How far is Brainerd, MN from Minneapolis, MN?
The driving distance from Brainerd, MN to Minneapolis, MN is about 130.9 miles (210.6 km), with a travel time of about 02h 08m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 105.4 miles (169.6 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 04h 16m 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 08m.
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 Minnesota
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 Minneapolis.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Brainerd and Minneapolis.
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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
20.5 mi · 24 min
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9
Continue straight
7.8 mi · 9 min
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10
Keep slight left
26.1 mi · 31 min
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11
Turn right onto 165th Avenue Southeast
1.8 mi · 2 min · 165th Avenue Southeast
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12
Continue on Park Boulevard Southeast
1.4 mi · 2 min · Park Boulevard Southeast
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13
Continue on County Road 11
1.1 km · 58 sec · County Road 11
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14
Turn right onto State Highway 25
540 ft · 12 sec · State Highway 25
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15
Continue on Pine Street
1652 ft · 43 sec · Pine Street
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16
Turn left onto Broadway Street East
1.5 mi · 3 min · Broadway Street East
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17
Turn right onto Fenning Avenue
1727 ft · 40 sec · Fenning Avenue
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18
Take the ramp left
1892 ft · 54 sec
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19
Merge slight left
28 mi · 31 min
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20
Keep slight right
6.1 mi · 8 min
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21
Keep slight right
2056 ft · 25 sec
-
22
Keep slight left to continue on 4th Street North
1.6 km · 2 min
-
23
Keep slight right to continue on 2nd Avenue North
1328 ft · 40 sec
-
24
Turn left onto 2nd Avenue North
861 ft · 36 sec · 2nd Avenue North
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25
Turn right onto North Washington Avenue
3167 ft · 2 min · North Washington Avenue
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26
Continue on Washington Avenue South
798 ft · 32 sec · Washington Avenue South
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27
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · Washington Avenue South
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Brainerd and Minneapolis.
Highway-focused drive
Most of the mileage stays on named highways, so the important moments are ramps, exits, merges, and the final local approach.
Fenning Avenue
Merge slight left
28 mi · 00h 31m
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 Minneapolis.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Brainerd to Minneapolis?
The road trip is about 130.9 miles (210.6 km) and usually takes 02h 08m 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?
Saint Cloud is a useful midpoint, sitting about 63.5 miles from Brainerd and 67.4 miles from Minneapolis.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 105.4 miles (169.6 km), while the road route adds roughly 25.5 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 2:14 PM CDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $16.49 one way or $32.98 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 41.1 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Sunny around Brainerd and Sunny near Minneapolis.
Stop Ideas Near Saint Cloud
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 Saint Cloud.
St. Cloud
Saint Paul Union Depot
Staples
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Brainerd and Minneapolis. Straight-line distance: 105.42 mi (169.65 km).
#1 Brainerd
City in Minnesota
| Population | 13,449 |
| Coordinates | 46.3580200, -94.2008300 |
| Altitude | 371 |
| Country | United States |
#2 Minneapolis
The largest city in Minnesota, Minneapolis is a major center for business, finance, and culture.
| Population | 433,111 |
| Coordinates | 44.9799700, -93.2638400 |
| Altitude | 253 |
| Country | United States |
End: Washington Avenue South (-93.263838, 44.979973)
Estimated Travel Time
Distance: 211 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 04h 21m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 03h 16m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 02h 37m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 02h 10m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 01h 52m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 01h 37m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $3.57 | $16.49 | $32.98 |
| Mid-grade | $3.92 | $18.12 | $36.23 |
| Premium | $4.39 | $20.29 | $40.58 |
| Diesel | $4.86 | $22.47 | $44.94 |
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.