Origin
Fulda, MN
Night in Fulda on Friday
Local time
9:01 PM
CDT
Current temp
46°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Fulda, MN to Minneapolis, MN
Compiled and reviewed by the Trip.ovh planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Apr 18, 2026 · Editorial standards
Drive Time
3h 34m
Distance
170.5 mi
274 km
Drive Score
8/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$25
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
3h 22m
★
6 AM
3h 35m
8 AM
4h 0m
10 AM
3h 44m
12 PM
3h 41m
3 PM
3h 45m
5 PM
3h 58m
8 PM
3h 27m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Fulda, MN
Tom Fisk
Trip Overview
The drive from Fulda, MN to Minneapolis, MN covers 170.5 miles and takes about 3h 34m behind the wheel. This route is realistic as a one-day drive if you keep your stops efficient.
The route leans on US 169, State Highway 60, State Highway 62 for much of the mileage, and the overall profile is highway-focused drive. The longest uninterrupted segment is about 59.5 miles on US 169. At current regular gas prices, budget about $25.37 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
85.3 miles from Fulda, MN
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h 46m into the drive .
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 3h 34m. Total distance: 170.5 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
3h 34m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (96%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Drive Character
This is a 3h 34m highway drive covering 170.5 miles, with most of the trip on US 169 and State Highway 60. The longest continuous stretch is about 59.5 miles on US 169.
Most of the miles stay on highways, which makes pacing and fuel planning easier than turn-by-turn city driving.
There are about 31 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.
US 169 is the longest continuous segment at about 59.5 miles.
How Hard Is This Drive?
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on US 169 and State Highway 60. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 141.4 miles in.
Driving Effort
9/10
High effort - long or complex enough to need steady focus all day
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This is a demanding drive. With 18 significant decision points across 170.5 miles, you will need to stay alert - especially through interchange areas and urban stretches. Consider splitting it into segments if you are not comfortable with fast highway navigation.
Where does it get tricky?
The main spots that need attention: at 141.4 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 141.7 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 156.1 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Critical Maneuvers
5 of 18 key pointsThese are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
6
141.4 mi into trip
|
~2h 54m in
Take the exit toward MN 41, CR 78: Chaska
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Exit 106
Toward MN 41, CR 78: Chaska
7
141.7 mi into trip
|
~2h 55m in
Keep slight right at fork toward MN 41, CR 78: Chaska
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Exit 106
Toward MN 41, CR 78: Chaska
7
156.1 mi into trip
|
~3h 13m 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 slight right lane.
Toward I 494 East, MN 5 East
7
161 mi into trip
|
~3h 19m in
Take the exit toward I 35W North: Minneapolis
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / right lanes.
Exit 5A
Toward I 35W North: Minneapolis
7
168.9 mi into trip
|
~3h 30m in
|
MN 65
Keep slight left at fork onto MN 65 toward I 94 West
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Toward I 94 West
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
On the drive from Fulda, MN to Minneapolis, MN, road signs begin pointing toward Cr 78: Chaska along the way.
Cr 78: Chaska
141.4 mi in
|
~2h 54m
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| US 169 | 59.5 mi | 1h 10m |
| State Highway 60 | 59.4 mi | 1h 11m |
| State Highway 62 | 23.2 mi | 30m |
| MN 60 E | 8.8 mi | 10m |
| I 35W | 7.6 mi | 10m |
| I 494 | 4.2 mi | 5m |
| 130th Street West | 1 mi | 1m |
| Marystown Road | 0.9 mi | 1m |
Longest stretch:
US 169
— 59.5 mi, about 1h 10m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Fulda, MN and Minneapolis, MN.
1
Start on CR 39
299 ft
·
13 sec
·
North St Paul Avenue
2
Turn left onto CR 2
0.4 mi
·
55 sec
·
East Front Street
3
Continue on MN 62
23 mi
·
30 min
·
State Highway 62
4
Continue on MN 62
0.6 mi
·
1 min
·
6th Street
5
Turn left onto 4th Avenue
0.4 mi
·
1 min
·
4th Avenue
6
Turn right onto CR 13
0.1 mi
·
23 sec
·
12th Street
7
Turn left onto US 71; MN 60
44 mi
·
52 min
·
State Highway 60
Use the straight lane.
