How far is Chisholm, MN from Elk River, MN?
The driving distance from Chisholm, MN to Elk River, MN is about 183.1 miles (294.7 km), with a travel time of about 03h 45m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 154.5 miles (248.6 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 07h 30m of driving time before adding stops, traffic, or weather delays.
- A comfortable departure window is usually 6:00 AM to 8:00 AM CDT.
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 45m.
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.
Unincorporated community in Aitkin County, Minnesota
Route Weather Snapshot
Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.
Slight Chance Rain Showers
Light Rain
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Chisholm and Elk River.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Chisholm and Elk River.
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1
Start on 3rd Avenue Southwest
20 m · 10 sec · 3rd Avenue Southwest
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2
Turn left onto West Lake Street
929 ft · 26 sec · West Lake Street
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3
Continue on State Highway 73
3276 ft · 1 min · State Highway 73
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4
Enter the roundabout and take exit 2 toward US 169 South, MN 73 South
37 m · 7 sec
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5
Exit the roundabout onto US 169 South, MN 73 South
7.1 mi · 9 min
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6
Enter the roundabout and take exit 1 toward Highway 169 West
13 m · 1 sec · Highway 169 West
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7
Exit the roundabout onto Highway 169 West
14.6 mi · 17 min · Highway 169 West
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8
Turn left
18.9 mi · 24 min
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9
Enter the roundabout and take exit 3 toward the route
41 m · 2 sec
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10
Exit the roundabout
35.8 mi · 45 min
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11
Turn left onto West Highway 210
1.1 mi · 2 min · West Highway 210
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12
Take the exit slight right toward State Highway 65
53.4 mi · 1 hr 7 min · State Highway 65
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13
Turn right
18.3 mi · 21 min
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14
Turn left
1866 ft · 46 sec
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15
Merge slight left onto US Highway 169
6.5 mi · 7 min · US Highway 169
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16
Keep slight right to continue on US Highway 169
25.5 mi · 29 min · US Highway 169
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17
Take the exit slight right
537 ft · 13 sec
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18
Keep slight right
123 m · 10 sec
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19
Turn slight right onto Main Street Northwest
3140 ft · 1 min · Main Street Northwest
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20
Turn right onto Jackson Avenue Northwest
80 m · 7 sec · Jackson Avenue Northwest
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21
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · Jackson Avenue Northwest
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Chisholm and Elk River.
Highway-focused drive
Most of the mileage stays on named highways, so the important moments are ramps, exits, merges, and the final local approach.
State Highway 65
Take the exit slight right toward State Highway 65
53.4 mi · 01h 07m
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.
Slight Chance Rain Showers leaving Chisholm and Light Rain near Elk River.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Chisholm to Elk River?
The road trip is about 183.1 miles (294.7 km) and usually takes 03h 45m 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?
Glen is a useful midpoint, sitting about 91.5 miles from Chisholm and 91.6 miles from Elk River.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 154.5 miles (248.6 km), while the road route adds roughly 28.6 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 CDT. If you want a more comfortable same-day return, try to leave by 9:30 AM CDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $27.44 one way or $54.88 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 57.4 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Slight Chance Rain Showers around Chisholm and Light Rain near Elk River.
Stop Ideas Near Glen
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 Glen.
Staples
St. Cloud
Duluth (Greyhound Station), Minnesota
Duluth (University of Minnesota), Minnesota
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Chisholm and Elk River. Straight-line distance: 154.45 mi (248.57 km).
#1 Chisholm
City in Minnesota, United States
| Population | 4,803 |
| Coordinates | 47.4891000, -92.8838000 |
| Altitude | 468 |
| Country | United States |
#2 Elk River
City in Sherburne County, Minnesota, United States
| Population | 25,601 |
| Coordinates | 45.3038500, -93.5671800 |
| Altitude | 273 |
| Country | United States |
End: Elk River (-93.56718, 45.30385)
Estimated Travel Time
Distance: 295 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 06h 06m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 04h 34m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 03h 39m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 03h 03m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 02h 36m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 02h 17m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $4.25 | $27.44 | $54.88 |
| Mid-grade | $4.72 | $30.47 | $60.93 |
| Premium | $5.26 | $33.99 | $67.99 |
| Diesel | $6.14 | $39.69 | $79.38 |
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 · Oct 15, 2026