How far is Detroit Lakes, MN from Brookings, SD?
The driving distance from Detroit Lakes, MN to Brookings, SD is about 224.9 miles (361.9 km), with a travel time of about 03h 58m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 179.1 miles (288.3 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 07h 56m of driving time before adding stops, traffic, or weather delays.
- A comfortable departure window is usually 6:00 AM to 8:00 AM CST.
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 58m.
An early departure helps you fit a real stop into the day without turning the return into a late-night drive.
This departure sits inside the recommended comfort window for the route.
Halfway Point
A useful midpoint for breaks, coffee, or meeting in the middle.
Town of the United States
Route Weather Snapshot
Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.
Partly Sunny
Partly Sunny
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Detroit Lakes and Brookings.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Detroit Lakes and Brookings.
-
1
Start on Washington Avenue
734 ft · 26 sec · Washington Avenue
-
2
Turn left
3117 ft · 46 sec
-
3
Turn left
1.1 mi · 2 min
-
4
Enter the roundabout and take exit 2 toward the route
41 m · 2 sec
-
5
Exit the roundabout
3.7 mi · 5 min
-
6
Enter the roundabout and take exit 2 toward the route
42 m · 2 sec
-
7
Exit the roundabout
18.7 mi · 22 min
-
8
Exit the roundabout onto South Broadway
13.7 mi · 16 min · South Broadway
-
9
Continue on West Prairie Avenue
2.7 mi · 3 min · West Prairie Avenue
-
10
Take the exit straight
3.3 mi · 4 min
-
11
Take the exit slight right toward MN 210 West: Fergus Falls, Breckenridge
1539 ft · 40 sec
-
12
Turn right onto Minnesota Highway 210
22.3 mi · 28 min · Minnesota Highway 210
-
13
Turn right
2879 ft · 44 sec
-
14
Turn left
1294 ft · 17 sec
-
15
Continue straight
2.5 mi · 4 min
-
16
Take the exit slight right toward ND 13, I 29
1600 ft · 44 sec
-
17
Continue on State Highway 13
10 mi · 12 min · State Highway 13
-
18
Take the exit straight toward I 29 South, US 81 South: Sioux Falls
1515 ft · 37 sec
-
19
Merge slight left
141.1 mi · 2 hr 12 min
-
20
Take the exit slight right toward US 14B: Volga, Arlington
1764 ft · 43 sec
-
21
Keep slight right
53 m · 4 sec
-
22
Merge slight left onto 18th Street
2584 ft · 51 sec · 18th Street
-
23
Continue on Highway 14 Bypass
1.4 km · 2 min · Highway 14 Bypass
-
24
Turn left onto Medary Avenue
1.6 km · 2 min · Medary Avenue
-
25
Turn right onto 6th Street
2640 ft · 1 min · 6th Street
-
26
Turn left onto Main Avenue
27 m · 7 sec · Main Avenue
-
27
Turn left
18 m · 4 sec
-
28
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Detroit Lakes and Brookings.
Highway-focused drive
Most of the mileage stays on named highways, so the important moments are ramps, exits, merges, and the final local approach.
I 29 South
Merge slight left
141 mi · 02h 12m
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.
Partly Sunny leaving Detroit Lakes and Partly Sunny near Brookings.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Detroit Lakes to Brookings?
The road trip is about 224.9 miles (361.9 km) and usually takes 03h 58m 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?
New Effington is a useful midpoint, sitting about 112.4 miles from Detroit Lakes and 112.5 miles from Brookings.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 179.1 miles (288.3 km), while the road route adds roughly 45.8 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 CST. If you want a more comfortable same-day return, try to leave by 9:04 AM CST.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $31.05 one way or $62.11 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 70.6 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Partly Sunny around Detroit Lakes and Partly Sunny near Brookings.
Stop Ideas Near New Effington
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 New Effington.
Fargo
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Detroit Lakes and Brookings. Straight-line distance: 179.17 mi (288.34 km).
#1 Detroit Lakes
City in Minnesota, United States
| Population | 9,255 |
| Coordinates | 46.8171800, -95.8453300 |
| Altitude | 418 |
| Country | United States |
#2 Brookings
City in and county seat of Brookings County, South Dakota, United States
| Population | 446 |
| Coordinates | 44.3113600, -96.7983900 |
| Altitude | 494 |
| Country | United States |
End: Brookings (-96.79839, 44.31136)
Estimated Travel Time
Distance: 362 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 07h 29m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 05h 37m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 04h 29m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 03h 44m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 03h 12m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 02h 48m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $3.91 | $31.05 | $62.11 |
| Mid-grade | $4.38 | $34.79 | $69.57 |
| Premium | $4.92 | $39.07 | $78.15 |
| Diesel | $6.05 | $48.00 | $95.99 |
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 · Nov 09, 2026