Trip from Little Falls, MN to Lakeville, MN

Drive Time

2h 27m

Distance

119.4 mi

192 km

Drive Score

8/10

Great drive

Same Day?

Yes, doable

Fuel Cost

$17

one way

EV Charging

station data

Best Time to Leave

Save up to 30 min

4 AM

2h 18m ★

6 AM

2h 28m

8 AM

2h 48m

10 AM

2h 35m

12 PM

2h 33m

3 PM

2h 36m

5 PM

2h 47m

8 PM

2h 22m

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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Little Falls, MN

Tom Fisk

Lakeville, MN

Tom Fisk

Trip Overview

Connecting Little Falls to Lakeville, this 119.4-mile journey takes you through the heart of Minnesota in approximately 2 hours and 27 minutes. You can easily complete this trip in a single day, as it functions perfectly as a straightforward point-to-point drive. Expect to budget about $17 for fuel, keeping your travel costs manageable. The route utilizes US 10, I-94, and I-494 to navigate from the central region toward the southern suburbs. Since the entire trip remains within the Midwest, the transition between these two areas is seamless and familiar. It is an ideal route for those prioritizing efficiency and reliability over winding backroads.

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

59.7 miles from Little Falls, MN

A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h 14m into the drive .

Drive Character

This drive is heavily focused on highway travel, with 88% of your journey spent on high-speed thoroughfares. You will start with a notable 50.3-mile stretch on US 10, which serves as the longest uninterrupted portion of the trip before you transition onto the interstate system. As you move from the more open stretches into the busier corridors of I-94 and I-494, the environment shifts from rural highway driving to a more standard metropolitan flow. Expect a consistent, fast-paced rhythm behind the wheel rather than technical, slow-speed maneuvering. The experience is practical and functional, designed to get you to your destination with minimal diversions.

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

There are about 29 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.

US 10 is the longest continuous segment at about 50.3 miles.

How Hard Is This Drive?

This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on US 10 and I 494. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 2.8 miles in near US 10.

Route Complexity 8/10

Demanding - plan breaks and stay ahead of the key maneuvers

This is a demanding drive. With 15 significant decision points across 119.4 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 2.8 miles (US 10): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here; at 80.6 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here; at 103 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here.

Critical Maneuvers

5 of 15 key points

These are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.

2.8 mi into trip | ~5m in | US 10

Merge onto US 10

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

Use the none / right lanes.

80.6 mi into trip | ~1h 37m 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

103 mi into trip | ~2h 5m 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

114.6 mi into trip | ~2h 19m 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

119.4 mi into trip | ~2h 27m in | 207th Street West

Turn left onto 207th Street West

Lane positioning matters here

Use the left lane.

Main Roads

Road	Distance	Duration
US 10	50.3 mi	58m
I 494	21.9 mi	27m
I 94	21.1 mi	22m
I 35W	11.1 mi	12m
Kenwood Trail /Richard J. Ames Memorial Highway	2.2 mi	3m
165th Avenue Southeast	1.8 mi	2m
Broadway Street East	1.5 mi	2m
1st Street Southeast	1.5 mi	2m

Longest stretch: US 10 — 50.3 mi, about 58m

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

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

Start on 1st Street Southeast

1.5 mi · 2 min · 1st Street Southeast

Continue on CR 76

1.1 mi · 1 min · Haven Road

Take the ramp

0.3 mi · 33 sec

Merge onto US 10

24 mi · 27 min · US 10

Use the none / right lanes.

Keep slight left at fork onto US 10

26 mi · 30 min · US 10

Turn right onto 165th Avenue Southeast

1.8 mi · 2 min · 165th Avenue Southeast

Continue on Park Boulevard Southeast

1.4 mi · 1 min · Park Boulevard Southeast

Continue on County Road 11

0.7 mi · 57 sec · County Road 11

Turn right onto MN 25

0.1 mi · 11 sec · State Highway 25

Continue on MN 25

0.3 mi · 42 sec · Pine Street

Turn left onto CR 75

1.5 mi · 2 min · Broadway Street East

Turn right onto CR 18

0.3 mi · 40 sec · Fenning Avenue

Take the ramp

0.4 mi · 54 sec

Merge onto I 94

21 mi · 22 min · I 94

Use the none / straight / slight right lanes.

Take the exit

0.4 mi · 31 sec

Exit 216 Toward I 494 South Use the straight / slight right lanes.

Continue on I 494

22 mi · 27 min · I 494

Use the none lane.

Take the exit

0.2 mi · 25 sec

Exit 5B Toward I 35W South: Albert Lea Use the slight right lane.

