How far is Columbia Heights, MN from Minnetonka, MN?

The driving distance from Columbia Heights, MN to Minnetonka, MN is about 21.7 miles (34.9 km), with a travel time of about 00h 26m by car.

  • The straight-line flight distance is about 14.7 miles (23.6 km).
  • For a round trip, plan for roughly 00h 52m 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
21.69 mi
00h 26m
Flight
14.68 mi
23.63 km direct

This is an easy same-day return drive.

Learn Distance

Choose another destination from Columbia Heights.

Flight Distance

Direct air line
14.68 mi
Kilometers
23.63 km
Flight Time
00h 01m

Driving Distance

Road route
21.69 mi
Kilometers
34.91 km
Drive Time
00h 26m

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 26m.

Arrival Snapshot
Arrive in Minnetonka
Thu, Apr 23, 3:31 AM CDT
Return by in Columbia Heights
Thu, Apr 23, 3:57 AM CDT
Useful when you're deciding between a quick errand, a day trip, or a longer stop.
Leave Columbia Heights
2026-04-23T03:05
Arrive Minnetonka
Thu, Apr 23, 3:31 AM CDT
Route Timing
00h 26m
One way by road
Best Departure Window
7:00 AM to 7:00 PM CDT
Leave when it suits your day
Arrive between
7:26 AM to 7:26 PM CDT

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

Leave by
7:38 PM CDT
Keeps a same-day return open with about 01h 30m at the destination.
Back in Columbia Heights
10:00 PM CDT
Flexible departure

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.

Mid-route stop
Golden Valley
MN

City in Hennepin County, Minnesota

From Columbia Heights
10.8 mi
00h 13m
To Minnetonka
10.9 mi
00h 13m

Route Weather Snapshot

Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.

Origin
76°F
Thursday

Showers And Thunderstorms Likely

Starts
Thu, Apr 23 6:00 AM CDT
Wind
15 to 20 mph S
Destination
75°F
Thursday

Showers And Thunderstorms Likely

Starts
Thu, Apr 23 6:00 AM CDT
Wind
15 to 20 mph S

Driving Route Map

The map below follows the saved road route between Columbia Heights and Minnetonka.

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between Columbia Heights and Minnetonka.

  1. 1

    Start on University Avenue Northeast

    2 mi · 4 min · University Avenue Northeast

  2. 2

    Turn left onto I 694 West

    1724 ft · 44 sec

  3. 3

    Merge slight left

    1.1 mi · 1 min

  4. 4

    Take the exit slight right toward MN 100

    3218 ft · 1 min

  5. 5

    Continue straight

    9.5 mi · 12 min

  6. 6

    Take the exit slight right toward MN 7 West

    1299 ft · 31 sec

  7. 7

    Merge slight left onto Minnesota State Highway 7

    7.8 mi · 12 min · Minnesota State Highway 7

  8. 8

    Turn left onto County Road 101

    73 m · 11 sec · County Road 101

  9. 9

    Arrive at your destination

    0 m · 1 sec · County Road 101

Car Route Details

A richer read on the saved driving route between Columbia Heights and Minnetonka.

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
2 turns on the saved route
Ramps & Exits
4
2 merges, 2 ramps or exits
Navigation Density
41.5 / 100 mi
Decision points by distance
Main Roads
MN 100
10.1 mi · 47%
Minnesota State Highway 7
7.85 mi · 36%
University Avenue Northeast
1.99 mi · 9%
I 694 West
1.45 mi · 7%
MN 7 West
0.25 mi · 1%
County Road 101
0.05 mi
Longest Stretch

MN 100

Continue straight

9.5 mi · 00h 12m

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 26m
Quick drive
Same-Day Return
00h 52m
Round-trip wheel time
Road vs Air
+7 mi
14.7 mi direct line
Halfway Stop
Golden Valley
00h 13m from Columbia Heights
Leave By
7:38 PM CDT
Flexible departure
Weather Watch

Showers And Thunderstorms Likely leaving Columbia Heights and Showers And Thunderstorms Likely near Minnetonka.

Trip Questions

Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.

How long does it take to drive from Columbia Heights to Minnetonka?

The road trip is about 21.7 miles (34.9 km) and usually takes 00h 26m 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?

Golden Valley is a useful midpoint, sitting about 10.8 miles from Columbia Heights and 10.9 miles from Minnetonka.

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

The direct path is about 14.7 miles (23.6 km), while the road route adds roughly 7 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 7:38 PM CDT.

How much will gas cost for this route?

Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $2.75 one way or $5.50 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 6.8 kg one way.

What should you check before leaving?

Before you leave, expect Showers And Thunderstorms Likely around Columbia Heights and Showers And Thunderstorms Likely near Minnetonka.

Stop Ideas Near Golden Valley

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 Golden Valley and the surrounding midpoint area.
Minneapolis City Hall
Scenic stop 4.1 mi away

Minneapolis City Hall

Minneapolis , MN
350 S 5th St, Minneapolis, MN 55415
Rating 4.3/5 28 reviews City Hall,Tourist attraction
City of Bloomington
Meeting point 11 mi away

City of Bloomington

Bloomington , MN
1800 W Old Shakopee Rd, Bloomington, MN 55431
Rating 3.6/5 25 reviews City Hall,City government office
Mall of America®
Nearby stop 10.2 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 Golden Valley.

RAIL

Saint Paul Union Depot

14 mi away
Midway Station
RAIL

Red Wing station

81 mi away
420 Levee Street
RAIL

St. Cloud

88 mi away
555 East St. Germain Street
BUS

Menomonie, WI

113 mi away
302 10th Avenue East

Flight Path Map

This map shows the direct air route between Columbia Heights and Minnetonka. Straight-line distance: 14.68 mi (23.63 km).

Columbia Heights

#1 Columbia Heights

City in Anoka County, Minnesota

Population20,381
Coordinates45.0408000, -93.2630000
Altitude281
CountryUnited States
Minnetonka

#2 Minnetonka

The most populous city in Hennepin County, Minnesota.

Population55,370
Coordinates44.9133000, -93.5032900
Altitude275
CountryUnited States
Start: State Highway 47 (-93.26294, 45.040802)
End: County Road 101 (-93.503348, 44.913301)

Estimated Travel Time

Distance: 35 km by road

SpeedTime
30 mph (48.3 km/h)00h 43m
40 mph (64.37 km/h)00h 32m
50 mph (80.47 km/h)00h 26m
60 mph (96.56 km/h)00h 21m
70 mph (112.65 km/h)00h 18m
80 mph (129 km/h)00h 16m

Fuel, Round Trip and CO2

Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.

One-way fuel
0.77 gal
2.9 L · about $2.75
Round trip
$5.50
1.54 gal · 5.8 L
Estimated CO2
6.8 kg one way
Round trip: 13.7 kg / 30 lb CO2, using regular gasoline.
Fuel$/galOne wayRound trip
Regular gas $3.57 $2.75 $5.50
Mid-grade $3.92 $3.02 $6.04
Premium $4.39 $3.38 $6.76
Diesel $4.86 $3.75 $7.49

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

There is no time difference between Columbia Heights and Minnetonka. The current time is 03:05:57.

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.