Trip from Detroit Lakes, MN to Brooklyn Park, MN

Drive Time

3h 42m

Distance

188.2 mi

303 km

Drive Score

9/10

Great drive

Same Day?

Yes, doable

Fuel Cost

$27

one way

EV Charging

Loading...

station data

Best Time to Leave

Save up to 37 min
4 AM
3h 30m ★
6 AM
3h 42m
8 AM
4h 7m
10 AM
3h 51m
12 PM
3h 48m
3 PM
3h 52m
5 PM
4h 6m
8 PM
3h 35m

Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.

Downtown Detroit Lakes, MN, MN

Detroit Lakes, MN

Tom Fisk

Downtown Brooklyn Park, MN, MN

Brooklyn Park, MN

Sasha Zilov

Trip Overview

Traveling from Detroit Lakes to Brooklyn Park covers 188.2 miles and typically takes about 3 hours and 42 minutes behind the wheel. Because this is a relatively straightforward journey within the Midwest, it is perfectly manageable as a one-day trip without the need for an overnight stay. You can expect to spend approximately $27 on fuel for the entire excursion. The route primarily utilizes West Mason Avenue, US 10, and I-94 to connect these two Minnesota locations. Whether you are heading to the Twin Cities area for business or a change of pace, this drive offers a reliable and efficient path across the state.

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

94.1 miles from Detroit Lakes, MN

A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h 48m into the drive .

Drive Character

This trip features a mixed driving profile, balancing local roads with major interstate travel. You will spend roughly 48% of your time on highways, giving you a chance to make steady progress toward your destination. A significant portion of the journey involves a 78.4-mile stretch on West Mason Avenue, which serves as your longest uninterrupted segment. As you transition between these different road types, the driving experience shifts from the quieter pace of local thoroughfares to the faster, more consistent flow of I-94. Expect a balanced road personality that keeps you engaged without feeling like a monotonous interstate grind.

Expect a mix of faster highway mileage and slower local approaches near the beginning or end.
There are about 23 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.
West Mason Avenue is the longest continuous segment at about 78.4 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 11 points where you need to pay attention to lane position or signs. The trickiest moment comes around 44.5 miles in.

Route Complexity 6/10

Moderate - straightforward overall, but long enough or busy enough to require pacing

This drive requires moderate attention. Across 188.2 miles you will encounter 11 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 44.5 miles: Roundabout - know your exit number before entering; at 162.7 miles (I 94): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here; at 179.6 miles (MN 610): Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here.

Critical Maneuvers

5 of 11 key points

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

5
44.5 mi into trip | ~51m in

Enter roundabout

Roundabout - know your exit number before entering

5
162.7 mi into trip | ~3h 10m in | I 94

Merge onto I 94

Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here

Use the none / straight / slight right lanes.
7
179.6 mi into trip | ~3h 29m 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
182.2 mi into trip | ~3h 32m 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
6
185 mi into trip | ~3h 36m in | CR 81 / County Road 81

Keep slight right at fork onto CR 81 / County Road 81

Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here

Use the none lane.

Main Roads

Road Distance Duration
West Mason Avenue 78.4 mi 1h 29m
US 10 70.5 mi 1h 21m
I 94 16.9 mi 18m
Ash Avenue Northwest 7.3 mi 8m
County Road 81 3 mi 4m
MN 610 2.6 mi 2m
165th Avenue Southeast 1.8 mi 2m
Broadway Street East 1.5 mi 2m
Longest stretch: West Mason Avenue — 78.4 mi, about 1h 29m

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between Detroit Lakes, MN and Brooklyn Park, MN.

