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Trip from Glenwood, MN to Lakeville, MN

Last recalculated Apr 17, 2026

Drive Time

3h 2m

Distance

152.3 mi

245 km

Drive Score

9/10

Great drive

Same Day?

Yes, doable

Fuel Cost

$23

one way

EV Charging

Unknown

Best Time to Leave

Save up to 34 min
4 AM
2h 51m ★
6 AM
3h 3m
8 AM
3h 25m
10 AM
3h 11m
12 PM
3h 8m
3 PM
3h 12m
5 PM
3h 24m
8 PM
2h 56m

Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.

Downtown Glenwood, MN, MN

Glenwood, MN

Tom Fisk

city in Dakota County, Minnesota, United States

Lakeville, MN

Wikimedia Commons

Trip Overview

The drive from Glenwood, MN to Lakeville, MN covers 152.3 miles and takes about 3h 2m behind the wheel. This route is realistic as a one-day drive if you keep your stops efficient.

The route leans on I 94, Minnesota Avenue East, I 494 for much of the mileage, and the overall profile is highway-focused drive. The longest uninterrupted segment is about 89.6 miles on I 94. At current regular gas prices, budget about $22.67 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

76.2 miles from Glenwood, MN

A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h 32m into the drive .

Who Is This Route For?

Weekend Trip

Doable as a same-day drive at 3h 2m. Total distance: 152.3 miles.

Family Friendly

Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.

Solo Traveler

3h 2m drive, comfortable solo distance.

First-Time Driver

Mostly highway driving (80%). Some complex stretches to watch for.

Drive Character

This is a 3h 2m highway drive covering 152.3 miles, with most of the trip on I 94 and Minnesota Avenue East. The longest continuous stretch is about 89.6 miles on I 94.

Most of the miles stay on highways, which makes pacing and fuel planning easier than turn-by-turn city driving.
There are about 19 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.
I 94 is the longest continuous segment at about 89.6 miles.

How Hard Is This Drive?

This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 94 and Minnesota Avenue East. You will hit about 11 points where you need to pay attention to lane position or signs. The trickiest moment comes around 24 miles in near I 94.

Driving Effort 6/10

Moderate - straightforward overall, but long enough or busy enough to require pacing

Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.

This drive requires moderate attention. Across 152.3 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 24 miles (I 94): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here; at 113.6 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here; at 135.9 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. 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.

5
24 mi into trip | ~36m in | I 94

Merge onto I 94

Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here

Use the straight / slight right lanes.
7
113.6 mi into trip | ~2h 12m in

Take the exit toward I 494 South

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

Use the straight / slight right lanes. Exit 216 Toward I 494 South
7
135.9 mi into trip | ~2h 40m in

Take the exit toward I 35W South: Albert Lea

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

Use the slight right lane. Exit 5B Toward I 35W South: Albert Lea
8
147.6 mi into trip | ~2h 54m in

Take the exit toward CR 5, CR 50

Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one

Use the slight right lane. Exit 85 Toward CR 5, CR 50
6
152.3 mi into trip | ~3h 2m in | 207th Street West

Turn left onto 207th Street West

Lane positioning matters here

Use the left lane.

Main Roads

Road Distance Duration
I 94 89.6 mi 1h 36m
Minnesota Avenue East 23.5 mi 34m
I 494 21.9 mi 27m
I 35W 11.1 mi 12m
Kenwood Trail /Richard J. Ames Memorial Highway 2.2 mi 3m
Kenwood Trail 1.3 mi 2m
202nd Street West / Richard J. Ames Memorial Highway 0.5 mi <1m
Holyoke Avenue 0.4 mi 1m
Longest stretch: I 94 — 89.6 mi, about 1h 36m

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between Glenwood, MN and Lakeville, MN.

