Compiled and reviewed by the Trip.ovh planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Apr 18, 2026 · Editorial standards
Drive Time
1h 38m
Distance
85.7 mi
138 km
Drive Score
7/10
Good drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$13
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Albany, MN
Tom Fisk
Minneapolis to Albany is 85.7 miles and takes about 1 hour 38 minutes via I-94 W, with a fuel budget near $13 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This trip stays within Minnesota, traveling from the Midwest region to another part of the Midwest. Expect a straightforward, highway-focused drive that's ideal for a quick single-day excursion. You'll primarily be on interstate, making it a convenient option if you need to get to Albany without much fuss. It's a short enough distance that you can easily plan around traffic or other commitments.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.
Midpoint
42.8 miles from Minneapolis, MN
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 51m into the drive .
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 1h 38m. Total distance: 85.7 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 0 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
1h 38m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (96%). Straightforward navigation.
This drive is predominantly a highway-focused experience, with 96% of the journey taking place on interstates like I-94. You'll encounter a longest stretch of 65.6 miles on I-94, offering a sustained period of consistent highway travel. The route is characterized by its directness, allowing for efficient progress towards your destination. While the majority is interstate, the inclusion of Washington Avenue South at the start provides a brief transition before merging onto the main highway. Expect a functional and predictable drive for the bulk of the trip.
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 94 and I-94 W. There are only a few real navigation decisions along the way. The trickiest moment comes around 0.4 miles in near North 1st Avenue.
Easy - simple navigation with a manageable amount of wheel time
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This is a straightforward 1h 38m drive. You will face about 9 decision points, but nothing that requires special attention if you follow navigation.
Where does it get tricky?
The main spots that need attention: at 0.4 miles (North 1st Avenue): Lane positioning matters here; at 0.5 miles (North 3rd Street): Navigation decision point; at 2.4 miles (I 94): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here.
These are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
Turn left onto North 1st Avenue
Lane positioning matters here
Turn right onto North 3rd Street
Navigation decision point
Merge onto I 94
Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here
Continue onto I 94 / I-94 W toward I 94 West: Saint Cloud
Lane positioning matters here
Take the exit toward MN 238, CR 10: Albany
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| I 94 | 65.6 mi | 1h 12m |
| I-94 W | 17.1 mi | 18m |
| Washington Avenue South | 0.4 mi | 1m |
| Railroad Avenue | 0.2 mi | <1m |
| 8th Street South | 0.2 mi | <1m |
| North 1st Avenue | <0.1 mi | <1m |
| North 3rd Street | <0.1 mi | <1m |
Step-by-step road directions between Minneapolis, MN and Albany, MN.
Start on CR 152
Turn left onto North 1st Avenue
Turn right onto North 3rd Street
Take the ramp
Merge onto I 94
Continue on I 94
Keep slight left at fork onto I 94
Take the exit
Turn right onto MN 238
Turn right onto MN 238
Arrive at destination
Given the short 1 hour 38 minute duration, this is a perfect same-day trip, so you have a lot of flexibility with your departure time. You won't need to worry about splitting the drive, and with only 85.7 miles, stops are optional rather than essential. Keep an eye on your fuel gauge, as the longest stretch on I-94 is 65.6 miles, and it's always wise to top off before a significant highway segment. The fuel cost is estimated at around $13, so plan accordingly before you set out.
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.
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 19 miles or 25m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 42.8 miles or 51m 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 23m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Albany, MN than in the middle of the route.
Open the route before leaving Minneapolis, MN so your first major turns are already loaded.
Day 1
Settle into the route from Minneapolis, MN
This is one driving day of about 85.7 miles and 1h 38m.
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 42.8 mi from Minneapolis, MN · 51m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
43 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.
A short stop after about 19 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
The midpoint is around 42.8 miles from Minneapolis, MN, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Before the longest stretch
Fuel checkTop up before I 94 if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 65.6 miles.
The final approach into Albany, MN usually feels slower than the middle of the drive, so avoid planning your tightest schedule at the very end.
These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.
Regular Gas
$12.75 one way
$25.51 round trip
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.07 | $13.74 | $27.48 |
| premium | $4.53 | $15.29 | $30.58 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $18.92 | $37.84 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$13
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$38–$63
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 30 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $9 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 25.7 | 0 | $9.00 | $4.11 |
| Efficient EV | 21.4 | 0 | $7.50 | $3.43 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 34.3 | 0 | $12.00 | $5.48 |
Gas CO2
30 kg
EV CO2
10 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.
Current conditions at both ends of the drive.
Origin
Late night in Minneapolis on Saturday
Local time
4:59 AM
CDT
Current temp
30°F
Mostly Clear
Destination
Late night in Albany on Saturday
Local time
4:59 AM
CDT
Current temp
66°F
Unavailable
45°F
Albertville, MN
43 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
Origin and destination are on the same clock, so arrival timing is easier to judge at a glance.
Temperature spread
A meaningful temperature swing is a good cue to rethink layers, water, and how soon you want to arrive.
Road read
The weather snapshot is not static. If you are leaving later, give both cities one more quick forecast check before departure.
Weather data from the National Weather Service. Conditions may change; check closer to your travel date.
Compiled by the Trip.ovh planning team at COD Solutions Oy from open government datasets — OSRM over OpenStreetMap for geometry, and EIA for fuel prices. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.
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