Origin
Zimmerman, MN
Afternoon in Zimmerman on Sunday
Local time
4:39 PM
CDT
Current temp
36°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Zimmerman, MN to Co on Rapids, MN
Drive Time
39m
Distance
32 mi
51 km
Drive Score
6/10
Good drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$5
one way
EV Charging
Loading...
station data
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
0h 37m
★
6 AM
0h 40m
8 AM
0h 47m
10 AM
0h 42m
12 PM
0h 42m
3 PM
0h 43m
5 PM
0h 46m
8 PM
0h 38m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Zimmerman, MN
Tom Fisk
Co on Rapids, MN
Tom Fisk
Trip Overview
If you are planning to travel from Zimmerman to Coon Rapids, you are looking at a straightforward 32-mile journey. Expect to spend about 39 minutes on the road, making this an ideal trip to complete in a single day. The route is dominated by US 169 and East River Road, keeping your travel time efficient. With a modest fuel budget of approximately $5, this drive is very budget-friendly for a quick excursion. Both the origin and destination are located within the Midwest region, ensuring a familiar feel throughout the trip. Because the drive is short, you have plenty of flexibility to plan your schedule without worrying about overnight logistics.
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
16 miles from Zimmerman, MN
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 18m into the drive .
Drive Character
This trip is a highway-focused drive, with 89% of your time spent on major roads. You will find yourself cruising along US 169 for the majority of the distance, including a longest uninterrupted stretch of 17.2 miles. The experience is consistent and fast-paced rather than winding or technical, allowing for a steady rhythm behind the wheel. As you transition from the Zimmerman area toward Coon Rapids, the environment remains grounded in a highway-heavy landscape. It is a functional, direct route that prioritizes getting you to your destination quickly and reliably.
Most of the miles stay on highways, which makes pacing and fuel planning easier than turn-by-turn city driving.
There are about 12 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.
US 169 is the longest continuous segment at about 17.2 miles.
How Hard Is This Drive?
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on US 169 and US Highway 169. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes early in the drive near 261st Avenue.
Route Complexity
7/10
Demanding - plan breaks and stay ahead of the key maneuvers
This is a demanding drive. With 8 significant decision points across 32 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: near the start (261st Avenue): Navigation decision point; at 11.3 miles (US 169): Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 28.5 miles (MN 47): 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
|
261st Avenue
Turn right onto 261st Avenue
Navigation decision point
7
11.3 mi into trip
|
~13m in
|
US 169
Take the exit onto US 169 toward US 10 East, US 169: Anoka
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the right lane.
Toward US 10 East, US 169: Anoka
6
28.5 mi into trip
|
~33m in
|
MN 47
Keep slight right at fork onto MN 47
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight right lane.
6
29 mi into trip
|
~33m in
Take the exit toward CR 11: Foley Boulevard
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Toward CR 11: Foley Boulevard
6
29.2 mi into trip
|
~34m in
Keep slight right at fork toward CR 11: Foley Boulevard
Highway fork - watch signs carefully
Toward CR 11: Foley Boulevard
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| US 169 | 17.2 mi | 20m |
| US Highway 169 | 10.9 mi | 12m |
| East River Road | 1.5 mi | 2m |
| Foley Boulevard | 1.1 mi | 2m |
| MN 47 | 0.5 mi | <1m |
| 261st Avenue | 0.3 mi | <1m |
| Mississippi Boulevard Northwest | 0.1 mi | <1m |
| POW/MIA Memorial Highway | <0.1 mi | <1m |
Longest stretch:
US 169
— 17.2 mi, about 20m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Zimmerman, MN and Co on Rapids, MN.
1
Start on 2nd Street West
30 ft
·
3 sec
·
2nd Street West
2
Turn right onto 261st Avenue
0.3 mi
·
24 sec
·
261st Avenue
3
Turn right onto US 169
11 mi
·
12 min
·
US Highway 169
4
Continue on US 169
383 ft
·
4 sec
·
POW/MIA Memorial Highway
5
Take the exit onto US 169
17 mi
·
20 min
·
US 169
Toward US 10 East, US 169: Anoka
Use the right lane.
