How far is Circle Pines, MN from Minneapolis, MN?

The driving distance from Circle Pines, MN to Minneapolis, MN is about 16.2 miles (26 km), with a travel time of about 00h 20m by car.

  • The straight-line flight distance is about 12.9 miles (20.7 km).
  • For a round trip, plan for roughly 00h 41m of driving time before adding stops, traffic, or weather delays.
  • A comfortable departure window is usually 7:00 AM to 7:00 PM CDT.
Trip Tools

Reverse, save, or send this route

This is an easy same-day return drive. Copy the route link, send it to another device, or print a clean version before you head out.

Reverse Route
Quick Snapshot
Road
16.16 mi
00h 20m
Flight
12.87 mi
20.72 km direct

This is an easy same-day return drive.

Learn Distance

Choose another destination from Circle Pines.

Flight Distance

Direct air line
12.87 mi
Kilometers
20.72 km
Flight Time
00h 01m

Driving Distance

Road route
16.16 mi
Kilometers
26.01 km
Drive Time
00h 20m

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 00h 20m.

Arrival Snapshot
Arrive in Minneapolis
Wed, Apr 22, 6:48 PM CDT
Return by in Circle Pines
Wed, Apr 22, 7:09 PM CDT
Useful when you're deciding between a quick errand, a day trip, or a longer stop.
Leave Circle Pines
2026-04-22T18:27
Arrive Minneapolis
Wed, Apr 22, 6:48 PM CDT
Route Timing
00h 20m
One way by road
Best Departure Window
7:00 AM to 7:00 PM CDT
Leave when it suits your day
Arrive between
7:21 AM to 7:21 PM CDT

This is a short drive, so your comfort window is wide. Traffic and current weather matter more than the clock.

Leave by
7:48 PM CDT
Keeps a same-day return open with about 01h 30m at the destination.
Back in Circle Pines
10:00 PM CDT
Flexible departure

This departure sits inside the recommended comfort window for the route.

Halfway Point

A useful midpoint for breaks, coffee, or meeting in the middle.

Mid-route stop
New Brighton
MN

City in Ramsey County, Minnesota, United States

From Circle Pines
8.1 mi
00h 10m
To Minneapolis
8.1 mi
00h 10m

Route Weather Snapshot

Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.

Origin
81°F
Wednesday

Sunny

Starts
Wed, Apr 22 6:00 AM CDT
Wind
5 to 15 mph SSE
Destination
83°F
Wednesday

Sunny

Starts
Wed, Apr 22 6:00 AM CDT
Wind
5 to 15 mph SE

Driving Route Map

The map below follows the saved road route between Circle Pines and Minneapolis.

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between Circle Pines and Minneapolis.

  1. 1

    Start on Crossway Drive

    100 m · 15 sec · Crossway Drive

  2. 2

    Turn right onto Pine Drive

    87 m · 17 sec · Pine Drive

  3. 3

    Turn right onto Lake Drive Northeast

    2.1 mi · 3 min · Lake Drive Northeast

  4. 4

    Take the ramp straight toward I 35W South

    1542 ft · 38 sec

  5. 5

    Keep slight right

    1111 ft · 29 sec

  6. 6

    Merge slight left

    12.4 mi · 16 min

  7. 7

    Take the exit slight right toward Washington Avenue

    1299 ft · 42 sec

  8. 8

    Turn right onto Washington Avenue South

    1.2 km · 2 min · Washington Avenue South

  9. 9

    Arrive at your destination

    0 m · 1 sec · Washington Avenue South

Car Route Details

A richer read on the saved driving route between Circle Pines and Minneapolis.

OSRM road route
Drive Character

Turn-heavy local drive

The route has frequent decision points for its length, so lane choice and turn timing will matter more than cruising speed.

Directions
9 steps
3 turns on the saved route
Ramps & Exits
3
1 merges, 2 ramps or exits
Navigation Density
55.6 / 100 mi
Decision points by distance
Main Roads
I 35W South
12.9 mi · 80%
Lake Drive Northeast
2.12 mi · 13%
Washington Avenue South
0.77 mi · 5%
Washington Avenue
0.25 mi · 2%
Crossway Drive
0.06 mi
Pine Drive
0.05 mi
Longest Stretch

I 35W South

Merge slight left

12.4 mi · 00h 16m

Route Summary

A quick read on whether this route feels easy, ambitious, or worth planning around.

Trip Read

A short regional drive

This route is short enough to handle as a quick errand, commute, or easy same-day return without much planning overhead.

