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Trip from Minneapolis, MN to Silver Creek, MN

Compiled and reviewed by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Apr 18, 2026 · Editorial standards

Drive Time

3h 44m

Distance

188.8 mi

304 km

Drive Score

8/10

Great drive

Same Day?

Yes, doable

Fuel Cost

$28

one way

EV Charging

Unknown

Best Time to Leave

Save up to 38 min
4 AM
3h 32m ★
6 AM
3h 45m
8 AM
4h 10m
10 AM
3h 54m
12 PM
3h 51m
3 PM
3h 55m
5 PM
4h 9m
8 PM
3h 37m

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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Downtown Silver Creek, MN, MN

Silver Creek, MN

Tom Fisk

Trip Overview

The drive from Minneapolis, MN to Silver Creek, MN covers 188.8 miles and takes about 3h 44m behind the wheel. This route is realistic as a one-day drive if you keep your stops efficient.

The route leans on I 35, I 35W, MN 61 for much of the mileage, and the overall profile is mostly highway. The longest uninterrupted segment is about 127.3 miles on I 35. At current regular gas prices, budget about $28.10 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

94.4 miles from Minneapolis, MN

A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h 47m into the drive .

Main Roads

Road Distance Duration
I 35 127.3 mi 2h 19m
I 35W 27.8 mi 31m
MN 61 23.5 mi 32m
Highway 61 4 mi 5m
Highway 3 2.1 mi 5m
7th Avenue 1.2 mi 2m
Washington Avenue South 0.9 mi 2m
Loop Road 0.7 mi 1m
Longest stretch: I 35 — 127.3 mi, about 2h 19m

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between Minneapolis, MN and Silver Creek, MN.

1

Start on CR 152

63 ft · 9 sec · Washington Avenue South
2

Continue on CR 152

0.9 mi · 2 min · Washington Avenue South
Use the left lane.
3

Take the ramp

0.2 mi · 28 sec
Toward I 35W North
4

Merge onto I 35W

3.7 mi · 4 min · I 35W
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
5

Take the exit

0.3 mi · 25 sec
Exit 22B Toward MN 36 Use the slight right lane.
6

Merge onto I 35W

0.3 mi · 19 sec · I 35W
7

Keep slight left at fork onto I 35W

7.1 mi · 8 min · I 35W
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
8

Keep slight left at fork onto I 35W

17 mi · 18 min · I 35W
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
9

Keep slight left at fork onto I 35

127 mi · 2 hr 19 min · I 35
10

Take the exit

0.1 mi · 12 sec
Toward MN 61 North
11

Merge onto MN 61

23 mi · 32 min · MN 61
Use the straight lane.
12

Continue on MN 61

1.2 mi · 2 min · 7th Avenue
Use the straight lane.
13

Turn straight onto MN 61

4.0 mi · 5 min · Highway 61
14

Turn left onto TWP 613

0.7 mi · 1 min · Loop Road
15

Continue on TWP 613

0.6 mi · 1 min · Township Road 613
16

Turn straight onto CR 3

2.1 mi · 5 min · Highway 3
17

Arrive at destination

CR 3

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 94.4 miles from Minneapolis, MN, or about 1h 47m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 127.3 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 42 miles or 49m in

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

Halfway reset

Around 94.4 miles or 1h 47m in

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

Final approach

Final hour starts around 2h 53m

Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Silver Creek, 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 188.8 miles and 3h 44m.

Your first comfortable stop window is around 42 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 I 35 for about 127.3 miles.

Where to Stop

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

Downtown Finlayson, MN, MN

Mid-route town

Meal stop

Finlayson, MN

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

Rock Creek, MN

Fuel and coffee

A short stop after about 42 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.

Woodbury, MN

Meal break

The midpoint is around 94.4 miles from Minneapolis, MN, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.

Before the longest stretch

Fuel check

Top up before I 35 if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 127.3 miles.

These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.

Nearby Places

Restaurants, cafes, gas stations and more along your route.

