How far is Dawson, MN from Minneapolis, MN?
The driving distance from Dawson, MN to Minneapolis, MN is about 146.6 miles (236 km), with a travel time of about 02h 41m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 136.5 miles (219.6 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 05h 22m of driving time before adding stops, traffic, or weather delays.
- A comfortable departure window is usually 8:00 AM to 10:00 AM CDT.
Reverse, save, or send this route
This route works well as a day trip with time at the destination. Copy the route link, send it to another device, or print a clean version before you head out.
This route works well as a day trip with time at the destination.
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 02h 41m.
A morning start gives you useful time at the destination and keeps the return out of the late evening.
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.
City in Minnesota, United States
Route Weather Snapshot
Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.
Sunny
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Dawson and Minneapolis.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Dawson and Minneapolis.
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1
Start on 6th Street
1109 ft · 33 sec · 6th Street
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2
At the end of the road, turn right onto Oak Street
16.3 mi · 24 min · Oak Street
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3
Turn left
917 ft · 12 sec
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4
Continue straight
34.7 mi · 45 min
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5
Enter the roundabout and take exit 2 toward 195th Avenue
48 m · 2 sec · 195th Avenue
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6
Exit the roundabout onto 195th Avenue
587 ft · 8 sec · 195th Avenue
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7
Continue on MN 7
7.9 mi · 10 min · MN 7
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8
Continue on 195th Avenue
10.1 mi · 13 min · 195th Avenue
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9
Continue on highway 7 West
16.1 mi · 21 min · highway 7 West
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10
Continue on 4th Avenue Northwest
1 km · 1 min · 4th Avenue Northwest
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11
Continue on State Highway 7 East
4.5 mi · 6 min · State Highway 7 East
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12
Continue straight
11.3 mi · 14 min
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13
Enter the roundabout and take exit 2 toward the route
40 m · 2 sec
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14
Exit the roundabout
9 mi · 11 min
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15
Enter the roundabout and take exit 2 toward the route
38 m · 2 sec
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16
Exit the roundabout
2.5 mi · 3 min
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17
Enter the roundabout and take exit 2 toward the route
57 m · 3 sec
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18
Exit the roundabout
5.8 mi · 8 min
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19
Enter the roundabout and take exit 2 toward the route
42 m · 2 sec
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20
Exit the roundabout
12.9 mi · 18 min
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21
Keep slight left to continue on Minnesota State Highway 7
6 mi · 9 min · Minnesota State Highway 7
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22
Take the exit slight right toward MN 100 North
1036 ft · 25 sec
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23
Merge slight left onto CR 5
1.3 mi · 2 min
-
24
Take the exit slight right toward I 394 East: Minneapolis
1.1 mi · 2 min
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25
Merge slight left
3.1 mi · 4 min
-
26
Turn left onto 2nd Avenue North
861 ft · 36 sec · 2nd Avenue North
-
27
Turn right onto North Washington Avenue
3167 ft · 2 min · North Washington Avenue
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28
Continue on Washington Avenue South
798 ft · 32 sec · Washington Avenue South
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29
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · Washington Avenue South
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Dawson and Minneapolis.
Interchange-aware route
The drive includes several ramps, exits, or merges, so checking the next few maneuvers before busy interchanges is useful.
Oak Street
Continue straight
34.7 mi · 00h 45m
Route Summary
A quick read on whether this route feels easy, ambitious, or worth planning around.
A comfortable day-trip route
This route works well as a day trip. You can leave in the morning, spend meaningful time at the destination, and still return the same day.
Sunny leaving Dawson and Sunny near Minneapolis.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Dawson to Minneapolis?
The road trip is about 146.6 miles (236 km) and usually takes 02h 41m in normal driving conditions.
Is this a same-day trip or an overnight route?
This route works well as a day trip. You can leave in the morning, spend meaningful time at the destination, and still return the same day.
What is the halfway point on this route?
Cosmos is a useful midpoint, sitting about 72.3 miles from Dawson and 74.4 miles from Minneapolis.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 136.5 miles (219.6 km), while the road route adds roughly 10.1 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 8:00 AM to 10:00 AM CDT. If you want a more comfortable same-day return, try to leave by 1:08 PM CDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $18.49 one way or $36.97 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 46 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Sunny around Dawson and Sunny near Minneapolis.
Stop Ideas Near Cosmos
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 Cosmos.
St. Cloud
Saint Paul Union Depot
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Dawson and Minneapolis. Straight-line distance: 136.48 mi (219.64 km).
#1 Dawson
Human settlement in Lac qui Parle County, Minnesota, United States of America
| Population | 1,378 |
| Coordinates | 44.9327400, -96.0544800 |
| Altitude | 319 |
| Country | United States |
#2 Minneapolis
The largest city in Minnesota, Minneapolis is a major center for business, finance, and culture.
| Population | 433,111 |
| Coordinates | 44.9799700, -93.2638400 |
| Altitude | 253 |
| Country | United States |
End: Washington Avenue South (-93.263838, 44.979973)
Estimated Travel Time
Distance: 236 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 04h 53m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 03h 39m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 02h 55m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 02h 26m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 02h 05m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 01h 49m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $3.57 | $18.49 | $36.97 |
| Mid-grade | $3.92 | $20.31 | $40.62 |
| Premium | $4.39 | $22.75 | $45.50 |
| Diesel | $4.86 | $25.20 | $50.39 |
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
Distance to Other Cities
Planning a road trip? See the full trip guide on Trip.ovh — stops, fuel costs, weather, and departure timing.