Origin
Minneota, MN
Morning in Minneota on Tuesday
Local time
11:59 AM
CDT
Current temp
36°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Minneota, MN to Minneapolis, MN
Pin this tripCompiled and reviewed by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Apr 21, 2026 · Editorial standards
Drive Time
3h 34m
Distance
165.1 mi
266 km
Drive Score
8/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$25
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
3h 22m
★
6 AM
3h 35m
8 AM
4h 0m
10 AM
3h 44m
12 PM
3h 41m
3 PM
3h 45m
5 PM
3h 58m
8 PM
3h 27m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Minneota, MN
Tom Fisk
Trip Overview
Minneota, MN to Minneapolis, MN is 165.1 miles and takes about 3h 34m via US 212, with a fuel budget near $25 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This trip stays within the Midwest, traversing the heart of Minnesota. Expect a straightforward, highway-focused journey that's ideal for a single day of travel. With a relatively short duration and manageable cost, it's a convenient option for getting from point A to point B without significant logistical planning.
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
82.6 miles from Minneota, MN
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h 49m into the drive .
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| US 212 | 112.8 mi | 2h 23m |
| State Highway 23 | 26.7 mi | 33m |
| State Highway 68 | 8.7 mi | 10m |
| I 35W | 5.4 mi | 7m |
| Crosstown Highway | 4.9 mi | 6m |
| 290th Street | 2 mi | 2m |
| Erie Road | 1.5 mi | 3m |
| MN 65 | 0.8 mi | 1m |
Longest stretch:
US 212
— 112.8 mi, about 2h 23m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Minneota, MN and Minneapolis, MN.
1
Start on CR 10
53 ft
·
6 sec
·
North Monroe Street
2
Turn left onto MN 68
0.5 mi
·
1 min
·
East 1st Street
3
Continue on MN 68
4.7 mi
·
5 min
·
State Highway 68
4
Continue on MN 68; CR 5; CR 8
0.7 mi
·
1 min
·
West Burlingame Street
5
Continue on MN 68
3.9 mi
·
4 min
·
State Highway 68
6
Turn left onto CR 33
1.0 mi
·
1 min
·
290th Street
7
Continue on CR 33
1.5 mi
·
3 min
·
Erie Road
8
Continue on CR 33
1.0 mi
·
1 min
·
290th Street
9
Turn left onto MN 23
27 mi
·
33 min
·
State Highway 23
10
Turn right onto US 212; MN 23
72 mi
·
1 hr 34 min
·
US 212; MN 23
11
Enter roundabout onto US 212
156 ft
·
2 sec
·
US 212
12
Continue on US 212
10 mi
·
11 min
·
US 212
13
Keep slight right at fork onto US 212
31 mi
·
36 min
·
US 212
Use the straight lane.
14
Continue on MN 62
4.9 mi
·
6 min
·
Crosstown Highway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
15
Take the exit
0.2 mi
·
23 sec
Exit 112A
Toward I 35W North
Use the slight left / straight lanes.
16
Merge onto I 35W
5.4 mi
·
7 min
·
I 35W
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
17
Keep slight left at fork onto MN 65
0.5 mi
·
32 sec
·
MN 65
Toward I 94 West
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
18
Keep slight left at fork onto MN 65
0.3 mi
·
42 sec
·
MN 65
Toward 5th Avenue South
19
Continue on 5th Avenue South
0.6 mi
·
2 min
·
5th Avenue South
Use the straight / slight left lanes.
20
Turn left onto CR 152
0.2 mi
·
31 sec
·
Washington Avenue South
Use the left / straight lanes.
21
Arrive at destination
CR 152
Trip Plan
Given the 3h 34m driving time, this is a perfect one-day trip. Aim to depart in the morning to maximize daylight and allow for any unexpected delays. With only one recommended stop, you have flexibility in how you pace yourself. Pay attention to the 112.8-mile stretch on US 212; ensure you have sufficient fuel before entering this longer segment, as services might be less frequent. The $25 fuel cost estimate suggests this is an economical drive, so you don't need to overthink fuel planning.
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 82.6 miles from Minneota, MN, or about 1h 49m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 112.8 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 36 miles or 48m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 82.6 miles or 1h 49m 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 55m
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 Minneota, 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 Minneota, MN
This is one driving day of about 165.1 miles and 3h 34m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 36 miles from Minneota, 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 212 for about 112.8 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Mid-route town
Meal stop
83 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 36 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 82.6 miles from Minneota, MN, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Before the longest stretch
Fuel checkTop up before US 212 if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 112.8 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 85 decision points cluster between mile 122.1 and 164 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
6
122.1 mi into trip
|
~2h 40m in
|
US 212
Keep slight right at fork onto US 212
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight lane.
7
157.9 mi into trip
|
~3h 23m in
Take the exit toward I 35W North
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight left / straight lanes.
Exit 112A
Toward I 35W North
5
158.1 mi into trip
|
~3h 23m in
|
I 35W
Merge onto I 35W
Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
7
163.5 mi into trip
|
~3h 30m in
|
MN 65
Keep slight left at fork onto MN 65 toward I 94 West
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Toward I 94 West
5
164 mi into trip
|
~3h 31m in
|
MN 65
Keep slight left at fork onto MN 65 toward 5th Avenue South
Highway fork - watch signs carefully
Toward 5th Avenue South
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$24.57 one way
$49.14 round trip
$3.78/gal
25.4 MPG avg
58 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.07 | $26.47 | $52.95 |
| premium | $4.53 | $29.46 | $58.92 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $36.45 | $72.90 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$25
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$50–$75
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 57.8 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $17 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 49.5 | 0 | $17.34 | $7.92 |
| Efficient EV | 41.3 | 0 | $14.45 | $6.60 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 66 | 0 | $23.11 | $10.57 |
Gas CO2
58 kg
EV CO2
19 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
Minneapolis, MN
Morning in Minneapolis on Tuesday
Local time
11:59 AM
CDT
Current temp
59°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
23 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
3h 34m 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?
This route is overwhelmingly a highway-focused drive, with 94% of the journey on major roads. You'll spend most of your time on US 212, State Highway 23, and State Highway 68. The longest uninterrupted stretch you'll encounter is 112.8 miles on US 212, meaning you can settle in for a significant period without needing to navigate complex intersections or town centers. The character is primarily one of efficient travel across the Minnesota landscape.
94% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
21 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 112.8 mi on US 212.
How Hard Is This Drive?
7/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on US 212 and State Highway 23. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 122.1 miles in near US 212.
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 8 significant decision points across 165.1 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 122.1 miles (US 212): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 157.9 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here; at 158.1 miles (I 35W): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here.
About the Cities
Arriving 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 34m. Total distance: 165.1 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
3h 34m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (94%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 112.8 miles on US 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 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 122.1 miles (US 212): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 157.9 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here; at 158.1 miles (I 35W): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here.
Possible but tiring. At 3.6 hours each way, an in-and-out day trip would put you behind the wheel for 7.2 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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