Trip from Faribault, MN to Minnetonka, MN

Q: What are the main roads on this route?

The main roads are I 35 Business, I 494, I 35W. Most of the drive stays on highways, so watch for ramps and exits.

Q: Is this a good same-day trip?

This is a comfortable same-day trip.

Q: Where should I stop halfway?

The midpoint is about 27.5 miles from Faribault, MN. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.

Q: How much does gas cost for this trip?

At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $8.17 one way. This estimate uses 25.4 MPG — your actual cost will vary with your vehicle's fuel efficiency and current gas prices.

Q: What is the best time to leave?

Leave by 9 AM and you'll arrive before lunch. Even a 4 PM departure gets you there before dark in summer.

Q: What towns show up on signs driving from Faribault, MN to Minnetonka, MN?

The route from Faribault, MN to Minnetonka, MN does not surface many named destination signs beyond the main corridor.

Last recalculated Apr 16, 2026

Drive Time

1h 6m

Distance

54.9 mi

88 km

Drive Score

7/10

Good drive

Same Day?

Yes, doable

Fuel Cost

$8

one way

EV Charging

Unknown

Best Time to Leave

Save up to 16 min

4 AM

1h 2m ★

6 AM

1h 7m

8 AM

1h 18m

10 AM

1h 11m

12 PM

1h 10m

3 PM

1h 11m

5 PM

1h 17m

8 PM

1h 4m

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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Trip Overview

The drive from Faribault, MN to Minnetonka, MN covers 54.9 miles and takes about 1h 6m behind the wheel. This route is realistic as a one-day drive if you keep your stops efficient.

The route leans on I 35 Business, I 494, I 35W for much of the mileage, and the overall profile is highway-focused drive. The longest uninterrupted segment is about 29.2 miles on I 35 Business. At current regular gas prices, budget about $8.17 one way before food or hotel costs.

Who Is This Route For?

Weekend Trip

Doable as a same-day drive at 1h 6m. Total distance: 54.9 miles.

Family Friendly

Moderate complexity with 0 natural rest stops along the way.

Solo Traveler

1h 6m drive, comfortable solo distance.

EV Driver

0 DC fast chargers along the route. Coverage: unknown.

First-Time Driver

Mostly highway driving (93%). Some complex stretches to watch for.

Drive Character

This is a 1h 6m highway drive covering 54.9 miles, with most of the trip on I 35 Business and I 494. The longest continuous stretch is about 29.2 miles on I 35 Business.

Most of the miles stay on highways, which makes pacing and fuel planning easier than turn-by-turn city driving.

There are about 14 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.

I 35 Business is the longest continuous segment at about 29.2 miles.

How Hard Is This Drive?

This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 35 Business and I 494. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 1.1 miles in near I 35 Business; MN 21; I 35 Alternate / Lyndale Avenue North.

Driving Effort 10/10

Demanding - stay alert through the decision-heavy sections

Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.

This drive requires moderate attention. Across 54.9 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 1.1 miles (I 35 Business; MN 21; I 35 Alternate / Lyndale Avenue North): Lane positioning matters here; at 2.9 miles (I 35 Business): Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here; at 32.1 miles (I 35W): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. 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.

6

1.1 mi into trip | ~2m in | I 35 Business; MN 21; I 35 Alternate / Lyndale Avenue North

Turn right onto I 35 Business; MN 21; I 35 Alternate / Lyndale Avenue North

Lane positioning matters here

Use the straight lane.

6

2.9 mi into trip | ~5m in | I 35 Business

Take the exit onto I 35 Business toward I 35 North: Minneapolis

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

Use the straight / slight right lanes. Toward I 35 North: Minneapolis

6

32.1 mi into trip | ~37m in | I 35W

Keep slight left at fork onto I 35W

Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here

Use the slight left / slight right lanes.

