Trip from Sylvan, MN to Minneapolis, MN

Last recalculated Apr 17, 2026

Drive Time

2h 39m

Distance

131.1 mi

211 km

Drive Score

9/10

Great drive

Same Day?

Yes, doable

Fuel Cost

$20

one way

EV Charging

Unknown

Best Time to Leave

Save up to 32 min

4 AM

2h 29m ★

6 AM

2h 40m

8 AM

3h 1m

10 AM

2h 47m

12 PM

2h 45m

3 PM

2h 48m

5 PM

3h 0m

8 PM

2h 33m

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

Best Time Drive vs Fly

Google Maps Waze Apple Maps

Download GPX

Sylvan, MN

Tom Fisk

Trip Overview

This 131.1-mile drive from Sylvan, MN to Minneapolis, MN takes approximately 2 hours and 39 minutes and is best suited as a single-day trip. You'll primarily travel on US 10 and I-94, with a portion on the C. Elmer Anderson Memorial Highway. With about 72% of the drive on highways, expect a fairly direct journey through the Midwest. The estimated fuel cost for this route is around $20. This is a straightforward drive, ideal for those looking to get from point A to point B efficiently.

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

65.6 miles from Sylvan, MN

A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h 17m into the drive .

Who Is This Route For?

Weekend Trip

Doable as a same-day drive at 2h 39m. Total distance: 131.1 miles.

Family Friendly

Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.

Solo Traveler

2h 39m drive, comfortable solo distance.

First-Time Driver

Mostly highway driving (72%). Some complex stretches to watch for.

Drive Character

This route is predominantly a highway-focused drive, with 72% of the journey utilizing major roadways like US 10 and I-94. You'll experience a longest uninterrupted stretch of 54.5 miles on US 10, offering a good opportunity to settle into a rhythm. While much of the drive is on faster roads, expect the landscape to transition as you move from more rural settings towards the urban environment of Minneapolis. The C. Elmer Anderson Memorial Highway adds a brief change of pace before merging onto the interstate system.

Most of the miles stay on highways, which makes pacing and fuel planning easier than turn-by-turn city driving.

There are about 24 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.

US 10 is the longest continuous segment at about 54.5 miles.

How Hard Is This Drive?

This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on US 10 and I 94. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 122.4 miles in near I 94.

Driving Effort 9/10

High effort - long or complex enough to need steady focus all day

Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.

This is a demanding drive. With 16 significant decision points across 131.1 miles, you will need to stay alert - especially through interchange areas and urban stretches. Consider splitting it into segments if you are not comfortable with fast highway navigation.

Where does it get tricky?

The main spots that need attention: at 122.4 miles (I 94): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 128.6 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 129 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.

Critical Maneuvers

5 of 16 key points

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

122.4 mi into trip | ~2h 25m in | I 94

Keep slight right at fork onto I 94

Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here

Use the straight / slight right lanes.

128.6 mi into trip | ~2h 33m in

Keep slight right at fork

Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here

Use the straight / slight right lanes.

129 mi into trip | ~2h 33m in

Keep slight left at fork toward 4th Street North

Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here

Use the straight / slight right lanes. Toward 4th Street North

130 mi into trip | ~2h 35m in

Keep slight right at fork toward 2nd Avenue North

Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here

Use the straight / slight left lanes. Toward 2nd Avenue North

130.4 mi into trip | ~2h 37m in | CR 152 / North Washington Avenue

Turn right onto CR 152 / North Washington Avenue

Lane positioning matters here

Use the straight / right lanes.

Main Roads

Road	Distance	Duration
US 10	54.5 mi	1h 3m
I 94	34.1 mi	38m
C. Elmer Anderson Memorial Highway	25.8 mi	29m
State Highway 210	5.8 mi	7m
Highland Scenic Drive South	2 mi	3m
165th Avenue Southeast	1.8 mi	2m
Broadway Street East	1.5 mi	2m
Park Boulevard Southeast	1.4 mi	1m

Longest stretch: US 10 — 54.5 mi, about 1h 3m

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

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

Start on MN 210

5.8 mi · 7 min · State Highway 210

Turn right onto CR 48

1.6 mi · 2 min · Highland Scenic Drive South

Enter roundabout onto CR 48

203 ft · 6 sec · Highland Scenic Drive South

Continue on CR 48

0.3 mi · 30 sec · Highland Scenic Drive South

Turn right onto MN 371

26 mi · 29 min · C. Elmer Anderson Memorial Highway

Merge onto US 10

28 mi · 32 min · US 10

Use the right lane.

