How far is Brookings, SD from Detroit Lakes, MN?
The driving distance from Brookings, SD to Detroit Lakes, MN is about 225.2 miles (362.5 km), with a travel time of about 03h 58m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 179.1 miles (288.3 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 07h 57m of driving time before adding stops, traffic, or weather delays.
- A comfortable departure window is usually 6:00 AM to 8:00 AM CST.
Reverse, save, or send this route
This drive is better planned with a longer stop or an overnight stay. Copy the route link, send it to another device, or print a clean version before you head out.
This drive is better planned with a longer stop or an overnight stay.
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 03h 58m.
An early departure helps you fit a real stop into the day without turning the return into a late-night drive.
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.
Town of the United States
Route Weather Snapshot
Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.
Partly Sunny
Partly Sunny
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Brookings and Detroit Lakes.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Brookings and Detroit Lakes.
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1
Start on the route
18 m · 6 sec
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2
Turn right onto Main Avenue
27 m · 6 sec · Main Avenue
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3
Turn right onto 6th Street
2640 ft · 1 min · 6th Street
-
4
Turn left onto Medary Avenue
1.6 km · 2 min · Medary Avenue
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5
Turn right onto Highway 14 Bypass
1.4 km · 1 min · Highway 14 Bypass
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6
Continue on 18th Street
2684 ft · 53 sec · 18th Street
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7
Continue on US Highway 14 Bypass
999 ft · 17 sec · US Highway 14 Bypass
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8
Take the exit left
1962 ft · 48 sec
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9
Merge slight left
140.7 mi · 2 hr 12 min
-
10
Take the exit slight right toward ND 13: Mooreton, Wahpeton
1937 ft · 47 sec
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11
Turn right onto State Highway 13
10 mi · 12 min · State Highway 13
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12
Take the exit slight right toward ND 210
1044 ft · 29 sec
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13
Turn straight onto North Dakota 210
2.9 mi · 5 min · North Dakota 210
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14
Continue straight
1203 ft · 20 sec
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15
Turn right
2886 ft · 42 sec
-
16
Turn left onto Minnesota Highway 210
22.5 mi · 28 min · Minnesota Highway 210
-
17
Turn left
1192 ft · 29 sec
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18
Merge slight left
3.1 mi · 3 min
-
19
Take the exit slight right toward US 59 North, CH 88: Pelican Rapids, Detroit Lakes
16.7 mi · 19 min
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20
Exit the roundabout onto North Broadway
1.2 mi · 1 min · North Broadway
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21
Continue on Head Lake Road
17.6 mi · 20 min · Head Lake Road
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22
Enter the roundabout and take exit 2 toward the route
42 m · 2 sec
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23
Exit the roundabout
3.7 mi · 5 min
-
24
Enter the roundabout and take exit 2 toward the route
43 m · 2 sec
-
25
Exit the roundabout
1.1 mi · 2 min
-
26
Turn right
3099 ft · 42 sec
-
27
Turn right onto Washington Avenue
734 ft · 24 sec · Washington Avenue
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28
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · Washington Avenue
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Brookings and Detroit Lakes.
Highway-focused drive
Most of the mileage stays on named highways, so the important moments are ramps, exits, merges, and the final local approach.
US Highway 14 Bypass
Merge slight left
141 mi · 02h 12m
Route Summary
A quick read on whether this route feels easy, ambitious, or worth planning around.
A longer out-and-back drive
This is still possible in one day, but it becomes a long driving day. Leaving early and planning your stop window matters more here.
Partly Sunny leaving Brookings and Partly Sunny near Detroit Lakes.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Brookings to Detroit Lakes?
The road trip is about 225.2 miles (362.5 km) and usually takes 03h 58m in normal driving conditions.
Is this a same-day trip or an overnight route?
This is still possible in one day, but it becomes a long driving day. Leaving early and planning your stop window matters more here.
What is the halfway point on this route?
New Effington is a useful midpoint, sitting about 112.6 miles from Brookings and 112.7 miles from Detroit Lakes.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 179.1 miles (288.3 km), while the road route adds roughly 46.1 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 6:00 AM to 8:00 AM CST. If you want a more comfortable same-day return, try to leave by 9:02 AM CST.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $31.35 one way or $62.69 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 70.7 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Partly Sunny around Brookings and Partly Sunny near Detroit Lakes.
Stop Ideas Near New Effington
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 New Effington.
Fargo
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Brookings and Detroit Lakes. Straight-line distance: 179.17 mi (288.34 km).
#1 Brookings
City in and county seat of Brookings County, South Dakota, United States
| Population | 446 |
| Coordinates | 44.3113600, -96.7983900 |
| Altitude | 494 |
| Country | United States |
#2 Detroit Lakes
City in Minnesota, United States
| Population | 9,255 |
| Coordinates | 46.8171800, -95.8453300 |
| Altitude | 418 |
| Country | United States |
End: Detroit Lakes (-95.84533, 46.81718)
Estimated Travel Time
Distance: 363 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 07h 30m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 05h 37m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 04h 30m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 03h 45m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 03h 13m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 02h 48m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $3.94 | $31.35 | $62.69 |
| Mid-grade | $4.19 | $33.33 | $66.67 |
| Premium | $4.74 | $37.71 | $75.41 |
| Diesel | $5.89 | $46.79 | $93.57 |
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 South Dakota · Nov 09, 2026