Connecting Rochester and Minneapolis, this 83.4-mile trip is a straightforward journey through the Minnesota Midwest. You can expect to reach your destination in approximately 1 hour and 46 minutes, making it an ideal day trip that requires no overnight stay. With a fuel budget of about $12, the route is both efficient and budget-friendly. You will primarily utilize US 52, MN 55, and Hiawatha Avenue to complete the transit. Whether you are heading north for business or leisure, this drive offers a practical connection between two of Minnesota's most significant hubs.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.
Midpoint
41.7 miles from Rochester, MN
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 50m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
US 52
65.8 mi
1h 16m
MN 55
9.7 mi
13m
Hiawatha Avenue
4.9 mi
9m
2nd Street Southwest
0.7 mi
2m
Washington Avenue South
0.4 mi
1m
South 3rd Street
0.2 mi
<1m
South 7th Street
0.2 mi
<1m
3rd Street Southwest
0.2 mi
<1m
Longest stretch:
US 52
— 65.8 mi, about 1h 16m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Rochester, MN and Minneapolis, MN.
1
Start on 5th Avenue Southwest
403 ft·15 sec·5th Avenue Southwest
2
Turn right onto 3rd Street Southwest
0.2 mi·26 sec·3rd Street Southwest
3
Turn right onto 7th Avenue Southwest
404 ft·15 sec·7th Avenue Southwest
4
Turn left onto 2nd Street Southwest
0.7 mi·2 min·2nd Street Southwest
5
Turn right onto 17th Avenue Southwest
150 ft·3 sec·17th Avenue Southwest
Use the right lane.
6
Keep slight left at fork
0.2 mi·25 sec
Toward US 52 North, US 63 North, US 14 WestUse the slight left lane.
7
Merge onto US 52; US 14; US 63
0.3 mi·24 sec·US 52; US 14; US 63
8
Continue on US 52; US 63
17 mi·19 min·US 52; US 63
9
Continue on US 52
9.1 mi·10 min·US 52
Use the straight lane.
10
Continue on US 52
40 mi·45 min·US 52
Use the straight lane.
11
Keep slight left at fork onto MN 55
9.3 mi·12 min·MN 55
Exit 121Toward MN 55 West: MinneapolisUse the slight left / slight right lanes.
12
Take the exit onto MN 55
0.2 mi·23 sec·MN 55
Exit 115Toward MN 55 West: Minnehaha Avenue, Hiawatha AvenueUse the straight / slight right lanes.
13
Keep slight right at fork onto MN 55
0.3 mi·38 sec·MN 55
Toward MN 55 West: Hiawatha AvenueUse the slight left / slight right lanes.
14
Merge onto MN 55
4.9 mi·9 min·Hiawatha Avenue
Use the left lane.
15
Continue on South 7th Street
0.2 mi·16 sec·South 7th Street
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
16
Take the exit
0.5 mi·42 sec
Toward 3rd Street, Washington Avenue, University of MinnesotaUse the slight right lane.
17
Keep slight left at fork
459 ft·7 sec
Toward 3rd Street, Washington Avenue, University of Minnesota, West Bank
18
Keep slight left at fork
0.3 mi·48 sec
Toward 3rd StreetUse the slight left lane.
19
Continue on South 3rd Street
0.2 mi·40 sec·South 3rd Street
20
Turn right onto Chicago Avenue South
409 ft·16 sec·Chicago Avenue South
21
Turn left onto CR 152
0.4 mi·1 min·Washington Avenue South
22
Arrive at destination
CR 152
Trip Plan
Because this is a relatively short drive, you have the advantage of total flexibility in your departure time. Since the trip takes less than two hours, you likely will not need to plan for any formal stops, allowing you to head straight through to your destination. Keep an eye on your fuel gauge before leaving Rochester, as $12 covers the average cost of the trip but won't leave much room for detours. For the smoothest transition into Minneapolis, pay close attention to local traffic patterns as you merge onto Hiawatha Avenue. Enjoy the convenience of a route that gets you from point A to point B without any unnecessary complexity.
