The drive from Lakeville, MN to Benson, MN covers 145.3 miles and takes about 3h 19m behind the wheel.
This route is realistic as a one-day drive if you keep your stops efficient.
The route leans on US 12, Pacific Avenue Southeast, I 494 for much of the mileage,
and the overall profile is turn-heavy local drive.
The longest uninterrupted segment is about 26.1 miles on US 12.
At current regular gas prices, budget about $21.62 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
72.6 miles from Lakeville, MN
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 1h 38m into the drive
.
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 3h 19m. Total distance: 145.3 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
3h 19m drive, comfortable solo distance.
Scenic Drive
Turn-heavy local drive route profile with national parks nearby.
Drive Character
Expect a 3h 19m drive with frequent turns across 145.3 miles of local and secondary roads.
This route has more turning and local-road decision points than a simple highway run.
There are about 56 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.
US 12 is the longest continuous segment at about 26.1 miles.
How Hard Is This Drive?
Expect a hands-on drive with frequent turns and local roads rather than long highway stretches. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 4.5 miles in.
Driving Effort10/10
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 23 significant decision points across 145.3 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 4.5 miles: Lane positioning matters here; at 7.3 miles (I 35W): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 15.6 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Critical Maneuvers
5 of 23 key points
These are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
6
4.5 mi into trip|~7m in
Take the ramp toward I 35 North
Lane positioning matters here
Use the right lane.
Toward I 35 North
6
7.3 mi into trip|~10m 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
15.6 mi into trip|~20m 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
30.4 mi into trip|~40m in
Take the exit toward US 12 West: Wayzata
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / right lanes.
Exit 19B
Toward US 12 West: Wayzata
7
31.1 mi into trip|~41m in
Keep slight left at fork toward US 12 West: Wayzata
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / right lanes.
Toward US 12 West: Wayzata
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
US 12
26.1 mi
35m
Pacific Avenue Southeast
24.9 mi
36m
I 494
13.7 mi
17m
US Highway 12
13.3 mi
18m
Parker Avenue East
11.8 mi
13m
Officer Bill Mathews Memorial Highwa
11 mi
14m
I 35W
8.3 mi
9m
15th Ave Northeast
6.8 mi
8m
Longest stretch:
US 12
— 26.1 mi, about 35m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Lakeville, MN and Benson, MN.
1
Start on 207th Street West
22 ft·5 sec·207th Street West
2
Turn right onto Holyoke Avenue
0.4 mi·1 min·Holyoke Avenue
3
Enter roundabout onto CR 50
198 ft·3 sec·202nd Street West / Richard J. Ames Memorial Highway
4
Continue on CR 50
0.5 mi·50 sec·202nd Street West / Richard J. Ames Memorial Highway
5
Continue on CR 5
0.7 mi·1 min·Kenwood Trail / Richard J. Ames Memorial Highway
6
Continue on CR 5
1.6 mi·2 min·Kenwood Trail /Richard J. Ames Memorial Highway
7
Enter roundabout onto CR 5
125 ft·2 sec·Kenwood Trail
8
Continue on CR 5
1.2 mi·2 min·Kenwood Trail
Use the right lane.
9
Take the ramp
0.2 mi·23 sec
Toward I 35 NorthUse the right lane.
10
Merge onto I 35
2.6 mi·2 min·I 35
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
11
Keep slight left at fork onto I 35W
8.3 mi·9 min·I 35W
Use the slight left / slight right lanes.
12
Take the exit
0.3 mi·37 sec
Exit 8B-CToward I 494 East, MN 5 EastUse the straight / slight right lanes.
13
Keep slight left at fork
0.8 mi·1 min
Toward I 494 West, MN 5 West
14
Merge onto I 494; MN 5
5.8 mi·7 min·I 494; MN 5
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
15
Keep slight left at fork onto I 494; MN 5
7.9 mi·9 min·I 494; MN 5
Use the straight / right lanes.
16
Take the exit
0.3 mi·33 sec
Exit 19BToward US 12 West: WayzataUse the straight / right lanes.
17
Merge onto I 394
80 ft·1 sec·I 394
Exit 1A
18
Keep slight left at fork
0.4 mi·28 sec
Toward US 12 West: Carlson Parkway, Linner Road
19
Keep slight left at fork
0.5 mi·52 sec
Toward US 12 West: WayzataUse the straight / right lanes.
