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Trip from Albany, MN to Minneapolis, MN

Last recalculated Apr 17, 2026

Drive Time

1h 39m

Distance

86.2 mi

139 km

Drive Score

7/10

Good drive

Same Day?

Yes, doable

Fuel Cost

$13

one way

EV Charging

Unknown

Best Time to Leave

Save up to 22 min
4 AM
1h 32m ★
6 AM
1h 39m
8 AM
1h 54m
10 AM
1h 44m
12 PM
1h 43m
3 PM
1h 45m
5 PM
1h 53m
8 PM
1h 35m

Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.

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Downtown Albany, MN, MN

Albany, MN

Tom Fisk

Trip Overview

This straightforward 86.2-mile drive from Albany to Minneapolis, Minnesota, is easily manageable as a single-day trip, taking approximately 1 hour and 39 minutes. The majority of your journey, 96%, will be on major highways, specifically I-94, offering a direct and efficient path. With an estimated fuel cost of around $13, this route is budget-friendly for a quick excursion. You'll be traveling within the Midwest region of the US, making for a familiar drive. The route is designed for efficiency, with no recommended overnight stops, making it ideal for a quick transit or a day trip.

Trip Pace

Same-day drive is realistic

A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.

Midpoint

43.1 miles from Albany, MN

A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 47m into the drive .

Who Is This Route For?

Weekend Trip

Doable as a same-day drive at 1h 39m. Total distance: 86.2 miles.

Family Friendly

Moderate complexity with 0 natural rest stops along the way.

Solo Traveler

1h 39m drive, comfortable solo distance.

First-Time Driver

Mostly highway driving (96%). Some complex stretches to watch for.

Drive Character

Expect a predominantly highway-focused experience on this route, with 96% of the drive taking place on interstates. The longest continuous stretch you'll encounter is a significant 82.8 miles on I-94, allowing for consistent speed and minimal interruptions. This means you'll likely experience a steady pace for most of your journey. While primarily interstate driving, the route does incorporate local roads like North Washington Avenue and 8th Street as you approach your destination in Minneapolis, offering a slight shift in scenery and driving feel before reaching the city.

Most of the miles stay on highways, which makes pacing and fuel planning easier than turn-by-turn city driving.
There are about 12 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.
I 94 is the longest continuous segment at about 82.8 miles.

How Hard Is This Drive?

This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 94 and North Washington Avenue. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 77.5 miles in near I 94.

Driving Effort 7/10

Demanding - plan breaks and stay ahead of the key maneuvers

Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.

This drive requires moderate attention. Across 86.2 miles you will encounter 10 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 77.5 miles (I 94): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 83.6 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 84 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.

Critical Maneuvers

5 of 10 key points

These are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.

6
77.5 mi into trip | ~1h 25m 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
83.6 mi into trip | ~1h 32m in

Keep slight right at fork

Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here

Use the straight / slight right lanes.
7
84 mi into trip | ~1h 33m 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
85 mi into trip | ~1h 35m 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
85.4 mi into trip | ~1h 36m in | CR 152 / North Washington Avenue

Turn right onto CR 152 / North Washington Avenue

Lane positioning matters here

Use the straight / right lanes.

Main Roads

Road Distance Duration
I 94 82.8 mi 1h 31m
North Washington Avenue 0.6 mi 1m
8th Street 0.3 mi <1m
Railroad Avenue 0.2 mi <1m
2nd Avenue North 0.2 mi <1m
Washington Avenue South 0.2 mi <1m
Longest stretch: I 94 — 82.8 mi, about 1h 31m

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between Albany, MN and Minneapolis, MN.

1

Start on MN 238

0.2 mi · 26 sec · Railroad Avenue
2

Turn left onto MN 238

0.3 mi · 38 sec · 8th Street
3

Take the ramp

0.3 mi · 35 sec
4

Merge onto I 94

77 mi · 1 hr 23 min · I 94
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
5

Keep slight right at fork onto I 94

6.1 mi · 7 min · I 94
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
6

Keep slight right at fork

0.4 mi · 25 sec
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
7

Keep slight left at fork

1.0 mi · 2 min
Toward 4th Street North Use the straight / slight right lanes.
8

Keep slight right at fork

0.3 mi · 40 sec
Toward 2nd Avenue North Use the straight / slight left lanes.
9

Turn left onto 2nd Avenue North

0.2 mi · 35 sec · 2nd Avenue North
10

Turn right onto CR 152

0.6 mi · 1 min · North Washington Avenue
Use the straight / right lanes.
11

Continue on CR 152

0.2 mi · 31 sec · Washington Avenue South
Use the left lane.
12

Arrive at destination

CR 152

Trip Plan

Given the short duration of 1 hour and 39 minutes, this route offers great flexibility. You can depart Albany at your leisure, but leaving earlier in the morning can help you avoid potential traffic as you near Minneapolis. Keep an eye on your fuel gauge, especially during the longest stretch on I-94, as services can be more spaced out on interstates. The $13 fuel estimate suggests that most standard vehicles won't need frequent refueling. Plan for a brief stop if needed, but the minimal travel time means you can likely complete this journey without a dedicated rest break.

