Driving from Thief River Falls to Minneapolis covers 294.4 miles and typically takes about 5 hours and 45 minutes of road time. Because this journey fits comfortably into a single day, you can easily complete it without needing an overnight stay. Expect to spend roughly $42 on fuel for the trip, depending on your vehicle's efficiency. The route relies primarily on US 59 and US 10, keeping you within the Midwest as you transition from the northern reaches of Minnesota toward the Twin Cities. It is a straightforward, highway-focused drive that works well for those looking to reach their destination efficiently.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is possible, but it will make for a full day on the road.
Break Rhythm
1 planned break
Plan on a short reset every 3 to 4 hours to stay fresh behind the wheel.
Midpoint
147.2 miles from Thief River Falls, MN
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 2h 49m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
US 59
85 mi
1h 36m
West Mason Avenue
78.4 mi
1h 29m
US 10
71.1 mi
1h 22m
I 94
34.1 mi
38m
3rd Street East
9.5 mi
11m
Ash Avenue Northwest
7.3 mi
8m
165th Avenue Southeast
1.8 mi
2m
Broadway Street East
1.5 mi
2m
Longest stretch:
US 59
— 85 mi, about 1h 36m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Thief River Falls, MN and Minneapolis, MN.
1
Start on US 59
9.5 mi·11 min·3rd Street East
2
Turn left onto US 59
85 mi·1 hr 36 min·US 59
3
Turn left onto US 10
45 mi·51 min·US 10
4
Enter roundabout
103 ft·1 sec
5
Continue
66 ft·0 sec
6
Turn straight onto US 10
7.3 mi·8 min·Ash Avenue Northwest
7
Continue on US 10
78 mi·1 hr 29 min·West Mason Avenue
Use the right lane.
8
Keep slight left at fork onto US 10
26 mi·30 min·US 10
9
Turn right onto 165th Avenue Southeast
1.8 mi·2 min·165th Avenue Southeast
10
Continue on Park Boulevard Southeast
1.4 mi·1 min·Park Boulevard Southeast
11
Continue on County Road 11
0.7 mi·57 sec·County Road 11
12
Turn right onto MN 25
0.1 mi·11 sec·State Highway 25
13
Continue on MN 25
0.3 mi·42 sec·Pine Street
14
Turn left onto CR 75
1.5 mi·2 min·Broadway Street East
15
Turn right onto CR 18
0.3 mi·40 sec·Fenning Avenue
16
Take the ramp
0.4 mi·54 sec
17
Merge onto I 94
28 mi·31 min·I 94
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
18
Keep slight right at fork onto I 94
6.1 mi·7 min·I 94
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
19
Keep slight right at fork
0.4 mi·25 sec
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
20
Keep slight left at fork
1.0 mi·2 min
Toward 4th Street NorthUse the straight / slight right lanes.
21
Keep slight right at fork
0.3 mi·40 sec
Toward 2nd Avenue NorthUse the straight / slight left lanes.
22
Turn left onto 2nd Avenue North
0.2 mi·35 sec·2nd Avenue North
23
Turn right onto CR 152
0.6 mi·1 min·North Washington Avenue
Use the straight / right lanes.
24
Continue on CR 152
0.2 mi·31 sec·Washington Avenue South
Use the left lane.
25
Arrive at destination
CR 152
Trip Plan
To make the most of your 5-hour and 45-minute journey, plan for at least one dedicated stop to stretch your legs and refuel. Since you are looking at a single-day trip, departing early in the morning is your best strategy to avoid any congestion as you approach the Minneapolis metropolitan area. Keep a close eye on your fuel gauge during that 85-mile stretch on US 59, as it is the longest segment of the drive where service options may be limited. Flexibility is a major advantage here; because the duration is manageable, you have the freedom to adjust your pace if you encounter unexpected weather or traffic. Pack snacks and hydration in the car to ensure you stay comfortable during the long, consistent highway stretches.
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 147.2 miles from Thief River Falls, MN, or about 2h 49m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 85 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 65 miles or 1h 15m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 147.2 miles or 2h 49m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 4h 37m
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 Thief River Falls, 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 Thief River Falls, MN
This is one driving day of about 294.4 miles and 5h 45m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 65 miles from Thief River Falls, 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 US 59 for about 85 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 285.7 and 293.6 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
6
285.7 mi into trip|~5h 31m in|I 94
Keep slight right at fork onto I 94
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
6
291.8 mi into trip|~5h 38m in
Keep slight right at fork
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
7
292.2 mi into trip|~5h 39m in
Keep slight left at fork toward 4th Street North
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Toward 4th Street North
7
293.2 mi into trip|~5h 41m in
Keep slight right at fork toward 2nd Avenue North
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight left lanes.
Toward 2nd Avenue North
6
293.6 mi into trip|~5h 42m in|CR 152 / North Washington Avenue
Turn right onto CR 152 / North Washington Avenue
Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / right lanes.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$43.81 one way
$87.62 round trip
$3.78/gal25.4 MPG avg103 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.07
$47.21
$94.42
premium
$4.53
$52.53
$105.06
diesel
$5.61
$65.00
$130.00
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$44
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$69–$94
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 103 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $31 in charging
· 1 stop
· 67% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
88.3
1
$30.91
$14.13
Efficient EV
73.6
0
$25.76
$11.78
EV Truck/SUV
117.8
1
$41.22
$18.84
Gas CO2
103 kg
EV CO2
34 kg (67% less)
Plan for 1 charging stop. A 30-minute DC fast charge mid-route should be enough to complete the trip comfortably.
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
Thief River Falls, MN
Evening
in Thief River Falls on Saturday
Local time
8:28 PM
CDT
Current temp
59°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
Minneapolis, MN
Evening
in Minneapolis on Saturday
Local time
8:28 PM
CDT
Current temp
67°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
67°F
Avon, MN
147 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
8 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
5h 45m on the road
An early start around 7-8 AM gets you there with plenty of daylight left.
Weather data from the National Weather Service. Conditions may change; check closer to your travel date.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
You will find this route is primarily a highway-focused drive, with about 65% of your time spent on major thoroughfares. The road maintains a steady pace, featuring a notable 85-mile stretch on US 59 that serves as your longest uninterrupted section. As you navigate from the northern plains toward the more populated areas near Minneapolis, the road transitions through a mix of highway miles and local segments like West Mason Avenue. You can expect a consistent driving experience that rewards steady focus rather than technical maneuvering. It is a functional path designed to move you across the state with minimal deviation.
65% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
25 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 85 mi on US 59.
How Hard Is This Drive?
7/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on US 59 and West Mason Avenue. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 285.7 miles in near I 94.
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 13 significant decision points across 294.4 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 285.7 miles (I 94): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 291.8 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 292.2 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 5h 45m. Total distance: 294.4 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
5h 45m drive, comfortable solo distance.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 85 miles on US 59. 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.
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. Plan at least 1 meaningful breaks. Dedicated rest areas are limited, so plan gas or food stops as your bathroom breaks.
The main spots that need attention: at 285.7 miles (I 94): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 291.8 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 292.2 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
Not recommended in a single day. At 5.8 hours each way, a round trip means 11.5 hours of driving — that is an unsafe level of fatigue for most drivers. Plan at least one night at Minneapolis, MN before the return drive.