1

Start on MN 28

23 mi · 34 min · Minnesota Avenue East
2

Turn left onto US 71; MN 28

0.2 mi · 26 sec · Main Street South
3

Take the ramp

0.3 mi · 40 sec
Toward I 94 East: St. Cloud
4

Merge onto I 94

90 mi · 1 hr 36 min · I 94
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
5

Take the exit

0.4 mi · 31 sec
Exit 216 Toward I 494 South Use the straight / slight right lanes.
6

Continue on I 494

22 mi · 27 min · I 494
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
7

Take the exit

0.2 mi · 25 sec
Exit 5B Toward I 35W South: Albert Lea Use the slight right lane.
8

Continue on this road

0.4 mi · 50 sec · this road
Exit 5B Toward I 35W South: Albert Lea
9

Merge onto I 35W

11 mi · 12 min · I 35W
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
10

Take the exit

0.2 mi · 26 sec
Exit 85 Toward CR 5, CR 50 Use the slight right lane.
11

Turn left onto CR 5

1.3 mi · 2 min · Kenwood Trail
Use the left / straight lanes.
12

Enter roundabout onto CR 5

127 ft · 2 sec · Kenwood Trail /Richard J. Ames Memorial Highway
13

Continue on CR 5

2.2 mi · 3 min · Kenwood Trail /Richard J. Ames Memorial Highway
14

Continue on CR 5

0.1 mi · 16 sec · Kenwood Trai/Richard J. Ames Memorial Highway
15

Continue on CR 50

0.5 mi · 48 sec · 202nd Street West / Richard J. Ames Memorial Highway
Use the straight / right lanes.
16

Enter roundabout onto Holyoke Avenue

12 ft · 0 sec · Holyoke Avenue
17

Continue on Holyoke Avenue

0.4 mi · 1 min · Holyoke Avenue
18

Turn left onto 207th Street West

22 ft · 0 sec · 207th Street West
Use the left lane.
19

Arrive at destination

207th Street West

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 76.2 miles from Glenwood, MN, or about 1h 32m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 89.6 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 34 miles or 46m in

Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.

Halfway reset

Around 76.2 miles or 1h 32m 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 26m

Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Lakeville, MN than in the middle of the route.

Before You Leave

+

Open the route before leaving Glenwood, 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 Glenwood, MN

This is one driving day of about 152.3 miles and 3h 2m.

Your first comfortable stop window is around 34 miles from Glenwood, 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 I 94 for about 89.6 miles.

Where to Stop

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

Halfway Point

Midpoint

About 76.2 mi from Glenwood, MN · 1h 32m into the drive

city in Sherburne County, Minnesota, United States

Mid-route town

Meal stop

Big Lake, MN

76 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 34 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.

Saint Cloud, MN

Meal break

The midpoint is around 76.2 miles from Glenwood, MN, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.

Before the longest stretch

Fuel check

Top up before I 94 if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 89.6 miles.

Arriving in Lakeville, MN

The final approach into Lakeville, 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 Lakeville, 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

$22.67 one way

$45.33 round trip

$3.78/gal 25.4 MPG avg 53 kg CO2
Fuel Type $/gal One Way Round Trip
midgrade $4.07 $24.42 $48.84
premium $4.53 $27.17 $54.35
diesel $5.61 $33.63 $67.25

No toll roads detected on this route.

Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)

Fuel

$23

Meals

$25–$50

Total

$48–$73

Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.

Estimated CO2 emission: 53.3 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.

Driving Electric?

About $16 in charging · 0 stops · 66% less CO2

Vehicle Type kWh Stops DC Fast Home Charge
Average EV 45.7 0 $15.99 $7.31
Efficient EV 38.1 0 $13.33 $6.09
EV Truck/SUV 60.9 0 $21.32 $9.75

Gas CO2

53 kg

EV CO2

18 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.

Forecast as of Apr 15, 2026

Origin

Glenwood, MN

Night in Glenwood on Thursday

Local time

9:21 PM

CDT

Current temp

43°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

Destination

Lakeville, MN

Night in Lakeville on Thursday

Local time

9:21 PM

CDT

Current temp

45°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

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 2m 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 Glenwood, MN to Lakeville, MN covers 152.3 miles and takes about 3h 2m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are I 94, Minnesota Avenue East, I 494. Most of the drive stays on highways, so watch for ramps and exits.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 76.2 miles from Glenwood, MN. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $22.67 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 drive requires moderate attention. Across 152.3 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.
The main spots that need attention: at 24 miles (I 94): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here; at 113.6 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here; at 135.9 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here.
The route from Glenwood, MN to Lakeville, MN does not surface many named destination signs beyond the main corridor.

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