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Trip from Co on Rapids, MN to Grand Rapids, MN

Last recalculated Apr 16, 2026

Drive Time

3h 29m

Distance

165.9 mi

267 km

Drive Score

10/10

Great drive

Same Day?

Yes, doable

Fuel Cost

$25

one way

EV Charging

Unknown

Best Time to Leave

Save up to 37 min
4 AM
3h 17m ★
6 AM
3h 30m
8 AM
3h 54m
10 AM
3h 38m
12 PM
3h 36m
3 PM
3h 39m
5 PM
3h 53m
8 PM
3h 22m

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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Downtown Co on Rapids, MN, MN

Co on Rapids, MN

Tom Fisk

city in Itasca County, Minnesota, United States

Grand Rapids, MN

Wikimedia Commons

Trip Overview

The drive from Co on Rapids, MN to Grand Rapids, MN covers 165.9 miles and takes about 3h 29m behind the wheel. This route is realistic as a one-day drive if you keep your stops efficient.

The route leans on Central Avenue Northeast, State Highway 65, US 2 for much of the mileage, and the overall profile is mixed drive. The longest uninterrupted segment is about 103.5 miles on Central Avenue Northeast. At current regular gas prices, budget about $24.69 one way before food or hotel costs.

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

82.9 miles from Co on Rapids, MN

A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h 46m into the drive .

Who Is This Route For?

Weekend Trip

Doable as a same-day drive at 3h 29m. Total distance: 165.9 miles.

Family Friendly

Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.

Solo Traveler

3h 29m drive, comfortable solo distance.

First-Time Driver

Mostly highway driving (34%). Straightforward navigation.

Scenic Drive

Mixed drive route profile with national parks nearby.

Drive Character

The drive from Co on Rapids, MN to Grand Rapids, MN covers 165.9 miles and takes about 3h 29m, using a mix of highways and local roads.

Expect a mix of faster highway mileage and slower local approaches near the beginning or end.
There are about 16 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.
Central Avenue Northeast is the longest continuous segment at about 103.5 miles.

How Hard Is This Drive?

This route mixes highway mileage with some local-road sections near the start or finish. There are only a few real navigation decisions along the way. The trickiest moment comes around 0.1 miles in near CR 1 / East River Road.

Driving Effort 3/10

Easy - simple navigation with a manageable amount of wheel time

Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.

This is a straightforward 3h 29m drive. You will face about 9 decision points, but nothing that requires special attention if you follow navigation.

Where does it get tricky?

The main spots that need attention: at 0.1 miles (CR 1 / East River Road): Lane positioning matters here; at 2.9 miles (101st Avenue Northwest): Lane positioning matters here; at 3.3 miles (CR 51 / University Avenue Northeast): Lane positioning matters here.

Critical Maneuvers

5 of 9 key points

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

4
0.1 mi into trip | ~0m in | CR 1 / East River Road

Turn left onto CR 1 / East River Road

Lane positioning matters here

Use the right lane.
6
2.9 mi into trip | ~5m in | 101st Avenue Northwest

Turn right onto 101st Avenue Northwest

Lane positioning matters here

Use the right lane.
4
3.3 mi into trip | ~6m in | CR 51 / University Avenue Northeast

Turn left onto CR 51 / University Avenue Northeast

Lane positioning matters here

Use the left lane.
4
5.8 mi into trip | ~11m in | MN 65 / Central Avenue Northeast

Turn left onto MN 65 / Central Avenue Northeast

Lane positioning matters here

Use the straight / slight right lanes.
5
146.3 mi into trip | ~3h 6m in | US 2

Enter roundabout onto US 2

Roundabout - know your exit number before entering

Main Roads

Road Distance Duration
Central Avenue Northeast 103.5 mi 2h 7m
State Highway 65 35.8 mi 45m
US 2 19 mi 21m
109th Avenue Northeast 1.5 mi 2m
East River Road 1.4 mi 2m
Foley Boulevard 1.3 mi 2m
East Highway 210 1.2 mi 2m
University Avenue Northeast 1 mi 1m
Longest stretch: Central Avenue Northeast — 103.5 mi, about 2h 7m

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between Co on Rapids, MN and Grand Rapids, MN.

1

Start on Mississippi Boulevard Northwest

0.1 mi · 30 sec · Mississippi Boulevard Northwest
2

Turn left onto CR 1

1.4 mi · 2 min · East River Road
Use the right lane.
3

Turn right onto Foley Boulevard

1.3 mi · 2 min · Foley Boulevard
4

Turn right onto 101st Avenue Northwest

0.3 mi · 52 sec · 101st Avenue Northwest
Use the right lane.
5

Turn left onto CR 51

1.0 mi · 1 min · University Avenue Northeast
Use the left lane.
6

Turn slight right

291 ft · 12 sec
7

Turn straight onto CR 12

1.5 mi · 2 min · 109th Avenue Northeast
8

Turn left onto MN 65

103 mi · 2 hr 7 min · Central Avenue Northeast
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
9

At end of road, turn left onto MN 210; MN 65

1.2 mi · 2 min · East Highway 210
10

Turn right onto MN 65

36 mi · 45 min · State Highway 65
11

Enter roundabout onto US 2

250 ft · 2 sec · US 2
12

Continue on US 2

19 mi · 21 min · US 2
13

Continue on Northeast 6th Avenue

382 ft · 15 sec · Northeast 6th Avenue
14

Turn left onto Northeast 5th Street

0.4 mi · 51 sec · Northeast 5th Street
15

Continue on Northwest 5th Street

0.2 mi · 23 sec · Northwest 5th Street
16

Arrive at destination

Northwest 5th Street

Trip Plan

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 82.9 miles from Co on Rapids, MN, or about 1h 46m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 103.5 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 36 miles or 48m in

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

Halfway reset

Around 82.9 miles or 1h 46m 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 53m

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

Before You Leave

+

Open the route before leaving Co on Rapids, 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 Co on Rapids, MN

This is one driving day of about 165.9 miles and 3h 29m.

