Origin
Columbia Heights, MN
Evening in Columbia Heights on Sunday
Local time
7:01 PM
CDT
Current temp
40°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Columbia Heights, MN to Lakeville, MN
Drive Time
39m
Distance
30.6 mi
49 km
Drive Score
6/10
Good drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$4
one way
EV Charging
Loading...
station data
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
0h 36m
★
6 AM
0h 40m
8 AM
0h 47m
10 AM
0h 42m
12 PM
0h 42m
3 PM
0h 43m
5 PM
0h 46m
8 PM
0h 38m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Columbia Heights, MN
Tom Fisk
Lakeville, MN
Tom Fisk
Trip Overview
Spanning 30.6 miles, this trip from Columbia Heights to Lakeville is a straightforward journey through the Minnesota Midwest. You can expect to spend about 39 minutes on the road, making it a perfect candidate for a single-day excursion that requires no overnight stay. With a fuel budget of approximately $4, the drive is highly economical for those looking to traverse the region efficiently. You will primarily navigate via University Avenue Northeast and I-35W South to reach your destination. Because the route is short and contained within a single state, it offers a practical way to connect these two communities without the need for extensive travel planning.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.
Break Rhythm
0 planned breaks
A short stop every 2 to 3 hours is enough for this drive.
Midpoint
15.3 miles from Columbia Heights, MN
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 19m into the drive .
Drive Character
Expect a turn-heavy local drive rather than a high-speed interstate cruise. While you will utilize I-35W South, the route maintains a 0% highway share, meaning your time behind the wheel will be defined by local navigation and frequent adjustments. There is no long, monotonous stretch here; in fact, the longest uninterrupted segment is 0 miles on University Avenue Northeast. This keeps the drive engaging as you transition between local roads and the interstate system. Be prepared for a hands-on driving experience that requires your full attention on city streets rather than the passive experience of a long-haul highway trek.
This route has more turning and local-road decision points than a simple highway run.
There are about 15 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.
University Avenue Northeast is one of the defining roads on this drive.
How Hard Is This Drive?
Expect a hands-on drive with frequent turns and local roads rather than long highway stretches. Navigation is very simple — set it and forget it for most of the drive.
Route Complexity
1/10
Very easy - short and simple to drive
The drive from Columbia Heights, MN to Lakeville, MN is easy. At 39m with 0% highway, most drivers will find it relaxed and low-stress.
Where does it get tricky?
This route does not have any notably tricky sections. Most of the drive from Columbia Heights, MN to Lakeville, MN is straightforward, with well-signed roads and simple exits.
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| University Avenue Northeast | Unavailable | Refreshing |
| Northeast University Avenue | Unavailable | Refreshing |
| I 35W South | Unavailable | Refreshing |
| CR 5 | Unavailable | Refreshing |
| Kenwood Trail | Unavailable | Refreshing |
| Kenwood Trail /Richard J | Unavailable | Refreshing |
| Kenwood Trai/Richard J | Unavailable | Refreshing |
| 202nd Street West / Richard J | Unavailable | Refreshing |
Per-road distance and duration are being refreshed from OSRM for this route.
Longest stretch:
University Avenue Northeast
— detailed segment metrics are refreshing.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Columbia Heights, MN and Lakeville, MN.