Top Restaurant

Bearaboo Coffee Escape

4.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Cloquet, Minnesota

Later in the drive, right off the route

1 mi from route ~2 min detour $1 to $10 mile 134.8

Hours: 6:30 am–3 pm

+12188795051

Cabina Coffee

4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Pine City, Minnesota

0.8 mi

FIKA Café

4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Minneapolis, Minnesota

1.7 mi

Top Coffee Stop

Spyhouse Coffee Roasters | Downtown / Emery

4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Minneapolis, Minnesota

Near the start, right off the route

0.2 mi from route $1 to $10

Hours: 6:30 am–5 pm

Visit website

Dream Cloud Coffee Roasters

4.8 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Two Harbors, Minnesota

0.7 mi

Wussow's Concert Cafe

4.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Duluth, Minnesota

1 mi

Bearaboo Coffee Escape

4.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Later in the drive, right off the route

1 mi from route ~2 min detour $1 to $10 mile 134.8

Cloquet, Minnesota

Hours: 6:30 am–3 pm

+12188795051

Cabina Coffee

4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Around the midpoint, right off the route

0.8 mi from route ~2 min detour $10 to $20 mile 67.4

Pine City, Minnesota

Hours: 7 am–5 pm

+13206295982

Visit website

FIKA Café

4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, short detour

1.7 mi from route ~4 min detour $20 to $30

Minneapolis, Minnesota

Hours: 10 am–8 pm

+16125245108

Visit website

Lake and Bryant Cafe

4.8 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, short detour

2.5 mi from route ~6 min detour $10 to $20

Minneapolis, Minnesota

Hours: 7 am–5 pm

+16126594450

Visit website

Hamdi Restaurant

4.2 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Near the start, short detour

2.2 mi from route ~5 min detour $10 to $20

Minneapolis, Minnesota

Hours: 10 am–10 pm

+16128239660

Visit website

Lake & Irving Restaurant & Bar

4.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, short detour

2.9 mi from route ~7 min detour $20 to $30

Minneapolis, Minnesota

Hours: 4–9 pm

+16123542453

Visit website

The Coffee Shop NE

4.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, short detour

3.1 mi from route ~8 min detour $10 to $20

Minneapolis, Minnesota

Hours: 6:30 am–6 pm

+16122598478

Visit website

Adagio's Pizza Factory

4.2 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Near the start, short detour

3.1 mi from route ~8 min detour $20 to $30 mile 13.5

New Brighton, Minnesota

Hours: 11 am–9 pm

+16512373486

Visit website

Spyhouse Coffee Roasters | Downtown / Emery

4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, right off the route

0.2 mi from route $1 to $10

Minneapolis, Minnesota

Hours: 6:30 am–5 pm

Visit website

Dream Cloud Coffee Roasters

4.8 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, right off the route

0.7 mi from route ~2 min detour $1 to $10 mile 175.3

Two Harbors, Minnesota

Hours: 9 am–3 pm

+12188303098

Visit website

Wussow's Concert Cafe

4.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Later in the drive, short detour

1 mi from route ~3 min detour $10 to $20 mile 148.3

Duluth, Minnesota

Hours: 6:30 am–8 pm

+12186245957

Visit website

Fawkes Alley Coffee

4.8 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, short detour

1.2 mi from route ~3 min detour $1 to $10

Minneapolis, Minnesota

Hours: 8 am–4 pm

Visit website

Bordertown Coffee

4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, short detour

1.5 mi from route ~4 min detour $10 to $20

Minneapolis, Minnesota

Hours: 7:30 am–6 pm

+16123797277

Visit website

Spyhouse Coffee Roasters | Northeast

4.4 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Near the start, short detour

1.6 mi from route ~4 min detour $1 to $10

Minneapolis, Minnesota

Hours: 7 am–7 pm

+16123454348

Visit website

Caffetto Coffee House

4.5 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, short detour

1.8 mi from route ~4 min detour $1 to $10

Minneapolis, Minnesota

Hours: 7 am–12 pm

+16128720911

Visit website

Code Blu Coffee

4.8 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, short detour

1.9 mi from route ~5 min detour $1 to $10

Minneapolis, Minnesota

Hours: 6 am–4 pm

Visit website

Minnesota Welcome Center (Thompson Hill)

4.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Later in the drive, right off the route

1 mi from route ~2 min detour mile 148.3

Duluth, Minnesota

Hours: Open 24 hours

+12187234938

Visit website

Bad Axe Throwing Minneapolis City Center

4.9 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, right off the route

0.5 mi from route ~1 min detour $40 to $50

Minneapolis, Minnesota

Hours: 6–9:30 pm

+18448180999

Visit website

Day Tripper of Duluth

4.9 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, right off the route

0.8 mi from route ~2 min detour mile 175.3

Hours: 8:30 am–7 pm

+12186066687

Visit website

Prince The Tour

4.5 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, right off the route

0.4 mi from route ~1 min detour

Minneapolis, Minnesota

Hours: 10 am–4 pm

+16127102923

Lester Park Trails & Playground

4.8 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, short detour

1.6 mi from route ~4 min detour mile 161.8

Duluth, Minnesota

Hours: 6 am–12 pm

Visit website

Snake River Fur Post

4.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Around the midpoint, short detour