Keep slight left at fork onto US 10

26 mi · 30 min · US 10

Turn right onto 165th Avenue Southeast

1.8 mi · 2 min · 165th Avenue Southeast

Continue on Park Boulevard Southeast

1.4 mi · 1 min · Park Boulevard Southeast

Continue on County Road 11

0.7 mi · 57 sec · County Road 11

Turn right onto MN 25

0.1 mi · 11 sec · State Highway 25

Continue on MN 25

0.3 mi · 42 sec · Pine Street

Turn left onto CR 75

1.5 mi · 2 min · Broadway Street East

Turn right onto CR 18

0.3 mi · 40 sec · Fenning Avenue

Take the ramp

0.4 mi · 54 sec

Merge onto I 94

28 mi · 31 min · I 94

Use the straight / slight right lanes.

Keep slight right at fork onto I 94

6.1 mi · 7 min · I 94

Use the straight / slight right lanes.

Keep slight right at fork

0.4 mi · 25 sec

Use the straight / slight right lanes.

Keep slight left at fork

1.0 mi · 2 min

Toward 4th Street North Use the straight / slight right lanes.

Keep slight right at fork

0.3 mi · 40 sec

Toward 2nd Avenue North Use the straight / slight left lanes.

Turn left onto 2nd Avenue North

0.2 mi · 35 sec · 2nd Avenue North

Turn right onto CR 152

0.6 mi · 1 min · North Washington Avenue

Use the straight / right lanes.

Continue on CR 152

0.2 mi · 31 sec · Washington Avenue South

Use the left lane.

Arrive at destination

CR 152

Trip Plan

Given the 2-hour and 39-minute duration, this drive is easily manageable in a single day. Consider leaving in the morning to avoid the heaviest traffic entering Minneapolis, especially on weekdays. You'll have one designated stop along the way, but with the relatively short distance, you can be flexible with breaks. Keep an eye on your fuel levels, with an estimated cost of $20 for the trip. A practical tip for this route: be aware of potential construction zones, particularly as you approach the Twin Cities metro area, which can impact travel times.

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.

Plan roughly 1 meaningful break for fuel, food, and rest.

The halfway point lands around 65.6 miles from Sylvan, MN, or about 1h 17m into the drive.

The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 54.5 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 29 miles or 34m in

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

Halfway reset

Around 65.6 miles or 1h 17m in

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

Final approach

Final hour starts around 2h 9m

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 Sylvan, 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 Sylvan, MN

This is one driving day of about 131.1 miles and 2h 39m.

Your first comfortable stop window is around 29 miles from Sylvan, MN.

This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.

Plan about 1 real break rather than only quick fuel stops.

The longest stretch is on US 10 for about 54.5 miles.

Where to Stop

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

Halfway Point

Midpoint

About 65.6 mi from Sylvan, MN · 1h 17m into the drive

city in Sherburne County, Minnesota, United States

Mid-route town

Meal stop

Big Lake, MN

66 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

Little Falls, MN

Fuel and coffee

A short stop after about 29 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.

Saint Cloud, MN

Meal break

The midpoint is around 65.6 miles from Sylvan, 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

$19.51 one way

$39.02 round trip

$3.78/gal 25.4 MPG avg 46 kg CO₂

Fuel Type	$/gal	One Way	Round Trip
midgrade	$4.07	$21.02	$42.04
premium	$4.53	$23.39	$46.78
diesel	$5.61	$28.95	$57.89

No toll roads detected on this route.

Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)

Fuel

$20

Meals

$25–$50

Total

$45–$70

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

Estimated CO2 emission: 45.9 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.

Driving Electric?

About $14 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO₂

Vehicle Type	kWh	DC Fast	Home Charge
Average EV	39.3	$13.77	$6.29
Efficient EV	32.8	$11.47	$5.24
EV Truck/SUV	52.4	$18.35	$8.39

Gas CO2

46 kg

EV CO2

15 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 15, 2026

Origin

Sylvan, MN

Night in Sylvan on Thursday

Local time

10:47 PM

CDT

Current temp

66°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

Destination

Minneapolis, MN

Night in Minneapolis on Thursday

Local time

10:47 PM

CDT

Current temp

67°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

1 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

2h 39m 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 Sylvan, MN to Minneapolis, MN covers 131.1 miles and takes about 2h 39m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.

The main roads are US 10, I 94, C. Elmer Anderson Memorial Highway. Most of the drive stays on highways, so watch for ramps and exits.

This is a comfortable same-day trip.

The midpoint is about 65.6 miles from Sylvan, MN. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.

At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $19.51 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.

Plan about 1 meaningful break for fuel, food, or rest. A short stop every 2 to 3 hours is enough for this drive.