New Ulm to Burnsville is 82.1 miles and takes about 1 hour 52 minutes via US 169, US 14, and State Highway 99, with a fuel budget near $12 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This trip stays within the Midwest, specifically Minnesota, making it a straightforward journey between two familiar regions. Given its relatively short distance and familiar highway focus, this route is ideal for a single-day excursion. You’ll primarily be on well-maintained highways, so expect a consistent driving experience. Consider this an efficient way to travel between these two Minnesota points without significant detours.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.
Midpoint
41.1 miles from New Ulm, MN
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 56m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
US 169
33.6 mi
40m
US 14
11 mi
12m
State Highway 99
10.8 mi
14m
Country Trail West /Richard J. Ames Memorial Highway
5 mi
6m
Langford Boulevard
3.5 mi
4m
Highway 13 South
3.3 mi
5m
Egan Drive
2.5 mi
3m
South Broadway
1.6 mi
3m
Longest stretch:
US 169
— 33.6 mi, about 40m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between New Ulm, MN and Burnsville, MN.
1
Start on CR 13
36 ft·3 sec·Center Street
2
Turn right onto MN 15; MN 68
1.6 mi·3 min·South Broadway
Use the straight / right lanes.
3
Turn left onto 20th South Street
0.5 mi·1 min·20th South Street
Use the left lane.
4
Continue on CR 37
0.4 mi·38 sec·Highway 37
5
Turn straight onto CR 37
0.2 mi·18 sec·County Road 37
6
Take the ramp
0.3 mi·46 sec
Toward US 14 East
7
Merge onto US 14
11 mi·12 min·US 14
8
Turn left onto 417st Lane
0.2 mi·36 sec·417st Lane
Use the left lane.
9
Turn right onto Old Highway 14
0.5 mi·46 sec·Old Highway 14
10
Continue on CR 99
1.6 mi·3 min·3rd Street
11
Continue on MN 99
11 mi·14 min·State Highway 99
Use the straight lane.
12
Continue on MN 99
115 ft·3 sec·State Highway 99
13
Merge onto US 169
497 ft·14 sec·US 169
14
Continue on US 169
12 mi·15 min·US 169
Use the straight lane.
15
Continue on US 169; MN 93
12 mi·13 min·US 169; MN 93
Use the straight lane.
16
Continue on US 169
9.6 mi·11 min·US 169
Use the straight lane.
17
Turn right onto MN 282
0.2 mi·20 sec·2nd Street West
18
Enter roundabout onto MN 282
99 ft·1 sec·2nd Street West
19
Continue on MN 282
0.6 mi·1 min·2nd Street West
20
Continue on MN 282
0.5 mi·50 sec·East 2nd Street /Richard J. Ames Memorial Highway
21
Continue on MN 282
5.0 mi·6 min·Country Trail West /Richard J. Ames Memorial Highway
22
Continue on MN 282
1.3 mi·1 min·Country Trail East /Richard J. Ames Memorial Highway
23
At end of road, turn left onto MN 13
3.5 mi·4 min·Langford Boulevard
24
Continue on MN 13
0.8 mi·1 min·Richard J. Ames Memorial Highway
25
Enter roundabout onto MN 13
135 ft·2 sec·Highway 13 South
26
Continue on MN 13
3.3 mi·5 min·Highway 13 South
Use the left lane.
27
Turn right onto CR 42
2.5 mi·3 min·Egan Drive
Use the right lane.
28
Continue on CR 42
1.3 mi·1 min·County Road 42 West
Use the left lane.
29
Turn left onto CR 5
0.1 mi·22 sec·County Road 5
Use the left lane.
30
Turn right onto CR 38
1.3 mi·2 min·McAndrews Road West
31
Turn left onto Nicollet Avenue South
1.0 mi·2 min·Nicollet Avenue South
Use the left lane.
32
Arrive at destination
Nicollet Avenue South
Trip Plan
With a duration of just under two hours, this is a perfect route for a same-day trip, offering flexibility in your departure time. You won't need to worry about extensive stops for fuel or rest, though it's always wise to top off your tank before leaving New Ulm. The longest uninterrupted stretch is 33.6 miles on US 169, so plan your breaks accordingly if you prefer more frequent stops. Given the modest $12 fuel cost, budget concerns are minimal for this journey. Keep an eye out for any potential local traffic as you approach Burnsville, especially during peak hours.
