Trip from Thief River Falls, MN to Minneapolis, MN

Drive Time

5h 45m

Distance

294.4 mi

474 km

Drive Score

10/10

Great drive

Same Day?

Yes, doable

Fuel Cost

$42

one way

EV Charging

station data

Best Time to Leave

Save up to 39 min

4 AM

5h 32m ★

6 AM

5h 45m

8 AM

6h 11m

10 AM

5h 54m

12 PM

5h 52m

3 PM

5h 56m

5 PM

6h 10m

8 PM

5h 37m

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

Best Time Drive vs Fly

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Thief River Falls, MN

Tom Fisk

Trip Overview

Driving from Thief River Falls to Minneapolis covers 294.4 miles and typically takes about 5 hours and 45 minutes of road time. Because this journey fits comfortably into a single day, you can easily complete it without needing an overnight stay. Expect to spend roughly $42 on fuel for the trip, depending on your vehicle's efficiency. The route relies primarily on US 59 and US 10, keeping you within the Midwest as you transition from the northern reaches of Minnesota toward the Twin Cities. It is a straightforward, highway-focused drive that works well for those looking to reach their destination efficiently.

Trip Pace

Same-day drive is realistic

A same-day return is possible, but it will make for a full day on the road.

Break Rhythm

1 planned break

Plan on a short reset every 3 to 4 hours to stay fresh behind the wheel.

Midpoint

147.2 miles from Thief River Falls, MN

A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 2h 49m into the drive .

Drive Character

You will find this route is primarily a highway-focused drive, with about 65% of your time spent on major thoroughfares. The road maintains a steady pace, featuring a notable 85-mile stretch on US 59 that serves as your longest uninterrupted section. As you navigate from the northern plains toward the more populated areas near Minneapolis, the road transitions through a mix of highway miles and local segments like West Mason Avenue. You can expect a consistent driving experience that rewards steady focus rather than technical maneuvering. It is a functional path designed to move you across the state with minimal deviation.

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 59 is the longest continuous segment at about 85 miles.

How Hard Is This Drive?

This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on US 59 and West Mason Avenue. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 285.7 miles in near I 94.

Route Complexity 7/10

Demanding - plan breaks and stay ahead of the key maneuvers

This is a demanding drive. With 13 significant decision points across 294.4 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 285.7 miles (I 94): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 291.8 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 292.2 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.

Critical Maneuvers

5 of 13 key points

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

285.7 mi into trip | ~5h 31m in | I 94

Keep slight right at fork onto I 94

Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here

Use the none / straight / slight right lanes.

291.8 mi into trip | ~5h 38m in

Keep slight right at fork

Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here

Use the straight / slight right lanes.

292.2 mi into trip | ~5h 39m in

Keep slight left at fork toward 4th Street North

Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here

Use the none / straight / slight right lanes. Toward 4th Street North

293.2 mi into trip | ~5h 41m in

Keep slight right at fork toward 2nd Avenue North

Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here

Use the straight / slight left / none lanes. Toward 2nd Avenue North

293.6 mi into trip | ~5h 42m 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 59	85 mi	1h 36m
West Mason Avenue	78.4 mi	1h 29m
US 10	71.1 mi	1h 22m
I 94	34.1 mi	38m
3rd Street East	9.5 mi	11m
Ash Avenue Northwest	7.3 mi	8m
165th Avenue Southeast	1.8 mi	2m
Broadway Street East	1.5 mi	2m

Longest stretch: US 59 — 85 mi, about 1h 36m

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between Thief River Falls, MN and Minneapolis, MN.

Start on US 59

9.5 mi · 11 min · 3rd Street East

Turn left onto US 59

85 mi · 1 hr 36 min · US 59

Turn left onto US 10

45 mi · 51 min · US 10

Enter roundabout

103 ft · 1 sec

Continue

66 ft · 0 sec

Turn straight onto US 10

7.3 mi · 8 min · Ash Avenue Northwest

Continue on US 10

78 mi · 1 hr 29 min · West Mason Avenue

Use the none / right lanes.

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 none / straight / slight right lanes.

Keep slight right at fork onto I 94

6.1 mi · 7 min · I 94

Use the none / 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 none / straight / slight right lanes.

