Trip from Brooklyn Park, MN to Detroit Lakes, MN

Drive Time

3h 41m

Distance

188.3 mi

303 km

Drive Score

8/10

Great drive

Same Day?

Yes, doable

Fuel Cost

$27

one way

EV Charging

station data

Best Time to Leave

Save up to 38 min

4 AM

3h 29m ★

6 AM

3h 42m

8 AM

4h 7m

10 AM

3h 51m

12 PM

3h 48m

3 PM

3h 52m

5 PM

4h 6m

8 PM

3h 34m

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

Best Time Drive vs Fly

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Brooklyn Park, MN

Sasha Zilov

Detroit Lakes, MN

Tom Fisk

Trip Overview

If you are planning a trip from Brooklyn Park to Detroit Lakes, you are looking at a straightforward 188.3-mile journey across Minnesota. The drive typically takes about 3 hours and 41 minutes, making it a manageable day trip that does not require an overnight stay. You will rely heavily on I-94 W and US 10 to navigate the Midwest landscape. Expect to budget roughly $27 for fuel to cover the distance. Because this is a highway-focused drive, it is an efficient way to transition from the suburban Twin Cities area to the lakes region of the state.

Trip Pace

Same-day drive is realistic

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

Break Rhythm

1 planned break

A short stop every 2 to 3 hours is enough for this drive.

Midpoint

94.2 miles from Brooklyn Park, MN

A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h 53m into the drive .

Drive Character

This route is defined by its efficiency, with 94% of the trip spent on highways. You will experience a significant, uninterrupted stretch of 156.1 miles specifically on US 10. The road character is consistent and built for speed rather than technical maneuvering. While you start by merging onto I-94, the transition to US 10 dictates the majority of your time behind the wheel. Expect a steady, highway-focused pace that stays predictable from start to finish.

Most of the miles stay on highways, which makes pacing and fuel planning easier than turn-by-turn city driving.

There are about 24 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.

US 10 is the longest continuous segment at about 156.1 miles.

How Hard Is This Drive?

This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on US 10 and I-94 W. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes early in the drive near CR 152 / Brooklyn Boulevard.

Route Complexity 7/10

Demanding - plan breaks and stay ahead of the key maneuvers

This is a demanding drive. With 14 significant decision points across 188.3 miles, you will need to stay alert — especially through interchange areas and urban stretches. Consider splitting it into segments if you are not comfortable with fast highway navigation.

Where does it get tricky?

The main spots that need attention: near the start (CR 152 / Brooklyn Boulevard): Lane positioning matters here; at 1.4 miles (CR 81 / Bottineau Boulevard): Lane positioning matters here; at 6.2 miles (MN 610 / MN-610): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here.

Critical Maneuvers

5 of 14 key points

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

0 mi into trip | ~0m in | CR 152 / Brooklyn Boulevard

Turn left onto CR 152 / Brooklyn Boulevard

Lane positioning matters here

Use the none lane.

1.4 mi into trip | ~2m in | CR 81 / Bottineau Boulevard

Turn right onto CR 81 / Bottineau Boulevard

Lane positioning matters here

Use the none lane.

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 none / straight / slight right lanes.

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 none / straight / slight right lanes.

143.8 mi into trip | ~2h 50m in

Enter roundabout

Roundabout - know your exit number before entering

Main Roads

Road	Distance	Duration
US 10	156.1 mi	3h
I-94 W	12.6 mi	13m
I 94	6 mi	6m
County Road 81	3.3 mi	5m
MN-610	2.1 mi	2m
165th Avenue Southeast	1.8 mi	2m
Park Boulevard Southeast	1.4 mi	1m
Brooklyn Boulevard	1.4 mi	2m

Longest stretch: US 10 — 156.1 mi, about 3h

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between Brooklyn Park, MN and Detroit Lakes, MN.

Start on CR 14

34 ft · 5 sec · Zane Avenue North

Turn left onto CR 152

1.4 mi · 2 min · Brooklyn Boulevard

Use the none lane.

Turn right onto CR 81

1.2 mi · 1 min · Bottineau Boulevard

Use the none lane.

Continue on CR 81

3.3 mi · 5 min · County Road 81

Use the none lane.

Take the exit

0.3 mi · 39 sec

Toward MN 610 West

Merge onto MN 610

2.1 mi · 2 min · MN-610

Use the none / straight / slight right lanes.

Merge onto I 94

13 mi · 13 min · I-94 W

Use the none / straight / slight right lanes.

Keep slight left at fork onto I 94

6.0 mi · 6 min · I 94

Take the exit

0.4 mi · 52 sec

Turn right onto MN 25

0.8 mi · 2 min · Pine Street

Continue on MN 25

0.1 mi · 19 sec · State Highway 25

Turn left onto County Road 11

0.7 mi · 53 sec · County Road 11

Continue on Park Boulevard Southeast

1.4 mi · 1 min · Park Boulevard Southeast

Continue on 165th Avenue Southeast

1.8 mi · 2 min · 165th Avenue Southeast

Turn left onto US 10

54 mi · 1 hr 3 min · US 10

Use the none lane.

