Origin
Cambridge, MN
Afternoon in Cambridge on Friday
Local time
12:51 PM
CDT
Current temp
65°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Cambridge, MN to Minneapolis, MN
Compiled and reviewed by the Trip.ovh planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Apr 17, 2026 · Editorial standards
Drive Time
1h
Distance
47 mi
76 km
Drive Score
7/10
Good drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$7
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
0h 55m
★
6 AM
1h 0m
8 AM
1h 10m
10 AM
1h 4m
12 PM
1h 3m
3 PM
1h 4m
5 PM
1h 10m
8 PM
0h 57m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Cambridge, MN
Tom Fisk
Trip Overview
Connecting Cambridge to Minneapolis, this 47-mile route is a straightforward journey that typically takes about one hour to complete. You will navigate using a combination of the Chip A. Imker Memorial Highway, US 10, and MN 65. Because of the manageable distance, this trip is perfectly suited as a simple one-day excursion, requiring no overnight stays. Budgeting approximately $7 for fuel makes this an economical choice for a quick trip between these two Midwest locations. The drive offers a functional connection between the smaller-town feel of Cambridge and the urban hub of Minneapolis, ensuring you reach your destination without unnecessary complexity.
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 1h. Total distance: 47 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 0 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
1h drive, comfortable solo distance.
EV Driver
0 DC fast chargers along the route. Coverage: unknown.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (56%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Drive Character
Expect a mixed driving experience as you transition between various road types along this 47-mile stretch. With 56% of the journey taking place on highways, you will encounter a blend of faster-paced sections and more localized road segments. Your longest uninterrupted run occurs on the Chip A. Imker Memorial Highway, which spans 18.2 miles before the character of the road begins to shift. This variety keeps the drive from feeling like a monotonous interstate grind, though you should remain attentive as the traffic density fluctuates while moving toward the Minneapolis metro area.
Expect a mix of faster highway mileage and slower local approaches near the beginning or end.
There are about 9 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.
Chip A. Imker Memorial Highway is the longest continuous segment at about 18.2 miles.
How Hard Is This Drive?
This route mixes highway mileage with some local-road sections near the start or finish. You will hit about 7 points where you need to pay attention to lane position or signs. The trickiest moment comes around 1 miles in near MN 65 / Chip A. Imker Memorial Highway.
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 47 miles you will encounter 7 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 miles (MN 65 / Chip A. Imker Memorial Highway): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here; at 19.2 miles (MN 65): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 31.3 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here.
Critical Maneuvers
5 of 7 key pointsThese are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
5
1 mi into trip
|
~2m in
|
MN 65 / Chip A. Imker Memorial Highway
Merge onto MN 65 / Chip A. Imker Memorial Highway
Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here
Use the right lane.
6
19.2 mi into trip
|
~23m in
|
MN 65
Keep slight right at fork onto MN 65
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the left lane.
6
31.3 mi into trip
|
~39m in
Take the exit toward US 10 East
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / right lanes.
Toward US 10 East
7
46 mi into trip
|
~57m in
Take the exit toward Washington Avenue
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight right lane.
Exit 17C
Toward Washington Avenue
6
46.2 mi into trip
|
~58m in
|
CR 152 / Washington Avenue South
Turn right onto CR 152 / Washington Avenue South
Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / left / right lanes.
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| Chip A. Imker Memorial Highway | 18.2 mi | 21m |
| US 10 | 14.3 mi | 17m |
| MN 65 | 12.1 mi | 15m |
| Washington Avenue South | 0.8 mi | 2m |
| 1st Avenue West | 0.6 mi | 1m |
Longest stretch:
Chip A. Imker Memorial Highway
— 18.2 mi, about 21m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Cambridge, MN and Minneapolis, MN.
1
Start on MN 95
0.6 mi
·
1 min
·
1st Avenue West
2
Take the ramp
0.3 mi
·
43 sec
3
Merge onto MN 65
18 mi
·
21 min
·
Chip A. Imker Memorial Highway
Use the right lane.
4
Keep slight right at fork onto MN 65
12 mi
·
15 min
·
MN 65
Use the left lane.
5
Take the exit
0.3 mi
·
44 sec
Toward US 10 East
Use the straight / right lanes.
6
Merge onto US 10
14 mi
·
17 min
·
US 10
Use the straight / slight left lanes.
7
Take the exit
0.2 mi
·
42 sec
Exit 17C
Toward Washington Avenue
Use the slight right lane.
8
Turn right onto CR 152
0.8 mi
·
2 min
·
Washington Avenue South
Use the straight / left / right lanes.
9
Arrive at destination
CR 152
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 23.5 mi from Cambridge, MN · 29m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
24 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 10 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 23.5 miles from Cambridge, 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.
These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$6.99 one way
$13.99 round trip
$3.78/gal
25.4 MPG avg
16 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.07 | $7.54 | $15.07 |
| premium | $4.53 | $8.39 | $16.77 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $10.38 | $20.75 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Drive Cost (one way)
Fuel
$7
Estimated CO2 emission: 16.4 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $5 in charging · 0 stops · 69% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 14.1 | 0 | $4.94 | $2.26 |
| Efficient EV | 11.8 | 0 | $4.11 | $1.88 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 18.8 | 0 | $6.58 | $3.01 |
Gas CO2
16 kg
EV CO2
5 kg (69% 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 Friday
Local time
12:51 PM
CDT
Current temp
67°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
2 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
1h 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 Cambridge, MN to Minneapolis, MN covers 47 miles and takes about 1h without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are Chip A. Imker Memorial Highway, US 10, MN 65. Expect a mix of highway and local road driving.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 23.5 miles from Cambridge, MN. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $6.99 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 47 miles you will encounter 7 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 miles (MN 65 / Chip A. Imker Memorial Highway): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here; at 19.2 miles (MN 65): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 31.3 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here.
The route from Cambridge, MN to Minneapolis, MN does not surface many named destination signs beyond the main corridor.
How this page is built
Compiled by the Trip.ovh planning team at COD Solutions Oy from open government datasets — OSRM over OpenStreetMap for geometry, and EIA for fuel prices. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.
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