This 235.7-mile journey from Mahnomen, MN, to Minneapolis, MN, is a manageable one-day drive, taking approximately 4 hours and 38 minutes. You'll primarily travel on US 10 and US 59, with about 60% of the route on highways. The estimated fuel cost for this trip is around $35, making it an economical option. This drive offers a mixed terrain, perfect for experiencing the heart of the Midwest without feeling rushed. Given its duration, it's well-suited for a single-day excursion, allowing you to reach your destination with time to spare.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is possible, but it will make for a full day on the road.
Break Rhythm
1 planned break
Plan on a short reset every 3 to 4 hours to stay fresh behind the wheel.
Midpoint
117.8 miles from Mahnomen, MN
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 2h 16m into the drive
.
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 4h 38m. Total distance: 235.7 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
4h 38m drive, comfortable solo distance.
Drive Character
The character of this drive is a blend of efficient highway travel and local road cruising. With 60% of the route utilizing highways, you'll experience periods of consistent speed. However, the drive also incorporates stretches on local roads, adding variety. The longest uninterrupted segment you'll encounter is 78.4 miles on West Mason Avenue, offering a substantial period of continuous travel. This mixed profile means you'll experience different driving dynamics throughout the 4-hour, 38-minute journey.
Most of the miles stay on highways, which makes pacing and fuel planning easier than turn-by-turn city driving.
There are about 27 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.
West Mason Avenue is the longest continuous segment at about 78.4 miles.
How Hard Is This Drive?
This route mixes highway mileage with some local-road sections near the start or finish. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 227 miles in near I 94.
Driving Effort7/10
Demanding - plan breaks and stay ahead of the key maneuvers
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This is a demanding drive. With 16 significant decision points across 235.7 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 227 miles (I 94): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 233.1 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 233.5 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
Critical Maneuvers
5 of 16 key points
These are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
6
227 mi into trip|~4h 24m in|I 94
Keep slight right at fork onto I 94
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
6
233.1 mi into trip|~4h 32m in
Keep slight right at fork
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
7
233.5 mi into trip|~4h 32m in
Keep slight left at fork toward 4th Street North
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Toward 4th Street North
7
234.5 mi into trip|~4h 34m in
Keep slight right at fork toward 2nd Avenue North
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight left lanes.
Toward 2nd Avenue North
6
234.9 mi into trip|~4h 35m in|CR 152 / North Washington Avenue
Turn right onto CR 152 / North Washington Avenue
Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / right lanes.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
West Mason Avenue
78.4 mi
1h 29m
US 10
71.1 mi
1h 22m
US 59
35.2 mi
40m
I 94
34.1 mi
38m
Ash Avenue Northwest
7.3 mi
8m
165th Avenue Southeast
1.8 mi
2m
Broadway Street East
1.5 mi
2m
Park Boulevard Southeast
1.4 mi
1m
Longest stretch:
West Mason Avenue
— 78.4 mi, about 1h 29m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Mahnomen, MN and Minneapolis, MN.
1
Start on West Monroe Avenue
8 ft·2 sec·West Monroe Avenue
2
Turn right onto South Main Street
0.3 mi·46 sec·South Main Street
3
Turn left onto East Jefferson Avenue
0.3 mi·47 sec·East Jefferson Avenue
4
At end of road, turn right onto US 59
35 mi·40 min·US 59
5
Turn left onto US 10
45 mi·51 min·US 10
6
Enter roundabout
103 ft·1 sec
7
Continue
66 ft·0 sec
8
Turn straight onto US 10
7.3 mi·8 min·Ash Avenue Northwest
9
Continue on US 10
78 mi·1 hr 29 min·West Mason Avenue
Use the right lane.
