
Gas CO2
80 kg
EV CO2
27 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 Jul 18, 2026
Origin
Minneapolis, MN
Evening
in Minneapolis on Saturday
Local time
6:10 PM
CDT
Current temp
90°F
Sunny
NNW 5 to 10 mph0% chanceLive forecast
Special Weather Statement
Special Weather Statement issued July 18 at 11:59AM CDT by NWS Duluth MN
Special Weather Statement
Special Weather Statement issued July 18 at 4:03AM CDT by NWS Grand Forks ND
Destination
Turtle River, MN
Evening
in Turtle River on Saturday
Local time
6:10 PM
CDT
Current temp
85°F
Mostly Sunny
NW 7 mph6% chanceLive forecast
Special Weather Statement
Special Weather Statement issued July 18 at 11:59AM CDT by NWS Duluth MN
Special Weather Statement
Special Weather Statement issued July 18 at 4:03AM CDT by NWS Grand Forks ND
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
5 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 44m 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.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
This drive is primarily on highways, with 78% of the 229.5 miles covered on these main arteries. You'll experience a consistent stretch of 85.9 miles on US 10 before transitioning to other state roads. Expect mostly rural cruising with a steady pace for the majority of the trip. The transition from highway to surface roads is gradual, so keep an eye on your surroundings as you approach your destination.
78% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
32 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 85.9 mi on US 10.
How Hard Is This Drive?
6/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on US 10 and State Highway 64 Southwest. You will hit about 21 points where you need to pay attention to lane position or signs. The trickiest moment comes around 0.4 miles in near North 1st Avenue.
Driving Effort6/10
Moderate - straightforward overall, but long enough or busy enough to require pacing
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This drive requires moderate attention. Across 229.5 miles you will encounter 21 spots where lane choice or exit timing matters. Not difficult for experienced highway drivers, but worth previewing the tricky sections before you go.
Where does it get tricky?
The main spots that need attention: at 0.4 miles (North 1st Avenue): Lane positioning matters here; at 2.4 miles (I 94): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here; at 212.2 miles (US 71): Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Elevation Profile
Mostly flat terrain
1,460 ft830 ft
Total Climb
655 ft
Total Descent
161 ft
Highest Point
1,460 ft
~180.3 mi in
Elevation Range
630 ft
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 Turtle River, MN, road signs begin pointing toward Bemidji along the way.
Bemidji
217.1 mi in|~4h 25m|via US 71
Detours Along the Way
Tagged by where each one fits in your drive — first break, midpoint, final stretch.
Aster Cafe
Cafe
Near the start, right off the route
0.5 mi from route
~1 min detour
Hours: Mo off; Tu-Fr 16:00-23:00; Sa-Su 10:00-2...
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.
Top landmarks
•Minneapolis Institute of Art — art museum in Minneapolis, Minnesota
•Walker Art Center — contemporary art center in Minneapolis, Minnesota, United States
•Weisman Art Museum — art museum in Minneapolis, Minnesota
Doable as a same-day drive at 4h 44m. Total distance: 229.5 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
4h 44m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (78%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 85.9 miles on US 10. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Yes — we found about 4 rest areas or service plazas within a short detour of the route (from OpenStreetMap). See the Rest Stops tab under Nearby Places for locations and mile markers. Plan to stretch, use the bathroom, and top off fluids every 2–3 hours on longer drives.
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 Turtle River, 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. There are 4 rest areas along the route for bathroom stops.
The main spots that need attention: at 0.4 miles (North 1st Avenue): Lane positioning matters here; at 2.4 miles (I 94): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here; at 212.2 miles (US 71): Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Possible but tiring. At 4.7 hours each way, an in-and-out day trip would put you behind the wheel for 9.5 hours — manageable with a long break at Turtle River, MN, but most travelers stay overnight.
