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Trip from Olmsted County, MN to Minneapolis, MN

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

Drive Time

1h 55m

Distance

87 mi

140 km

Drive Score

7/10

Good drive

Same Day?

Yes, doable

Fuel Cost

$13

one way

EV Charging

Unknown

Best Time to Leave

Save up to 25 min
4 AM
1h 47m ★
6 AM
1h 55m
8 AM
2h 12m
10 AM
2h 1m
12 PM
1h 59m
3 PM
2h 2m
5 PM
2h 11m
8 PM
1h 50m

Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.

Downtown Olmsted County, MN, MN

Olmsted County, MN

Tom Fisk

Trip Overview

The drive from Olmsted County, MN to Minneapolis, MN covers 87 miles and takes about 1h 55m behind the wheel. This route is realistic as a one-day drive if you keep your stops efficient.

The route leans on US 52, MN 55, Hiawatha Avenue for much of the mileage, and the overall profile is highway-focused drive. The longest uninterrupted segment is about 62.9 miles on US 52. At current regular gas prices, budget about $12.95 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.

Midpoint

43.5 miles from Olmsted County, MN

A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 57m into the drive .

Who Is This Route For?

Weekend Trip

Doable as a same-day drive at 1h 55m. Total distance: 87 miles.

Family Friendly

Moderate complexity with 0 natural rest stops along the way.

Solo Traveler

1h 55m drive, comfortable solo distance.

First-Time Driver

Mostly highway driving (84%). Some complex stretches to watch for.

Drive Character

This is a 1h 55m highway drive covering 87 miles, with most of the trip on US 52 and MN 55. The longest continuous stretch is about 62.9 miles on US 52.

Most of the miles stay on highways, which makes pacing and fuel planning easier than turn-by-turn city driving.
There are about 25 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.
US 52 is the longest continuous segment at about 62.9 miles.

How Hard Is This Drive?

This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on US 52 and MN 55. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 70.6 miles in near MN 55.

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 87 miles you will encounter 14 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 70.6 miles (MN 55): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 79.9 miles (MN 55): Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 80.1 miles (MN 55): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.

Critical Maneuvers

5 of 14 key points

These are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.

8
70.6 mi into trip | ~1h 28m in | MN 55

Keep slight left at fork onto MN 55 toward MN 55 West: Minneapolis

Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here

Use the slight left / slight right lanes. Exit 121 Toward MN 55 West: Minneapolis
8
79.9 mi into trip | ~1h 41m in | MN 55

Take the exit onto MN 55 toward MN 55 West: Minnehaha Avenue, Hiawatha Avenue

Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one

Use the straight / slight right lanes. Exit 115 Toward MN 55 West: Minnehaha Avenue, Hiawatha A...
8
80.1 mi into trip | ~1h 41m in | MN 55

Keep slight right at fork onto MN 55 toward MN 55 West: Hiawatha Avenue

Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here

Use the slight left / slight right lanes. Toward MN 55 West: Hiawatha Avenue
7
85.4 mi into trip | ~1h 51m in

Take the exit toward 3rd Street, Washington Avenue, University of Minnesota

Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one

Use the slight right lane. Toward 3rd Street, Washington Avenue, Universit...
7
85.9 mi into trip | ~1h 52m in

Keep slight left at fork toward 3rd Street

Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here

Use the slight left lane. Toward 3rd Street

Main Roads

Road Distance Duration
US 52 62.9 mi 1h 12m
MN 55 9.7 mi 13m
Hiawatha Avenue 4.9 mi 9m
East Circle Drive Northeast 3.5 mi 5m
37th Street Northeast 2.2 mi 4m
Towne Club Parkway Southeast 0.7 mi 1m
30th Avenue Southeast 0.7 mi 1m
Washington Avenue South 0.4 mi 1m
Longest stretch: US 52 — 62.9 mi, about 1h 12m

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between Olmsted County, MN and Minneapolis, MN.

1

Start on this road

0.1 mi · 1 min · this road
2

Turn slight left

0.2 mi · 2 min
3

Turn right

138 ft · 19 sec
4

Turn left onto Eastwood Road Southeast

170 ft · 4 sec · Eastwood Road Southeast
5

Turn right onto Towne Club Parkway Southeast

0.7 mi · 1 min · Towne Club Parkway Southeast
6

Continue on CR 22

0.7 mi · 1 min · 30th Avenue Southeast
Use the left / straight / right lanes.
7

Continue on CR 22

3.5 mi · 5 min · East Circle Drive Northeast
Use the straight lane.
8

Continue on 37th Street Northeast

2.2 mi · 4 min · 37th Street Northeast
Use the straight lane.
9

Turn right

198 ft · 3 sec
Use the right lane.
10

Take the ramp

0.3 mi · 33 sec
Toward US 52 North, US 63 North
11

Merge onto US 52; US 63

14 mi · 16 min · US 52; US 63
12

Continue on US 52

9.1 mi · 10 min · US 52
Use the straight lane.
13

Continue on US 52

40 mi · 45 min · US 52
Use the straight lane.
14

Keep slight left at fork onto MN 55

9.3 mi · 12 min · MN 55
Exit 121 Toward MN 55 West: Minneapolis Use the slight left / slight right lanes.
15

