Origin
Minneapolis, MN
Late night in Minneapolis on Wednesday
Local time
5:27 AM
CDT
Current temp
67°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Minneapolis, MN to Park Rapids, MN
Data updated 0 seconds ago
Drive Time
3h 53m
Distance
188.4 mi
303 km
Drive Score
9/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$28
one way
EV Charging
Loading...
station data
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
3h 40m
★
6 AM
3h 53m
8 AM
4h 19m
10 AM
4h 2m
12 PM
3h 59m
3 PM
4h 3m
5 PM
4h 17m
8 PM
3h 45m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Park Rapids, MN
Tom Fisk
Trip Overview
The drive from Minneapolis, MN to Park Rapids, MN covers 188.4 miles and takes about 3h 53m behind the wheel. This route is realistic as a one-day drive if you keep your stops efficient.
The route leans on US 10, Jefferson Street North, I 94 for much of the mileage, and the overall profile is highway-focused drive. The longest uninterrupted segment is about 110.8 miles on US 10. At current regular gas prices, budget about $28.04 one way before food or hotel costs.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.
Break Rhythm
1 planned break
A short stop every 2 to 3 hours is enough for this drive.
Midpoint
94.2 miles from Minneapolis, MN
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h 54m into the drive .
Loading map...
Drive Character
This is a 3h 53m highway drive covering 188.4 miles, with most of the trip on US 10 and Jefferson Street North. The longest continuous stretch is about 110.8 miles on US 10.
Most of the miles stay on highways, which makes pacing and fuel planning easier than turn-by-turn city driving.
There are about 22 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 110.8 miles.
How Hard Is This Drive?
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on US 10 and Jefferson Street North. You will hit about 13 points where you need to pay attention to lane position or signs. The trickiest moment comes around 0.4 miles in near North 1st Avenue.
Route Complexity
5/10
Moderate - straightforward overall, but long enough or busy enough to require pacing
This drive requires moderate attention. Across 188.4 miles you will encounter 13 spots where lane choice or exit timing matters. Not difficult for experienced highway drivers, but worth previewing the tricky sections before you go.
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.
Critical Maneuvers
5 of 13 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
|
North 1st Avenue
Turn left onto North 1st Avenue
Lane positioning matters here
Use the left lane.
4
0.5 mi into trip
|
~1m in
|
North 3rd Street
Turn right onto North 3rd Street
Navigation decision point
5
2.4 mi into trip
|
~5m in
|
I 94
Merge onto I 94
Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
4
14.6 mi into trip
|
~21m in
|
I 94 / I-94 W
Continue onto I 94 / I-94 W toward I 94 West: Saint Cloud
Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / left lanes.
Exit 27
Toward I 94 West: Saint Cloud
6
153.6 mi into trip
|
~3h 2m in
|
US 71 / Jefferson Street North
Turn right onto US 71 / Jefferson Street North
Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / left lanes.
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| US 10 | 110.8 mi | 2h 7m |
| Jefferson Street North | 33.8 mi | 48m |
| I 94 | 18.3 mi | 21m |
| I-94 W | 17.1 mi | 18m |
| 165th Avenue Southeast | 1.8 mi | 2m |
| Park Boulevard Southeast | 1.4 mi | 1m |
| Park Avenue South | 1 mi | 1m |
| Pine Street | 0.8 mi | 2m |
Longest stretch:
US 10
— 110.8 mi, about 2h 7m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Minneapolis, MN and Park Rapids, MN.
1
Start on CR 152
0.4 mi
·
1 min
·
Washington Avenue South
2
Turn left onto North 1st Avenue
426 ft
·
18 sec
·
North 1st Avenue
Use the left lane.
3
Turn right onto North 3rd Street
418 ft
·
16 sec
·
North 3rd Street
4
Take the ramp
1.8 mi
·
3 min
Toward I 94 West
5
Merge onto I 94
12 mi
·
15 min
·
I 94
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
6
Continue on I 94
17 mi
·
18 min
·
I-94 W
Exit 27
Toward I 94 West: Saint Cloud
Use the straight / left lanes.
7
Keep slight left at fork onto I 94
6.0 mi
·
6 min
·
I 94
8
Take the exit
0.4 mi
·
52 sec
9
Turn right onto MN 25
0.8 mi
·
2 min
·
Pine Street
10
Continue on MN 25
0.1 mi
·
19 sec
·
State Highway 25
11
Turn left onto County Road 11
0.7 mi
·
53 sec
·
County Road 11
12
Continue on Park Boulevard Southeast
1.4 mi
·
1 min
·
Park Boulevard Southeast
13
Continue on 165th Avenue Southeast
1.8 mi
·
2 min
·
165th Avenue Southeast
14
Turn left onto US 10
54 mi
·
1 hr 3 min
·
US 10
15
Keep slight left at fork onto US 10
38 mi
·
42 min
·
US 10
16
Turn straight onto US 10; MN 210
8.5 mi
·
9 min
·
US 10; MN 210
17
Continue on US 10; IC A
9.9 mi
·
11 min
·
US 10; IC A
18
Turn right onto US 71
34 mi
·
48 min
·
Jefferson Street North
Use the straight / left lanes.
19
Enter roundabout onto US 71
132 ft
·
2 sec
·
Park Avenue South
20
Continue on US 71
1.0 mi
·
1 min
·
Park Avenue South
21
Turn left onto MN 34
42 ft
·
0 sec
·
1st Street West
22
Arrive at destination
MN 34
Trip Plan
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 94.2 miles from Minneapolis, MN, or about 1h 54m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 110.8 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 38m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 94.2 miles or 1h 54m 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 3m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Park Rapids, MN than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving Minneapolis, 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 Minneapolis, MN
This is one driving day of about 188.4 miles and 3h 53m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 80 miles from Minneapolis, 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 US 10 for about 110.8 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 94.2 mi from Minneapolis, MN · 1h 54m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
94 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 80 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 94.2 miles from Minneapolis, MN, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Before the longest stretch
Fuel checkTop up before US 10 if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 110.8 miles.
Arriving in Park Rapids, MN
The final approach into Park Rapids, 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 Park Rapids, MN.
After long uninterrupted mileage, take five minutes before the last urban segment to reset and refocus on exits, merges, and city traffic.
These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$28.04 one way
$56.07 round trip
$3.78/gal
25.4 MPG avg
66 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.07 | $30.21 | $60.42 |
| premium | $4.53 | $33.62 | $67.23 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $41.60 | $83.19 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$28
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$53–$78
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 65.9 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $20 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 56.5 | 0 | $19.78 | $9.04 |
| Efficient EV | 47.1 | 0 | $16.49 | $7.54 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 75.4 | 0 | $26.38 | $12.06 |
Gas CO2
66 kg
EV CO2
22 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
Park Rapids, MN
Late night in Park Rapids on Wednesday
Local time
5:27 AM
CDT
Current temp
36°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
37°F
Avon, MN
94 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
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
3h 53m 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 Minneapolis, MN to Park Rapids, MN covers 188.4 miles and takes about 3h 53m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are US 10, Jefferson Street North, 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 94.2 miles from Minneapolis, MN. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $28.04 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. A short stop every 2 to 3 hours is enough for this drive.
This drive requires moderate attention. Across 188.4 miles you will encounter 13 spots where lane choice or exit timing matters. Not difficult for experienced highway drivers, but worth previewing the tricky sections before you go.
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.
The route from Minneapolis, MN to Park Rapids, MN does not surface many named destination signs beyond the main corridor.
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