Origin
Brainerd, MN
Afternoon in Brainerd on Sunday
Local time
3:24 PM
CDT
Current temp
39°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Brainerd, MN to Minneapolis, MN
Drive Time
2h 8m
Distance
130.9 mi
211 km
Drive Score
8/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$19
one way
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
1h 59m
★
6 AM
2h 8m
8 AM
2h 26m
10 AM
2h 15m
12 PM
2h 13m
3 PM
2h 16m
5 PM
2h 26m
8 PM
2h 3m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Brainerd, MN
Tom Fisk
Trip Overview
Traveling from Brainerd to Minneapolis covers 130.9 miles and typically takes about 2 hours and 8 minutes of drive time. Because this journey is relatively short, you can easily complete it in a single day without needing an overnight stop. You should budget approximately $18 for fuel to make the trip comfortably. Navigating this route involves a sequence of local roads rather than a long haul on the interstate. It serves as a straightforward connection between these two Minnesota cities within the Midwest, offering a practical way to transition from the Brainerd area to the urban environment of Minneapolis.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.
Break Rhythm
0 planned breaks
A short stop every 2 to 3 hours is enough for this drive.
Midpoint
65.4 miles from Brainerd, MN
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h 4m into the drive .
Drive Character
Expect a turn-heavy local drive that keeps you engaged behind the wheel. Unlike a monotonous interstate grind, this route relies on roads like Laurel Street, West Laurel Street, and Highland Scenic Drive South to get you to your destination. With a highway share of 0%, you won't be spending your time cruising at high speeds on major freeways. The longest stretch you will encounter is 0 miles on Laurel Street, meaning you will be navigating frequent turns throughout the journey. This driving profile creates a more technical, hands-on experience compared to typical highway travel.
This route has more turning and local-road decision points than a simple highway run.
There are about 27 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.
Laurel Street is one of the defining roads on this drive.
How Hard Is This Drive?
Expect a hands-on drive with frequent turns and local roads rather than long highway stretches. Navigation is very simple — set it and forget it for most of the drive.
Route Complexity
1/10
Very easy - short and simple to drive
The drive from Brainerd, MN to Minneapolis, MN is easy. At 2h 8m with 0% highway, most drivers will find it relaxed and low-stress.
Where does it get tricky?
This route does not have any notably tricky sections. Most of the drive from Brainerd, MN to Minneapolis, MN is straightforward, with well-signed roads and simple exits.
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| Laurel Street | Unavailable | Refreshing |
| West Laurel Street | Unavailable | Refreshing |
| Highland Scenic Drive South | Unavailable | Refreshing |
| C | Unavailable | Refreshing |
| 165th Avenue Southeast | Unavailable | Refreshing |
| Park Boulevard Southeast | Unavailable | Refreshing |
| County Road 11 | Unavailable | Refreshing |
| Highway 25 | Unavailable | Refreshing |
Per-road distance and duration are being refreshed from OSRM for this route.
Longest stretch:
Laurel Street
— detailed segment metrics are refreshing.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Brainerd, MN and Minneapolis, MN.
