Last recalculated Apr 15, 2026
Drive Time
13m
Distance
7.8 mi
13 km
Drive Score
7/10
Good drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$1
one way
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Brooklyn Park, MN
Wikimedia Commons
Columbia Heights, MN
Wikimedia Commons
This quick 7.8-mile drive from Brooklyn Park to Columbia Heights, MN, is an easy 13-minute trip that's perfect for a single day. You'll primarily navigate University Avenue Northeast and I-694, with a portion on Brooklyn Boulevard, making for a mixed driving experience. With a minimal fuel cost of around $1, this short hop is highly economical. Given its brevity, no overnight stay is required, allowing for a flexible schedule. The journey stays within the Midwest region, offering a familiar feel throughout.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.
Break Rhythm
0 planned breaks
This drive is short enough that no stops are needed.
Midpoint
3.9 miles from Brooklyn Park, MN
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 6m into the drive .
Expect a varied drive with 37% of the journey on highways. The longest uninterrupted stretch you'll encounter is 2.5 miles along University Avenue Northeast. This route offers a mix of faster highway driving and more local road conditions, so be prepared for potential changes in speed limits and traffic patterns. The profile is described as a 'Mixed drive,' suggesting you'll experience different types of road surfaces and traffic densities as you travel the 7.8 miles.
This route mixes highway mileage with some local-road sections near the start or finish. You will hit about 6 points where you need to pay attention to lane position or signs. The trickiest moment comes early in the drive near CR 152 / Brooklyn Boulevard.
Moderate - straightforward overall, but long enough or busy enough to require pacing
This drive requires moderate attention. Across 7.8 miles you will encounter 6 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: near the start (CR 152 / Brooklyn Boulevard): Lane positioning matters here; at 1.8 miles: Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 2.6 miles (I 694): Highway fork - watch signs carefully.
These are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
Turn right onto CR 152 / Brooklyn Boulevard
Lane positioning matters here
Turn left toward I 94 East, I 694 East
Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Keep slight left at fork onto I 694
Highway fork - watch signs carefully
Take the exit toward MN 47: University Avenue
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Keep slight right at fork toward MN 47
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| University Avenue Northeast | 2.5 mi | 4m |
| I 694 | 2.4 mi | 2m |
| Brooklyn Boulevard | 1.8 mi | 4m |
| I 94 | 0.5 mi | <1m |
| Zane Avenue North | <0.1 mi | <1m |
Step-by-step road directions between Brooklyn Park, MN and Columbia Heights, MN.
Start on CR 14
Turn right onto CR 152
Turn left
Merge onto I 94; I 694
Keep slight left at fork onto I 694
Take the exit
Keep slight right at fork
Turn straight onto MN 47
Continue on MN 47
Arrive at destination
For this brief 13-minute trip, the best advice is to consider your timing to avoid local rush hours, especially on University Avenue Northeast. Since the fuel cost is estimated at just $1, you won't need to worry much about refueling stops. There are no specific stops recommended for this short route, so you can depart whenever convenient. Keep an eye on your GPS for the most efficient navigation through the urban and suburban areas you'll traverse between Brooklyn Park and Columbia Heights.
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.
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 7.8 miles or 13m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 3.9 miles or 6m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 11m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Columbia Heights, MN than in the middle of the route.
Have your navigation ready before leaving Brooklyn Park, MN.
Day 1
Settle into the route from Brooklyn Park, MN
This is one driving day of about 7.8 miles and 13m.
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 3.9 mi from Brooklyn Park, MN · 6m into the drive
A short stop after about 7.8 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
The midpoint is around 3.9 miles from Brooklyn Park, MN, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Allow a few extra minutes for the final approach into Columbia Heights, MN if you are unfamiliar with the area.
These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.
Regular Gas
$1.16 one way
$2.32 round trip
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.07 | $1.25 | $2.50 |
| premium | $4.53 | $1.39 | $2.78 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $1.72 | $3.44 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$1
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$26–$51
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 2.7 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $1 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 2.3 | 0 | $0.82 | $0.37 |
| Efficient EV | 2 | 0 | $0.68 | $0.31 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 3.1 | 0 | $1.09 | $0.50 |
Gas CO2
3 kg
EV CO2
1 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.
Current conditions at both ends of the drive.
Origin
Evening in Brooklyn Park on Wednesday
Local time
5:59 PM
CDT
Current temp
67°F
Slight Chance Rain Showers
Destination
Evening in Columbia Heights on Wednesday
Local time
5:59 PM
CDT
Current temp
47°F
Unavailable
Time zone
Origin and destination are on the same clock, so arrival timing is easier to judge at a glance.
Temperature spread
A meaningful temperature swing is a good cue to rethink layers, water, and how soon you want to arrive.
Road read
The weather snapshot is not static. If you are leaving later, give both cities one more quick forecast check before departure.
Weather data from the National Weather Service. Conditions may change; check closer to your travel date.
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