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 41.7 miles from Rochester, MN, or about 50m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 65.8 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 18 miles or 23m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 41.7 miles or 50m 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 24m
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 Rochester, MN so your first major turns are already loaded.
Day 1
Settle into the route from Rochester, MN
This is one driving day of about 83.4 miles and 1h 46m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 18 miles from Rochester, MN.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
The longest stretch is on US 52 for about 65.8 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 13
5 decision points cluster between mile 1.1 and 81.8 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
9
1.1 mi into trip|~3m in
Keep slight left at fork toward US 52 North, US 63 North, US 14 West
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the slight left lane.
Toward US 52 North, US 63 North, US 14 West
8
67 mi into trip|~1h 19m in|MN 55
Keep slight left at fork onto MN 55 toward MN 55 West: Minneapolis
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight left / slight right lanes.
Exit 121
Toward MN 55 West: Minneapolis
8
76.3 mi into trip|~1h 31m in|MN 55
Take the exit onto MN 55 toward MN 55 West: Minnehaha Avenue, Hiawatha Avenue
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 115
Toward MN 55 West: Minnehaha Avenue, Hiawatha A...
8
76.5 mi into trip|~1h 32m in|MN 55
Keep slight right at fork onto MN 55 toward MN 55 West: Hiawatha Avenue
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight left / slight right lanes.
Toward MN 55 West: Hiawatha Avenue
7
81.8 mi into trip|~1h 42m in
Take the exit toward 3rd Street, Washington Avenue, University of Minnesota
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the slight right lane.
Toward 3rd Street, Washington Avenue, Universit...
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$12.41 one way
$24.82 round trip
$3.78/gal25.4 MPG avg29 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.07
$13.37
$26.75
premium
$4.53
$14.88
$29.76
diesel
$5.61
$18.41
$36.83
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: 29.2 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
25
0
$8.76
$4.00
Efficient EV
20.9
0
$7.30
$3.34
EV Truck/SUV
33.4
0
$11.68
$5.34
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 20, 2026
Origin
Rochester, MN
Late night
in Rochester on Tuesday
Local time
5:27 AM
CDT
Current temp
57°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
Minneapolis, MN
Late night
in Minneapolis on Tuesday
Local time
5:27 AM
CDT
Current temp
59°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
40°F
Vermillion, MN
42 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
2 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
1h 46m 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 trip is heavily highway-focused, with 91% of your travel occurring on higher-speed roads. You will spend the bulk of your time on US 52, which accounts for the longest uninterrupted stretch of 65.8 miles. Expect a consistent, efficient pace as you transition from the highway stretches into the city via MN 55 and Hiawatha Avenue. The drive feels purposeful and direct, serving as a reliable transit corridor rather than a winding backroads exploration. You should be prepared for a steady, focused experience behind the wheel.
91% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
22 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 65.8 mi on US 52.
How Hard Is This Drive?
9/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on US 52 and MN 55. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 1.1 miles in.
Driving Effort9/10
Demanding - stay alert through the decision-heavy sections
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This drive requires moderate attention. Across 83.4 miles you will encounter 13 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: at 1.1 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 67 miles (MN 55): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 76.3 miles (MN 55): Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Rochester, Minnesota, about 80 miles (130 km) southeast of Minneapolis/St. Paul, is home to the Mayo Clinic. Rochester is cold in the winter and warm, and many times hot, in the summer. It has a population of 107,890 in the city limits, with more in the surrounding areas, but hosts millions of out-of-town visitors coming for treatment at the Mayo Clinic. Owing to the large number of visitors, Rochester has a well developed infrastructure and is much busier than other cities of its size.
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.
Doable as a same-day drive at 1h 46m. Total distance: 83.4 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 0 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
1h 46m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (91%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 65.8 miles on US 52. 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.
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: at 1.1 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 67 miles (MN 55): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 76.3 miles (MN 55): Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Yes. A round trip is manageable in a single day if you plan a break at Minneapolis, MN before heading back.