Drive Time
00h 20m
Quick drive
Same-Day Return
00h 42m
Round-trip wheel time
Road vs Air
+3.3 mi
12.9 mi direct line
Halfway Stop
New Brighton
00h 10m from Circle Pines
Leave By
7:48 PM CDT
Flexible departure
Weather Watch

Sunny leaving Circle Pines and Sunny near Minneapolis.

Trip Questions

Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.

How long does it take to drive from Circle Pines to Minneapolis?

The road trip is about 16.2 miles (26 km) and usually takes 00h 20m in normal driving conditions.

Is this a same-day trip or an overnight route?

This route is short enough to handle as a quick errand, commute, or easy same-day return without much planning overhead.

What is the halfway point on this route?

New Brighton is a useful midpoint, sitting about 8.1 miles from Circle Pines and 8.1 miles from Minneapolis.

How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?

The direct path is about 12.9 miles (20.7 km), while the road route adds roughly 3.3 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 7:00 AM to 7:00 PM CDT. If you want a more comfortable same-day return, try to leave by 7:48 PM CDT.

How much will gas cost for this route?

Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $2.03 one way or $4.07 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 5.1 kg one way.

What should you check before leaving?

Before you leave, expect Sunny around Circle Pines and Sunny near Minneapolis.

Stop Ideas Near New Brighton

Useful break, food, and waypoint ideas within about 15 miles of the route midpoint.

Mid-route Guidance
These suggestions come from reviewed places and nearby services around New Brighton and the surrounding midpoint area.
Minneapolis City Hall
Scenic stop 6.1 mi away

Minneapolis City Hall

Minneapolis , MN
350 S 5th St, Minneapolis, MN 55415
Rating 4.3/5 28 reviews City Hall,Tourist attraction
St. Louis Park City Hall
Meeting point 10.2 mi away

St. Louis Park City Hall

Saint Louis Park , MN
5005 Minnetonka Blvd, St Louis Park, MN 55416
Rating 2.9/5 21 reviews City government office
Mall of America®
Nearby stop 13.6 mi away

Mall of America®

Bloomington , MN
60 E Broadway, Bloomington, MN 55425, United States
Rating 4.6/5 44,911 reviews Shopping mall

Transit and Meeting Points

Useful pickup, handoff, or rendezvous points close to New Brighton.

RAIL

Saint Paul Union Depot

11 mi away
Midway Station
RAIL

Red Wing station

76 mi away
420 Levee Street
RAIL

St. Cloud

93 mi away
555 East St. Germain Street
BUS

Menomonie, WI

103 mi away
302 10th Avenue East

Flight Path Map

This map shows the direct air route between Circle Pines and Minneapolis. Straight-line distance: 12.87 mi (20.72 km).

Circle Pines

#1 Circle Pines

City in Anoka County, Minnesota, United States

Population4,928
Coordinates45.1485800, -93.1516100
Altitude277
CountryUnited States
Minneapolis

#2 Minneapolis

The largest city in Minnesota, Minneapolis is a major center for business, finance, and culture.

Population433,111
Coordinates44.9799700, -93.2638400
Altitude253
CountryUnited States
Start: Crossway Drive (-93.151672, 45.148383)
End: Washington Avenue South (-93.263838, 44.979973)

Estimated Travel Time

Distance: 26 km by road

SpeedTime
30 mph (48.3 km/h)00h 32m
40 mph (64.37 km/h)00h 24m
50 mph (80.47 km/h)00h 19m
60 mph (96.56 km/h)00h 16m
70 mph (112.65 km/h)00h 13m
80 mph (129 km/h)00h 12m

Fuel, Round Trip and CO2

Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.

One-way fuel
0.57 gal
2.16 L · about $2.03
Round trip
$4.07
1.14 gal · 4.32 L
Estimated CO2
5.1 kg one way
Round trip: 10.1 kg / 22 lb CO2, using regular gasoline.
Fuel$/galOne wayRound trip
Regular gas $3.57 $2.03 $4.07
Mid-grade $3.92 $2.23 $4.47
Premium $4.39 $2.50 $5.01
Diesel $4.86 $2.77 $5.54

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 22, 2026

There is no time difference between Circle Pines and Minneapolis. The current time is 18:27:37.

Distance to Other Cities

Planning a road trip? See the full trip guide on Trip.ovh — stops, fuel costs, weather, and departure timing.

How did we calculate? Place names are translated into coordinates. The Haversine formula calculates straight-line distance; driving distance uses road network data.