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 43.1 miles from Albany, MN, or about 47m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 82.8 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 19 miles or 21m in

Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.

Halfway reset

Around 43.1 miles or 47m 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 20m

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 Albany, MN so your first major turns are already loaded.

Day 1

Settle into the route from Albany, MN

This is one driving day of about 86.2 miles and 1h 39m.

Your first comfortable stop window is around 19 miles from Albany, MN.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
The longest stretch is on I 94 for about 82.8 miles.

Where to Stop

Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.

Halfway Point

Midpoint

About 43.1 mi from Albany, MN · 47m into the drive

city in Sherburne County, Minnesota, United States

Mid-route town

Meal stop

Big Lake, MN

43 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

Cold Spring, MN

Fuel and coffee

A short stop after about 19 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.

Big Lake, MN

Meal break

The midpoint is around 43.1 miles from Albany, MN, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.

Before the longest stretch

Fuel check

Top up before I 94 if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 82.8 miles.

Arriving in Minneapolis, MN

The final approach into Minneapolis, MN usually feels slower than the middle of the drive, so avoid planning your tightest schedule at the very end.

These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.

Nearby Places

Restaurants, cafes, gas stations and more along your route.

Top Restaurant

Maynard's Restaurant of Rogers

4.5 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Rogers, Minnesota

Later in the drive, right off the route

0.5 mi from route ~1 min detour $20 to $30 mile 61.5

Hours: 11 am–11 pm

+17634280700

Visit website

FIKA Café

4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Minneapolis, Minnesota

1.7 mi

Phoever ❤️ Vietnamese Cuisine & Coffee

4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Columbia Heights, Minnesota

2.1 mi

Top Coffee Stop

Spyhouse Coffee Roasters | Downtown / Emery

4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Minneapolis, Minnesota

Near the end, right off the route

0.2 mi from route $1 to $10 mile 86.2

Hours: 6:30 am–5 pm

Visit website

The Mill

4.8 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Albany, Minnesota

0.2 mi

Fawkes Alley Coffee

4.8 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Minneapolis, Minnesota

1.2 mi

Maynard's Restaurant of Rogers

4.5 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Later in the drive, right off the route

0.5 mi from route ~1 min detour $20 to $30 mile 61.5

Rogers, Minnesota

Hours: 11 am–11 pm

+17634280700

Visit website

FIKA Café

4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, short detour

1.7 mi from route ~4 min detour $20 to $30 mile 86.2

Minneapolis, Minnesota

Hours: 10 am–8 pm

+16125245108

Visit website

Phoever ❤️ Vietnamese Cuisine & Coffee

4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, short detour

2.1 mi from route ~5 min detour $10 to $20 mile 80

Columbia Heights, Minnesota

Hours: 11 am–12 pm

+17632088754

Visit website

Lynde’s Restaurant & Catering

4.5 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, short detour

2.4 mi from route ~6 min detour $10 to $20 mile 73.9

Osseo, Minnesota

Hours: 6 am–2 pm

+17634243696

Visit website

Lake and Bryant Cafe

4.8 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, short detour

2.5 mi from route ~6 min detour $10 to $20 mile 86.2

Minneapolis, Minnesota

Hours: 7 am–5 pm

+16126594450

Visit website

Hamdi Restaurant

4.2 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Near the end, short detour