Continue on this road

0.4 mi · 50 sec · this road

Exit 5B Toward I 35W South: Albert Lea

Merge onto I 35W

11 mi · 12 min · I 35W

Use the none lane.

Take the exit

0.2 mi · 26 sec

Exit 85 Toward CR 5, CR 50 Use the slight right lane.

Turn left onto CR 5

1.3 mi · 2 min · Kenwood Trail

Use the left / straight lanes.

Enter roundabout onto CR 5

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

Continue on CR 5

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

Use the none lane.

Continue on CR 5

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

Continue on CR 50

0.5 mi · 48 sec · 202nd Street West / Richard J. Ames Memorial Highway

Use the none lane.

Enter roundabout onto Holyoke Avenue

12 ft · 0 sec · Holyoke Avenue

Continue on Holyoke Avenue

0.4 mi · 1 min · Holyoke Avenue

Turn left onto 207th Street West

22 ft · 0 sec · 207th Street West

Use the left lane.

Arrive at destination

207th Street West

Trip Plan

To make the most of your 119.4-mile trek, plan your departure to avoid peak traffic hours, especially as you approach the I-494 corridor near your destination. Since there are no designated stops programmed into this route, you have the flexibility to power through the 2-hour and 27-minute duration or pull off as needed for fuel and refreshments. Keep an eye on your gas gauge early on US 10 to ensure you are comfortable before entering the busier interstate segments. Because this is a relatively short drive, you have the advantage of being able to leave at your own pace without needing an overnight stay. Prioritize a steady speed to maintain your $17 fuel budget and ensure a smooth arrival in Lakeville.

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 59.7 miles from Little Falls, MN, or about 1h 14m into the drive.

The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 50.3 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 80 miles or 1h 36m in

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

Halfway reset

Around 59.7 miles or 1h 14m in

This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.

Final approach

Final hour starts around 1h 58m

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 Little Falls, 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 Little Falls, MN

This is one driving day of about 119.4 miles and 2h 27m.

Your first comfortable stop window is around 80 miles from Little Falls, 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 US 10 for about 50.3 miles.

Where to Stop

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

Halfway Point

Midpoint

About 59.7 mi from Little Falls, MN · 1h 14m into the drive

Mid-route town

Meal stop

Albertville, MN

60 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

Maple Grove, MN

Fuel and coffee

A short stop after about 80 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.

Albertville, MN

Meal break

The midpoint is around 59.7 miles from Little Falls, MN, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.

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

$17.08 one way

$34.16 round trip

$3.63/gal 25.4 MPG avg 42 kg CO₂

Fuel Type	$/gal	One Way	Round Trip
midgrade	$3.92	$18.43	$36.86
premium	$4.39	$20.65	$41.29
diesel	$5.64	$26.53	$53.05

No toll roads detected on this route.

Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)

Fuel

$17

Meals

$25–$50

Total

$42–$67

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

Estimated CO2 emission: 41.8 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-06.

Driving Electric?

About $13 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO₂

Vehicle Type	kWh	DC Fast	Home Charge
Average EV	35.8	$12.54	$5.73
Efficient EV	29.9	$10.45	$4.78
EV Truck/SUV	47.8	$16.72	$7.64

Gas CO2

42 kg

EV CO2

14 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 data refreshed 2 days ago

Origin

Little Falls, MN

Afternoon in Little Falls on Sunday

Local time

3:40 PM

CDT

Current temp

67°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

Destination

Lakeville, MN

Afternoon in Lakeville on Sunday

Local time

3:40 PM

CDT

Current temp

71°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

Along the Route

38°F

Albertville, MN

60 mi in

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

4 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

2h 27m 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 Little Falls, MN to Lakeville, MN covers 119.4 miles and takes about 2h 27m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.

The main roads are US 10, I 494, I 94. Most of the drive stays on highways, so watch for ramps and exits.

This is a comfortable same-day trip.

The midpoint is about 59.7 miles from Little Falls, MN. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.

At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $17.08 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.

The route from Little Falls, MN to Lakeville, MN does not surface many named destination signs beyond the main corridor.

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Trip from Little Falls, MN to Lakeville, MN

Best Time to Leave

Trip Overview

Drive Character

How Hard Is This Drive?

Critical Maneuvers

Main Roads

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Trip Plan

Before You Leave

Where to Stop

Pacing Suggestions

Arriving in Lakeville, MN

Fuel & Cost

Travel Intel

Little Falls, MN

Lakeville, MN

Same local time

4 degrees warmer at arrival

2h 27m on the road

Frequently Asked Questions

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