How far is Detroit Lakes, MN from Minneapolis, MN?
The driving distance from Detroit Lakes, MN to Minneapolis, MN is about 203.1 miles (326.8 km), with a travel time of about 03h 17m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 177.5 miles (285.7 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 06h 34m of driving time before adding stops, traffic, or weather delays.
- A comfortable departure window is usually 6:00 AM to 8:00 AM CDT.
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 17m.
An early departure helps you fit a real stop into the day without turning the return into a late-night drive.
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.
Township in Morrison County, Minnesota
Route Weather Snapshot
Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.
Partly Sunny
Mostly Sunny
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Detroit Lakes and Minneapolis.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Detroit Lakes and Minneapolis.
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1
Start on Washington Avenue
734 ft · 32 sec · Washington Avenue
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2
Turn right
44.3 mi · 51 min
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3
Enter the roundabout and take exit 1 toward the route
31 m · 2 sec
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4
Exit the roundabout
20 m · 1 sec
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5
Turn straight onto Ash Avenue Northwest
7.3 mi · 8 min · Ash Avenue Northwest
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6
Continue on West Mason Avenue
78.4 mi · 1 hr 30 min · West Mason Avenue
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7
Keep slight left
26.1 mi · 31 min
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8
Turn right onto 165th Avenue Southeast
1.8 mi · 2 min · 165th Avenue Southeast
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9
Continue on Park Boulevard Southeast
1.4 mi · 2 min · Park Boulevard Southeast
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10
Continue on County Road 11
1.1 km · 58 sec · County Road 11
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11
Turn right onto State Highway 25
540 ft · 12 sec · State Highway 25
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12
Continue on Pine Street
1652 ft · 43 sec · Pine Street
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13
Turn left onto Broadway Street East
1.5 mi · 3 min · Broadway Street East
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14
Turn right onto Fenning Avenue
1727 ft · 40 sec · Fenning Avenue
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15
Take the ramp left
1892 ft · 54 sec
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16
Merge slight left
28 mi · 31 min
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17
Keep slight right
6.1 mi · 8 min
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18
Keep slight right
2056 ft · 25 sec
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19
Keep slight left to continue on 4th Street North
1.6 km · 2 min
-
20
Keep slight right to continue on 2nd Avenue North
1328 ft · 40 sec
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21
Turn left onto 2nd Avenue North
861 ft · 36 sec · 2nd Avenue North
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22
Turn right onto North Washington Avenue
3167 ft · 2 min · North Washington Avenue
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23
Continue on Washington Avenue South
798 ft · 32 sec · Washington Avenue South
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24
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · Washington Avenue South
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Detroit Lakes and Minneapolis.
Straightforward drive
The saved road route has a manageable number of maneuvers and should be easy to follow with normal attention to signs.
West Mason Avenue
Continue on West Mason Avenue
78.4 mi · 01h 30m
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 Mostly Sunny near Minneapolis.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Detroit Lakes to Minneapolis?
The road trip is about 203.1 miles (326.8 km) and usually takes 03h 17m 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?
Little Falls is a useful midpoint, sitting about 99.5 miles from Detroit Lakes and 103.5 miles from Minneapolis.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 177.5 miles (285.7 km), while the road route adds roughly 25.6 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 CDT. If you want a more comfortable same-day return, try to leave by 10:26 AM CDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $25.55 one way or $51.11 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 63.6 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Partly Sunny around Detroit Lakes and Mostly Sunny near Minneapolis.
Stop Ideas Near Little Falls
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 Little Falls.
St. Cloud
Staples
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Detroit Lakes and Minneapolis. Straight-line distance: 177.53 mi (285.7 km).
#1 Detroit Lakes
City in Minnesota, United States
| Population | 9,255 |
| Coordinates | 46.8171800, -95.8453300 |
| Altitude | 418 |
| 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: 327 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 06h 45m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 05h 04m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 04h 03m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 03h 23m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 02h 54m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 02h 32m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $3.57 | $25.55 | $51.11 |
| Mid-grade | $3.92 | $28.07 | $56.15 |
| Premium | $4.39 | $31.45 | $62.89 |
| Diesel | $4.86 | $34.83 | $69.65 |
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 05, 2026
Distance to Other Cities
Planning a road trip? See the full trip guide on Trip.ovh — stops, fuel costs, weather, and departure timing.