Origin
Lakeville, MN
Afternoon in Lakeville on Sunday
Local time
4:29 PM
CDT
Current temp
71°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Lakeville, MN to Minneapolis, MN
Drive Time
35m
Distance
25.3 mi
41 km
Drive Score
7/10
Good drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$4
one way
EV Charging
Loading...
station data
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
0h 33m
★
6 AM
0h 36m
8 AM
0h 42m
10 AM
0h 38m
12 PM
0h 37m
3 PM
0h 38m
5 PM
0h 41m
8 PM
0h 34m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Lakeville, MN
Tom Fisk
Trip Overview
If you are planning to travel from Lakeville to Minneapolis, you are looking at a straightforward 25.3-mile trip through the heart of the Midwest. Expect to spend about 35 minutes behind the wheel, making this an ideal day trip that requires no overnight stay. With a fuel budget of approximately $4, the route is both efficient and budget-friendly. You will primarily utilize I-35W and I-35 to navigate between these two Minnesota cities. Because the drive is short, you have plenty of flexibility to plan your departure around your personal schedule rather than worrying about lengthy travel logistics.
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
12.6 miles from Lakeville, MN
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 17m into the drive .
Drive Character
This highway-focused drive is defined by its efficiency, with 79% of the journey taking place on major thoroughfares. You will start by transitioning onto Kenwood Trail before merging onto the interstate for the majority of the trip. The experience is primarily an interstate cruise, highlighted by a 16.4-mile stretch on I-35W that allows for consistent speeds. As you move from the suburban setting of Lakeville toward the urban core of Minneapolis, the road environment shifts from local lanes to high-capacity highway infrastructure. It is a functional, no-frills route designed to get you to your destination quickly.
Most of the miles stay on highways, which makes pacing and fuel planning easier than turn-by-turn city driving.
There are about 16 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.
I 35W is the longest continuous segment at about 16.4 miles.
How Hard Is This Drive?
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 35W and I 35. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 0.4 miles in near CR 50 / 202nd Street West / Richard J. Ames Memorial Highway.
Route Complexity
9/10
High effort - long or complex enough to need steady focus all day
This is a demanding drive. With 10 significant decision points across 25.3 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 0.4 miles (CR 50 / 202nd Street West / Richard J. Ames Memorial Highway): Roundabout - know your exit number before entering; at 4.5 miles: Lane positioning matters here; at 7.3 miles (I 35W): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
Critical Maneuvers
5 of 10 key pointsThese are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
5
0.4 mi into trip
|
~1m in
|
CR 50 / 202nd Street West / Richard J. Ames Memorial Highway
Enter roundabout onto CR 50 / 202nd Street West / Richard J. Ames Memorial Highway
Roundabout - know your exit number before entering
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.
7
23.7 mi into trip
|
~31m 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
7
24.2 mi into trip
|
~32m in
|
MN 65
Keep slight left at fork onto MN 65 toward 5th Avenue South
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the none lane.
Toward 5th Avenue South
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| I 35W | 16.4 mi | 20m |
| I 35 | 2.6 mi | 2m |
| Kenwood Trail /Richard J. Ames Memorial Highway | 1.6 mi | 2m |
| Kenwood Trail | 1.2 mi | 2m |
| MN 65 | 0.8 mi | 1m |
| Kenwood Trail / Richard J. Ames Memorial Highway | 0.7 mi | 1m |
| 5th Avenue South | 0.6 mi | 2m |
| 202nd Street West / Richard J. Ames Memorial Highway | 0.5 mi | <1m |
Longest stretch:
I 35W
— 16.4 mi, about 20m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Lakeville, MN and Minneapolis, 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
Use the none lane.
6
Continue on CR 5
1.6 mi
·
2 min
·
Kenwood Trail /Richard J. Ames Memorial Highway
Use the none lane.
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 none lane.
9
Take the ramp
0.2 mi
·
23 sec
Toward I 35 North
Use the right lane.
10
Merge onto I 35
2.6 mi
·
2 min
·
I 35
Use the none lane.
11
Keep slight left at fork onto I 35W
16 mi
·
20 min
·
I 35W
Use the slight left / slight right lanes.
12
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.
13
Keep slight left at fork onto MN 65
0.3 mi
·
42 sec
·
MN 65
Toward 5th Avenue South
Use the none lane.
14
Continue on 5th Avenue South
0.6 mi
·
2 min
·
5th Avenue South
Use the straight / slight left / none lanes.
15
Turn left onto CR 152
0.2 mi
·
31 sec
·
Washington Avenue South
Use the left / straight lanes.
16
Arrive at destination
CR 152
Trip Plan
Since this is a quick 35-minute commute, you have the advantage of being able to leave at your convenience. There are no planned stops on this 25.3-mile route, so ensure your vehicle is fueled up before you depart to keep the trip seamless. Watch for typical highway traffic patterns on I-35W, especially during peak travel hours, as this is the primary artery connecting the two cities. Given the short duration, you do not need to worry about pacing or rest breaks. Use the flexibility of this short drive to prioritize your arrival time in Minneapolis rather than focusing on mid-trip logistics.
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 12.6 miles from Lakeville, MN, or about 17m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 16.4 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 25.3 miles or 35m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 12.6 miles or 17m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 28m
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 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 25.3 miles and 35m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 80 miles from Lakeville, 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.
The longest stretch is on I 35W for about 16.4 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 12.6 mi from Lakeville, MN · 17m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
13 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 25.3 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 12.6 miles from Lakeville, 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
$3.62 one way
$7.24 round trip
$3.63/gal
25.4 MPG avg
9 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $3.92 | $3.91 | $7.81 |
| premium | $4.39 | $4.37 | $8.75 |
| diesel | $5.64 | $5.62 | $11.24 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$4
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$29–$54
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 8.9 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-06.
Driving Electric?
About $3 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 7.6 | 0 | $2.66 | $1.21 |
| Efficient EV | 6.3 | 0 | $2.21 | $1.01 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 10.1 | 0 | $3.54 | $1.62 |
Gas CO2
9 kg
EV CO2
3 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
4:29 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
31 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
35m 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 Minneapolis, MN covers 25.3 miles and takes about 35m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are I 35W, I 35, Kenwood Trail /Richard J. Ames Memorial Highway. Most of the drive stays on highways, so watch for ramps and exits.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 12.6 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 $3.62 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.
This is a demanding drive. With 10 significant decision points across 25.3 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 0.4 miles (CR 50 / 202nd Street West / Richard J. Ames Memorial Highway): Roundabout - know your exit number before entering; at 4.5 miles: Lane positioning matters here; at 7.3 miles (I 35W): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
The route from Lakeville, MN to Minneapolis, MN does not surface many named destination signs beyond the main corridor.
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