Morning Departure
Leave by 9 AM and you'll arrive before lunch.
Evening Departure
Even a 4 PM departure gets you there before dark in summer.
You can normally do this drive in one day.
You may only need one short stretch break if traffic stays light.
The halfway point lands around 41.1 miles from New Ulm, MN, or about 56m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 33.6 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 18 miles or 26m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 41.1 miles or 56m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 1h 32m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Burnsville, MN than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving New Ulm, MN so your first major turns are already loaded.
Day 1
Settle into the route from New Ulm, MN
This is one driving day of about 82.1 miles and 1h 52m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 18 miles from New Ulm, MN.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
The longest stretch is on US 169 for about 33.6 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 17
5 decision points cluster between mile 0 and 75.9 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
6
0 mi into trip|~0m in|MN 15; MN 68 / South Broadway
Turn right onto MN 15; MN 68 / South Broadway
Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / right lanes.
5
1.6 mi into trip|~3m in|20th South Street
Turn left onto 20th South Street
Lane positioning matters here
Use the left lane.
6
14 mi into trip|~19m in|417st Lane
Turn left onto 417st Lane
Lane positioning matters here
Use the left lane.
5
60.9 mi into trip|~1h 19m in|MN 282 / 2nd Street West
Enter roundabout onto MN 282 / 2nd Street West
Roundabout - know your exit number before entering
6
75.9 mi into trip|~1h 41m in|CR 42 / Egan Drive
Turn right onto CR 42 / Egan Drive
Lane positioning matters here
Use the right lane.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$12.22 one way
$24.44 round trip
$3.78/gal25.4 MPG avg29 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.07
$13.17
$26.33
premium
$4.53
$14.65
$29.30
diesel
$5.61
$18.13
$36.25
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$12
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$37–$62
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 28.7 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $9 in charging
· 0 stops
· 66% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
24.6
0
$8.62
$3.94
Efficient EV
20.5
0
$7.18
$3.28
EV Truck/SUV
32.8
0
$11.49
$5.25
Gas CO2
29 kg
EV CO2
10 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
New Ulm, MN
Afternoon
in New Ulm on Sunday
Local time
3:22 PM
CDT
Current temp
71°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
Burnsville, MN
Afternoon
in Burnsville on Sunday
Local time
3:22 PM
CDT
Current temp
47°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
24 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
1h 52m 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.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
This drive is predominantly highway-focused, with 72% of the route utilizing major roadways. You'll experience a significant stretch of 33.6 miles on US 169 without interruption, offering a chance to settle into a steady pace. The journey is characterized by its directness, moving efficiently from one point to another. While primarily highway, the inclusion of US 14 and State Highway 99 might introduce slight variations in speed limits or road conditions as you transition between them. Overall, expect a driving experience that prioritizes getting you to your destination effectively.
72% 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: 33.6 mi on US 169.
How Hard Is This Drive?
6/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on US 169 and US 14. You will hit about 17 points where you need to pay attention to lane position or signs. The trickiest moment comes early in the drive near MN 15; MN 68 / South Broadway.
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 82.1 miles you will encounter 17 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: near the start (MN 15; MN 68 / South Broadway): Lane positioning matters here; at 1.6 miles (20th South Street): Lane positioning matters here; at 14 miles (417st Lane): Lane positioning matters here.
Doable as a same-day drive at 1h 52m. Total distance: 82.1 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 0 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
1h 52m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (72%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 33.6 miles on US 169. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
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 Burnsville, MN before sunset when you can. Check the Trip Plan for departure windows that land you in daylight.
Yes. At under 2 hours behind the wheel, this works well for families — plan one quick stop if you have younger kids.
The main spots that need attention: near the start (MN 15; MN 68 / South Broadway): Lane positioning matters here; at 1.6 miles (20th South Street): Lane positioning matters here; at 14 miles (417st Lane): Lane positioning matters here.
Yes. A round trip is manageable in a single day if you plan a break at Burnsville, MN before heading back.
