Origin
Milaca, MN
Afternoon in Milaca on Sunday
Local time
3:29 PM
CDT
Current temp
35°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Milaca, MN to Minneapolis, MN
Drive Time
1h 9m
Distance
64.8 mi
104 km
Drive Score
7/10
Good drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$9
one way
EV Charging
Loading...
station data
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
1h 4m
★
6 AM
1h 10m
8 AM
1h 21m
10 AM
1h 14m
12 PM
1h 12m
3 PM
1h 14m
5 PM
1h 20m
8 PM
1h 6m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Milaca, MN
Tom Fisk
Trip Overview
Connecting Milaca to Minneapolis is a straightforward 64.8-mile journey that typically takes about 1 hour and 9 minutes to complete. Because of the manageable distance, this route works perfectly as a quick day trip rather than an overnight excursion. You can expect to spend roughly $9 on fuel for the one-way trek. Navigating through the Midwest landscape, you will rely on a combination of Central Avenue North, 4th Street, and Highway 169 to reach your destination. It is a practical, no-nonsense drive that allows you to transition from the rural feel of Milaca to the urban environment of Minneapolis with ease.
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
32.4 miles from Milaca, MN
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 34m into the drive .
Drive Character
Expect a turn-heavy local drive rather than a high-speed interstate cruise, as this route features 0% highway share. You will spend your time navigating local roads, meaning there are no long, uninterrupted stretches of highway; in fact, the longest stretch on Central Avenue North is 0 miles. The journey requires your full attention as you transition between various local arteries. Because the route is entirely non-highway, the pace is dictated by local traffic and turn sequences. It is a functional path that prioritizes local connections over the efficiency of a major expressway.
This route has more turning and local-road decision points than a simple highway run.
There are about 18 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.
Central Avenue North is one of the defining roads on this drive.
How Hard Is This Drive?
Expect a hands-on drive with frequent turns and local roads rather than long highway stretches. Navigation is very simple — set it and forget it for most of the drive.
Route Complexity
1/10
Very easy - short and simple to drive
The drive from Milaca, MN to Minneapolis, MN is easy. At 1h 9m with 0% highway, most drivers will find it relaxed and low-stress.
Where does it get tricky?
This route does not have any notably tricky sections. Most of the drive from Milaca, MN to Minneapolis, MN is straightforward, with well-signed roads and simple exits.
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| Central Avenue North | Unavailable | Refreshing |
| 4th Street | Unavailable | Refreshing |
| Highway 169 | Unavailable | Refreshing |
| POW/MIA Memorial Highway | Unavailable | Refreshing |
| I 94 East | Unavailable | Refreshing |
| 4th Street North | Unavailable | Refreshing |
| 2nd Avenue North | Unavailable | Refreshing |
| North Washington Avenue | Unavailable | Refreshing |
Per-road distance and duration are being refreshed from OSRM for this route.
Longest stretch:
Central Avenue North
— detailed segment metrics are refreshing.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Milaca, MN and Minneapolis, MN.
1
Start on 2nd Street Northwest
0.1 mi
·
31 sec
·
2nd Street Northwest
2
Turn right onto Central Avenue North
0.3 mi
·
54 sec
·
Central Avenue North
3
Turn left onto 4th Street
0.8 mi
·
1 min
·
4th Street
4
Take the exit right
0.3 mi
·
45 sec
5
Merge slight left onto US Highway 169
6.5 mi
·
7 min
·
US Highway 169
6
Keep slight right to continue on US Highway 169
26 mi
·
30 min
·
US Highway 169
7
Continue on POW/MIA Memorial Highway
384 ft
·
5 sec
·
POW/MIA Memorial Highway
8
Continue straight
6.9 mi
·
8 min
9
Take the exit slight right toward I 94 East: Minneapolis, Saint Paul
0.7 mi
·
1 min
·
I 94 East: Minneapolis, Saint Paul
10
Merge slight left
15 mi
·
17 min
11
Keep slight right
6.1 mi
·
7 min
12
Keep slight right
0.4 mi
·
25 sec
13
Keep slight left to continue on 4th Street North
1.0 mi
·
2 min
·
4th Street North
14
Keep slight right to continue on 2nd Avenue North
0.3 mi
·
40 sec
·
2nd Avenue North
15
Turn left onto 2nd Avenue North
0.2 mi
·
36 sec
·
2nd Avenue North
16
Turn right onto North Washington Avenue
0.6 mi
·
1 min
·
North Washington Avenue
17
Continue on Washington Avenue South
0.2 mi
·
32 sec
·
Washington Avenue South
18
Arrive at your destination
Trip Plan
Since this is a short trip with zero mandatory stops, you have plenty of flexibility in your schedule. Aim to depart outside of peak commuting hours to ensure your 1 hour and 9 minute travel time remains consistent. With a fuel budget of just $9, you can easily top off your tank in Milaca before heading out and reach Minneapolis without needing to refuel along the way. Keep a close eye on your GPS, as the turn-heavy nature of the route requires frequent navigation adjustments. Utilize the lack of required stops to your advantage by planning your departure around the specific needs of your day in the city.
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 32.4 miles from Milaca, MN, or about 34m into the drive.
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 64.8 miles or 1h 9m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 32.4 miles or 34m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 59m
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 Milaca, 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 Milaca, MN
This is one driving day of about 64.8 miles and 1h 9m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 80 miles from Milaca, 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.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 32.4 mi from Milaca, MN · 34m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
32 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 64.8 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 32.4 miles from Milaca, 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
$9.27 one way
$18.54 round trip
$3.63/gal
25.4 MPG avg
23 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $3.92 | $10.00 | $20.01 |
| premium | $4.39 | $11.20 | $22.41 |
| diesel | $5.64 | $14.40 | $28.79 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$9
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$34–$59
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 22.7 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-06.
Driving Electric?
About $7 in charging · 0 stops · 65% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 19.4 | 0 | $6.80 | $3.11 |
| Efficient EV | 16.2 | 0 | $5.67 | $2.59 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 25.9 | 0 | $9.07 | $4.15 |
Gas CO2
23 kg
EV CO2
8 kg (65% 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
3:29 PM
CDT
Current temp
40°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Along the Route
38°F
Albertville, MN
32 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
5 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
1h 9m 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 Milaca, MN to Minneapolis, MN covers 64.8 miles and takes about 1h 9m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are Central Avenue North, 4th Street, Highway 169. Expect a mix of highway and local road driving.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 32.4 miles from Milaca, MN. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $9.27 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 drive from Milaca, MN to Minneapolis, MN is easy. At 1h 9m with 0% highway, most drivers will find it relaxed and low-stress.
This route does not have any notably tricky sections. Most of the drive from Milaca, MN to Minneapolis, MN is straightforward, with well-signed roads and simple exits.
The route from Milaca, MN to Minneapolis, MN does not surface many named destination signs beyond the main corridor.
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