20
Merge onto US 12
11 mi·14 min·Officer Bill Mathews Memorial Highwa
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
21
Enter roundabout onto US 12
135 ft·1 sec·Babcock Boulevard
22
Continue on US 12
2.0 mi·2 min·Babcock Boulevard
23
Keep slight right at fork onto US 12
4.1 mi·5 min·Babcock Boulevard
24
Continue on US 12
3.6 mi·5 min·US 12
25
Continue on US 12
0.2 mi·19 sec·60th Street Southeast
26
Continue on US 12
0.6 mi·51 sec·US 12
27
Turn slight right onto US 12; MN 25
0.5 mi·39 sec·60th Street Southeast
28
Merge onto US 12; MN 25
1.3 mi·1 min·US 12; MN 25
29
Continue on US 12; MN 25
1.1 mi·2 min·Nelson Boulevard
30
Continue on US 12
1.9 mi·2 min·US 12
31
Continue on US 12
0.7 mi·1 min·Pacific Avenue
32
Continue on US 12
4.1 mi·5 min·US 12
33
Continue on US 12
1.0 mi·2 min·6th Street
34
Continue on US 12
3.5 mi·4 min·60th Street Southwest
35
Continue on US 12
1.9 mi·2 min·US 12
36
Continue on US 12
1.1 mi·1 min·Cokato Street
37
Continue on US 12
2.7 mi·3 min·50th Street Southwest
38
Continue on US 12
2.0 mi·2 min·US 12
39
Continue on US 12
12 mi·13 min·Parker Avenue East
40
Turn right onto US 12; MN 22
0.9 mi·2 min·North Sibley Avenue
41
Continue on US 12; MN 22
13 mi·18 min·US Highway 12
42
Continue on US 12
6.8 mi·8 min·15th Ave Northeast
43
Continue on US 12
0.8 mi·1 min·Pacific Avenue
44
Continue on US 12
4.6 mi·6 min·US 12
Use the right lane.
45
Continue on US 12
0.4 mi·1 min·Litchfield Avenue Southeast
46
Continue on US 12
0.2 mi·29 sec·Pacific Avenue Southeast
47
Continue on US 12
0.4 mi·1 min·Highway 12 Bypass Southwest
Use the straight lane.
48
Continue on US 12
0.3 mi·53 sec·Litchfield Avenue Southwest
49
Continue on US 12
1.3 mi·2 min·US 12
Use the straight lane.
50
Enter roundabout onto US 12
110 ft·1 sec·US 12
51
Continue on US 12
0.5 mi·45 sec·US 12
52
Enter roundabout onto US 12
95 ft·1 sec·US 12
53
Continue on US 12
4.2 mi·5 min·US 12
54
Continue on US 12
25 mi·35 min·Pacific Avenue Southeast
Use the straight lane.
55
Turn left
132 ft·9 sec
56
Arrive at destination
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 72.6 miles from Lakeville, MN, or about 1h 38m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 26.1 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 32 miles or 42m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 72.6 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 42m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Benson, MN than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving Lakeville, 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 Lakeville, MN
This is one driving day of about 145.3 miles and 3h 19m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 32 miles from Lakeville, 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 12 for about 26.1 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 72.6 mi from Lakeville, MN
· 1h 38m into the drive
Place data sourced from public business listings. Hours and availability may vary.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$21.62 one way
$43.25 round trip
$3.78/gal25.4 MPG avg51 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.07
$23.30
$46.60
premium
$4.53
$25.93
$51.85
diesel
$5.61
$32.08
$64.16
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: 50.8 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $15 in charging
· 0 stops
· 67% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
43.6
0
$15.26
$6.97
Efficient EV
36.3
0
$12.71
$5.81
EV Truck/SUV
58.1
0
$20.34
$9.30
Gas CO2
51 kg
EV CO2
17 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.
Forecast as of Apr 15, 2026
Origin
Lakeville, MN
Morning
in Lakeville on Friday
Local time
11:25 AM
CDT
Current temp
45°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
Benson, MN
Morning
in Benson on Friday
Local time
11:25 AM
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
Very similar conditions
Both ends of the route are sitting at about the same temperature right now.
Road read
3h 19m 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 Lakeville, MN to Benson, MN covers 145.3 miles and takes about 3h 19m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are US 12, Pacific Avenue Southeast, I 494. Expect a mix of highway and local road driving.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 72.6 miles from Lakeville, MN. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $21.62 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 23 significant decision points across 145.3 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 4.5 miles: Lane positioning matters here; at 7.3 miles (I 35W): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 15.6 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
The route from Lakeville, MN to Benson, MN does not surface many named destination signs beyond the main corridor.
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, EIA for fuel prices, and NPS for national parks. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.
