How far is Elk River, MN from Minnetonka, MN?

The driving distance from Elk River, MN to Minnetonka, MN is about 31.4 miles (50.5 km), with a travel time of about 00h 33m by car.

  • The straight-line flight distance is about 27.2 miles (43.7 km).
  • For a round trip, plan for roughly 01h 06m 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
31.37 mi
00h 33m
Flight
27.17 mi
43.72 km direct

This is an easy same-day return drive.

Learn Distance

Choose another destination from Elk River.

Flight Distance

Direct air line
27.17 mi
Kilometers
43.72 km
Flight Time
00h 03m

Driving Distance

Road route
31.37 mi
Kilometers
50.49 km
Drive Time
00h 33m

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 33m.

Arrival Snapshot
Arrive in Minnetonka
Wed, Apr 22, 8:45 PM CDT
Return by in Elk River
Wed, Apr 22, 9:18 PM CDT
Useful when you're deciding between a quick errand, a day trip, or a longer stop.
Leave Elk River
2026-04-22T20:12
Arrive Minnetonka
Wed, Apr 22, 8:45 PM CDT
Route Timing
00h 33m
One way by road
Best Departure Window
7:00 AM to 7:00 PM CDT
Leave when it suits your day
Arrive between
7:33 AM to 7:33 PM CDT

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

Leave by
7:24 PM CDT
Keeps a same-day return open with about 01h 30m at the destination.
Back in Elk River
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
Maple Grove
MN

The second most populous city in Hennepin County, Minnesota.

From Elk River
15.7 mi
00h 16m
To Minnetonka
15.7 mi
00h 16m

Route Weather Snapshot

Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.

Origin
81°F
Wednesday

Mostly Sunny

Starts
Wed, Apr 22 6:00 AM CDT
Wind
5 to 15 mph SE
Destination
82°F
Wednesday

Sunny

Starts
Wed, Apr 22 6:00 AM CDT
Wind
5 to 15 mph SE

Driving Route Map

The map below follows the saved road route between Elk River and Minnetonka.

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between Elk River and Minnetonka.

  1. 1

    Start on Jackson Avenue Northwest

    80 m · 12 sec · Jackson Avenue Northwest

  2. 2

    Turn left onto Main Street Northwest

    725 ft · 19 sec · Main Street Northwest

  3. 3

    Take the ramp slight right

    51 m · 6 sec

  4. 4

    Merge slight left onto Voyageur Highway

    1.1 km · 58 sec · Voyageur Highway

  5. 5

    Take the exit slight right

    1992 ft · 48 sec

  6. 6

    Merge slight left

    6.7 mi · 8 min

  7. 7

    Take the exit slight right toward I 94 East: Minneapolis, Saint Paul

    1.1 km · 1 min

  8. 8

    Merge slight left

    8.3 mi · 9 min

  9. 9

    Take the exit slight right toward I 494 South

    2227 ft · 32 sec

  10. 10

    Continue straight

    11.1 mi · 14 min

  11. 11

    Take the exit slight right toward MN 7 West

    2682 ft · 1 min

  12. 12

    Turn straight onto Minnesota State Highway 7

    2.4 mi · 3 min · Minnesota State Highway 7

  13. 13

    Turn left onto County Road 101

    73 m · 11 sec · County Road 101

  14. 14

    Arrive at your destination

    0 m · 1 sec · County Road 101

Car Route Details

A richer read on the saved driving route between Elk River 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
14 steps
3 turns on the saved route
Ramps & Exits
8
3 merges, 5 ramps or exits
Navigation Density
44.6 / 100 mi
Decision points by distance
Main Roads
I 494 South
11.5 mi · 37%
I 94 East
8.96 mi · 29%
Voyageur Highway
7.71 mi · 25%
Minnesota State Highway 7
2.4 mi · 8%
MN 7 West
0.51 mi · 2%
Main Street Northwest
0.17 mi · 1%
Longest Stretch

I 494 South

Continue straight

11.1 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 33m
Quick drive
Same-Day Return
01h 06m
Round-trip wheel time
Road vs Air
+4.2 mi
27.2 mi direct line
Halfway Stop
Maple Grove
00h 16m from Elk River
Leave By
7:24 PM CDT
Flexible departure
Weather Watch

Mostly Sunny leaving Elk River and Sunny near Minnetonka.

Trip Questions

Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.

How long does it take to drive from Elk River to Minnetonka?

The road trip is about 31.4 miles (50.5 km) and usually takes 00h 33m 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?

Maple Grove is a useful midpoint, sitting about 15.7 miles from Elk River and 15.7 miles from Minnetonka.

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

The direct path is about 27.2 miles (43.7 km), while the road route adds roughly 4.2 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 7:24 PM CDT.

How much will gas cost for this route?

Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $3.96 one way or $7.92 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 9.9 kg one way.

What should you check before leaving?

Before you leave, expect Mostly Sunny around Elk River and Sunny near Minnetonka.

Stop Ideas Near Maple Grove

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 Maple Grove and the surrounding midpoint area.
Minneapolis City Hall
Scenic stop 13.3 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 12.5 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
Champlin Utility Billing
Nearby stop 5.5 mi away

Champlin Utility Billing

Champlin , MN
11955 Champlin Dr, Champlin, MN 55316
Rating 5.0/5 1 reviews Urban planning department

Transit and Meeting Points

Useful pickup, handoff, or rendezvous points close to Maple Grove.

RAIL

Saint Paul Union Depot

24 mi away
Midway Station
RAIL

St. Cloud

77 mi away
555 East St. Germain Street
RAIL

Red Wing station

92 mi away
420 Levee Street

Flight Path Map

This map shows the direct air route between Elk River and Minnetonka. Straight-line distance: 27.17 mi (43.72 km).

Elk River

#1 Elk River

City in Sherburne County, Minnesota, United States

Population25,601
Coordinates45.3038500, -93.5671800
Altitude273
CountryUnited States
Minnetonka

#2 Minnetonka

The most populous city in Hennepin County, Minnesota.

Population55,370
Coordinates44.9133000, -93.5032900
Altitude275
CountryUnited States
Start: Jackson Avenue Northwest (-93.567209, 45.303853)
End: County Road 101 (-93.503348, 44.913301)

Estimated Travel Time

Distance: 50 km by road

SpeedTime
30 mph (48.3 km/h)01h 02m
40 mph (64.37 km/h)00h 47m
50 mph (80.47 km/h)00h 37m
60 mph (96.56 km/h)00h 31m
70 mph (112.65 km/h)00h 26m
80 mph (129 km/h)00h 23m

Fuel, Round Trip and CO2

Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.

One-way fuel
1.11 gal
4.19 L · about $3.96
Round trip
$7.92
2.22 gal · 8.38 L
Estimated CO2
9.9 kg one way
Round trip: 19.7 kg / 43 lb CO2, using regular gasoline.
Fuel$/galOne wayRound trip
Regular gas $3.57 $3.96 $7.92
Mid-grade $3.92 $4.35 $8.70
Premium $4.39 $4.88 $9.75
Diesel $4.86 $5.40 $10.80

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 Elk River and Minnetonka. The current time is 20:12:47.

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.