8

40.4 mi into trip | ~47m in

Take the exit toward I 494 East, MN 5 East

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 8B-C Toward I 494 East, MN 5 East

7

52 mi into trip | ~1h 2m in

Take the exit toward MN 7 West

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

Use the right lane. Exit 16B Toward MN 7 West

Main Roads

Road	Distance	Duration
I 35 Business	29.2 mi	31m
I 494	10.5 mi	13m
I 35W	8.3 mi	9m
Minnesota State Highway 7	2.7 mi	3m
Lyndale Avenue North	1.8 mi	2m
4th Street Northwest	0.7 mi	1m
Highway 60 West	0.3 mi	<1m
County Road 101	<0.1 mi	<1m

Longest stretch: I 35 Business — 29.2 mi, about 31m

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between Faribault, MN and Minnetonka, MN.

1

Start on this road

69 ft · 7 sec · this road

2

Turn right onto MN 60

0.7 mi · 1 min · 4th Street Northwest

3

Continue on MN 60

0.3 mi · 48 sec · Highway 60 West

4

Turn right onto I 35 Business; MN 21; I 35 Alternate

1.8 mi · 2 min · Lyndale Avenue North

Use the straight lane.

5

Take the exit onto I 35 Business

29 mi · 31 min · I 35 Business

Toward I 35 North: Minneapolis Use the straight / slight right lanes.

6

Keep slight left at fork onto I 35W

8.3 mi · 9 min · I 35W

Use the slight left / slight right lanes.

7

Take the exit

0.3 mi · 37 sec

Exit 8B-C Toward I 494 East, MN 5 East Use the straight / slight right lanes.

8

Keep slight left at fork

0.8 mi · 1 min

Toward I 494 West, MN 5 West

9

Merge onto I 494; MN 5

5.8 mi · 7 min · I 494; MN 5

Use the straight / slight right lanes.

10

Keep slight left at fork onto I 494; MN 5

4.7 mi · 5 min · I 494; MN 5

Use the straight / right lanes.

11

Take the exit

0.2 mi · 28 sec

Exit 16B Toward MN 7 West Use the right lane.

12

Merge onto MN 7

2.7 mi · 3 min · Minnesota State Highway 7

13

Turn left onto CR 101

239 ft · 10 sec · County Road 101

Use the left lane.

14

Arrive at destination

CR 101

Where to Stop

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

Halfway Point

Midpoint

About 27.5 mi from Faribault, MN · 32m into the drive

city in Dakota County, Minnesota, United States

Mid-route town

Meal stop

Burnsville, MN

27 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.

Popular next leg

Burnsville, MN to Minnetonka, MN

21.2 mi · 28m

Pacing Suggestions

Lonsdale, MN

Fuel and coffee

A short stop after about 12 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.

Lakeville, MN

Meal break

The midpoint is around 27.5 miles from Faribault, MN, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.

Arriving in Minnetonka, MN

The final approach into Minnetonka, MN usually feels slower than the middle of the drive, so avoid planning your tightest schedule at the very end.

These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.

Fuel & Cost

Regular Gas

$8.17 one way

$16.34 round trip

$3.78/gal 25.4 MPG avg 19 kg CO₂

Fuel Type	$/gal	One Way	Round Trip
midgrade	$4.07	$8.80	$17.61
premium	$4.53	$9.80	$19.59
diesel	$5.61	$12.12	$24.24

No toll roads detected on this route.

Drive Cost (one way)

Fuel

$8

Estimated CO2 emission: 19.2 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.

Driving Electric?

About $6 in charging · 0 stops · 68% less CO₂

Vehicle Type	kWh	DC Fast	Home Charge
Average EV	16.5	$5.76	$2.64
Efficient EV	13.7	$4.80	$2.20
EV Truck/SUV	22	$7.69	$3.51

Gas CO2

19 kg

EV CO2

6 kg (68% 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 as of Apr 15, 2026

Origin

Faribault, MN

Afternoon in Faribault on Thursday

Local time

4:44 PM

CDT

Current temp

71°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

Destination

Minnetonka, MN

Afternoon in Minnetonka on Thursday

Local time

4:44 PM

CDT

Current temp

47°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

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

24 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

1h 6m 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 Faribault, MN to Minnetonka, MN covers 54.9 miles and takes about 1h 6m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.