Drive Time
4h 5m
Distance
209.1 mi
336 km
Drive Score
8/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$30
one way
The drive from Minneapolis, MN to Silver Bay, MN covers 209.1 miles and takes about 4h 5m behind the wheel. This route is realistic as a one-day drive if you keep your stops efficient.
The route leans on Washington Avenue South, I 35W North, MN 36 for much of the mileage, and the overall profile is turn-heavy local drive. At current regular gas prices, budget about $29.91 one way before food or hotel costs.
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
104.5 miles from Minneapolis, MN
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 2h 2m into the drive .
Expect a 4h 5m drive with frequent turns across 209.1 miles of local and secondary roads.
Expect a hands-on drive with frequent turns and local roads rather than long highway stretches. There are only a few real navigation decisions along the way.
Easy - simple navigation with a manageable amount of wheel time
This is a straightforward 4h 5m drive. You will face about 0 decision points, but nothing that requires special attention if you follow navigation.
Where does it get tricky?
This route does not have any notably tricky sections. Most of the drive from Minneapolis, MN to Silver Bay, MN is straightforward, with well-signed roads and simple exits.
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| Washington Avenue South | Unavailable | Refreshing |
| I 35W North | Unavailable | Refreshing |
| MN 36 | Unavailable | Refreshing |
| MN 61 North | Unavailable | Refreshing |
| 7th Avenue | Unavailable | Refreshing |
| Highway 61 | Unavailable | Refreshing |
| Water Plant Road | Unavailable | Refreshing |
Per-road distance and duration are being refreshed from OSRM for this route.
Step-by-step road directions between Minneapolis, MN and Silver Bay, MN.
Start on Washington Avenue South
Continue on Washington Avenue South
Take the ramp left toward I 35W North
Merge slight left
Take the exit slight right toward MN 36
Merge slight left
Keep slight left
Keep slight left
Keep slight left
Take the exit slight right toward MN 61 North
Merge slight left
Continue on 7th Avenue
Turn straight onto Highway 61
Turn right onto Water Plant Road
Arrive at your destination
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.
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 33m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 104.5 miles or 2h 2m 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 21m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Silver Bay, MN than in the middle of the route.
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 209.1 miles and 4h 5m.
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 104.5 mi from Minneapolis, MN · 2h 2m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
105 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 80 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
The midpoint is around 104.5 miles from Minneapolis, MN, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
The final approach into Silver Bay, 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 Silver Bay, MN.
These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.
Regular Gas
$29.91 one way
$59.82 round trip
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $3.92 | $32.28 | $64.56 |
| premium | $4.39 | $36.16 | $72.31 |
| diesel | $5.64 | $46.45 | $92.91 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$30
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$55–$80
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 73.2 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-06.
Driving Electric?
About $22 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 62.7 | 0 | $21.96 | $10.04 |
| Efficient EV | 52.3 | 0 | $18.30 | $8.36 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 83.6 | 1 | $29.27 | $13.38 |
Gas CO2
73 kg
EV CO2
24 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. If you're planning ahead, check the forecast closer to your travel date.
Origin
Morning in Minneapolis on Sunday
Local time
6:29 AM
CDT
Current temp
40°F
Forecast unavailable right now
Destination
Morning in Silver Bay on Sunday
Local time
6:29 AM
CDT
Current temp
49°F
Forecast unavailable right now
Along the Route
29°F
Cloquet, MN
105 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
An early start around 7-8 AM gets you there with plenty of daylight left.
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