How far is Brainerd, MN from Lakeville, MN?
The driving distance from Brainerd, MN to Lakeville, MN is about 154.1 miles (248 km), with a travel time of about 02h 31m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 126.8 miles (204.1 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 05h 02m of driving time before adding stops, traffic, or weather delays.
- A comfortable departure window is usually 8:00 AM to 10:00 AM CDT.
Reverse, save, or send this route
This route works well as a day trip with time at the destination. Copy the route link, send it to another device, or print a clean version before you head out.
This route works well as a day trip with time at the destination.
Flight Distance
Driving Distance
Gas Cost Calculator
Leave and Arrive Planner
Pick a departure time to see your estimated arrival and same-day return window.
Drive time stays fixed at 02h 31m.
A morning start gives you useful time at the destination and keeps the return out of the late evening.
You are leaving earlier than the recommended window, which gives you extra margin for breaks and traffic.
Halfway Point
A useful midpoint for breaks, coffee, or meeting in the middle.
City in Sherburne County, Minnesota, United States
Route Weather Snapshot
Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.
Sunny
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Brainerd and Lakeville.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Brainerd and Lakeville.
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1
Start on South 6th Street
821 ft · 26 sec · South 6th Street
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2
Turn right onto Laurel Street
2735 ft · 1 min · Laurel Street
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3
Continue on West Laurel Street
3165 ft · 1 min · West Laurel Street
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4
Continue on Highland Scenic Drive South
1.2 mi · 2 min · Highland Scenic Drive South
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5
Enter the roundabout and take exit 2 toward Highland Scenic Drive South
33 m · 3 sec · Highland Scenic Drive South
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6
Exit the roundabout onto Highland Scenic Drive South
1.3 mi · 2 min · Highland Scenic Drive South
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7
Turn left onto C. Elmer Anderson Memorial Highway
25.8 mi · 30 min · C. Elmer Anderson Memorial Highway
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8
Merge slight right
28.3 mi · 33 min
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9
Keep slight left
26.1 mi · 31 min
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10
Turn right onto 165th Avenue Southeast
1.8 mi · 2 min · 165th Avenue Southeast
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11
Continue on Park Boulevard Southeast
1.4 mi · 2 min · Park Boulevard Southeast
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12
Continue on County Road 11
1.1 km · 58 sec · County Road 11
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13
Turn right onto State Highway 25
540 ft · 12 sec · State Highway 25
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14
Continue on Pine Street
1652 ft · 43 sec · Pine Street
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15
Turn left onto Broadway Street East
1.5 mi · 3 min · Broadway Street East
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16
Turn right onto Fenning Avenue
1727 ft · 40 sec · Fenning Avenue
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17
Take the ramp left
1892 ft · 54 sec
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18
Merge slight left
21.1 mi · 23 min
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19
Take the exit slight right toward I 494 South
2227 ft · 32 sec
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20
Continue straight
21.9 mi · 27 min
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21
Take the exit slight right toward I 35W South: Albert Lea
1038 ft · 25 sec
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22
Continue on I 35W South: Albert Lea
2054 ft · 50 sec
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23
Merge slight left
11.1 mi · 13 min
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24
Take the exit slight right toward CR 5, CR 50
999 ft · 26 sec
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25
Turn left onto Kenwood Trail
1.3 mi · 2 min · Kenwood Trail
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26
Enter the roundabout and take exit 2 toward Kenwood Trail /Richard J. Ames Memorial Highway
39 m · 3 sec · Kenwood Trail /Richard J. Ames Memorial Highway
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27
Exit the roundabout onto Kenwood Trail /Richard J. Ames Memorial Highway
2.2 mi · 3 min · Kenwood Trail /Richard J. Ames Memorial Highway
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28
Continue on Kenwood Trai/Richard J. Ames Memorial Highway
770 ft · 17 sec · Kenwood Trai/Richard J. Ames Memorial Highway
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29
Continue on 202nd Street West / Richard J. Ames Memorial Highway
2553 ft · 48 sec · 202nd Street West / Richard J. Ames Memorial Highway
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30
Enter the roundabout and take exit 1 toward 202nd Street West
4 m · 1 sec · Holyoke Avenue
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31
Exit the rotary onto Holyoke Avenue
2291 ft · 1 min · Holyoke Avenue
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32
Turn left onto 207th Street West
7 m · 1 sec · 207th Street West
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33
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · 207th Street West
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Brainerd and Lakeville.
Highway-focused drive
Most of the mileage stays on named highways, so the important moments are ramps, exits, merges, and the final local approach.
C. Elmer Anderson Memorial Highway
Merge slight right
28.3 mi · 00h 33m
Route Summary
A quick read on whether this route feels easy, ambitious, or worth planning around.
A comfortable day-trip route
This route works well as a day trip. You can leave in the morning, spend meaningful time at the destination, and still return the same day.
Sunny leaving Brainerd and Sunny near Lakeville.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Brainerd to Lakeville?
The road trip is about 154.1 miles (248 km) and usually takes 02h 31m in normal driving conditions.
Is this a same-day trip or an overnight route?
This route works well as a day trip. You can leave in the morning, spend meaningful time at the destination, and still return the same day.
What is the halfway point on this route?
Clear Lake is a useful midpoint, sitting about 75.1 miles from Brainerd and 79 miles from Lakeville.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 126.8 miles (204.1 km), while the road route adds roughly 27.3 extra miles because roads do not follow the straight air line.
When is the best time to leave for this route?
A good departure window is usually 8:00 AM to 10:00 AM CDT. If you want a more comfortable same-day return, try to leave by 1:28 PM CDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $19.42 one way or $38.83 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 48.3 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Sunny around Brainerd and Sunny near Lakeville.
Stop Ideas Near Clear Lake
Useful break, food, and waypoint ideas within about 15 miles of the route midpoint.
Transit and Meeting Points
Useful pickup, handoff, or rendezvous points close to Clear Lake.
St. Cloud
Saint Paul Union Depot
Staples
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Brainerd and Lakeville. Straight-line distance: 126.82 mi (204.1 km).
#1 Brainerd
City in Minnesota
| Population | 13,449 |
| Coordinates | 46.3580200, -94.2008300 |
| Altitude | 371 |
| Country | United States |
#2 Lakeville
The most populous city in Dakota County, Minnesota.
| Population | 69,583 |
| Coordinates | 44.6496900, -93.2427200 |
| Altitude | 296 |
| Country | United States |
End: 207th Street West (-93.24272, 44.649706)
Estimated Travel Time
Distance: 248 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 05h 08m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 03h 51m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 03h 04m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 02h 34m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 02h 12m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 01h 55m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $3.57 | $19.42 | $38.83 |
| Mid-grade | $3.92 | $21.33 | $42.66 |
| Premium | $4.39 | $23.89 | $47.78 |
| Diesel | $4.86 | $26.46 | $52.92 |
Assumes 8.3 L/100 km (about 28.3 MPG). CO2 is an estimate and varies by vehicle, fuel blend, traffic, and terrain.
Prices in Minnesota · Apr 23, 2026
Distance to Other Cities
Planning a road trip? See the full trip guide on Trip.ovh — stops, fuel costs, weather, and departure timing.