Keep slight right at fork

0.3 mi · 40 sec

Toward 2nd Avenue North Use the straight / slight left / none 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

To make the most of your 5-hour and 45-minute journey, plan for at least one dedicated stop to stretch your legs and refuel. Since you are looking at a single-day trip, departing early in the morning is your best strategy to avoid any congestion as you approach the Minneapolis metropolitan area. Keep a close eye on your fuel gauge during that 85-mile stretch on US 59, as it is the longest segment of the drive where service options may be limited. Flexibility is a major advantage here; because the duration is manageable, you have the freedom to adjust your pace if you encounter unexpected weather or traffic. Pack snacks and hydration in the car to ensure you stay comfortable during the long, consistent highway stretches.

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.

You can normally do this drive in one day.

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

The halfway point lands around 147.2 miles from Thief River Falls, MN, or about 2h 49m into the drive.

The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 85 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 80 miles or 1h 32m in

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

Halfway reset

Around 147.2 miles or 2h 49m in

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

Final approach

Final hour starts around 4h 37m

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 Thief River Falls, 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 Thief River Falls, MN

This is one driving day of about 294.4 miles and 5h 45m.

Your first comfortable stop window is around 80 miles from Thief River Falls, 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 59 for about 85 miles.

Where to Stop

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

Halfway Point

Midpoint

About 147.2 mi from Thief River Falls, MN · 2h 49m into the drive

Mid-route town

Meal stop

Avon, MN

147 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

Elbow Lake, MN

Fuel and coffee

A short stop after about 80 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.

Cross Lake, MN

Meal break

The midpoint is around 147.2 miles from Thief River Falls, MN, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.

Before the longest stretch

Fuel check

Top up before US 59 if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 85 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.

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

$42.11 one way

$84.22 round trip

$3.63/gal 25.4 MPG avg 103 kg CO₂

Fuel Type	$/gal	One Way	Round Trip
midgrade	$3.92	$45.45	$90.89
premium	$4.39	$50.91	$101.81
diesel	$5.64	$65.41	$130.81

No toll roads detected on this route.

Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)

Fuel

$42

Meals

$25–$50

Total

$67–$92

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

Estimated CO2 emission: 103 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-06.

Driving Electric?

About $31 in charging · 1 stop · 67% less CO₂

Vehicle Type	kWh	Stops	DC Fast	Home Charge
Average EV	88.3	1	$30.91	$14.13
Efficient EV	73.6	0	$25.76	$11.78
EV Truck/SUV	117.8	1	$41.22	$18.84

Gas CO2

103 kg

EV CO2

34 kg (67% less)

Plan for 1 charging stop. A 30-minute DC fast charge mid-route should be enough to complete the trip comfortably.

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 data refreshed 2 days ago

Origin

Thief River Falls, MN

Afternoon in Thief River Falls on Sunday

Local time

4:28 PM

CDT

Current temp

37°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

Destination

Minneapolis, MN

Afternoon in Minneapolis on Sunday

Local time

4:28 PM

CDT

Current temp

40°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

Along the Route

37°F

Avon, MN

147 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

3 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

5h 45m on the road

An early start around 7-8 AM gets you there with plenty of daylight left.

Weather data from the National Weather Service. Conditions may change; check closer to your travel date.

Frequently Asked Questions

The drive from Thief River Falls, MN to Minneapolis, MN covers 294.4 miles and takes about 5h 45m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.

The main roads are US 59, West Mason Avenue, US 10. Most of the drive stays on highways, so watch for ramps and exits.

This is a comfortable same-day trip.

The midpoint is about 147.2 miles from Thief River Falls, MN. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.

At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $42.11 one way. This estimate uses 25.4 MPG — your actual cost will vary with your vehicle's fuel efficiency and current gas prices.

An early start around 7-8 AM gets you there with plenty of daylight left. A late afternoon start means arriving after dark. Morning is better.

Plan about 1 meaningful break for fuel, food, or rest. Plan on a short reset every 3 to 4 hours to stay fresh behind the wheel.

The route from Thief River Falls, MN to Minneapolis, MN does not surface many named destination signs beyond the main corridor.

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Trip from Thief River Falls, MN to Minneapolis, MN

Best Time to Leave

Trip Overview

Drive Character

How Hard Is This Drive?

Critical Maneuvers

Main Roads

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Trip Plan

Before You Leave

Where to Stop

Pacing Suggestions

Arriving in Minneapolis, MN

Fuel & Cost

Travel Intel

Thief River Falls, MN

Minneapolis, MN

Same local time

3 degrees warmer at arrival

5h 45m on the road

Frequently Asked Questions

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