Take the exit onto MN 55

0.2 mi · 23 sec · MN 55
Exit 115 Toward MN 55 West: Minnehaha Avenue, Hiawatha Avenue Use the straight / slight right lanes.
16

Keep slight right at fork onto MN 55

0.3 mi · 38 sec · MN 55
Toward MN 55 West: Hiawatha Avenue Use the slight left / slight right lanes.
17

Merge onto MN 55

4.9 mi · 9 min · Hiawatha Avenue
Use the left lane.
18

Continue on South 7th Street

0.2 mi · 16 sec · South 7th Street
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
19

Take the exit

0.5 mi · 42 sec
Toward 3rd Street, Washington Avenue, University of Minnesota Use the slight right lane.
20

Keep slight left at fork

459 ft · 7 sec
Toward 3rd Street, Washington Avenue, University of Minnesota, West Bank
21

Keep slight left at fork

0.3 mi · 48 sec
Toward 3rd Street Use the slight left lane.
22

Continue on South 3rd Street

0.2 mi · 40 sec · South 3rd Street
23

Turn right onto Chicago Avenue South

409 ft · 16 sec · Chicago Avenue South
24

Turn left onto CR 152

0.4 mi · 1 min · Washington Avenue South
25

Arrive at destination

CR 152

Trip Plan

Morning Departure

Leave by 9 AM and you'll arrive before lunch.

Evening Departure

Even a 4 PM departure gets you there before dark in summer.

You can normally do this drive in one day.
You may only need one short stretch break if traffic stays light.
The halfway point lands around 43.5 miles from Olmsted County, MN, or about 57m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 62.9 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 19 miles or 29m in

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

Halfway reset

Around 43.5 miles or 57m in

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

Final approach

Final hour starts around 1h 33m

Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Minneapolis, MN than in the middle of the route.

Before You Leave

+

Open the route before leaving Olmsted County, MN so your first major turns are already loaded.

Day 1

Settle into the route from Olmsted County, MN

This is one driving day of about 87 miles and 1h 55m.

Your first comfortable stop window is around 19 miles from Olmsted County, MN.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
The longest stretch is on US 52 for about 62.9 miles.

Where to Stop

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

Halfway Point

Midpoint

About 43.5 mi from Olmsted County, MN · 57m into the drive

Downtown Vermillion, MN, MN

Mid-route town

Meal stop

Vermillion, MN

44 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.

Popular next leg

Vermillion, MN to Minneapolis, MN

29.2 mi · 41m

Pacing Suggestions

Oronoco, MN

Fuel and coffee

A short stop after about 19 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.

Vermillion, MN

Meal break

The midpoint is around 43.5 miles from Olmsted County, MN, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.

Before the longest stretch

Fuel check

Top up before US 52 if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 62.9 miles.

Arriving in Minneapolis, MN

The final approach into Minneapolis, 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

$12.95 one way

$25.89 round trip

$3.78/gal 25.4 MPG avg 30 kg CO2
Fuel Type $/gal One Way Round Trip
midgrade $4.07 $13.95 $27.90
premium $4.53 $15.52 $31.05
diesel $5.61 $19.21 $38.42

No toll roads detected on this route.

Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)

Fuel

$13

Meals

$25–$50

Total

$38–$63

Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.

Estimated CO2 emission: 30.4 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.

Driving Electric?

About $9 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO2

Vehicle Type kWh Stops DC Fast Home Charge
Average EV 26.1 0 $9.13 $4.18
Efficient EV 21.8 0 $7.61 $3.48
EV Truck/SUV 34.8 0 $12.18 $5.57

Gas CO2

30 kg

EV CO2

10 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 16, 2026

Origin

Olmsted County, MN

Night in Olmsted County on Friday

Local time

11:49 PM

CDT

Current temp

68°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

Destination

Minneapolis, MN

Night in Minneapolis on Friday

Local time

11:49 PM

CDT

Current temp

67°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

44°F

Vermillion, MN

44 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

1 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

1h 55m 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 Olmsted County, MN to Minneapolis, MN covers 87 miles and takes about 1h 55m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.

The main roads are US 52, MN 55, Hiawatha Avenue. Most of the drive stays on highways, so watch for ramps and exits.

This is a comfortable same-day trip.

The midpoint is about 43.5 miles from Olmsted County, MN. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.

At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $12.95 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 87 miles you will encounter 14 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 70.6 miles (MN 55): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 79.9 miles (MN 55): Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 80.1 miles (MN 55): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.

The route from Olmsted County, MN to Minneapolis, MN does not surface many named destination signs beyond the main corridor.

How this page is built

Compiled by the Trip.ovh 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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