How far is Cottage Grove, MN from Minneapolis, MN?

The driving distance from Cottage Grove, MN to Minneapolis, MN is about 23.2 miles (37.4 km), with a travel time of about 00h 30m by car.

  • The straight-line flight distance is about 18.9 miles (30.4 km).
  • For a round trip, plan for roughly 01h 01m 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
23.21 mi
00h 30m
Flight
18.86 mi
30.36 km direct

This is an easy same-day return drive.

Learn Distance

Choose another destination from Cottage Grove.

Flight Distance

Direct air line
18.86 mi
Kilometers
30.36 km
Flight Time
00h 02m

Driving Distance

Road route
23.21 mi
Kilometers
37.35 km
Drive Time
00h 30m

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 30m.

Arrival Snapshot
Arrive in Minneapolis
Sat, May 30, 10:45 AM CDT
Return by in Cottage Grove
Sat, May 30, 11:16 AM CDT
Useful when you're deciding between a quick errand, a day trip, or a longer stop.
Leave Cottage Grove
2026-05-30T10:15
Arrive Minneapolis
Sat, May 30, 10:45 AM CDT
Route Timing
00h 30m
One way by road
Best Departure Window
7:00 AM to 7:00 PM CDT
Leave when it suits your day
Arrive between
7:31 AM to 7:31 PM CDT

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

Leave by
7:28 PM CDT
Keeps a same-day return open with about 01h 30m at the destination.
Back in Cottage Grove
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
Saint Paul
MN

The second most populous city in Minnesota and the center of the Minneapolis-Saint Paul metropolitan area.

From Cottage Grove
11.5 mi
00h 15m
To Minneapolis
11.7 mi
00h 15m

Route Weather Snapshot

Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.

Origin
87°F
Saturday

Sunny

Starts
Sat, May 30 6:00 AM CDT
Wind
0 to 10 mph ESE
Destination
89°F
Saturday

Sunny

Starts
Sat, May 30 6:00 AM CDT
Wind
0 to 10 mph ESE

Driving Route Map

The map below follows the saved road route between Cottage Grove and Minneapolis.

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between Cottage Grove and Minneapolis.

  1. 1

    Start on Hyde Avenue South

    18 m · 8 sec · Hyde Avenue South

  2. 2

    Turn left onto Hillside Trail

    1.1 km · 2 min · Hillside Trail

  3. 3

    At the end of the road, turn right onto East Point Douglas Road South

    1331 ft · 38 sec · East Point Douglas Road South

  4. 4

    Turn slight right

    67 m · 12 sec

  5. 5

    Turn straight onto East Point Douglas Road South

    981 ft · 30 sec · East Point Douglas Road South

  6. 6

    Turn left onto 80th Street South

    1286 ft · 35 sec · 80th Street South

  7. 7

    Take the ramp slight right toward US 10 West, US 61 North

    1542 ft · 38 sec

  8. 8

    Merge slight left

    8.9 mi · 11 min

  9. 9

    Take the exit straight

    2985 ft · 56 sec

  10. 10

    Merge slight left

    10.3 mi · 14 min

  11. 11

    Take the exit slight right toward Cedar Avenue

    926 ft · 25 sec

  12. 12

    Turn right onto Cedar Avenue South

    2541 ft · 1 min · Cedar Avenue South

  13. 13

    Continue on Washington Avenue South

    1.5 km · 3 min · Washington Avenue South

  14. 14

    Arrive at your destination

    0 m · 1 sec · Washington Avenue South

Car Route Details

A richer read on the saved driving route between Cottage Grove 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
14 steps
6 turns on the saved route
Ramps & Exits
5
2 merges, 3 ramps or exits
Navigation Density
60.3 / 100 mi
Decision points by distance
Main Roads
US 10 West
20 mi · 86%
Washington Avenue South
0.92 mi · 4%
Hillside Trail
0.66 mi · 3%
Cedar Avenue South
0.48 mi · 2%
East Point Douglas Road South
0.44 mi · 2%
80th Street South
0.24 mi · 1%
Longest Stretch

US 10 West

Merge slight left

10.3 mi · 00h 14m

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 30m
Quick drive
Same-Day Return
01h 02m
Round-trip wheel time
Road vs Air
+4.3 mi
18.9 mi direct line
Halfway Stop
Saint Paul
00h 15m from Cottage Grove
Leave By
7:28 PM CDT
Flexible departure
Weather Watch

Sunny leaving Cottage Grove and Sunny near Minneapolis.

Trip Questions

Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.

How long does it take to drive from Cottage Grove to Minneapolis?

The road trip is about 23.2 miles (37.4 km) and usually takes 00h 30m 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?

Saint Paul is a useful midpoint, sitting about 11.5 miles from Cottage Grove and 11.7 miles from Minneapolis.

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

The direct path is about 18.9 miles (30.4 km), while the road route adds roughly 4.3 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 7:28 PM CDT.

How much will gas cost for this route?

Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $2.93 one way or $5.85 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 7.3 kg one way.

What should you check before leaving?

Before you leave, expect Sunny around Cottage Grove and Sunny near Minneapolis.

Stop Ideas Near Saint Paul

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 Saint Paul and the surrounding midpoint area.
Minneapolis City Hall
Scenic stop 10.4 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 14.1 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 11.4 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 Saint Paul.

RAIL

Saint Paul Union Depot

8 mi away
Midway Station
RAIL

Red Wing station

61 mi away
420 Levee Street
BUS

Menomonie, WI

92 mi away
302 10th Avenue East
RAIL

St. Cloud

108 mi away
555 East St. Germain Street

Flight Path Map

This map shows the direct air route between Cottage Grove and Minneapolis. Straight-line distance: 18.86 mi (30.36 km).

Cottage Grove

#1 Cottage Grove

City in Minnesota, United States

Population38,170
Coordinates44.8277400, -92.9438200
Altitude248
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: Hyde Avenue South (-92.944004, 44.827793)
End: Washington Avenue South (-93.263838, 44.979973)

Estimated Travel Time

Distance: 37 km by road

SpeedTime
30 mph (48.3 km/h)00h 46m
40 mph (64.37 km/h)00h 34m
50 mph (80.47 km/h)00h 27m
60 mph (96.56 km/h)00h 23m
70 mph (112.65 km/h)00h 19m
80 mph (129 km/h)00h 17m

Fuel, Round Trip and CO2

Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.

One-way fuel
0.82 gal
3.1 L · about $2.93
Round trip
$5.85
1.64 gal · 6.2 L
Estimated CO2
7.3 kg one way
Round trip: 14.6 kg / 32 lb CO2, using regular gasoline.
Fuel$/galOne wayRound trip
Regular gas $3.57 $2.93 $5.85
Mid-grade $3.92 $3.22 $6.43
Premium $4.39 $3.60 $7.20
Diesel $4.86 $3.99 $7.98

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 · May 30, 2026

There is no time difference between Cottage Grove and Minneapolis. The current time is 10:15:11.

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.