Rapidan to Brooklyn Park is 93.8 miles and takes about 2 hours and 1 minute via US 169, with a fuel budget near $14 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This drive stays within Minnesota, taking you from the Midwest region to another part of the Midwest. Expect a straightforward trip with a high percentage of highway driving. This route is ideal for a single-day journey, offering a practical connection between these two points. Consider it a quick hop if you're looking to cover ground efficiently.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.
Midpoint
46.9 miles from Rapidan, MN
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 1h 1m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
US 169
70.7 mi
1h 25m
South Minnesota Avenue
11.6 mi
15m
Old Highway 66
2.6 mi
4m
Brooklyn Boulevard
2.2 mi
4m
Hemlock Road
1.3 mi
1m
130th Street West
1 mi
1m
190th Street
1 mi
2m
Marystown Road
0.9 mi
1m
Longest stretch:
US 169
— 70.7 mi, about 1h 25m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Rapidan, MN and Brooklyn Park, MN.
1
Start on CR 9
1.0 mi·2 min·190th Street
2
Turn left onto CR 1
2.6 mi·4 min·Old Highway 66
3
Turn left onto CR 90
0.5 mi·40 sec·Hawthorn Road
4
Turn right onto CR 33
1.3 mi·1 min·Hemlock Road
5
Turn left onto CR 69
0.1 mi·18 sec·Southbend Avenue
6
Turn right onto County Road 33
115 ft·3 sec·County Road 33
7
Turn right onto US 169; MN 60
14 mi·18 min·US 169; MN 60
Use the straight lane.
8
Continue on US 169; MN 22; MN 99
12 mi·15 min·South Minnesota Avenue
Use the straight lane.
9
Continue on US 169; MN 93
12 mi·13 min·US 169; MN 93
Use the straight lane.
10
Continue on US 169
17 mi·19 min·US 169
Use the straight lane.
11
Take the exit
0.3 mi·41 sec
Exit 106Toward MN 41, CR 78: Chaska
12
Keep slight right at fork
264 ft·8 sec
Exit 106Toward MN 41, CR 78: Chaska
13
Turn straight onto CR 78
0.4 mi·34 sec·County Road 78
14
Continue on CR 78
0.5 mi·40 sec·Chestnut Boulevard
15
Enter roundabout onto CR 78
116 ft·2 sec·130th Street West
16
Continue on CR 78
1.0 mi·1 min·130th Street West
17
Turn left onto CR 15
0.9 mi·1 min·Marystown Road
18
Take the ramp
0.4 mi·51 sec
Toward US 169 North
19
Merge onto US 169
5.1 mi·5 min·US 169
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
20
Keep slight left at fork onto US 169
22 mi·27 min·US 169
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
21
Take the exit
0.3 mi·37 sec
Toward CR 130: Elm Creek Boulevard, Brooklyn BoulevardUse the straight / slight right lanes.
22
Turn right onto CR 130
2.2 mi·4 min·Brooklyn Boulevard
Use the right lane.
23
Arrive at destination
CR 14
Trip Plan
With a total duration of just over two hours, this is a perfect same-day trip, offering flexibility in your departure time. You can easily leave in the morning and arrive with plenty of daylight remaining. Given the relatively short distance and the longest stretch being 70.7 miles, you likely won't need extensive breaks, but there are opportunities to stop if needed. Keep an eye on your fuel, as the estimated cost is around $14, and plan your fill-up accordingly before you hit the road or during a brief pause. Since it's a short drive, you have the advantage of being able to adjust your timing based on traffic or your personal pace.
