This 162.4-mile drive from Woodbury, MN, to Detroit Lakes, MN, is a straightforward trip that can easily be completed in about 3 hours and 17 minutes. The route is primarily highway-focused, with 76% of the journey on major roads like US 10 and MN 210. Given its manageable length and duration, this trip is perfectly suited for a single-day excursion. The estimated fuel cost is around $24, making it an economical option for exploring the Midwest. You'll find this drive to be a practical way to transition between two points within Minnesota.
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
81.2 miles from Woodbury, MN
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 1h 43m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
US 10
70.2 mi
1h 20m
MN 210
32.2 mi
40m
Voyageur Highway
30.2 mi
36m
State Highway 210
20.7 mi
25m
2nd Street Northeast
1.9 mi
3m
Washington Street
1.8 mi
3m
Northeast Washington Street
1.5 mi
2m
East Main Street
1.1 mi
1m
Longest stretch:
US 10
— 70.2 mi, about 1h 20m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Woodbury, MN and Detroit Lakes, MN.
1
Start on CR 127
0.2 mi·29 sec·Gisler Road
2
Turn right onto MN 210
32 mi·40 min·MN 210
3
Turn left onto US 169; MN 210
7.5 mi·9 min·Voyageur Highway
4
Continue on US 169; MN 210
1.9 mi·3 min·2nd Street Northeast
5
Continue on MN 210
8.8 mi·10 min·Voyageur Highway
6
Continue on MN 6; MN 210
0.4 mi·29 sec·East Front Street
7
Turn right onto MN 6; MN 210
0.7 mi·45 sec·Archibald Road
8
Continue on MN 6; MN 210
2.3 mi·2 min·Voyageur Highway
9
Enter roundabout onto MN 6; MN 210
109 ft·1 sec·East Main Street
10
Continue on MN 6; MN 210
1.1 mi·1 min·East Main Street
11
Turn left onto MN 210
0.4 mi·26 sec·3rd Avenue Southwest
12
Continue on MN 210
0.7 mi·45 sec·Oak Street
13
Continue on MN 210
0.4 mi·25 sec·4th Street
14
Continue on MN 210
12 mi·13 min·Voyageur Highway
15
Continue on MN 210
1.5 mi·2 min·Northeast Washington Street
16
Continue on MN 210
1.8 mi·3 min·Washington Street
17
Continue on MN 210; MN 371 Business
21 mi·25 min·State Highway 210
18
Continue on US 10; MN 210
6.4 mi·7 min·US 10; MN 210
19
Turn straight onto US 10; MN 210
8.5 mi·9 min·US 10; MN 210
20
Continue on US 10; IC A
11 mi·12 min·US 10; IC A
21
Turn slight right
67 ft·2 sec
22
Enter roundabout
100 ft·1 sec
23
Continue
96 ft·1 sec
24
Turn straight onto US 10
44 mi·51 min·US 10
25
Turn left onto CR 22
0.1 mi·27 sec·Washington Avenue
26
Arrive at destination
CR 22
Trip Plan
With a travel time of just over 3 hours, this 162.4-mile trip offers flexibility for departure. You can leave in the morning and arrive in Detroit Lakes with plenty of daylight remaining. The route involves one primary stop, likely for fuel or a quick break, given the longest stretch is over 70 miles. Keep an eye on your fuel gauge, especially before heading onto the longer segments of US 10. Planning to depart mid-morning could help you avoid early rush hour traffic leaving the Woodbury area and ensure a smooth start to your 3-hour drive.
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 81.2 miles from Woodbury, MN, or about 1h 43m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 70.2 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 36 miles or 45m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 81.2 miles or 1h 43m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 2h 43m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Detroit Lakes, MN than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving Woodbury, 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 Woodbury, MN
This is one driving day of about 162.4 miles and 3h 17m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 36 miles from Woodbury, 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 10 for about 70.2 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 8
5 decision points cluster between mile 0.2 and 162.3 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
3
0.2 mi into trip|~0m in|MN 210
Turn right onto MN 210
Navigation decision point
4
51 mi into trip|~1h 5m in|MN 6; MN 210 / Archibald Road
Turn right onto MN 6; MN 210 / Archibald Road
Navigation decision point
5
53.9 mi into trip|~1h 8m in|MN 6; MN 210 / East Main Street
Enter roundabout onto MN 6; MN 210 / East Main Street
Roundabout - know your exit number before entering
6
117.9 mi into trip|~2h 26m in
Enter roundabout
Roundabout - know your exit number before entering
4
162.3 mi into trip|~3h 17m in|CR 22 / Washington Avenue
Turn left onto CR 22 / Washington Avenue
Navigation decision point
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$24.17 one way
$48.34 round trip
$3.78/gal25.4 MPG avg57 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.07
$26.04
$52.08
premium
$4.53
$28.98
$57.95
diesel
$5.61
$35.86
$71.71
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$24
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$49–$74
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 56.8 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $17 in charging
· 0 stops
· 67% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
48.7
0
$17.05
$7.80
Efficient EV
40.6
0
$14.21
$6.50
EV Truck/SUV
65
0
$22.74
$10.39
Gas CO2
57 kg
EV CO2
19 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 15, 2026
Origin
Woodbury, MN
Night
in Woodbury on Saturday
Local time
11:50 PM
CDT
Current temp
63°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
Detroit Lakes, MN
Night
in Detroit Lakes on Saturday
Local time
11:50 PM
CDT
Current temp
64°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
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
3h 17m 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?
The majority of this 162.4-mile journey, specifically 76%, takes place on highways, suggesting a driving experience characterized by speed and efficiency. You'll spend a significant amount of time on US 10 and MN 210, which are likely to offer consistent travel conditions. The longest uninterrupted stretch covers 70.2 miles on US 10, meaning you can settle in for a good portion of the drive without frequent turns. This highway-focused profile implies a relatively predictable and perhaps less varied landscape compared to more winding, scenic routes.
76% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
26 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 70.2 mi on US 10.
How Hard Is This Drive?
2/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on US 10 and MN 210. Navigation is very simple - set it and forget it for most of the drive. The trickiest moment comes around 0.2 miles in near MN 210.
Driving Effort2/10
Very easy - short and simple to drive
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
The drive from Woodbury, MN to Detroit Lakes, MN is easy. At 3h 17m with 76% highway, most drivers will find it relaxed and low-stress.
Where does it get tricky?
The main spots that need attention: at 0.2 miles (MN 210): Navigation decision point; at 51 miles (MN 6; MN 210 / Archibald Road): Navigation decision point; at 53.9 miles (MN 6; MN 210 / East Main Street): Roundabout - know your exit number before entering.
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 3h 17m. Total distance: 162.4 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
The longest stretch is about 70.2 miles on US 10. 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 0.2 miles (MN 210): Navigation decision point; at 51 miles (MN 6; MN 210 / Archibald Road): Navigation decision point; at 53.9 miles (MN 6; MN 210 / East Main Street): Roundabout - know your exit number before entering.
Possible but tiring. At 3.3 hours each way, an in-and-out day trip would put you behind the wheel for 6.6 hours — manageable with a long break at Detroit Lakes, MN, but most travelers stay overnight.
