Drive Time
3h 17m
Distance
203.1 mi
327 km
Drive Score
8/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$29
one way
Photo: Adriaan Greyling
The drive from Detroit Lakes, MN to Minneapolis, MN covers 203.1 miles and takes about 3h 17m behind the wheel. This route is realistic as a one-day drive if you keep your stops efficient.
The route leans on the route, Ash Avenue Northwest, West Mason Avenue for much of the mileage, and the overall profile is turn-heavy local drive. At current regular gas prices, budget about $28.54 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
101.5 miles from Detroit Lakes, MN
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h 38m into the drive .
Expect a 3h 17m drive with frequent turns across 203.1 miles of local and secondary roads.
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| the route | Unavailable | Refreshing |
| Ash Avenue Northwest | Unavailable | Refreshing |
| West Mason Avenue | Unavailable | Refreshing |
| 165th Avenue Southeast | Unavailable | Refreshing |
| Park Boulevard Southeast | Unavailable | Refreshing |
| County Road 11 | Unavailable | Refreshing |
| Highway 25 | Unavailable | Refreshing |
| Pine Street | Unavailable | Refreshing |
Per-road distance and duration are being refreshed from OSRM for this route.
Step-by-step road directions between Detroit Lakes, MN and Minneapolis, MN.
Start on Washington Avenue
Turn right
Enter the roundabout and take exit 1 toward the route
Exit the roundabout
Turn straight onto Ash Avenue Northwest
Continue on West Mason Avenue
Keep slight left
Turn right onto 165th Avenue Southeast
Continue on Park Boulevard Southeast
Continue on County Road 11
Turn right onto State Highway 25
Continue on Pine Street
Turn left onto Broadway Street East
Turn right onto Fenning Avenue
Take the ramp left
Merge slight left
Keep slight right
Keep slight right
Keep slight left to continue on 4th Street North
Keep slight right to continue on 2nd Avenue North
Turn left onto 2nd Avenue North
Turn right onto North Washington Avenue
Continue on Washington Avenue South
Arrive at 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.
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 17m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 101.5 miles or 1h 38m 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 41m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Minneapolis, MN than in the middle of the route.
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 203.1 miles and 3h 17m.
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 101.5 mi from Detroit Lakes, MN · 1h 38m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
102 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.
The final approach into Minneapolis, 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 Minneapolis, MN.
These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.
Regular Gas
$28.54 one way
$57.08 round trip
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $3.92 | $31.35 | $62.71 |
| premium | $4.39 | $35.12 | $70.24 |
| diesel | $4.86 | $38.89 | $77.79 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$29
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$54–$79
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 71.1 kg one way.
Driving Electric?
About $21 in charging · 0 stops · 66% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 60.9 | 0 | $21.33 | $9.75 |
| Efficient EV | 50.8 | 0 | $17.77 | $8.12 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 81.2 | 1 | $28.43 | $13.00 |
Gas CO2
71 kg
EV CO2
24 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. If you're planning ahead, check the forecast closer to your travel date.
Origin
Morning in Detroit Lakes on Saturday
Local time
8:07 AM
CDT
Current temp
38°F
Forecast unavailable right now
Destination
Morning in Minneapolis on Saturday
Local time
8:07 AM
CDT
Current temp
40°F
Forecast unavailable right now
Along the Route
37°F
Avon, MN
102 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
Origin and destination are on the same clock, so arrival timing is easier to judge at a glance.
Temperature spread
A meaningful temperature swing is a good cue to rethink layers, water, and how soon you want to arrive.
Road read
Use the two city cards together: check the sky where you start, then compare it with the local time and temperature at arrival.
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