2.2 mi from route ~5 min detour $10 to $20 mile 86.2

Minneapolis, Minnesota

Hours: 10 am–10 pm

+16128239660

Visit website

Lake & Irving Restaurant & Bar

4.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, short detour

2.9 mi from route ~7 min detour $20 to $30 mile 86.2

Minneapolis, Minnesota

Hours: 4–9 pm

+16123542453

Visit website

The Coffee Shop NE

4.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, short detour

3.1 mi from route ~8 min detour $10 to $20 mile 86.2

Minneapolis, Minnesota

Hours: 6:30 am–6 pm

+16122598478

Visit website

Spyhouse Coffee Roasters | Downtown / Emery

4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, right off the route

0.2 mi from route $1 to $10 mile 86.2

Minneapolis, Minnesota

Hours: 6:30 am–5 pm

Visit website

The Mill

4.8 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, right off the route

0.2 mi from route $10 to $20

Albany, Minnesota

Hours: 6 am–3 pm

+13208456455

Visit website

Fawkes Alley Coffee

4.8 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, short detour

1.2 mi from route ~3 min detour $1 to $10 mile 86.2

Minneapolis, Minnesota

Hours: 8 am–4 pm

Visit website

Bordertown Coffee

4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, short detour

1.5 mi from route ~4 min detour $10 to $20 mile 86.2

Minneapolis, Minnesota

Hours: 7:30 am–6 pm

+16123797277

Visit website

Spyhouse Coffee Roasters | Northeast

4.4 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Near the end, short detour

1.6 mi from route ~4 min detour $1 to $10 mile 86.2

Minneapolis, Minnesota

Hours: 7 am–7 pm

+16123454348

Visit website

District Coffee

4.9 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Early in the drive, short detour

1.5 mi from route ~4 min detour $10 to $20 mile 24.6

St Cloud, Minnesota

Hours: 6:30 am–2:30 pm

+13203422040

Visit website

Caffetto Coffee House

4.5 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, short detour

1.8 mi from route ~4 min detour $1 to $10 mile 86.2

Minneapolis, Minnesota

Hours: 7 am–12 pm

+16128720911

Visit website

Code Blu Coffee

4.8 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, short detour

1.9 mi from route ~5 min detour $1 to $10 mile 86.2

Minneapolis, Minnesota

Hours: 6 am–4 pm

Visit website

Bad Axe Throwing Minneapolis City Center

4.9 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, right off the route

0.5 mi from route ~1 min detour $40 to $50 mile 86.2

Minneapolis, Minnesota

Hours: 6–9:30 pm

+18448180999

Visit website

Prince The Tour

4.5 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, right off the route

0.4 mi from route ~1 min detour mile 86.2

Minneapolis, Minnesota

Hours: 10 am–4 pm

+16127102923

Playground Plaza

4.3 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Later in the drive, short detour

2.7 mi from route ~7 min detour mile 67.7

Maple Grove, Minnesota

Hours: 7 am–9 pm

+17632283833

Visit website

Granite City Jump

4.4 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Early in the drive, ~11 min detour

4.5 mi from route ~11 min detour mile 24.6

St Cloud, Minnesota

Hours: 10 am–8 pm

+13203422148

Visit website

Place data sourced from public business listings. Hours and availability may vary.

Fuel & Cost

Regular Gas

$12.83 one way

$25.66 round trip

$3.78/gal 25.4 MPG avg 30 kg CO2
Fuel Type $/gal One Way Round Trip
midgrade $4.07 $13.82 $27.65
premium $4.53 $15.38 $30.76
diesel $5.61 $19.03 $38.06

No toll roads detected on this route.

Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)

Fuel

$13

Meals

$25–$50

Total

$38–$63

Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.

Estimated CO2 emission: 30.2 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.

Driving Electric?

About $9 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO2

Vehicle Type kWh Stops DC Fast Home Charge
Average EV 25.9 0 $9.05 $4.14
Efficient EV 21.6 0 $7.54 $3.45
EV Truck/SUV 34.5 0 $12.07 $5.52

Gas CO2

30 kg

EV CO2

10 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 16, 2026

Origin

Albany, MN

Evening in Albany on Thursday

Local time

8:29 PM

CDT

Current temp

66°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

Destination

Minneapolis, MN

Evening in Minneapolis on Thursday

Local time

8:29 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

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

1h 39m 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.

Frequently Asked Questions

The drive from Albany, MN to Minneapolis, MN covers 86.2 miles and takes about 1h 39m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are I 94, North Washington Avenue, 8th Street. Most of the drive stays on highways, so watch for ramps and exits.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 43.1 miles from Albany, MN. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $12.83 one way. This estimate uses 25.4 MPG — your actual cost will vary with your vehicle's fuel efficiency and current gas prices.
Leave by 9 AM and you'll arrive before lunch. Even a 4 PM departure gets you there before dark in summer.
This drive requires moderate attention. Across 86.2 miles you will encounter 10 spots where lane choice or exit timing matters. Not difficult for experienced highway drivers, but worth previewing the tricky sections before you go.
The main spots that need attention: at 77.5 miles (I 94): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 83.6 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 84 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
The route from Albany, MN to Minneapolis, MN does not surface many named destination signs beyond the main corridor.

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