1
Start on University Avenue Northeast
59 ft
·
8 sec
·
University Avenue Northeast
2
Continue on University Avenue Northeast
0.4 mi
·
48 sec
·
University Avenue Northeast
3
Continue on Northeast University Avenue
4.1 mi
·
9 min
·
Northeast University Avenue
4
Take the ramp right toward I 35W South
0.2 mi
·
15 sec
·
I 35W South
5
Merge slight left
21 mi
·
26 min
6
Take the exit slight right toward CR 5, CR 50
0.2 mi
·
26 sec
·
CR 5, CR 50
7
Turn left onto Kenwood Trail
1.3 mi
·
2 min
·
Kenwood Trail
8
Enter the roundabout and take exit 2 toward Kenwood Trail /Richard J. Ames Memorial Highway
128 ft
·
3 sec
·
Kenwood Trail /Richard J. Ames Memorial Highway
9
Exit the roundabout onto Kenwood Trail /Richard J. Ames Memorial Highway
2.2 mi
·
3 min
·
Kenwood Trail /Richard J. Ames Memorial Highway
10
Continue on Kenwood Trai/Richard J. Ames Memorial Highway
0.1 mi
·
17 sec
·
Kenwood Trai/Richard J. Ames Memorial Highway
11
Continue on 202nd Street West / Richard J. Ames Memorial Highway
0.5 mi
·
48 sec
·
202nd Street West / Richard J. Ames Memorial Highway
12
Enter the roundabout and take exit 1 toward 202nd Street West
13 ft
·
202nd Street West
13
Exit the rotary onto Holyoke Avenue
0.4 mi
·
1 min
·
Holyoke Avenue
14
Turn left onto 207th Street West
23 ft
·
1 sec
·
207th Street West
15
Arrive at your destination
Trip Plan
Since this is a quick 39-minute transit, you have plenty of flexibility regarding your departure time. You can easily complete the trip in one go without the need for scheduled stops, though keep in mind that the turn-heavy nature of the route makes it feel faster than the mileage suggests. If you are budget-conscious, setting aside $4 for fuel covers your needs comfortably. Given the lack of a long, straight stretch, focus on mapping your turns through Columbia Heights early to ensure a smooth transition onto I-35W South. Use the short duration of this 30.6-mile trip to your advantage by planning your arrival around local traffic patterns to keep your travel time consistent.
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.
You can normally do this drive in one day.
You may only need one short stretch break if traffic stays light.
The halfway point lands around 15.3 miles from Columbia Heights, MN, or about 19m into the drive.
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 30.6 miles or 39m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 15.3 miles or 19m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 33m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Lakeville, MN than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving Columbia Heights, 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 Columbia Heights, MN
This is one driving day of about 30.6 miles and 39m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 80 miles from Columbia Heights, MN.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
You may only need one short stretch stop if conditions stay smooth.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 15.3 mi from Columbia Heights, MN · 19m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
15 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 30.6 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 15.3 miles from Columbia Heights, MN, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Arriving in Lakeville, MN
The final approach into Lakeville, 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 Lakeville, MN.
These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$4.38 one way
$8.75 round trip
$3.63/gal
25.4 MPG avg
11 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $3.92 | $4.72 | $9.45 |
| premium | $4.39 | $5.29 | $10.58 |
| diesel | $5.64 | $6.80 | $13.60 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$4
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$29–$54
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 10.7 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-06.
Driving Electric?
About $3 in charging · 0 stops · 64% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 9.2 | 0 | $3.21 | $1.47 |
| Efficient EV | 7.7 | 0 | $2.68 | $1.22 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 12.2 | 0 | $4.28 | $1.96 |
Gas CO2
11 kg
EV CO2
4 kg (64% 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
Lakeville, MN
Evening in Lakeville on Sunday
Local time
7:01 PM
CDT
Current temp
71°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
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
31 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
39m 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 Columbia Heights, MN to Lakeville, MN covers 30.6 miles and takes about 39m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are University Avenue Northeast, Northeast University Avenue, I 35W South. Expect a mix of highway and local road driving.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 15.3 miles from Columbia Heights, MN. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $4.38 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.
The drive from Columbia Heights, MN to Lakeville, MN is easy. At 39m with 0% highway, most drivers will find it relaxed and low-stress.
This route does not have any notably tricky sections. Most of the drive from Columbia Heights, MN to Lakeville, MN is straightforward, with well-signed roads and simple exits.
The route from Columbia Heights, MN to Lakeville, MN does not surface many named destination signs beyond the main corridor.
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