10
Keep slight left at fork onto US 10
26 mi·30 min·US 10
11
Turn right onto 165th Avenue Southeast
1.8 mi·2 min·165th Avenue Southeast
12
Continue on Park Boulevard Southeast
1.4 mi·1 min·Park Boulevard Southeast
13
Continue on County Road 11
0.7 mi·57 sec·County Road 11
14
Turn right onto MN 25
0.1 mi·11 sec·State Highway 25
15
Continue on MN 25
0.3 mi·42 sec·Pine Street
16
Turn left onto CR 75
1.5 mi·2 min·Broadway Street East
17
Turn right onto CR 18
0.3 mi·40 sec·Fenning Avenue
18
Take the ramp
0.4 mi·54 sec
19
Merge onto I 94
28 mi·31 min·I 94
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
20
Keep slight right at fork onto I 94
6.1 mi·7 min·I 94
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
21
Keep slight right at fork
0.4 mi·25 sec
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
22
Keep slight left at fork
1.0 mi·2 min
Toward 4th Street NorthUse the straight / slight right lanes.
23
Keep slight right at fork
0.3 mi·40 sec
Toward 2nd Avenue NorthUse the straight / slight left lanes.
24
Turn left onto 2nd Avenue North
0.2 mi·35 sec·2nd Avenue North
25
Turn right onto CR 152
0.6 mi·1 min·North Washington Avenue
Use the straight / right lanes.
26
Continue on CR 152
0.2 mi·31 sec·Washington Avenue South
Use the left lane.
27
Arrive at destination
CR 152
Trip Plan
For this 235.7-mile trip, departing in the morning is advisable to maximize daylight and allow for a relaxed pace. With a total duration of under five hours, you might only need one planned stop for fuel or a break. Keep an eye on your fuel gauge, especially before embarking on the longest stretch of 78.4 miles. Since this is a straightforward, single-day drive, you have the flexibility to adjust your departure time based on your preferences. Enjoy the straightforward progression through Minnesota.
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 117.8 miles from Mahnomen, MN, or about 2h 16m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 78.4 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 52 miles or 1h in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 117.8 miles or 2h 16m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 3h 43m
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 Mahnomen, 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 Mahnomen, MN
This is one driving day of about 235.7 miles and 4h 38m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 52 miles from Mahnomen, 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 West Mason Avenue for about 78.4 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 117.8 mi from Mahnomen, MN
· 2h 16m into the drive
Place data sourced from public business listings. Hours and availability may vary.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$35.08 one way
$70.15 round trip
$3.78/gal25.4 MPG avg83 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.07
$37.80
$75.59
premium
$4.53
$42.05
$84.11
diesel
$5.61
$52.04
$104.08
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$35
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$60–$85
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 82.5 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $25 in charging
· 0 stops
· 66% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
70.7
0
$24.75
$11.31
Efficient EV
58.9
0
$20.62
$9.43
EV Truck/SUV
94.3
1
$33.00
$15.08
Gas CO2
82 kg
EV CO2
28 kg (66% less)
Plan for 0 charging stops, roughly every 270 miles. Allow 25-40 minutes per stop at a DC fast charger.
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
Mahnomen, MN
Morning
in Mahnomen on Friday
Local time
8:32 AM
CDT
Current temp
39°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
Minneapolis, MN
Morning
in Minneapolis on Friday
Local time
8:32 AM
CDT
Current temp
67°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
40°F
Little Falls, MN
118 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
28 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
4h 38m on the road
An early start around 7-8 AM gets you there with plenty of daylight left.
Weather data from the National Weather Service. Conditions may change; check closer to your travel date.
Frequently Asked Questions
The drive from Mahnomen, MN to Minneapolis, MN covers 235.7 miles and takes about 4h 38m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are West Mason Avenue, US 10, US 59. Expect a mix of highway and local road driving.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 117.8 miles from Mahnomen, MN. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $35.08 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. Plan on a short reset every 3 to 4 hours to stay fresh behind the wheel.
This is a demanding drive. With 16 significant decision points across 235.7 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 227 miles (I 94): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 233.1 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 233.5 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
The route from Mahnomen, MN to Minneapolis, MN does not surface many named destination signs beyond the main corridor.
How this page is built
Compiled and maintained by the Trip.ovh planning team at COD Solutions Oy (Helsinki). Each route is built from authoritative open government and mapping datasets rather than crowdsourced reviews. Distances and geometry come from
OSRM
over
OpenStreetMap.
Fuel cost uses
EIA
weekly regional averages.
Pages are published only after passing our data-quality checks; our
methodology page
documents refresh cadence, editorial standards, and known limitations.
