Detroit Lakes, MN Road Trips

Detroit Lakes, MN serves as a quiet starting point in the Midwest, connecting drivers to 13 outbound routes across the area. The route mix is balanced, with options ranging from 136-mile quick runs to 226-mile cross-state drives. Most routes from Detroit Lakes, MN head east, giving the route network a clear directional lean.

Photo: Tom Fisk

Trip Routes

26

Longest Drive

226.3 mi

Lakeville, MN

Quickest Drive

2h 14m

Saint Cloud, MN

Plan Around Detroit Lakes, MN

Popular Incoming Routes

Useful if Detroit Lakes, MN is the arrival point and you want the strongest routes into the city first.

Lakeville, MN to Detroit Lakes, MN 223.1 mi · 4h 24m Apple Valley, MN to Detroit Lakes, MN 219.1 mi · 4h 17m Eagan, MN to Detroit Lakes, MN 216.6 mi · 4h 16m Bloomington, MN to Detroit Lakes, MN 208.6 mi · 4h 5m

Continue From Detroit Lakes, MN

Good next legs if this city is only one stop in a longer road trip.

Detroit Lakes, MN to Lakeville, MN 226.3 mi · 3h 39m Detroit Lakes, MN to Eagan, MN 223.2 mi · 3h 35m Detroit Lakes, MN to Apple Valley, MN 222.1 mi · 3h 37m Detroit Lakes, MN to Bloomington, MN 211.8 mi · 3h 22m

Trips from Detroit Lakes, MN

Detroit Lakes, MN to Lakeville, MN

226.3 mi 3h 39m

Detroit Lakes, MN to Eagan, MN

223.2 mi 3h 35m

Detroit Lakes, MN to Apple Valley, MN

222.1 mi 3h 37m

Detroit Lakes, MN to Bloomington, MN

211.8 mi 3h 22m

Detroit Lakes, MN to Eden Prairie, MN

206 mi 3h 21m

Detroit Lakes, MN to Minneapolis, MN

203.1 mi 3h 17m

Detroit Lakes, MN to Minnetonka, MN

202 mi 3h 13m

Detroit Lakes, MN to Co on Rapids, MN

195.9 mi 3h 7m

Detroit Lakes, MN to Plymouth, MN

194.1 mi 3h 6m

Detroit Lakes, MN to Blaine, MN

192.9 mi 3h 12m

Detroit Lakes, MN to Brooklyn Park, MN

192.9 mi 3h 8m

Detroit Lakes, MN to Maple Grove, MN

190.2 mi 3h 2m

Detroit Lakes, MN to Saint Cloud, MN

135.6 mi 2h 14m

Driving from Detroit Lakes, MN

The typical drive from Detroit Lakes, MN covers about 200 miles and takes around 3h 13m. The majority of routes are short drives — quick enough to finish before lunch and be back for dinner. The longest mapped route runs 226 miles (3h 39m), while the shortest is just 136 miles.

Popular Destinations

Top road trip destinations from Detroit Lakes, MN are Lakeville, MN (226.3 mi, 3h 39m), Eagan, MN (223.2 mi, 3h 35m), Apple Valley, MN (222.1 mi, 3h 37m), Bloomington, MN (211.8 mi, 3h 22m), and Eden Prairie, MN (206 mi, 3h 21m). Most destinations stay within the same state, perfect for exploring the local region thoroughly.

Planning & Costs

Regular gas in MN currently averages around $3.57 per gallon. For the typical 200-mile trip from Detroit Lakes, MN, budget about $28 in fuel one way, assuming 25 MPG. Longer hauls and premium fuel will cost proportionally more.

Routes tend to go east, so afternoon departures put the sun at your back on the return leg. Most trips take a half-day, so a morning start gets you there in time for lunch or an afternoon of exploring.

Frequently Asked Questions

There are 13 mapped routes leaving Detroit Lakes, MN and 13 routes heading into Detroit Lakes, MN, covering 26 total connections. Distances range from 136 to 226 miles.

The longest mapped route from Detroit Lakes, MN covers 226 miles and takes approximately 3h 39m. Shorter options start at just 136 miles.

The average route from Detroit Lakes, MN runs about 200 miles with a drive time of roughly 3h 13m. This includes both short day trips and longer multi-day drives.

At current gas prices (about $3.57/gallon for regular), the average 200-mile trip from Detroit Lakes, MN costs roughly $28 in fuel one way, based on 25 MPG. Your actual cost depends on your vehicle's efficiency.

The most popular road trip destinations from Detroit Lakes, MN include Lakeville, MN, Eagan, MN, Apple Valley, MN and Bloomington, MN. Each route page has detailed drive times, fuel estimates, stop suggestions, and turn-by-turn directions.