Origin
Cross Lake, MN
Evening in Cross Lake on Wednesday
Local time
7:02 PM
CDT
Current temp
37°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Cross Lake, MN to Brooklyn Park, MN
Last recalculated Apr 15, 2026
Drive Time
2h 50m
Distance
133.2 mi
214 km
Drive Score
9/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$20
one way
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
2h 40m
★
6 AM
2h 51m
8 AM
3h 13m
10 AM
2h 58m
12 PM
2h 56m
3 PM
2h 59m
5 PM
3h 11m
8 PM
2h 44m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Cross Lake, MN
Tom Fisk
Brooklyn Park, MN
Wikimedia Commons
Trip Overview
This 133.2-mile drive from Cross Lake, MN to Brooklyn Park, MN is a straightforward, highway-focused journey that can easily be completed in a single day. Expect to spend about 2 hours and 50 minutes on the road, with a fuel cost estimated around $20. The route primarily utilizes US Highway 169, County Road 11, and MN 6, with a significant 79% share of highway driving. Given its manageable distance and duration, this trip is well-suited as a day trip, allowing for flexibility in your departure and arrival times. You'll be traveling within the Midwest region throughout your journey.
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
66.6 miles from Cross Lake, MN
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h 30m into the drive .
Drive Character
The character of this drive is predominantly highway-focused, making up 79% of the total mileage. You'll experience a consistent pace for extended periods, including a longest stretch of 73.3 miles on US Highway 169. While the majority of the route is on main highways, there are segments on County Road 11 and MN 6 that may offer a slightly different driving feel. Overall, anticipate a smooth and efficient journey with minimal interruptions, designed for covering ground.
Most of the miles stay on highways, which makes pacing and fuel planning easier than turn-by-turn city driving.
There are about 28 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.
US Highway 169 is the longest continuous segment at about 73.3 miles.
How Hard Is This Drive?
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on US Highway 169 and County Road 11. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 3.2 miles in near CR 11 / County Road 11.
Route Complexity
9/10
High effort - long or complex enough to need steady focus all day
This is a demanding drive. With 14 significant decision points across 133.2 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: at 3.2 miles (CR 11 / County Road 11): Roundabout - know your exit number before entering; at 23.3 miles (MN 6; MN 210 / East Front Street): Navigation decision point; at 120 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Critical Maneuvers
5 of 14 key pointsThese are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
6
3.2 mi into trip
|
~4m in
|
CR 11 / County Road 11
Enter roundabout onto CR 11 / County Road 11
Roundabout - know your exit number before entering
5
23.3 mi into trip
|
~32m in
|
MN 6; MN 210 / East Front Street
At end of road, turn left onto MN 6; MN 210 / East Front Street
Navigation decision point
5
120 mi into trip
|
~2h 31m in
Take the exit toward I 94 East: Minneapolis, Saint Paul
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Toward I 94 East: Minneapolis, Saint Paul
7
124.7 mi into trip
|
~2h 37m in
|
MN 610
Take the exit onto MN 610 toward MN 610 East
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Exit 212
Toward MN 610 East
8
127.3 mi into trip
|
~2h 40m in
Take the exit toward CR 81 South, CR 130: Elm Creek Boulevard
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Exit 2A-B
Toward CR 81 South, CR 130: Elm Creek Boulevard
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
On the drive from Cross Lake, MN to Brooklyn Park, MN, road signs begin pointing toward Saint Paul along the way.
Saint Paul
120 mi in
|
~2h 31m
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| US Highway 169 | 73.3 mi | 1h 23m |
| County Road 11 | 14.5 mi | 19m |
| MN 6 | 14.1 mi | 24m |
| MN 101 | 6.9 mi | 8m |
| State Highway 18 | 4.3 mi | 7m |
| I 94 | 4 mi | 4m |
| County Road 81 | 3 mi | 4m |
| MN 610 | 2.6 mi | 2m |
Longest stretch:
US Highway 169
— 73.3 mi, about 1h 23m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Cross Lake, MN and Brooklyn Park, MN.
