Origin
Brooklyn Park, MN
Afternoon in Brooklyn Park on Sunday
Local time
3:11 PM
CDT
Current temp
39°F
Unavailable
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Create accountDrive Time
3h 32m
Distance
167 mi
269 km
Drive Score
9/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$24
one way
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Brooklyn Park, MN
Sasha Zilov
Grand Rapids, MN
Tom Fisk
If you are planning a quick getaway from Brooklyn Park to Grand Rapids, you are looking at a straightforward 167-mile journey that typically takes about 3 hours and 32 minutes. This highway-focused route is perfectly manageable as a one-day trip, allowing you to reach your destination without needing an overnight split. You should budget approximately $24 for fuel to cover the distance across the Minnesota landscape. By sticking primarily to US Highway 169, Voyageur Highway, and MN 101, you will find the navigation simple and efficient. Whether you are heading north for a change of pace or a weekend retreat, this drive offers a practical connection between these two Midwest locations.
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
83.5 miles from Brooklyn Park, MN
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h 39m into the drive .
Expect a consistent driving experience, as 63% of this trip is comprised of highway travel. The route is defined by a significant 90.9-mile stretch on US Highway 169, which serves as the backbone of your journey. While the path remains highway-focused, the transition between these major arteries keeps the drive feeling steady rather than repetitive. You will find that the character of the road is built for pace, allowing you to settle into a rhythm once you clear the initial departure area. It is a functional, efficient drive that prioritizes steady progress over technical complexity.
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on US Highway 169 and Voyageur Highway. 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.
Demanding - plan breaks and stay ahead of the key maneuvers
This is a demanding drive. With 14 significant decision points across 167 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.
These are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
Turn left onto CR 152 / Brooklyn Boulevard
Lane positioning matters here
Turn right onto CR 81 / Bottineau Boulevard
Lane positioning matters here
Merge onto MN 610 / MN-610
Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here
Take the exit toward MN 101, CR 81, MN 101 North: Rogers, Elk River
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Keep slight right at fork onto MN 101 North Bypass toward MN 101 Bypass North: Elk River
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Between Brooklyn Park, MN and Grand Rapids, MN, road signs point toward Cr 81 and Elk River.
Cr 81
Elk River
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| US Highway 169 | 90.9 mi | 1h 45m |
| Voyageur Highway | 50 mi | 1h 12m |
| MN 101 | 6.4 mi | 7m |
| I-94 W | 4.2 mi | 4m |
| County Road 81 | 3.3 mi | 5m |
| Central Avenue | 2.4 mi | 2m |
| South Pokegama Avenue | 2.1 mi | 2m |
| MN-610 | 2.1 mi | 2m |
Step-by-step road directions between Brooklyn Park, MN and Grand Rapids, MN.
Start on CR 14
Turn left onto CR 152
Turn right onto CR 81
Continue on CR 81
Take the exit
Merge onto MN 610
Merge onto I 94
Take the exit
Keep slight right at fork onto MN 101 North Bypass
Merge onto MN 101
Continue on US 169
Keep slight right at fork onto US 169
Continue on US 169
Continue on US 169
Enter roundabout onto US Highway 169
Continue on US Highway 169
Continue on US 169
Turn right onto US 169; MN 210
Continue on US 169; MN 210
Turn left
Merge onto US 169
Continue on US 169
Turn left onto Northwest 5th Street
Arrive at destination
To make the most of your 3 hour and 32 minute trip, aim to depart early to stay ahead of peak traffic flow. Since the itinerary includes one planned stop, use that break strategically to refuel and stretch your legs before tackling the longest 90.9-mile segment on US Highway 169. Because this is a relatively short drive, you have the flexibility to adjust your schedule based on your personal comfort levels. Keep a close eye on your fuel gauge during the longer highway stretches to ensure you remain within your $24 budget. Planning your single stop mid-way through the drive will help keep you alert and refreshed as you navigate the transition onto the Voyageur Highway.
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.
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 34m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 83.5 miles or 1h 39m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 2h 45m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Grand Rapids, MN than in the middle of the route.
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 167 miles and 3h 32m.
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 83.5 mi from Brooklyn Park, MN · 1h 39m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
84 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.
A short stop after about 80 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
The midpoint is around 83.5 miles from Brooklyn Park, MN, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Before the longest stretch
Fuel checkTop up before US Highway 169 if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 90.9 miles.
The final approach into Grand Rapids, 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 Grand Rapids, MN.
These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.
Regular Gas
$23.89 one way
$47.77 round trip
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $3.92 | $25.78 | $51.56 |
| premium | $4.39 | $28.88 | $57.75 |
| diesel | $5.64 | $37.10 | $74.20 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$24
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$49–$74
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 58.4 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-06.
Driving Electric?
About $18 in charging · 0 stops · 66% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 50.1 | 0 | $17.54 | $8.02 |
| Efficient EV | 41.8 | 0 | $14.61 | $6.68 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 66.8 | 0 | $23.38 | $10.69 |
Gas CO2
58 kg
EV CO2
20 kg (66% 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
Afternoon in Brooklyn Park on Sunday
Local time
3:11 PM
CDT
Current temp
39°F
Unavailable
Destination
Afternoon in Grand Rapids on Sunday
Local time
3:11 PM
CDT
Current temp
36°F
Unavailable
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
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
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.
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Return Trip
Grand Rapids, MN to Brooklyn Park, MNPlan the drive back the other way.
Explore more options from Brooklyn Park, MN or browse trips ending in Grand Rapids, MN.
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