Trip from Detroit Lakes, MN to Co on Rapids, MN

Drive Time

3h 45m

Distance

192.2 mi

309 km

Drive Score

9/10

Great drive

Same Day?

Yes, doable

Fuel Cost

$27

one way

EV Charging

station data

Best Time to Leave

Save up to 38 min

4 AM

3h 32m ★

6 AM

3h 45m

8 AM

4h 10m

10 AM

3h 54m

12 PM

3h 51m

3 PM

3h 55m

5 PM

4h 9m

8 PM

3h 38m

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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Detroit Lakes, MN

Tom Fisk

Co on Rapids, MN

Tom Fisk

Trip Overview

Traveling from Detroit Lakes to Coon Rapids covers 192.2 miles across the heart of Minnesota. You can comfortably complete this journey in about 3 hours and 45 minutes, making it an ideal day trip that doesn't require an overnight stay. Expect to spend roughly $27 on fuel for the trek. The route utilizes a mix of West Mason Avenue, US 10, and I-94 to navigate between these two Midwest locations. Because the duration is under four hours, you have plenty of flexibility to adjust your departure time based on your personal schedule. It is a straightforward trip that moves you efficiently through the Minnesota landscape.

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

96.1 miles from Detroit Lakes, MN

A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h 50m into the drive .

Drive Character

This drive offers a mixed-road profile, transitioning from local surface streets to high-speed interstate travel. With a 51% highway share, you will spend about half of your time on major thoroughfares while the rest of the journey takes place on secondary roads. Your longest uninterrupted stretch occurs on West Mason Avenue, spanning 78.4 miles of the trip. The character of the road shifts as you move from the initial local stretches onto the larger highway systems. Be prepared for the change in pace as you transition from the relative quiet of the starting area toward the more heavily trafficked corridors near your destination.

Expect a mix of faster highway mileage and slower local approaches near the beginning or end.

There are about 22 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 12 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 192.2 miles you will encounter 12 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 12 key points

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

44.5 mi into trip | ~51m in

Enter roundabout

Roundabout - know your exit number before entering

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.

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

190.6 mi into trip | ~3h 41m in

Take the exit toward CR 1: East River Road

Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here

Use the straight / slight right lanes. Exit 10 Toward CR 1: East River Road

190.8 mi into trip | ~3h 42m in

Keep slight right at fork

Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here

Use the slight left / slight right lanes.

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
MN 610	11 mi	12m
Ash Avenue Northwest	7.3 mi	8m
165th Avenue Southeast	1.8 mi	2m
Broadway Street East	1.5 mi	2m
Park Boulevard Southeast	1.4 mi	1m

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 Co on Rapids, MN.

Start on CR 22

0.1 mi · 31 sec · Washington Avenue

Turn right onto US 10

44 mi · 50 min · US 10

Enter roundabout

103 ft · 1 sec

Continue

66 ft · 0 sec

Turn straight onto US 10

7.3 mi · 8 min · Ash Avenue Northwest

Continue on US 10

78 mi · 1 hr 29 min · West Mason Avenue

Use the none / right lanes.

Keep slight left at fork onto US 10

26 mi · 30 min · US 10

Turn right onto 165th Avenue Southeast

1.8 mi · 2 min · 165th Avenue Southeast

Continue on Park Boulevard Southeast

1.4 mi · 1 min · Park Boulevard Southeast

Continue on County Road 11

0.7 mi · 57 sec · County Road 11

Turn right onto MN 25

0.1 mi · 11 sec · State Highway 25

Continue on MN 25

0.3 mi · 42 sec · Pine Street

Turn left onto CR 75

1.5 mi · 2 min · Broadway Street East

Turn right onto CR 18

0.3 mi · 40 sec · Fenning Avenue

Take the ramp

0.4 mi · 54 sec

Merge onto I 94

17 mi · 18 min · I 94

Use the none / straight / slight right lanes.

Take the exit onto MN 610

11 mi · 12 min · MN 610

Exit 212 Toward MN 610 East Use the straight / slight right lanes.

Take the exit

0.2 mi · 23 sec

Exit 10 Toward CR 1: East River Road Use the straight / slight right lanes.

Keep slight right at fork

0.1 mi · 15 sec

Use the slight left / slight right lanes.

Turn right onto CR 1

1.2 mi · 2 min · East River Road

Use the none lane.

Turn right onto Mississippi Boulevard Northwest

0.1 mi · 30 sec · Mississippi Boulevard Northwest

Arrive at destination

Mississippi Boulevard Northwest

Trip Plan

Since this is a manageable one-day trip, plan your departure to avoid peak traffic hours near Coon Rapids to ensure a smooth arrival. You should budget for at least one planned stop during the 192.2-mile drive to stretch your legs and refresh. Keep an eye on your fuel gauge, keeping in mind the estimated $27 cost, and consider refueling before you hit the heavier highway sections of I-94. Because the longest stretch is 78.4 miles on West Mason Avenue, aim to complete your primary stop either just before or immediately after that segment. Having this built-in flexibility allows you to pace the drive according to your comfort level rather than rushing to reach your destination.

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 96.1 miles from Detroit Lakes, MN, or about 1h 50m 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 96.1 miles or 1h 50m in

This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.

Final approach

Final hour starts around 3h 2m

Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Co on Rapids, 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 192.2 miles and 3h 45m.

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 96.1 mi from Detroit Lakes, MN · 1h 50m into the drive

Mid-route town

Meal stop

Avon, MN

96 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 96.1 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 Co on Rapids, MN

The final approach into Co on 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 Co on Rapids, 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

$27.49 one way

$54.98 round trip

$3.63/gal 25.4 MPG avg 67 kg CO₂

Fuel Type	$/gal	One Way	Round Trip
midgrade	$3.92	$29.67	$59.34
premium	$4.39	$33.23	$66.47
diesel	$5.64	$42.70	$85.40

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: 67.2 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-06.

Driving Electric?

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

Vehicle Type	kWh	DC Fast	Home Charge
Average EV	57.7	$20.18	$9.23
Efficient EV	48.1	$16.82	$7.69
EV Truck/SUV	76.9	$26.91	$12.30

Gas CO2

67 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 3 days ago

Origin

Detroit Lakes, MN

Afternoon in Detroit Lakes on Sunday

Local time

4:24 PM

CDT

Current temp

38°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

Destination

Co on Rapids, MN

Afternoon in Co on Rapids on Sunday

Local time

4:24 PM

CDT

Current temp

40°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

Along the Route

37°F

Avon, MN

96 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

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

3h 45m 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 Co on Rapids, MN covers 192.2 miles and takes about 3h 45m 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 96.1 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 $27.49 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.

The route from Detroit Lakes, MN to Co on Rapids, MN does not surface many named destination signs beyond the main corridor.

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Return Trip

Co on Rapids, MN to Detroit Lakes, MN

Plan the drive back the other way.

192.6 mi 3h 45m

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Trip from Detroit Lakes, MN to Co on Rapids, MN

Best Time to Leave

Trip Overview

Drive Character

How Hard Is This Drive?

Critical Maneuvers

Main Roads

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Trip Plan

Before You Leave

Where to Stop

Pacing Suggestions

Arriving in Co on Rapids, MN

Fuel & Cost

Travel Intel

Detroit Lakes, MN

Co on Rapids, MN

Same local time

2 degrees warmer at arrival

3h 45m on the road

Frequently Asked Questions

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