1
Start on South 6th Street
0.2 mi
·
26 sec
·
South 6th Street
2
Turn right onto Laurel Street
0.5 mi
·
1 min
·
Laurel Street
3
Continue on West Laurel Street
0.6 mi
·
1 min
·
West Laurel Street
4
Continue on Highland Scenic Drive South
1.2 mi
·
1 min
·
Highland Scenic Drive South
5
Enter the roundabout and take exit 2 toward Highland Scenic Drive South
108 ft
·
3 sec
·
Highland Scenic Drive South
6
Exit the roundabout onto Highland Scenic Drive South
1.3 mi
·
1 min
·
Highland Scenic Drive South
7
Turn left onto C. Elmer Anderson Memorial Highway
26 mi
·
29 min
·
C. Elmer Anderson Memorial Highway
8
Merge slight right
21 mi
·
23 min
9
Continue straight
7.8 mi
·
8 min
10
Keep slight left
26 mi
·
30 min
11
Turn right onto 165th Avenue Southeast
1.8 mi
·
2 min
·
165th Avenue Southeast
12
Continue on Park Boulevard Southeast
1.4 mi
·
1 min
·
Park Boulevard Southeast
13
Continue on County Road 11
0.7 mi
·
58 sec
·
County Road 11
14
Turn right onto State Highway 25
0.1 mi
·
12 sec
·
State Highway 25
15
Continue on Pine Street
0.3 mi
·
43 sec
·
Pine Street
16
Turn left onto Broadway Street East
1.5 mi
·
2 min
·
Broadway Street East
17
Turn right onto Fenning Avenue
0.3 mi
·
40 sec
·
Fenning Avenue
18
Take the ramp left
0.4 mi
·
54 sec
19
Merge slight left
28 mi
·
31 min
20
Keep slight right
6.1 mi
·
7 min
21
Keep slight right
0.4 mi
·
25 sec
22
Keep slight left to continue on 4th Street North
1.0 mi
·
2 min
·
4th Street North
23
Keep slight right to continue on 2nd Avenue North
0.3 mi
·
40 sec
·
2nd Avenue North
24
Turn left onto 2nd Avenue North
0.2 mi
·
36 sec
·
2nd Avenue North
25
Turn right onto North Washington Avenue
0.6 mi
·
1 min
·
North Washington Avenue
26
Continue on Washington Avenue South
0.2 mi
·
32 sec
·
Washington Avenue South
27
Arrive at your destination
Trip Plan
Since this is a manageable 2-hour and 8-minute trip, you have plenty of flexibility in your departure schedule. You won't need to plan for lengthy rest stops, as the entire distance is easily drivable in one sitting. Be prepared for a route that requires your full attention due to the high frequency of turns and the reliance on local roads. I recommend fueling up before you head out to cover your $18 estimated cost, as local roads may not offer the same quick-stop convenience as major highway corridors. Keeping your focus on navigation is key, as the lack of highway miles means you will be relying on local street signs to stay on track.
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 65.4 miles from Brainerd, MN, or about 1h 4m into the drive.
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 80 miles or 1h 18m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 65.4 miles or 1h 4m 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 45m
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 Brainerd, 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 Brainerd, MN
This is one driving day of about 130.9 miles and 2h 8m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 80 miles from Brainerd, MN.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
You may only need one short stretch stop if conditions stay smooth.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 65.4 mi from Brainerd, MN · 1h 4m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
65 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 80 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 65.4 miles from Brainerd, MN, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
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.
Try to arrive with enough fuel left to skip an immediate station stop unless you already know the area around Minneapolis, MN.
These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$18.72 one way
$37.45 round trip
$3.63/gal
25.4 MPG avg
46 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $3.92 | $20.21 | $40.41 |
| premium | $4.39 | $22.63 | $45.27 |
| diesel | $5.64 | $29.08 | $58.16 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$19
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$44–$69
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 45.8 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-06.
Driving Electric?
About $14 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 39.3 | 0 | $13.74 | $6.28 |
| Efficient EV | 32.7 | 0 | $11.45 | $5.24 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 52.4 | 0 | $18.33 | $8.38 |
Gas CO2
46 kg
EV CO2
15 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
Afternoon in Minneapolis on Sunday
Local time
3:24 PM
CDT
Current temp
40°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Along the Route
38°F
Albertville, MN
65 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
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
2h 8m 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 Brainerd, MN to Minneapolis, MN covers 130.9 miles and takes about 2h 8m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are Laurel Street, West Laurel Street, Highland Scenic Drive South. Expect a mix of highway and local road driving.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 65.4 miles from Brainerd, MN. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $18.72 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.
The drive from Brainerd, MN to Minneapolis, MN is easy. At 2h 8m with 0% highway, most drivers will find it relaxed and low-stress.
This route does not have any notably tricky sections. Most of the drive from Brainerd, MN to Minneapolis, MN is straightforward, with well-signed roads and simple exits.
The route from Brainerd, MN to Minneapolis, MN does not surface many named destination signs beyond the main corridor.
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