8
Continue on MN 60
8.8 mi
·
10 min
·
MN 60 E
9
Continue on MN 60
15 mi
·
19 min
·
State Highway 60
10
Continue on US 169
19 mi
·
24 min
·
US 169
Use the straight lane.
11
Continue on US 169; MN 93
12 mi
·
13 min
·
US 169; MN 93
Use the straight lane.
12
Continue on US 169
17 mi
·
19 min
·
US 169
Use the straight lane.
13
Take the exit
0.3 mi
·
41 sec
Exit 106
Toward MN 41, CR 78: Chaska
14
Keep slight right at fork
264 ft
·
8 sec
Exit 106
Toward MN 41, CR 78: Chaska
15
Turn straight onto CR 78
0.4 mi
·
34 sec
·
County Road 78
16
Continue on CR 78
0.5 mi
·
40 sec
·
Chestnut Boulevard
17
Enter roundabout onto CR 78
116 ft
·
2 sec
·
130th Street West
18
Continue on CR 78
1.0 mi
·
1 min
·
130th Street West
19
Turn left onto CR 15
0.9 mi
·
1 min
·
Marystown Road
20
Take the ramp
0.4 mi
·
51 sec
Toward US 169 North
21
Merge onto US 169
5.1 mi
·
5 min
·
US 169
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
22
Keep slight left at fork onto US 169
6.1 mi
·
7 min
·
US 169
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
23
Take the exit
0.7 mi
·
1 min
Toward I 494 East, MN 5 East
Use the slight right lane.
24
Merge onto I 494; MN 5
4.2 mi
·
5 min
·
I 494; MN 5
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
25
Take the exit
0.3 mi
·
37 sec
Exit 5A
Toward I 35W North: Minneapolis
Use the straight / right lanes.
26
Merge onto I 35W
7.6 mi
·
10 min
·
I 35W
Use the straight / right lanes.
27
Keep slight left at fork onto MN 65
0.5 mi
·
32 sec
·
MN 65
Toward I 94 West
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
28
Keep slight left at fork onto MN 65
0.3 mi
·
42 sec
·
MN 65
Toward 5th Avenue South
29
Continue on 5th Avenue South
0.6 mi
·
2 min
·
5th Avenue South
Use the straight / slight left lanes.
30
Turn left onto CR 152
0.2 mi
·
31 sec
·
Washington Avenue South
Use the left / straight lanes.
31
Arrive at destination
CR 152
Trip Plan
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 85.3 miles from Fulda, MN, or about 1h 46m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 59.5 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 38 miles or 50m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 85.3 miles or 1h 46m 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 52m
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 Fulda, 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 Fulda, MN
This is one driving day of about 170.5 miles and 3h 34m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 38 miles from Fulda, 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 US 169 for about 59.5 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 85.3 mi from Fulda, MN · 1h 46m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
85 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 38 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 85.3 miles from Fulda, 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
$25.37 one way
$50.75 round trip
$3.78/gal
25.4 MPG avg
60 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.07 | $27.34 | $54.68 |
| premium | $4.53 | $30.42 | $60.84 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $37.64 | $75.29 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$25
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$50–$75
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 59.7 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $18 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 51.2 | 0 | $17.90 | $8.18 |
| Efficient EV | 42.6 | 0 | $14.92 | $6.82 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 68.2 | 0 | $23.87 | $10.91 |
Gas CO2
60 kg
EV CO2
20 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
Night in Minneapolis on Friday
Local time
9:01 PM
CDT
Current temp
67°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 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 34m 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 Fulda, MN to Minneapolis, MN covers 170.5 miles and takes about 3h 34m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are US 169, State Highway 60, State Highway 62. Most of the drive stays on highways, so watch for ramps and exits.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 85.3 miles from Fulda, MN. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $25.37 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 is a demanding drive. With 18 significant decision points across 170.5 miles, you will need to stay alert - especially through interchange areas and urban stretches. Consider splitting it into segments if you are not comfortable with fast highway navigation.
The main spots that need attention: at 141.4 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 141.7 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 156.1 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
On the drive from Fulda, MN to Minneapolis, MN, road signs begin pointing toward Cr 78: Chaska along the way.
How this page is built
Compiled by the Trip.ovh planning team at COD Solutions Oy from open government datasets — OSRM over OpenStreetMap for geometry, and EIA for fuel prices. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.
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