Origin
Brooklyn Park, MN
Evening in Brooklyn Park on Thursday
Local time
6:24 PM
CDT
Current temp
47°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Brooklyn Park, MN to Cold Spring, MN
Last recalculated Apr 16, 2026
Drive Time
1h 17m
Distance
66.9 mi
108 km
Drive Score
7/10
Good drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$10
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
1h 11m
★
6 AM
1h 18m
8 AM
1h 30m
10 AM
1h 22m
12 PM
1h 21m
3 PM
1h 22m
5 PM
1h 29m
8 PM
1h 14m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Brooklyn Park, MN
Wikimedia Commons
Cold Spring, MN
Tom Fisk
Trip Overview
This 66.9-mile drive from Brooklyn Park, MN, to Cold Spring, MN, is a straightforward trip that can easily be completed in about 1 hour and 17 minutes. Focused primarily on highway driving, it's well-suited for a single-day excursion, so you won't need to worry about booking an overnight stay. With an estimated fuel cost of just $10, it’s an economical choice for exploring the Midwest. This route offers a practical and efficient way to get from one point to another within Minnesota, making it ideal for a quick getaway or a functional commute.
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 1h 17m. Total distance: 66.9 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 0 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
1h 17m drive, comfortable solo distance.
EV Driver
0 DC fast chargers along the route. Coverage: unknown.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (90%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Drive Character
Expect a predominantly highway-focused experience on this journey, with 90% of the drive taking place on major roadways like I-94 W and MN 23. You'll encounter a longest uninterrupted stretch of 36 miles on I-94, offering a consistent pace for a significant portion of your travel. While the profile is largely highway, pay attention as you transition onto MN 23, which may offer a slightly different driving feel. Overall, it’s a route designed for efficiency rather than winding backroads.
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 36 miles.
Elevation Profile
Mostly flat terrain
1,112 ft
868 ft
Total Climb
317 ft
Total Descent
88 ft
Highest Point
1,112 ft
~57.3 mi in
Elevation Range
245 ft
How Hard Is This Drive?
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 94 and I-94 W. You will hit about 9 points where you need to pay attention to lane position or signs. The trickiest moment comes around 1.4 miles in near CR 81 / Bottineau Boulevard.
Driving Effort
6/10
Moderate - straightforward overall, but long enough or busy enough to require pacing
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This drive requires moderate attention. Across 66.9 miles you will encounter 9 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 1.4 miles (CR 81 / Bottineau Boulevard): Lane positioning matters here; at 5.9 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early; at 6.2 miles (MN 610 / MN-610): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here.
Critical Maneuvers
5 of 9 key pointsThese are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
5
1.4 mi into trip
|
~2m in
|
CR 81 / Bottineau Boulevard
Turn right onto CR 81 / Bottineau Boulevard
Lane positioning matters here
Use the left lane.
4
5.9 mi into trip
|
~9m in
Take the exit toward MN 610 West
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early
Toward MN 610 West
5
6.2 mi into trip
|
~10m in
|
MN 610 / MN-610
Merge onto MN 610 / MN-610
Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
5
8.3 mi into trip
|
~12m in
|
I 94 / I-94 W
Merge onto I 94 / I-94 W
Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
6
57.1 mi into trip
|
~1h 5m in
|
MN 23
Merge onto MN 23
Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight lane.
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| I 94 | 36 mi | 38m |
| I-94 W | 12.6 mi | 13m |
| MN 23 | 9.3 mi | 11m |
| County Road 81 | 3.3 mi | 5m |
| MN-610 | 2.1 mi | 2m |
| Brooklyn Boulevard | 1.4 mi | 2m |
| Bottineau Boulevard | 1.2 mi | 1m |
| Main Street East | 0.5 mi | 1m |
Longest stretch:
I 94
— 36 mi, about 38m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Brooklyn Park, MN and Cold Spring, MN.
1
Start on CR 14
34 ft
·
5 sec
·
Zane Avenue North
2
Turn left onto CR 152
1.4 mi
·
2 min
·
Brooklyn Boulevard
3
Turn right onto CR 81
1.2 mi
·
1 min
·
Bottineau Boulevard
Use the left lane.
4
Continue on CR 81
3.3 mi
·
5 min
·
County Road 81
5
Take the exit
0.3 mi
·
39 sec
Toward MN 610 West
6
Merge onto MN 610
2.1 mi
·
2 min
·
MN-610
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
7
Merge onto I 94
13 mi
·
13 min
·
I-94 W
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
8
Keep slight left at fork onto I 94
36 mi
·
38 min
·
I 94
9
Take the exit
0.2 mi
·
21 sec
Toward MN 23 West: Paynesville
10
Merge onto MN 23
9.3 mi
·
11 min
·
MN 23
Use the straight lane.
11
Turn right onto Main Street East
0.5 mi
·
1 min
·
Main Street East
12
Arrive at destination
Main Street
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 33.4 mi from Brooklyn Park, MN · 39m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
33 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 15 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 33.4 miles from Brooklyn Park, MN, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Arriving in Cold Spring, MN
The final approach into Cold Spring, 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.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$9.96 one way
$19.91 round trip
$3.78/gal
25.4 MPG avg
23 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.07 | $10.73 | $21.46 |
| premium | $4.53 | $11.94 | $23.87 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $14.77 | $29.54 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Drive Cost (one way)
Fuel
$10
Estimated CO2 emission: 23.4 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $7 in charging · 0 stops · 65% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 20.1 | 0 | $7.02 | $3.21 |
| Efficient EV | 16.7 | 0 | $5.85 | $2.68 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 26.8 | 0 | $9.37 | $4.28 |
Gas CO2
23 kg
EV CO2
8 kg (65% 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
Cold Spring, MN
Evening in Cold Spring on Thursday
Local time
6:24 PM
CDT
Current temp
44°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
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
3 degrees cooler at arrival
A meaningful temperature swing is a good cue to rethink layers, water, and how soon you want to arrive.
Road read
1h 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.
Frequently Asked Questions
The drive from Brooklyn Park, MN to Cold Spring, MN covers 66.9 miles and takes about 1h 17m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are I 94, I-94 W, MN 23. Most of the drive stays on highways, so watch for ramps and exits.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 33.4 miles from Brooklyn Park, MN. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $9.96 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 66.9 miles you will encounter 9 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 1.4 miles (CR 81 / Bottineau Boulevard): Lane positioning matters here; at 5.9 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early; at 6.2 miles (MN 610 / MN-610): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here.
The route from Brooklyn Park, MN to Cold Spring, MN does not surface many named destination signs beyond the main corridor.
Mostly flat terrain. The route ranges from 868 ft to 1,112 ft elevation with about 317 ft of total climbing.
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