Drive Time
3h 53m
Distance
199.3 mi
321 km
Drive Score
8/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$28
one way
Photo: Tom Fisk
The drive from Minnetonka, MN to Detroit Lakes, MN covers 199.3 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 County Road 101, Highway 7, I 494 North for much of the mileage, and the overall profile is turn-heavy local drive. At current regular gas prices, budget about $28.00 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
99.6 miles from Minnetonka, MN
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h 56m into the drive .
Expect a 3h 53m drive with frequent turns across 199.3 miles of local and secondary roads.
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| County Road 101 | Unavailable | Refreshing |
| Highway 7 | Unavailable | Refreshing |
| I 494 North | Unavailable | Refreshing |
| I 94 West | Unavailable | Refreshing |
| Pine Street | Unavailable | Refreshing |
| Highway 25 | Unavailable | Refreshing |
| County Road 11 | Unavailable | Refreshing |
| Park Boulevard Southeast | Unavailable | Refreshing |
Per-road distance and duration are being refreshed from OSRM for this route.
Step-by-step road directions between Minnetonka, MN and Detroit Lakes, MN.
Start on County Road 101
Continue on County Road 101
Turn right onto Minnesota State Highway 7
Keep slight left to continue on Minnesota State Highway 7
Take the exit slight right toward I 494 North
Merge slight left
Keep slight left to continue on I 94 West: Saint Cloud
Continue straight
Keep slight left
Take the exit slight right
Turn right onto Pine Street
Continue on State Highway 25
Turn left onto County Road 11
Continue on Park Boulevard Southeast
Continue on 165th Avenue Southeast
Turn left
Keep slight left
Turn straight
Continue straight
Turn slight right
Enter the roundabout and take exit 2 toward the route
Exit the roundabout
Turn straight
Turn left onto Washington Avenue
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 99.6 miles or 1h 56m 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 11m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Detroit Lakes, MN than in the middle of the route.
Open the route before leaving Minnetonka, 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 Minnetonka, MN
This is one driving day of about 199.3 miles and 3h 53m.
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 99.6 mi from Minnetonka, MN · 1h 56m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
100 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.
The final approach into Detroit Lakes, 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 Detroit Lakes, MN.
These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.
Regular Gas
$28.00 one way
$56.01 round trip
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $3.92 | $30.77 | $61.53 |
| premium | $4.39 | $34.46 | $68.92 |
| diesel | $4.86 | $38.17 | $76.33 |
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: 69.7 kg one way.
Driving Electric?
About $21 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 59.8 | 0 | $20.93 | $9.57 |
| Efficient EV | 49.8 | 0 | $17.44 | $7.97 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 79.7 | 0 | $27.90 | $12.76 |
Gas CO2
70 kg
EV CO2
23 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 Minnetonka on Saturday
Local time
9:21 AM
CDT
Current temp
40°F
Forecast unavailable right now
Destination
Morning in Detroit Lakes on Saturday
Local time
9:21 AM
CDT
Current temp
38°F
Forecast unavailable right now
Along the Route
37°F
Avon, MN
100 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
Use the two city cards together: check the sky where you start, then compare it with the local time and temperature at arrival.
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