Minnetonka Mills to Hibbing is 203.9 miles and takes about 4h 11m via MN 23 and State Highway 65, with a fuel budget near $34 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This trip stays within the Midwest, traveling entirely within Minnesota. It's a straightforward drive, mostly on well-maintained highways, making it a convenient option for a single-day excursion. You'll find the route offers a consistent driving experience without significant changes in terrain or pace, ideal if you're looking for a no-fuss trip.
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
101.9 miles from Minnetonka Mills, MN
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 2h 1m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
MN 23
37.8 mi
45m
State Highway 65
35.8 mi
45m
MN 27
33.6 mi
42m
US Highway 169
32.8 mi
37m
MN 65
18.9 mi
23m
US 169
13.7 mi
16m
I 494
9.9 mi
12m
I 94
8.3 mi
9m
Longest stretch:
MN 23
— 37.8 mi, about 45m
Traffic on I-94
Hour-of-day weekday pattern from 7 FHWA count stations on your route.
Peak
4 PM
~4,722 veh/hr typical
Quietest
2 AM
~204 veh/hr
Peak-to-quiet ratio
23.1×
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 Minnetonka Mills, MN and Hibbing, MN.
1
Start on CR 61
320 ft·16 sec·Shady Oak Road
2
Turn left onto CR 5; CR 61
0.6 mi·1 min·Minnetonka Boulevard
Use the straight lane.
3
Take the ramp
160 ft·3 sec
Toward I 494 North
4
Keep slight left at fork
0.2 mi·32 sec
Toward I 494 NorthUse the straight / slight right lanes.
5
Merge onto I 494
9.9 mi·12 min·I 494
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
6
Keep slight left at fork
0.6 mi·49 sec
Exit 27Toward I 94 West: Saint CloudUse the slight left / slight right lanes.
7
Continue on I 94
8.3 mi·9 min·I 94
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
8
Take the exit
0.3 mi·36 sec
Exit 207A-BToward MN 101, CR 81, MN 101 North: Rogers, Elk RiverUse the straight / slight right lanes.
9
Keep slight right at fork onto MN 101 North Bypass
0.8 mi·55 sec·MN 101 North Bypass
Exit 207BToward MN 101 Bypass North: Elk RiverUse the slight right lane.
10
Merge onto MN 101
6.4 mi·7 min·MN 101
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
11
Continue on US 169
27 mi·30 min·US Highway 169
12
Keep slight right at fork onto US 169
6.3 mi·7 min·US Highway 169
13
Take the exit
0.4 mi·51 sec
14
Turn right onto MN 23
18 mi·20 min·MN 23
15
Turn left onto MN 23; MN 65
20 mi·24 min·MN 23; MN 65
16
Continue on MN 27; MN 65
34 mi·42 min·MN 27; MN 65
17
At end of road, turn left onto MN 210; MN 65
1.2 mi·2 min·East Highway 210
18
Turn right onto MN 65
36 mi·45 min·State Highway 65
19
Enter roundabout onto MN 65
146 ft·1 sec·MN 65
20
Continue on MN 65
19 mi·23 min·MN 65
21
Turn right onto US 169; MN 65
14 mi·16 min·US 169; MN 65
22
Take the exit
0.1 mi·21 sec
23
At end of road, turn left onto West 42nd Street
0.2 mi·22 sec·West 42nd Street
24
Turn left onto CH 57
2.0 mi·3 min·1st Avenue
25
Turn right onto East Howard Street
0.2 mi·31 sec·East Howard Street
26
Turn right onto 4th Avenue East
120 ft·5 sec·4th Avenue East
27
Arrive at destination
4th Avenue East
Trip Plan
Given the 4h 11m estimated drive time, you can easily complete this trip in a single day. Consider departing in the morning to allow ample daylight for your drive. With only one recommended stop and a relatively short distance, you have flexibility in pacing. The fuel cost is estimated at $34, so ensure your tank is full before you leave Minnetonka Mills. A specific tip for this route: pay attention to your mileage as you approach the end of the 37.8-mile stretch on MN 23, as this is the longest continuous highway segment you'll encounter.
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 101.9 miles from Minnetonka Mills, MN, or about 2h 1m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 37.8 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 45 miles or 53m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 101.9 miles or 2h 1m 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 24m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Hibbing, MN than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving Minnetonka Mills, 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 Minnetonka Mills, MN
This is one driving day of about 203.9 miles and 4h 11m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 45 miles from Minnetonka Mills, 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 MN 23 for about 37.8 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 0.1 and 20 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
6
0.1 mi into trip|~0m in|CR 5; CR 61 / Minnetonka Boulevard
Turn left onto CR 5; CR 61 / Minnetonka Boulevard
Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight lane.