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 46.9 miles from Rapidan, MN, or about 1h 1m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 70.7 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 30m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 46.9 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 Brooklyn Park, MN than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving Rapidan, 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 Rapidan, MN
This is one driving day of about 93.8 miles and 2h 1m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 21 miles from Rapidan, MN.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
The longest stretch is on US 169 for about 70.7 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 15
5 decision points cluster between mile 60.2 and 91.3 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
6
60.2 mi into trip|~1h 17m in
Take the exit toward MN 41, CR 78: Chaska
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Exit 106
Toward MN 41, CR 78: Chaska
7
60.6 mi into trip|~1h 18m in
Keep slight right at fork toward MN 41, CR 78: Chaska
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Exit 106
Toward MN 41, CR 78: Chaska
5
63.4 mi into trip|~1h 22m in
Take the ramp toward US 169 North
Navigation decision point
Toward US 169 North
6
68.8 mi into trip|~1h 28m in|US 169
Keep slight left at fork onto US 169
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
7
91.3 mi into trip|~1h 56m in
Take the exit toward CR 130: Elm Creek Boulevard, Brooklyn Boulevard
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.
Toward CR 130: Elm Creek Boulevard, Brooklyn Bo...
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$13.96 one way
$27.92 round trip
$3.78/gal25.4 MPG avg33 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.07
$15.04
$30.08
premium
$4.53
$16.74
$33.47
diesel
$5.61
$20.71
$41.42
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: 32.8 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $10 in charging
· 0 stops
· 67% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
28.1
0
$9.85
$4.50
Efficient EV
23.5
0
$8.21
$3.75
EV Truck/SUV
37.5
0
$13.13
$6.00
Gas CO2
33 kg
EV CO2
11 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.
Forecast as of Apr 20, 2026
Origin
Rapidan, MN
Morning
in Rapidan on Tuesday
Local time
8:45 AM
CDT
Current temp
41°F
Partly Cloudy
S 5 to 15 mph0% chanceLive forecast
Special Weather Statement
Special Weather Statement issued April 20 at 5:42PM CDT by NWS Duluth MN
Red Flag Warning
Red Flag Warning issued April 20 at 2:17PM CDT until April 20 at 8:00PM CDT by NWS Sioux Falls SD
Destination
Brooklyn Park, MN
Morning
in Brooklyn Park on Tuesday
Local time
8:45 AM
CDT
Current temp
42°F
Partly Cloudy
S 0 to 15 mph0% chanceLive forecast
Special Weather Statement
Special Weather Statement issued April 20 at 5:42PM CDT by NWS Duluth MN
Red Flag Warning
Red Flag Warning issued April 20 at 2:17PM CDT until April 20 at 8:00PM CDT by NWS Sioux Falls SD
58°F
Jordan, MN
47 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
1 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
2h 1m on the road
The weather snapshot is not static. If you are leaving later, give both cities one more quick forecast check before departure.
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 a highway-focused experience, with 78% of the journey utilizing major roadways. You'll encounter the longest uninterrupted stretch of 70.7 miles on US 169, so be prepared for sustained highway cruising. While largely on US 169, you'll also navigate segments of South Minnesota Avenue and Old Highway 66, offering slight variations in the driving environment. The character leans towards efficient travel rather than winding scenic byways.
78% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
23 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 70.7 mi on US 169.
How Hard Is This Drive?
7/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on US 169 and South Minnesota Avenue. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 60.2 miles in.
Driving Effort7/10
Demanding - plan breaks and stay ahead of the key maneuvers
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This is a demanding drive. With 15 significant decision points across 93.8 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 60.2 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 60.6 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 63.4 miles: Navigation decision point.
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 Rapidan, MN to Brooklyn Park, MN, road signs begin pointing toward Cr 78: Chaska along the way.
Doable as a same-day drive at 2h 1m. Total distance: 93.8 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 0 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
2h 1m 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 70.7 miles on US 169. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Yes — we found about 2 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 Brooklyn Park, 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. There are 2 rest areas along the route for bathroom stops.
The main spots that need attention: at 60.2 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 60.6 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 63.4 miles: Navigation decision point.
Yes. A round trip is manageable in a single day if you plan a break at Brooklyn Park, MN before heading back.
