Origin
Duluth, MN
Afternoon in Duluth on Sunday
Local time
4:38 PM
CDT
Current temp
61°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Duluth, MN to Minneapolis, MN
Drive Time
2h 20m
Distance
153.9 mi
248 km
Drive Score
8/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$22
one way
EV Charging
Loading...
station data
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
2h 11m
★
6 AM
2h 21m
8 AM
2h 40m
10 AM
2h 27m
12 PM
2h 25m
3 PM
2h 28m
5 PM
2h 39m
8 PM
2h 15m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Duluth, MN
Tom Fisk
Trip Overview
Connecting Duluth to Minneapolis covers 153.9 miles and typically takes about 2 hours and 20 minutes of drive time. This straightforward journey within the Midwest is perfect for a single-day trip, meaning you won't need to worry about overnight logistics. You should budget approximately $22 for fuel to complete the transit comfortably. Because this route relies on local roads rather than major interstates, you get a direct feel for the landscape as you transition between these two Minnesota hubs. It is an efficient way to travel if you prefer a steady pace over the high-speed monotony of a highway trek.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.
Break Rhythm
0 planned breaks
A short stop every 2 to 3 hours is enough for this drive.
Midpoint
77 miles from Duluth, MN
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h 10m into the drive .
Drive Character
Expect a turn-heavy local drive rather than a mindless highway cruise, as this route features 0% highway travel. Your journey begins with navigation through Priley Drive, West 1st Street, and Mesaba Avenue, which sets a technical tone for the start of your trip. Since the longest stretch is 0 miles on Priley Drive, you will find yourself constantly engaged with the road's nuances. This setup avoids the typical interstate grind, offering a more hands-on experience behind the wheel. Prepare for a road personality that demands your attention through its sequence of local turns.
This route has more turning and local-road decision points than a simple highway run.
There are about 11 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.
Priley Drive is one of the defining roads on this drive.
How Hard Is This Drive?
Expect a hands-on drive with frequent turns and local roads rather than long highway stretches. Navigation is very simple — set it and forget it for most of the drive.
Route Complexity
1/10
Very easy - short and simple to drive
The drive from Duluth, MN to Minneapolis, MN is easy. At 2h 20m with 0% highway, most drivers will find it relaxed and low-stress.
Where does it get tricky?
This route does not have any notably tricky sections. Most of the drive from Duluth, MN to Minneapolis, MN is straightforward, with well-signed roads and simple exits.
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| Priley Drive | Unavailable | Refreshing |
| West 1st Street | Unavailable | Refreshing |
| Mesaba Avenue | Unavailable | Refreshing |
| I-35 South | Unavailable | Refreshing |
| I 35W | Unavailable | Refreshing |
| Washington Avenue | Unavailable | Refreshing |
| Washington Avenue South | Unavailable | Refreshing |
Per-road distance and duration are being refreshed from OSRM for this route.
Longest stretch:
Priley Drive
— detailed segment metrics are refreshing.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Duluth, MN and Minneapolis, MN.
1
Start on Priley Drive
322 ft
·
26 sec
·
Priley Drive
2
Continue on Priley Drive
82 ft
·
9 sec
·
Priley Drive
3
Turn right onto West 1st Street
0.2 mi
·
25 sec
·
West 1st Street
4
Turn left onto Mesaba Avenue
0.2 mi
·
15 sec
·
Mesaba Avenue
5
Keep slight left to continue on I-35 South Entrance Ramp From Mesaba Avenue
0.3 mi
·
34 sec
·
I-35 South Entrance Ramp From Mesaba Avenue
6
Merge slight left
0.5 mi
·
43 sec
7
Keep slight left
128 mi
·
2 hr 19 min
8
Keep slight right to continue on I 35W: Minneapolis
23 mi
·
27 min
·
I 35W: Minneapolis
9
Take the exit slight right toward Washington Avenue
0.2 mi
·
42 sec
·
Washington Avenue
10
Turn right onto Washington Avenue South
0.8 mi
·
2 min
·
Washington Avenue South
11
Arrive at your destination
Trip Plan
Since this is a relatively short trip with zero mandatory stops, you have the flexibility to depart whenever it best suits your schedule. Keep in mind that because you are navigating local roads, your travel time may fluctuate more than it would on a controlled-access highway. It is wise to check your fuel levels before leaving Duluth, as the $22 cost is a baseline estimate that can vary based on your vehicle's efficiency. Use the lack of planned stops to your advantage by building in your own breaks along the local roads whenever you feel the need to stretch. Pay close attention to the turn-heavy sections early on to ensure you maintain your momentum toward Minneapolis.
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.
You may only need one short stretch break if traffic stays light.
The halfway point lands around 77 miles from Duluth, MN, or about 1h 10m into the drive.
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 13m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 77 miles or 1h 10m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 1h 55m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Minneapolis, MN than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving Duluth, 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 Duluth, MN
This is one driving day of about 153.9 miles and 2h 20m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 80 miles from Duluth, MN.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
You may only need one short stretch stop if conditions stay smooth.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 77 mi from Duluth, MN · 1h 10m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
77 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 80 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 77 miles from Duluth, MN, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Arriving in Minneapolis, MN
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.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$22.01 one way
$44.03 round trip
$3.63/gal
25.4 MPG avg
54 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $3.92 | $23.76 | $47.52 |
| premium | $4.39 | $26.61 | $53.22 |
| diesel | $5.64 | $34.19 | $68.38 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$22
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$47–$72
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 53.8 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-06.
Driving Electric?
About $16 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 46.2 | 0 | $16.16 | $7.39 |
| Efficient EV | 38.5 | 0 | $13.47 | $6.16 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 61.6 | 0 | $21.55 | $9.85 |
Gas CO2
54 kg
EV CO2
18 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.
Destination
Minneapolis, MN
Afternoon in Minneapolis on Sunday
Local time
4:38 PM
CDT
Current temp
40°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
21 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
2h 20m 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 Duluth, MN to Minneapolis, MN covers 153.9 miles and takes about 2h 20m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are Priley Drive, West 1st Street, Mesaba Avenue. Expect a mix of highway and local road driving.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 77 miles from Duluth, MN. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $22.01 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.
The drive from Duluth, MN to Minneapolis, MN is easy. At 2h 20m with 0% highway, most drivers will find it relaxed and low-stress.
This route does not have any notably tricky sections. Most of the drive from Duluth, MN to Minneapolis, MN is straightforward, with well-signed roads and simple exits.
The route from Duluth, MN to Minneapolis, MN does not surface many named destination signs beyond the main corridor.
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