1
Start on CH 3; IC C
3.2 mi
·
4 min
·
County Road 11
2
Keep slight right at fork onto CH 3; IC C
341 ft
·
5 sec
·
County Road 3
3
Enter roundabout onto CR 11
213 ft
·
4 sec
·
County Road 11
4
Continue on CR 11
3.6 mi
·
4 min
·
County Road 11
5
Continue on CR 11
7.7 mi
·
10 min
·
County Road 11
6
Turn right onto MN 6
4.7 mi
·
8 min
·
MN 6
7
Turn left onto MN 6; MN 210
1.1 mi
·
1 min
·
West Main Street
8
Enter roundabout onto MN 6; MN 210
110 ft
·
1 sec
·
Voyageur Highway
9
Continue on MN 6; MN 210
2.3 mi
·
2 min
·
Voyageur Highway
10
Continue on MN 6; MN 210
0.7 mi
·
50 sec
·
Archibald Road
11
At end of road, turn left onto MN 6; MN 210
0.4 mi
·
29 sec
·
East Front Street
12
Turn right onto MN 6
9.4 mi
·
16 min
·
MN 6
13
Turn left onto MN 18
4.3 mi
·
7 min
·
State Highway 18
14
Turn straight onto US 169; MN 18
37 mi
·
42 min
·
US Highway 169
15
Continue on US 169
2.3 mi
·
2 min
·
Central Avenue
16
Continue on US 169
9.5 mi
·
10 min
·
US Highway 169
17
Keep slight right at fork onto US 169
26 mi
·
30 min
·
US Highway 169
18
Continue on US 169
383 ft
·
4 sec
·
POW/MIA Memorial Highway
19
Continue on MN 101
6.9 mi
·
8 min
·
MN 101
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
20
Take the exit
0.7 mi
·
1 min
Toward I 94 East: Minneapolis, Saint Paul
21
Merge onto I 94
4.0 mi
·
4 min
·
I 94
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
22
Take the exit onto MN 610
2.6 mi
·
2 min
·
MN 610
Exit 212
Toward MN 610 East
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
23
Take the exit
0.3 mi
·
40 sec
Exit 2A-B
Toward CR 81 South, CR 130: Elm Creek Boulevard
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
24
Continue on CR 81
2.4 mi
·
3 min
·
County Road 81
Use the left lane.
25
Keep slight right at fork onto CR 81
0.6 mi
·
59 sec
·
County Road 81
26
Continue on CR 81
1.3 mi
·
1 min
·
Bottineau Boulevard
Use the left lane.
27
Turn left onto CR 130
1.4 mi
·
2 min
·
Brooklyn Boulevard
Use the left lane.
28
Arrive at destination
CR 14
Trip Plan
For this 2-hour and 50-minute drive, consider an early morning departure to maximize your day in Brooklyn Park and avoid potential traffic as you approach your destination. With only one recommended stop and a fuel cost around $20, the journey is quite economical. The longest uninterrupted stretch is over 73 miles on US Highway 169, so plan your break before or after this segment if needed. Keep an eye out for changes in speed limits as you transition between highway and county road sections.
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.
Plan roughly 1 meaningful break for fuel, food, and rest.
The halfway point lands around 66.6 miles from Cross Lake, MN, or about 1h 30m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 73.3 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 29 miles or 42m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 66.6 miles or 1h 30m 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 19m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Brooklyn Park, MN than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving Cross Lake, 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 Cross Lake, MN
This is one driving day of about 133.2 miles and 2h 50m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 29 miles from Cross Lake, 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 Highway 169 for about 73.3 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 66.6 mi from Cross Lake, MN · 1h 30m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
67 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 29 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 66.6 miles from Cross Lake, 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 73.3 miles.
Arriving in Brooklyn Park, MN
The final approach into Brooklyn Park, 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 Brooklyn Park, 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
$19.82 one way
$39.65 round trip
$3.78/gal
25.4 MPG avg
47 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.07 | $21.36 | $42.72 |
| premium | $4.53 | $23.77 | $47.53 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $29.41 | $58.82 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$20
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$45–$70
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 46.6 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $14 in charging · 0 stops · 66% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 40 | 0 | $13.99 | $6.39 |
| Efficient EV | 33.3 | 0 | $11.65 | $5.33 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 53.3 | 0 | $18.65 | $8.52 |
Gas CO2
47 kg
EV CO2
16 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.
Travel Intel
Current conditions at both ends of the drive.
Destination
Brooklyn Park, MN
Evening in Brooklyn Park on Wednesday
Local time
7:02 PM
CDT
Current temp
47°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
10 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
2h 50m 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 Cross Lake, MN to Brooklyn Park, MN covers 133.2 miles and takes about 2h 50m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are US Highway 169, County Road 11, MN 6. Most of the drive stays on highways, so watch for ramps and exits.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 66.6 miles from Cross Lake, MN. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $19.82 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.
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 demanding drive. With 14 significant decision points across 133.2 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.
The main spots that need attention: at 3.2 miles (CR 11 / County Road 11): Roundabout - know your exit number before entering; at 23.3 miles (MN 6; MN 210 / East Front Street): Navigation decision point; at 120 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
On the drive from Cross Lake, MN to Brooklyn Park, MN, road signs begin pointing toward Saint Paul along the way.
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