8
0.7 mi into trip|~1m in
Keep slight left at fork toward I 494 North
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Toward I 494 North
8
10.9 mi into trip|~14m in
Keep slight left at fork toward I 94 West: Saint Cloud
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight left / slight right lanes.
Exit 27
Toward I 94 West: Saint Cloud
8
19.8 mi into trip|~24m in
Take the exit toward MN 101, CR 81, MN 101 North: Rogers, Elk River
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Exit 207A-B
Toward MN 101, CR 81, MN 101 North: Rogers, Elk...
8
20 mi into trip|~25m in|MN 101 North Bypass
Keep slight right at fork onto MN 101 North Bypass toward MN 101 Bypass North: Elk River
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight right lane.
Exit 207B
Toward MN 101 Bypass North: Elk River
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$30.63 one way
$61.25 round trip
$3.82/gal25.4 MPG avg71 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.12
$33.07
$66.13
premium
$4.60
$36.93
$73.87
diesel
$4.80
$38.50
$77.00
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$31
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$56–$81
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 71.3 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-07-13.
Driving Electric?
About $21 in charging
· 0 stops
· 66% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
61.2
0
$21.41
$9.79
Efficient EV
51
0
$17.84
$8.16
EV Truck/SUV
81.6
1
$28.55
$13.05
Gas CO2
71 kg
EV CO2
24 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 Jul 19, 2026
Origin
Minnetonka Mills, MN
Morning
in Minnetonka Mills on Sunday
Local time
6:12 AM
CDT
Current temp
68°F
Mostly Clear
SE 0 to 5 mph0% chanceLive forecast
Destination
Hibbing, MN
Morning
in Hibbing on Sunday
Local time
6:12 AM
CDT
Current temp
58°F
Chance Rain Showers
0 mph13% chanceLive 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
10 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 11m 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 route is almost entirely highway driving, with a 98% highway share. Expect to spend the vast majority of your time on roads like MN 23 and State Highway 65. The longest continuous stretch without a significant change in road type is 37.8 miles on MN 23. You'll notice the consistent flow of highway cruising for most of the 203.9 miles, with minimal transitions to surface roads.
98% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
27 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 37.8 mi on MN 23.
How Hard Is This Drive?
9/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on MN 23 and State Highway 65. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 0.1 miles in near CR 5; CR 61 / Minnetonka Boulevard.
Driving Effort9/10
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 21 significant decision points across 203.9 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 0.1 miles (CR 5; CR 61 / Minnetonka Boulevard): Lane positioning matters here; at 0.7 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 10.9 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
Elevation Profile
Mostly flat terrain
1,490 ft922 ft
Total Climb
635 ft
Total Descent
86 ft
Highest Point
1,490 ft
~203.9 mi in
Elevation Range
568 ft
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
Between Minnetonka Mills, MN and Hibbing, MN, road signs point toward Cr 81 and Elk River.
Cr 81
19.8 mi in|~24m
Elk River
19.8 mi in|~24m
Detours Along the Way
Tagged by where each one fits in your drive — first break, midpoint, final stretch.
The Iron Range is a rural area in Northeastern Minnesota where iron ore (and taconite) has been mined for generations. This area has some cultural aspects more similar to the U.P. of Michigan than the surrounding area of Minnesota. It was settled largely by Finns and some other Scandinavians and Russians.
Top landmarks
•Hull–Rust–Mahoning Open Pit Iron Mine — open pit iron mine in Hibbing, Minnesota, United States
•Andrew G. Anderson House — historic house in Hibbing, Minnesota
•Hibbing High School — high school in Hibbing, St. Louis County, Minnesota
Doable as a same-day drive at 4h 11m. Total distance: 203.9 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
4h 11m 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 37.8 miles on MN 23. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Yes — we found about 6 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 Hibbing, 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 6 rest areas along the route for bathroom stops.
The main spots that need attention: at 0.1 miles (CR 5; CR 61 / Minnetonka Boulevard): Lane positioning matters here; at 0.7 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 10.9 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. 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 8.4 hours — manageable with a long break at Hibbing, MN, but most travelers stay overnight.
