Origin
Minnetonka, MN
Evening in Minnetonka on Thursday
Local time
8:18 PM
CDT
Current temp
47°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Minnetonka, MN to Chisago City, MN
Last recalculated Apr 17, 2026
Drive Time
1h 5m
Distance
53 mi
85 km
Drive Score
8/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$8
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
1h 0m
★
6 AM
1h 5m
8 AM
1h 16m
10 AM
1h 9m
12 PM
1h 8m
3 PM
1h 10m
5 PM
1h 15m
8 PM
1h 2m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Minnetonka, MN
Wikimedia Commons
Chisago City, MN
Tom Fisk
Trip Overview
The drive from Minnetonka, MN to Chisago City, MN covers 53 miles and takes about 1h 5m behind the wheel. This route is realistic as a one-day drive if you keep your stops efficient.
The route leans on I 35W, MN 100, Lake Boulevard for much of the mileage, and the overall profile is highway-focused drive. The longest uninterrupted segment is about 19.8 miles on I 35W. At current regular gas prices, budget about $7.89 one way before food or hotel costs.
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 1h 5m. Total distance: 53 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 0 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
1h 5m drive, comfortable solo distance.
EV Driver
0 DC fast chargers along the route. Coverage: unknown.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (80%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Drive Character
This is a 1h 5m highway drive covering 53 miles, with most of the trip on I 35W and MN 100. The longest continuous stretch is about 19.8 miles on I 35W.
Most of the miles stay on highways, which makes pacing and fuel planning easier than turn-by-turn city driving.
There are about 13 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.
I 35W is the longest continuous segment at about 19.8 miles.
How Hard Is This Drive?
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 35W and MN 100. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 2.4 miles in near MN 7 / Minnesota State Highway 7.
Driving Effort
9/10
Demanding - stay alert through the decision-heavy sections
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This drive requires moderate attention. Across 53 miles you will encounter 11 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 2.4 miles (MN 7 / Minnesota State Highway 7): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 8.4 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here; at 8.6 miles (MN 100): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here.
Critical Maneuvers
5 of 11 key pointsThese are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
6
2.4 mi into trip
|
~3m in
|
MN 7 / Minnesota State Highway 7
Keep slight left at fork onto MN 7 / Minnesota State Highway 7
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
6
8.4 mi into trip
|
~12m in
Take the exit toward MN 100 North
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the right lane.
Toward MN 100 North
6
8.6 mi into trip
|
~13m in
|
MN 100
Merge onto MN 100 toward CR 5
Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Toward CR 5
7
24 mi into trip
|
~32m in
Take the exit toward I 35W North
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / right lanes.
Exit 41B
Toward I 35W North
6
27.2 mi into trip
|
~36m 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.
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
On the drive from Minnetonka, MN to Chisago City, MN, road signs begin pointing toward Cr 5 along the way.
Cr 5
8.6 mi in
|
~13m
|
via MN 100
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| I 35W | 19.8 mi | 21m |
| MN 100 | 9.4 mi | 11m |
| Lake Boulevard | 9 mi | 11m |
| Minnesota State Highway 7 | 8.1 mi | 11m |
| I 694 | 5.3 mi | 5m |
| County Road 101 | 0.4 mi | <1m |
Longest stretch:
I 35W
— 19.8 mi, about 21m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Minnetonka, MN and Chisago City, MN.
1
Start on CR 101
0.2 mi
·
25 sec
·
County Road 101
2
Continue on CR 101
0.2 mi
·
33 sec
·
County Road 101
Use the left lane.
3
Turn right onto MN 7
2.1 mi
·
2 min
·
Minnesota State Highway 7
4
Keep slight left at fork onto MN 7
6.0 mi
·
9 min
·
Minnesota State Highway 7
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
5
Take the exit
0.2 mi
·
25 sec
Toward MN 100 North
Use the right lane.
6
Merge onto MN 100
9.4 mi
·
11 min
·
MN 100
Toward CR 5
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
7
Keep slight left at fork
0.7 mi
·
1 min
Toward I 694 East
8
Merge onto I 694
5.3 mi
·
5 min
·
I 694
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
9
Take the exit
0.2 mi
·
27 sec
Exit 41B
Toward I 35W North
Use the straight / right lanes.
10
Merge onto I 35W
3.0 mi
·
3 min
·
I 35W
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
11
Keep slight left at fork onto I 35W
17 mi
·
18 min
·
I 35W
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
12
Keep slight right at fork onto US 8
9.0 mi
·
11 min
·
Lake Boulevard
Toward US 8: Taylors Falls
13
Arrive at destination
US 8
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 26.5 mi from Minnetonka, MN · 35m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
27 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 12 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 26.5 miles from Minnetonka, MN, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Arriving in Chisago City, MN
The final approach into Chisago City, 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.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$7.89 one way
$15.77 round trip
$3.78/gal
25.4 MPG avg
19 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.07 | $8.50 | $17.00 |
| premium | $4.53 | $9.46 | $18.91 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $11.70 | $23.40 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Drive Cost (one way)
Fuel
$8
Estimated CO2 emission: 18.5 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $6 in charging · 0 stops · 68% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 15.9 | 0 | $5.56 | $2.54 |
| Efficient EV | 13.3 | 0 | $4.64 | $2.12 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 21.2 | 0 | $7.42 | $3.39 |
Gas CO2
19 kg
EV CO2
6 kg (68% 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
Chisago City, MN
Evening in Chisago City on Thursday
Local time
8:18 PM
CDT
Current temp
65°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
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
18 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 5m 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 Minnetonka, MN to Chisago City, MN covers 53 miles and takes about 1h 5m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are I 35W, MN 100, Lake Boulevard. Most of the drive stays on highways, so watch for ramps and exits.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 26.5 miles from Minnetonka, MN. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $7.89 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.
This drive requires moderate attention. Across 53 miles you will encounter 11 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 2.4 miles (MN 7 / Minnesota State Highway 7): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 8.4 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here; at 8.6 miles (MN 100): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here.
On the drive from Minnetonka, MN to Chisago City, MN, road signs begin pointing toward Cr 5 along the way.
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