1

Start on CR 22

0.1 mi · 31 sec · Washington Avenue
2

Turn right onto US 10

44 mi · 50 min · US 10
3

Enter roundabout

103 ft · 1 sec
4

Continue

66 ft · 0 sec
5

Turn straight onto US 10

7.3 mi · 8 min · Ash Avenue Northwest
6

Continue on US 10

78 mi · 1 hr 29 min · West Mason Avenue
Use the none / right lanes.
7

Keep slight left at fork onto US 10

26 mi · 30 min · US 10
8

Turn right onto 165th Avenue Southeast

1.8 mi · 2 min · 165th Avenue Southeast
9

Continue on Park Boulevard Southeast

1.4 mi · 1 min · Park Boulevard Southeast
10

Continue on County Road 11

0.7 mi · 57 sec · County Road 11
11

Turn right onto MN 25

0.1 mi · 11 sec · State Highway 25
12

Continue on MN 25

0.3 mi · 42 sec · Pine Street
13

Turn left onto CR 75

1.5 mi · 2 min · Broadway Street East
14

Turn right onto CR 18

0.3 mi · 40 sec · Fenning Avenue
15

Take the ramp

0.4 mi · 54 sec
16

Merge onto I 94

17 mi · 18 min · I 94
Use the none / straight / slight right lanes.
17

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.
18

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.
19

Continue on CR 81

2.4 mi · 3 min · County Road 81
Use the left / none lanes.
20

Keep slight right at fork onto CR 81

0.6 mi · 59 sec · County Road 81
Use the none lane.
21

Continue on CR 81

1.3 mi · 1 min · Bottineau Boulevard
Use the none lane.
22

Turn left onto CR 130

1.4 mi · 2 min · Brooklyn Boulevard
Use the none lane.
23

Arrive at destination

CR 14

Trip Plan

Planning for this 188.2-mile trip is simple since you only need to account for one major stop along the way. To make the most of your time, consider departing during off-peak hours to avoid potential congestion as you approach the Brooklyn Park area. Keep your fuel budget of $27 in mind when selecting your pit stop, as prices can vary along the corridor. Since the drive is under four hours, you have plenty of flexibility to adjust your pace based on traffic conditions or personal preference. For a smoother experience, try to time your single stop near the transition point between the longer stretches of West Mason Avenue and the interstate.

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 94.1 miles from Detroit Lakes, MN, or about 1h 48m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 78.4 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 80 miles or 1h 32m in

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

Halfway reset

Around 94.1 miles or 1h 48m 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 57m

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 Detroit Lakes, 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 Detroit Lakes, MN

This is one driving day of about 188.2 miles and 3h 42m.

Your first comfortable stop window is around 80 miles from Detroit Lakes, 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 West Mason Avenue for about 78.4 miles.

Where to Stop

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

Halfway Point

Midpoint

About 94.1 mi from Detroit Lakes, MN · 1h 48m into the drive

Downtown Avon, MN, MN

Mid-route town

Meal stop

Avon, MN

94 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

Avon, MN

Fuel and coffee

A short stop after about 80 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.

Avon, MN

Meal break

The midpoint is around 94.1 miles from Detroit Lakes, MN, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.

Before the longest stretch

Fuel check

Top up before West Mason Avenue if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 78.4 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

$26.92 one way

$53.84 round trip

$3.63/gal 25.4 MPG avg 66 kg CO2
Fuel Type $/gal One Way Round Trip
midgrade $3.92 $29.05 $58.10
premium $4.39 $32.54 $65.08
diesel $5.64 $41.81 $83.62

No toll roads detected on this route.

Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)

Fuel

$27

Meals

$25–$50

Total

$52–$77

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

Estimated CO2 emission: 65.8 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-06.

Driving Electric?

About $20 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO2

Vehicle Type kWh Stops DC Fast Home Charge
Average EV 56.5 0 $19.76 $9.03
Efficient EV 47.1 0 $16.47 $7.53
EV Truck/SUV 75.3 0 $26.35 $12.04

Gas CO2

66 kg

EV CO2

22 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 data refreshed 2 days ago

Origin

Detroit Lakes, MN

Afternoon in Detroit Lakes on Sunday

Local time

3:27 PM

CDT

Current temp

38°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

Destination

Brooklyn Park, MN

Afternoon in Brooklyn Park on Sunday

Local time

3:27 PM

CDT

Current temp

39°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

Along the Route

37°F

Avon, MN

94 mi in

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

1 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

3h 42m 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 Detroit Lakes, MN to Brooklyn Park, MN covers 188.2 miles and takes about 3h 42m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are West Mason Avenue, US 10, I 94. Expect a mix of highway and local road driving.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 94.1 miles from Detroit Lakes, MN. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $26.92 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 drive requires moderate attention. Across 188.2 miles you will encounter 11 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 44.5 miles: Roundabout - know your exit number before entering; at 162.7 miles (I 94): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here; at 179.6 miles (MN 610): Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here.
The route from Detroit Lakes, MN to Brooklyn Park, MN does not surface many named destination signs beyond the main corridor.

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Explore More

Return Trip

Brooklyn Park, MN to Detroit Lakes, MN

Plan the drive back the other way.

188.3 mi 3h 41m

Explore more options from Detroit Lakes, MN or browse trips ending in Brooklyn Park, MN.

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