6
Keep slight right at fork onto MN 47
0.5 mi
·
34 sec
·
MN 47
Use the slight right lane.
7
Take the exit
0.3 mi
·
37 sec
Toward CR 11: Foley Boulevard
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
8
Keep slight right at fork
165 ft
·
4 sec
Toward CR 11: Foley Boulevard
9
Turn straight onto CR 11
1.1 mi
·
2 min
·
Foley Boulevard
10
At end of road, turn left onto CR 1
1.5 mi
·
2 min
·
East River Road
Use the none lane.
11
Turn right onto Mississippi Boulevard Northwest
0.1 mi
·
30 sec
·
Mississippi Boulevard Northwest
12
Arrive at destination
Mississippi Boulevard Northwest
Trip Plan
Since this is a short, 39-minute drive, you have the advantage of being able to leave whenever it best suits your schedule. You will not need to plan for any formal stops along the way, as the 32-mile distance is easily manageable in one go. Keep an eye on your fuel gauge before departing Zimmerman to ensure you cover the entire route for your $5 budget without needing to refuel mid-trip. Given that US 169 makes up the bulk of your drive, check local traffic reports for that specific highway before you head out to avoid any unexpected congestion. Enjoy the simplicity of this quick hop across the Midwest landscape.
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 16 miles from Zimmerman, MN, or about 18m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 17.2 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 32 miles or 39m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 16 miles or 18m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 31m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Co on Rapids, MN than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving Zimmerman, 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 Zimmerman, MN
This is one driving day of about 32 miles and 39m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 80 miles from Zimmerman, 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 US 169 for about 17.2 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 16 mi from Zimmerman, MN · 18m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
16 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 32 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 16 miles from Zimmerman, MN, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Arriving in Co on Rapids, MN
The final approach into Co on Rapids, 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 Co on Rapids, 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
$4.58 one way
$9.15 round trip
$3.63/gal
25.4 MPG avg
11 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $3.92 | $4.94 | $9.88 |
| premium | $4.39 | $5.53 | $11.07 |
| diesel | $5.64 | $7.11 | $14.22 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$5
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$30–$55
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 11.2 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-06.
Driving Electric?
About $3 in charging · 0 stops · 64% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 9.6 | 0 | $3.36 | $1.54 |
| Efficient EV | 8 | 0 | $2.80 | $1.28 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 12.8 | 0 | $4.48 | $2.05 |
Gas CO2
11 kg
EV CO2
4 kg (64% 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
Co on Rapids, MN
Afternoon in Co on Rapids on Sunday
Local time
4:39 PM
CDT
Current temp
40°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Along the Route
38°F
Albertville, MN
16 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
4 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
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 Zimmerman, MN to Co on Rapids, MN covers 32 miles and takes about 39m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are US 169, US Highway 169, East River Road. Most of the drive stays on highways, so watch for ramps and exits.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 16 miles from Zimmerman, MN. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $4.58 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 is a demanding drive. With 8 significant decision points across 32 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.
The main spots that need attention: near the start (261st Avenue): Navigation decision point; at 11.3 miles (US 169): Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 28.5 miles (MN 47): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
The route from Zimmerman, MN to Co on Rapids, MN does not surface many named destination signs beyond the main corridor.
Was this route helpful?
Thanks for your feedback!
Your tip has been submitted. Thanks!
/500
Recent Tips
·
Explore More
Continue From Co on Rapids, MN
More from Zimmerman, MN
More trips to Co on Rapids, MN
Explore more options from Zimmerman, MN or browse trips ending in Co on Rapids, MN.
Looking for more statewide routes? Browse MN road trips.
Explore maps for Zimmerman, MN or Co on Rapids, MN on MapSof.net.