Origin
New Ulm, MN
Afternoon in New Ulm on Sunday
Local time
12:47 PM
CDT
Current temp
71°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from New Ulm, MN to Minneapolis, MN
Compiled and reviewed by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Apr 19, 2026 · Editorial standards
Drive Time
2h 2m
Distance
96.8 mi
156 km
Drive Score
7/10
Good drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$14
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
1h 54m
★
6 AM
2h 3m
8 AM
2h 20m
10 AM
2h 9m
12 PM
2h 7m
3 PM
2h 10m
5 PM
2h 20m
8 PM
1h 58m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
New Ulm, MN
Wikimedia Commons
Trip Overview
This 96.8-mile drive from New Ulm, MN, to Minneapolis, MN, is easily manageable as a single-day trip, taking approximately 2 hours and 2 minutes. The route primarily utilizes major highways, with a 93% highway share, making it a straightforward journey through the Midwest. With an estimated fuel cost of around $14, this trip is budget-friendly. It’s a practical option for a quick relocation or a visit to the Twin Cities, offering a direct path without needing an overnight stop. The focus is on efficient travel to your destination.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.
Midpoint
48.4 miles from New Ulm, MN
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h 1m into the drive .
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| US 212 | 53.8 mi | 1h 4m |
| US Highway 14 | 30 mi | 37m |
| I 35W | 5.4 mi | 7m |
| Crosstown Highway | 4.9 mi | 6m |
| MN 65 | 0.8 mi | 1m |
| 5th Avenue South | 0.6 mi | 2m |
| North Broadway | 0.6 mi | 1m |
| 7th North Street | 0.3 mi | <1m |
Longest stretch:
US 212
— 53.8 mi, about 1h 4m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between New Ulm, MN and Minneapolis, MN.
1
Start on CR 13
36 ft
·
1 sec
·
Center Street
2
Turn left onto MN 15; MN 68
0.6 mi
·
1 min
·
North Broadway
Use the left lane.
3
Turn right onto US 14; MN 15
0.3 mi
·
40 sec
·
7th North Street
Use the straight / right lanes.
4
Continue on US 14; MN 15
0.2 mi
·
25 sec
·
US Highway 14
5
Enter roundabout onto US 14; MN 15
88 ft
·
3 sec
·
US Highway 14
6
Continue on US 14; MN 15
30 mi
·
37 min
·
US Highway 14
Use the straight / left lanes.
7
Turn right onto US 212
13 mi
·
15 min
·
US 212
8
Enter roundabout onto US 212
156 ft
·
2 sec
·
US 212
9
Continue on US 212
10 mi
·
11 min
·
US 212
10
Keep slight right at fork onto US 212
31 mi
·
36 min
·
US 212
Use the straight lane.
11
Continue on MN 62
4.9 mi
·
6 min
·
Crosstown Highway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
12
Take the exit
0.2 mi
·
23 sec
Exit 112A
Toward I 35W North
Use the slight left / straight lanes.
13
Merge onto I 35W
5.4 mi
·
7 min
·
I 35W
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
14
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.
15
Keep slight left at fork onto MN 65
0.3 mi
·
42 sec
·
MN 65
Toward 5th Avenue South
16
Continue on 5th Avenue South
0.6 mi
·
2 min
·
5th Avenue South
Use the straight / slight left lanes.
17
Turn left onto CR 152
0.2 mi
·
31 sec
·
Washington Avenue South
Use the left / straight lanes.
18
Arrive at destination
CR 152
Trip Plan
Given the relatively short 2-hour duration and 96.8-mile distance, you have the flexibility to depart at your convenience. Leaving early in the morning can help you avoid potential traffic as you near Minneapolis. While there are no specific stops noted, remember that the longest stretch without a break is 53.8 miles on US 212, so plan for a brief stop if needed. The fuel cost is estimated at a low $14, so you likely won't need many fuel top-ups. Keep an eye on traffic conditions as you get closer to the metropolitan area.
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 48.4 miles from New Ulm, MN, or about 1h 1m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 53.8 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 21 miles or 27m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 48.4 miles or 1h 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 1h 38m
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 New Ulm, 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 New Ulm, MN
This is one driving day of about 96.8 miles and 2h 2m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 21 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 212 for about 53.8 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Mid-route town
Meal stop
48 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 21 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 48.4 miles from New Ulm, MN, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
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 125 decision points cluster between mile 0.6 and 95.2 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
6
0.6 mi into trip
|
~1m in
|
US 14; MN 15 / 7th North Street
Turn right onto US 14; MN 15 / 7th North Street
Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / right lanes.
5
1.1 mi into trip
|
~2m in
|
US 14; MN 15 / US Highway 14
Enter roundabout onto US 14; MN 15 / US Highway 14
Roundabout - know your exit number before entering
6
53.8 mi into trip
|
~1h 8m 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
89.6 mi into trip
|
~1h 51m 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
7
95.2 mi into trip
|
~1h 58m 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
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$14.41 one way
$28.81 round trip
$3.78/gal
25.4 MPG avg
34 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.07 | $15.52 | $31.04 |
| premium | $4.53 | $17.27 | $34.54 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $21.37 | $42.74 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$14
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$39–$64
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 33.9 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $10 in charging · 0 stops · 68% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 29 | 0 | $10.16 | $4.65 |
| Efficient EV | 24.2 | 0 | $8.47 | $3.87 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 38.7 | 0 | $13.55 | $6.20 |
Gas CO2
34 kg
EV CO2
11 kg (68% 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
Afternoon in Minneapolis on Sunday
Local time
12:47 PM
CDT
Current temp
67°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
47°F
Jordan, MN
48 mi in
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
4 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
2h 2m 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?
Expect a largely highway-focused drive for this 96.8-mile stretch. You'll be on major roads for about 93% of the journey, with the longest uninterrupted section spanning 53.8 miles on US 212. This means you'll experience consistent speeds and a predictable driving environment for the majority of the trip. The route is designed for efficiency, transitioning from US 212 and US Highway 14 to I 35W as you approach Minneapolis. It's less about winding country roads and more about covering ground smoothly.
93% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
18 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 53.8 mi on US 212.
How Hard Is This Drive?
7/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on US 212 and US Highway 14. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 0.6 miles in near US 14; MN 15 / 7th North Street.
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 12 significant decision points across 96.8 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 0.6 miles (US 14; MN 15 / 7th North Street): Lane positioning matters here; at 1.1 miles (US 14; MN 15 / US Highway 14): Roundabout - know your exit number before entering; at 53.8 miles (US 212): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. 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 2h 2m. Total distance: 96.8 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 0 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
2h 2m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (93%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 53.8 miles on US 212. 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 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. Dedicated rest areas are limited, so plan gas or food stops as your bathroom breaks.
The main spots that need attention: at 0.6 miles (US 14; MN 15 / 7th North Street): Lane positioning matters here; at 1.1 miles (US 14; MN 15 / US Highway 14): Roundabout - know your exit number before entering; at 53.8 miles (US 212): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
Yes. A round trip is manageable in a single day if you plan a break at Minneapolis, MN before heading back.
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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