Your first comfortable stop window is around 36 miles from Co on Rapids, 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 Central Avenue Northeast for about 103.5 miles.

Where to Stop

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

Halfway Point

Midpoint

About 82.9 mi from Co on Rapids, MN · 1h 46m into the drive

city in Minnesota, United States

Mid-route town

Meal stop

Braham, MN

83 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

Braham, MN

Fuel and coffee

A short stop after about 36 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.

Braham, MN

Meal break

The midpoint is around 82.9 miles from Co on Rapids, MN, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.

Before the longest stretch

Fuel check

Top up before Central Avenue Northeast if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 103.5 miles.

Arriving in Grand Rapids, MN

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.

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.

Nearby Places

Restaurants, cafes, gas stations and more along your route.

Top Coffee Stop

Dragonfly Coffee

4.8 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Grand Rapids, Minnesota

Near the end, right off the route

0.1 mi from route $1 to $10 mile 165.9

Hours: 8 am–3 pm

+12189995771

Visit website

Rapid Nutrition & Coffee Co

4.8 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Grand Rapids, Minnesota

1.1 mi

Cairo Cafe

5.0 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Blaine, Minnesota

1.8 mi

Adagio's Pizza Factory

4.2 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Near the start, ~10 min detour

4.1 mi from route ~10 min detour $20 to $30

New Brighton, Minnesota

Hours: 11 am–9 pm

+16512373486

Visit website

El Loro Mexican Restaurant

4.3 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Near the start, ~11 min detour

4.3 mi from route ~11 min detour $10 to $20

Coon Rapids, Minnesota

Hours: 11 am–9 pm

+17637549065

Visit website

Dragonfly Coffee

4.8 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, right off the route

0.1 mi from route $1 to $10 mile 165.9

Grand Rapids, Minnesota

Hours: 8 am–3 pm

+12189995771

Visit website

Rapid Nutrition & Coffee Co

4.8 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, short detour

1.1 mi from route ~3 min detour $1 to $10 mile 165.9

Grand Rapids, Minnesota

Hours: 7 am–4 pm

Visit website

Cairo Cafe

5.0 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, short detour

1.8 mi from route ~4 min detour

Blaine, Minnesota

Forest History Center

4.8 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, short detour

1.7 mi from route ~4 min detour mile 165.9

Grand Rapids, Minnesota

Hours: Closed

+12183274482

Visit website

Judy Garland Museum

4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, short detour

2.1 mi from route ~5 min detour mile 165.9

Grand Rapids, Minnesota

Hours: 9 am–4:30 pm

+12183279276

Visit website

Children's Discovery Museum

4.4 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Near the end, short detour

2.1 mi from route ~5 min detour mile 165.9

Grand Rapids, Minnesota

Hours: 9 am–4:30 pm

+12183261900

Visit website

Place data sourced from public business listings. Hours and availability may vary.

Fuel & Cost

Regular Gas

$24.69 one way

$49.38 round trip

$3.78/gal 25.4 MPG avg 58 kg CO2
Fuel Type $/gal One Way Round Trip
midgrade $4.07 $26.60 $53.21
premium $4.53 $29.60 $59.20
diesel $5.61 $36.63 $73.26

No toll roads detected on this route.

Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)

Fuel

$25

Meals

$25–$50

Total

$50–$75

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

Estimated CO2 emission: 58 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.

Driving Electric?

About $17 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO2

Vehicle Type kWh Stops DC Fast Home Charge
Average EV 49.8 0 $17.42 $7.96
Efficient EV 41.5 0 $14.52 $6.64
EV Truck/SUV 66.4 0 $23.23 $10.62

Gas CO2

58 kg

EV CO2

19 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 as of Apr 15, 2026

Origin

Co on Rapids, MN

Evening in Co on Rapids on Thursday

Local time

7:50 PM

CDT

Current temp

67°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

Destination

Grand Rapids, MN

Evening in Grand Rapids on Thursday

Local time

7:50 PM

CDT

Current temp

63°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

4 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 29m 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 Co on Rapids, MN to Grand Rapids, MN covers 165.9 miles and takes about 3h 29m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are Central Avenue Northeast, State Highway 65, US 2. Expect a mix of highway and local road driving.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 82.9 miles from Co on Rapids, MN. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $24.69 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.
This is a straightforward 3h 29m drive. You will face about 9 decision points, but nothing that requires special attention if you follow navigation.
The main spots that need attention: at 0.1 miles (CR 1 / East River Road): Lane positioning matters here; at 2.9 miles (101st Avenue Northwest): Lane positioning matters here; at 3.3 miles (CR 51 / University Avenue Northeast): Lane positioning matters here.
The route from Co on Rapids, MN to Grand Rapids, MN does not surface many named destination signs beyond the main corridor.

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