Origin
Silver Creek, MN
Night in Silver Creek on Saturday
Local time
11:50 PM
CDT
Current temp
54°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Silver Creek, 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
3h 43m
Distance
188.7 mi
304 km
Drive Score
8/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$28
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
3h 31m
★
6 AM
3h 44m
8 AM
4h 9m
10 AM
3h 52m
12 PM
3h 50m
3 PM
3h 54m
5 PM
4h 8m
8 PM
3h 36m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Silver Creek, MN
Tom Fisk
Trip Overview
This 188.7-mile drive from Silver Creek, MN to Minneapolis, MN is an easy one-day trip, taking approximately 3 hours and 43 minutes. The route is almost entirely highway, making it a straightforward journey through the Midwest. With a projected fuel cost of around $28, it's an economical option for a quick getaway or a return trip. You'll be spending most of your time on I-35 and I-35W, with a brief segment on MN 61. This drive is perfect for those who prefer efficient travel and want to reach their destination without many detours.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.
Break Rhythm
1 planned break
A short stop every 2 to 3 hours is enough for this drive.
Midpoint
94.3 miles from Silver Creek, MN
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h 57m into the drive .
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| I 35 | 132.1 mi | 2h 24m |
| MN 61 | 28.7 mi | 40m |
| I 35W | 23.4 mi | 27m |
| Highway 3 | 2.1 mi | 5m |
| Township Road 613 | 1 mi | 2m |
| Washington Avenue South | 0.8 mi | 2m |
| Loop Road | 0.3 mi | <1m |
Longest stretch:
I 35
— 132.1 mi, about 2h 24m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Silver Creek, MN and Minneapolis, MN.
1
Start on CR 3
2.1 mi
·
5 min
·
Highway 3
2
Continue on TWP 613
1.0 mi
·
2 min
·
Township Road 613
3
Continue on TWP 613
0.3 mi
·
48 sec
·
Loop Road
4
Turn right onto MN 61
29 mi
·
40 min
·
MN 61
Use the straight lane.
5
Turn left onto I 35
4.0 mi
·
5 min
·
I 35
6
Keep slight left at fork onto I 35
128 mi
·
2 hr 19 min
·
I 35
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
7
Keep slight right at fork onto I 35W
23 mi
·
27 min
·
I 35W
Toward I 35W: Minneapolis
Use the straight / right lanes.
8
Take the exit
0.2 mi
·
42 sec
Exit 17C
Toward Washington Avenue
Use the slight right lane.
9
Turn right onto CR 152
0.8 mi
·
2 min
·
Washington Avenue South
Use the straight / left / right lanes.
10
Arrive at destination
CR 152
Trip Plan
Given the 3 hour 43 minute duration, starting your drive in the morning will allow ample time to reach Minneapolis without feeling rushed. You'll encounter just one recommended stop, so plan your breaks accordingly, especially during the longest 132.1-mile stretch on I-35. Keep an eye on your fuel gauge, as the $28 estimated cost suggests a few fill-ups might be necessary. Since this is a manageable one-day trip, you have flexibility in your departure time and can enjoy a less hurried pace.
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 94.3 miles from Silver Creek, MN, or about 1h 57m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 132.1 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 42 miles or 1h in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 94.3 miles or 1h 57m 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 3m
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 Silver Creek, 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 Silver Creek, MN
This is one driving day of about 188.7 miles and 3h 43m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 42 miles from Silver Creek, 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 I 35 for about 132.1 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Mid-route town
Meal stop
94 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 42 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 94.3 miles from Silver Creek, MN, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Before the longest stretch
Fuel checkTop up before I 35 if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 132.1 miles.
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 55 decision points cluster between mile 3.4 and 187.9 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
5
3.4 mi into trip
|
~8m in
|
MN 61
Turn right onto MN 61
Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight lane.
6
36.1 mi into trip
|
~54m in
|
I 35
Keep slight left at fork onto I 35
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
7
164.2 mi into trip
|
~3h 13m in
|
I 35W
Keep slight right at fork onto I 35W toward I 35W: Minneapolis
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / right lanes.
Toward I 35W: Minneapolis
7
187.7 mi into trip
|
~3h 40m in
Take the exit toward Washington Avenue
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight right lane.
Exit 17C
Toward Washington Avenue
6
187.9 mi into trip
|
~3h 41m in
|
CR 152 / Washington Avenue South
Turn right onto CR 152 / Washington Avenue South
Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / left / right lanes.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$28.08 one way
$56.16 round trip
$3.78/gal
25.4 MPG avg
66 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.07 | $30.26 | $60.52 |
| premium | $4.53 | $33.67 | $67.34 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $41.66 | $83.33 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$28
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$53–$78
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 66 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $20 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 56.6 | 0 | $19.81 | $9.06 |
| Efficient EV | 47.2 | 0 | $16.51 | $7.55 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 75.5 | 0 | $26.42 | $12.08 |
Gas CO2
66 kg
EV CO2
22 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.
Destination
Minneapolis, MN
Night in Minneapolis on Saturday
Local time
11:50 PM
CDT
Current temp
67°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
13 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
3h 43m 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 predominantly highway-focused experience on this trip, with 99% of the drive utilizing major interstates. The majority of your journey will be on I-35, including a significant uninterrupted stretch of 132.1 miles. While largely interstate, the route offers a fairly consistent driving experience, minimizing the need to navigate complex local roads. This means you can settle into a rhythm on the open highway for extended periods.
99% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
10 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 132.1 mi on I 35.
How Hard Is This Drive?
4/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 35 and MN 61. There are only a few real navigation decisions along the way. The trickiest moment comes around 3.4 miles in near MN 61.
Driving Effort
4/10
Easy - simple navigation with a manageable amount of wheel time
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This is a straightforward 3h 43m drive. You will face about 5 decision points, but nothing that requires special attention if you follow navigation.
Where does it get tricky?
The main spots that need attention: at 3.4 miles (MN 61): Lane positioning matters here; at 36.1 miles (I 35): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 164.2 miles (I 35W): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 3h 43m. Total distance: 188.7 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
3h 43m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (99%). Straightforward navigation.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 132.1 miles on I 35. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
We did not find dedicated rest areas on this route. For a drive this long, plan bathroom and stretch breaks around gas stations, fast-food stops, or small-town downtowns — check the Nearby Places section for options.
Yes, with realistic expectations. Build in a stop roughly every 2 hours, have snacks and activities ready, and check the Nearby Places tabs for kid-friendly stops along the way.
The main spots that need attention: at 3.4 miles (MN 61): Lane positioning matters here; at 36.1 miles (I 35): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 164.2 miles (I 35W): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
Possible but tiring. At 3.7 hours each way, an in-and-out day trip would put you behind the wheel for 7.5 hours — manageable with a long break at Minneapolis, MN, but most travelers stay overnight.
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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