Keep slight left at fork onto US 10

38 mi · 42 min · US 10

Turn straight onto US 10; MN 210

8.5 mi · 9 min · US 10; MN 210

Continue on US 10; IC A

11 mi · 12 min · US 10; IC A

Turn slight right

67 ft · 2 sec

Enter roundabout

100 ft · 1 sec

Continue

96 ft · 1 sec

Turn straight onto US 10

44 mi · 51 min · US 10

Turn left onto CR 22

0.1 mi · 27 sec · Washington Avenue

Arrive at destination

CR 22

Trip Plan

Since the total drive time is under four hours, you have the flexibility to depart at your convenience. I recommend planning for at least one stop to break up the 188.3-mile trek and keep your focus sharp. Given that the vast majority of your travel occurs on major thoroughfares, keep an eye on your fuel gauge before leaving the more populated areas near Brooklyn Park. Because your longest stretch is over 150 miles, make sure you are comfortable with extended periods of highway driving before you head out. A quick check of traffic patterns on I-94 before you leave can help you avoid any unexpected congestion near the start of your journey.

Morning Departure

An early start around 7-8 AM gets you there with plenty of daylight left.

Evening Departure

A late afternoon start means arriving after dark. Morning is better.

You can normally do this drive in one day.

Plan roughly 1 meaningful break for fuel, food, and rest.

The halfway point lands around 94.2 miles from Brooklyn Park, MN, or about 1h 53m into the drive.

The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 156.1 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 80 miles or 1h 37m in

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

Halfway reset

Around 94.2 miles or 1h 53m in

This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.

Final approach

Final hour starts around 3h 2m

Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Detroit Lakes, MN than in the middle of the route.

Before You Leave

Open the route before leaving Brooklyn Park, 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 Brooklyn Park, MN

This is one driving day of about 188.3 miles and 3h 41m.

Your first comfortable stop window is around 80 miles from Brooklyn Park, MN.

This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.

Plan about 1 real break rather than only quick fuel stops.

The longest stretch is on US 10 for about 156.1 miles.

Where to Stop

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

Halfway Point

Midpoint

About 94.2 mi from Brooklyn Park, MN · 1h 53m into the drive

Mid-route town

Meal stop

Avon, MN

94 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

Avon, MN

Fuel and coffee

A short stop after about 80 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.

Avon, MN

Meal break

The midpoint is around 94.2 miles from Brooklyn Park, MN, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.

Before the longest stretch

Fuel check

Top up before US 10 if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 156.1 miles.

Arriving in Detroit Lakes, MN

The final approach into Detroit Lakes, 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 Detroit Lakes, MN.

After long uninterrupted mileage, take five minutes before the last urban segment to reset and refocus on exits, merges, and city traffic.

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

Fuel & Cost

Regular Gas

$26.93 one way

$53.87 round trip

$3.63/gal 25.4 MPG avg 66 kg CO₂

Fuel Type	$/gal	One Way	Round Trip
midgrade	$3.92	$29.07	$58.14
premium	$4.39	$32.56	$65.12
diesel	$5.64	$41.83	$83.67

No toll roads detected on this route.

Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)

Fuel

$27

Meals

$25–$50

Total

$52–$77

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

Estimated CO2 emission: 65.9 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-06.

Driving Electric?

About $20 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO₂

Vehicle Type	kWh	DC Fast	Home Charge
Average EV	56.5	$19.77	$9.04
Efficient EV	47.1	$16.48	$7.53
EV Truck/SUV	75.3	$26.36	$12.05

Gas CO2

66 kg

EV CO2

22 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 data refreshed 3 days ago

Origin

Brooklyn Park, MN

Afternoon in Brooklyn Park on Sunday

Local time

3:27 PM

CDT

Current temp

39°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

Destination

Detroit Lakes, MN

Afternoon in Detroit Lakes on Sunday

Local time

3:27 PM

CDT

Current temp

38°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

Along the Route

37°F

Avon, MN

94 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 cooler at arrival

A meaningful temperature swing is a good cue to rethink layers, water, and how soon you want to arrive.

Road read

3h 41m 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 Detroit Lakes, MN covers 188.3 miles and takes about 3h 41m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.

The main roads are US 10, I-94 W, I 94. Most of the drive stays on highways, so watch for ramps and exits.

This is a comfortable same-day trip.

The midpoint is about 94.2 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 $26.93 one way. This estimate uses 25.4 MPG — your actual cost will vary with your vehicle's fuel efficiency and current gas prices.

An early start around 7-8 AM gets you there with plenty of daylight left. A late afternoon start means arriving after dark. Morning is better.

Plan about 1 meaningful break for fuel, food, or rest. A short stop every 2 to 3 hours is enough for this drive.

The route from Brooklyn Park, MN to Detroit Lakes, MN does not surface many named destination signs beyond the main corridor.

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Return Trip

Detroit Lakes, MN to Brooklyn Park, MN

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188.2 mi 3h 42m

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Trip from Brooklyn Park, MN to Detroit Lakes, MN

Best Time to Leave

Trip Overview

Drive Character

How Hard Is This Drive?

Critical Maneuvers

Main Roads

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Trip Plan

Before You Leave

Where to Stop

Pacing Suggestions

Arriving in Detroit Lakes, MN

Fuel & Cost

Travel Intel

Brooklyn Park, MN

Detroit Lakes, MN

Same local time

1 degrees cooler at arrival

3h 41m on the road

Frequently Asked Questions

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