1.4 mi from route ~4 min detour mile 67.4

Pine City, Minnesota

+13206296356

Visit website

Golden Lake Park

4.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, short detour

1.9 mi from route ~5 min detour mile 13.5

Circle Pines, Minnesota

Hours: 6 am–9 pm

+17637845898

Visit website

Black Bear Golf Course

4.0 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Later in the drive, short detour

2.1 mi from route ~5 min detour mile 134.8

Cloquet, Minnesota

+12188782485

Visit website

Gas station designed by Frank Lloyd Wright

4.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Later in the drive, short detour

2.1 mi from route ~5 min detour mile 134.8

Cloquet, Minnesota

Hours: 8 am–5 pm

+12188792279

Place data sourced from public business listings. Hours and availability may vary.

Heads-up: tricky spots

5 of 11

5 decision points cluster between mile 0.9 and 12.5 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.

5
0.9 mi into trip | ~2m in

Take the ramp toward I 35W North

Navigation decision point

Toward I 35W North
5
1.1 mi into trip | ~3m in | I 35W

Merge onto I 35W

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

Use the straight / slight right lanes.
7
4.8 mi into trip | ~8m in

Take the exit toward MN 36

Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here

Use the slight right lane. Exit 22B Toward MN 36
6
5.4 mi into trip | ~8m in | I 35W

Keep slight left at fork onto I 35W

Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here

Use the straight / slight right lanes.
6
12.5 mi into trip | ~17m in | I 35W

Keep slight left at fork onto I 35W

Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here

Use the straight / slight right lanes.

Fuel & Cost

Regular Gas

$28.10 one way

$56.19 round trip

$3.78/gal 25.4 MPG avg 66 kg CO2
Fuel Type $/gal One Way Round Trip
midgrade $4.07 $30.27 $60.55
premium $4.53 $33.69 $67.37
diesel $5.61 $41.68 $83.37

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: 66.1 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 56.6 0 $19.82 $9.06
Efficient EV 47.2 0 $16.52 $7.55
EV Truck/SUV 75.5 0 $26.43 $12.08

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.

Forecast as of Apr 15, 2026

Origin

Minneapolis, MN

Afternoon in Minneapolis on Saturday

Local time

3:43 PM

CDT

Current temp

67°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

Destination

Silver Creek, MN

Afternoon in Silver Creek on Saturday

Local time

3:43 PM

CDT

Current temp

54°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

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

13 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 44m 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.

What kind of drive is this?

188.8 mi in 3h 44m, mostly highway — 127.3 mi of that is on I 35.

98% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
17 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 127.3 mi on I 35.

How Hard Is This Drive?

8/10

This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 35 and I 35W. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 0.9 miles in.

Driving Effort 8/10

Demanding - plan breaks and stay ahead of the key maneuvers

Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.

This is a demanding drive. With 11 significant decision points across 188.8 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 0.9 miles: Navigation decision point; at 1.1 miles (I 35W): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here; at 4.8 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here.

Who Is This Route For?

Weekend Trip

Doable as a same-day drive at 3h 44m. Total distance: 188.8 miles.

Family Friendly

Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.

Solo Traveler

3h 44m drive, comfortable solo distance.

First-Time Driver

Mostly highway driving (98%). Some complex stretches to watch for.

Frequently Asked Questions

The longest stretch is about 127.3 miles on I 35. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.

Yes — we found about 1 rest area or service plaza within a short detour of the route (from OpenStreetMap). See the Rest Stops tab under Nearby Places for locations and mile markers. Plan to stretch, use the bathroom, and top off fluids every 2–3 hours on longer drives.

It helps. This route has a higher-than-average number of complex decision points, which get harder in the dark. If the last hour of the trip is on surface roads or mountain grades, aim to arrive at Silver Creek, MN before sunset when you can. Check the Trip Plan for departure windows that land you in daylight.

Only with planning. This is a long drive for kids — consider splitting it into two days rather than pushing through. Plan at least 1 meaningful breaks. There are 1 rest area along the route for bathroom stops.

The main spots that need attention: at 0.9 miles: Navigation decision point; at 1.1 miles (I 35W): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here; at 4.8 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here.

Possible but tiring. At 3.7 hours each way, an in-and-out day trip would put you behind the wheel for 7.5 hours — manageable with a long break at Silver Creek, MN, but most travelers stay overnight.

How this page is built

Compiled by the US Trip Planner 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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Return Trip

Silver Creek, MN to Minneapolis, MN

Plan the drive back the other way.

188.7 mi 3h 43m

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