Origin
Pine City, MN
Evening in Pine City on Sunday
Local time
5:33 PM
CDT
Current temp
68°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Pine City, MN to Minneapolis, MN
Drive Time
1h 18m
Distance
67.9 mi
109 km
Drive Score
7/10
Good drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$10
one way
EV Charging
Loading...
station data
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
1h 12m
★
6 AM
1h 18m
8 AM
1h 31m
10 AM
1h 23m
12 PM
1h 22m
3 PM
1h 23m
5 PM
1h 30m
8 PM
1h 15m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Pine City, MN
Tom Fisk
Trip Overview
If you are looking to travel from Pine City to Minneapolis, you are in for a straightforward 67.9-mile journey across the heart of Minnesota. Expect to spend approximately 1 hour and 4 minutes on the road, making this an ideal day trip that requires no overnight stay. You will navigate primarily via local streets like 3rd Avenue Southeast, Main Street South, and Hillside Avenue Southwest rather than major interstates. With a fuel budget of around $10, it is an economical way to move between these two Midwest locations. Because there are no scheduled stops, you have the flexibility to complete the drive in one efficient push.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.
Break Rhythm
0 planned breaks
A short stop every 2 to 3 hours is enough for this drive.
Midpoint
33.9 miles from Pine City, MN
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 38m into the drive .
Drive Character
This 67.9-mile route offers a turn-heavy local driving experience that differs significantly from a standard interstate cruise. Since the highway share is 0%, you should prepare for a more involved driving experience focused on local navigation. There are no long, monotonous stretches here; in fact, the longest uninterrupted segment is 0 miles on 3rd Avenue Southeast. You will find that the road remains technical as you transition through various local thoroughfares. Staying alert is essential, as the constant turns demand your full attention compared to a high-speed highway commute.
Most of the miles stay on highways, which makes pacing and fuel planning easier than turn-by-turn city driving.
There are about 10 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.
I 35 is the longest continuous segment at about 41.9 miles.
How Hard Is This Drive?
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 35 and I 35W. You will hit about 8 points where you need to pay attention to lane position or signs. The trickiest moment comes early in the drive near CR 8 / 3rd Avenue Southeast.
Route Complexity
5/10
Moderate - straightforward overall, but long enough or busy enough to require pacing
This drive requires moderate attention. Across 67.9 miles you will encounter 8 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: near the start (CR 8 / 3rd Avenue Southeast): Navigation decision point; at 1.4 miles: Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 43.5 miles (I 35W): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
Critical Maneuvers
5 of 8 key pointsThese are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
5
0 mi into trip
|
~0m in
|
CR 8 / 3rd Avenue Southeast
Turn left onto CR 8 / 3rd Avenue Southeast
Navigation decision point
6
1.4 mi into trip
|
~2m in
Take the ramp toward I 35 South: Saint Paul, Minneapolis
Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Toward I 35 South: Saint Paul, Minneapolis
7
43.5 mi into trip
|
~48m in
|
I 35W
Keep slight right at fork onto I 35W toward I 35W: Minneapolis
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / right lanes.
Toward I 35W: Minneapolis
7
66.9 mi into trip
|
~1h 15m in
Take the exit toward Washington Avenue
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight right lane.
Exit 17C
Toward Washington Avenue
6
67.1 mi into trip
|
~1h 16m in
|
CR 152 / Washington Avenue South
Turn right onto CR 152 / Washington Avenue South
Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / left / right lanes.
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| I 35 | 41.9 mi | 44m |
| I 35W | 23.4 mi | 27m |
| Washington Avenue South | 0.8 mi | 2m |
| Hillside Avenue Southwest | 0.7 mi | 1m |
| Main Street South | 0.5 mi | <1m |
| 3rd Avenue Southeast | <0.1 mi | <1m |
| Railroad Street Southeast | <0.1 mi | <1m |
Longest stretch:
I 35
— 41.9 mi, about 44m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Pine City, MN and Minneapolis, MN.
1
Start on Railroad Street Southeast
212 ft
·
14 sec
·
Railroad Street Southeast
2
Turn left onto CR 8
414 ft
·
18 sec
·
3rd Avenue Southeast
3
Turn left onto I 35 BUS; CR 61
0.5 mi
·
58 sec
·
Main Street South
4
Turn right onto I 35 BUS; CR 7
0.7 mi
·
1 min
·
Hillside Avenue Southwest
5
Take the ramp
0.2 mi
·
27 sec
Toward I 35 South: Saint Paul, Minneapolis
6
Merge onto I 35
42 mi
·
44 min
·
I 35
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
7
Keep slight right at fork onto I 35W
23 mi
·
27 min
·
I 35W
Toward I 35W: Minneapolis
Use the straight / right lanes.
8
Take the exit
0.2 mi
·
42 sec
Exit 17C
Toward Washington Avenue
Use the slight right lane.
9
Turn right onto CR 152
0.8 mi
·
2 min
·
Washington Avenue South
Use the straight / left / right lanes.
10
Arrive at destination
CR 152
Trip Plan
Since this is a quick 1-hour and 4-minute trip, you have plenty of freedom regarding your departure time. Aim to leave during off-peak hours to avoid potential local traffic congestion on these non-highway roads. Because the entire route consists of local streets, ensure your GPS is updated to handle the frequent turns required on 3rd Avenue Southeast and Main Street South. You will not need to plan for lengthy rest breaks given the short distance, but keeping your fuel tank in mind remains wise for the $10 budget. The primary advantage of this route is its simplicity, so prioritize a relaxed pace and enjoy the direct, local nature of the drive.
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 33.9 miles from Pine City, MN, or about 38m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 41.9 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 67.9 miles or 1h 18m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 33.9 miles or 38m 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 4m
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 Pine City, 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 Pine City, MN
This is one driving day of about 67.9 miles and 1h 18m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 80 miles from Pine City, MN.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
You may only need one short stretch stop if conditions stay smooth.
The longest stretch is on I 35 for about 41.9 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 33.9 mi from Pine City, MN · 38m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
34 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 67.9 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 33.9 miles from Pine City, MN, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
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.
Try to arrive with enough fuel left to skip an immediate station stop unless you already know the area around Minneapolis, MN.
These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$9.71 one way
$19.42 round trip
$3.63/gal
25.4 MPG avg
24 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $3.92 | $10.48 | $20.96 |
| premium | $4.39 | $11.74 | $23.48 |
| diesel | $5.64 | $15.09 | $30.17 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$10
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$35–$60
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 23.8 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-06.
Driving Electric?
About $7 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 20.4 | 0 | $7.13 | $3.26 |
| Efficient EV | 17 | 0 | $5.94 | $2.72 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 27.2 | 0 | $9.51 | $4.35 |
Gas CO2
24 kg
EV CO2
8 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.
Destination
Minneapolis, MN
Evening in Minneapolis on Sunday
Local time
5:33 PM
CDT
Current temp
40°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
28 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 18m 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 Pine City, MN to Minneapolis, MN covers 67.9 miles and takes about 1h 18m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are I 35, I 35W, Washington Avenue South. Most of the drive stays on highways, so watch for ramps and exits.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 33.9 miles from Pine City, MN. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $9.71 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 67.9 miles you will encounter 8 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: near the start (CR 8 / 3rd Avenue Southeast): Navigation decision point; at 1.4 miles: Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 43.5 miles (I 35W): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
The route from Pine City, MN to Minneapolis, MN does not surface many named destination signs beyond the main corridor.
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