How far is Esko, MN from Minneapolis, MN?

The driving distance from Esko, MN to Minneapolis, MN is about 139.8 miles (225 km), with a travel time of about 02h 06m by car.

  • The straight-line flight distance is about 126.9 miles (204.2 km).
  • For a round trip, plan for roughly 04h 13m of driving time before adding stops, traffic, or weather delays.
  • A comfortable departure window is usually 8:00 AM to 10:00 AM CST.
Trip Tools

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.

Reverse Route
Quick Snapshot
Road
139.78 mi
02h 06m
Flight
126.87 mi
204.18 km direct

This route works well as a day trip with time at the destination.

Learn Distance

Choose another destination from Esko.

Flight Distance

Direct air line
126.87 mi
Kilometers
204.18 km
Flight Time
00h 15m

Driving Distance

Road route
139.78 mi
Kilometers
224.96 km
Drive Time
02h 06m

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 06m.

Arrival Snapshot
Arrive in Minneapolis
Sat, Nov 7, 2:38 PM CST
Return by in Esko
Sat, Nov 7, 4:45 PM CST
Useful when you're deciding between a quick errand, a day trip, or a longer stop.
Leave Esko
2026-11-07T12:32
Arrive Minneapolis
Sat, Nov 7, 2:38 PM CST
Route Timing
02h 06m
One way by road
Best Departure Window
8:00 AM to 10:00 AM CST
Aim for a morning departure
Arrive between
10:07 AM to 12:07 PM CST

A morning start gives you useful time at the destination and keeps the return out of the late evening.

Leave by
2:16 PM CST
Keeps a same-day return open with about 03h 00m at the destination.
Back in Esko
9:30 PM CST
Morning start is best

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
Pine City
MN

City in Pine County, Minnesota, United States of America

From Esko
69.8 mi
01h 03m
To Minneapolis
70 mi
01h 03m

Route Weather Snapshot

Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.

Origin
47°F
Saturday

Partly Sunny

Starts
Sat, Nov 7 6:00 AM CST
Wind
5 to 10 mph SW
Destination
51°F
Saturday

Mostly Sunny

Starts
Sat, Nov 7 6:00 AM CST
Wind
5 mph SSW

Driving Route Map

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

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between Esko and Minneapolis.

  1. 1

    Start on Thomson Road

    3186 ft · 1 min · Thomson Road

  2. 2

    Take the ramp right

    1184 ft · 29 sec

  3. 3

    Merge slight left

    114.4 mi · 2 hr 3 min

  4. 4

    Keep slight right to continue on I 35W: Minneapolis

    23.4 mi · 27 min

  5. 5

    Take the exit slight right toward Washington Avenue

    1299 ft · 42 sec

  6. 6

    Turn right onto Washington Avenue South

    1.2 km · 2 min · Washington Avenue South

  7. 7

    Arrive at your destination

    0 m · 1 sec · Washington Avenue South

Car Route Details

A richer read on the saved driving route between Esko and Minneapolis.

OSRM road route
Drive Character

Straightforward drive

The saved road route has a manageable number of maneuvers and should be easy to follow with normal attention to signs.

Directions
7 steps
1 turns on the saved route
Ramps & Exits
3
1 merges, 2 ramps or exits
Navigation Density
5 / 100 mi
Decision points by distance
Main Roads
Thomson Road
115 mi · 82%
I 35W
23.4 mi · 17%
Washington Avenue South
0.77 mi · 1%
Washington Avenue
0.25 mi
Longest Stretch

Thomson Road

Merge slight left

114 mi · 02h 03m

Route Summary

A quick read on whether this route feels easy, ambitious, or worth planning around.

Trip Read

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.

Drive Time
02h 06m
Day trip friendly
Same-Day Return
04h 14m
Round-trip wheel time
Road vs Air
+12.9 mi
126.9 mi direct line
Halfway Stop
Pine City
01h 03m from Esko
Leave By
2:16 PM CST
Morning start is best
Weather Watch

Partly Sunny leaving Esko 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 Esko to Minneapolis?

The road trip is about 139.8 miles (225 km) and usually takes 02h 06m 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?

Pine City is a useful midpoint, sitting about 69.8 miles from Esko and 70 miles from Minneapolis.

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

The direct path is about 126.9 miles (204.2 km), while the road route adds roughly 12.9 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 CST. If you want a more comfortable same-day return, try to leave by 2:16 PM CST.

How much will gas cost for this route?

Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $19.53 one way or $39.07 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 43.8 kg one way.

What should you check before leaving?

Before you leave, expect Partly Sunny around Esko and Mostly Sunny near Minneapolis.

Stop Ideas Near Pine City

Useful break, food, and waypoint ideas within about 15 miles of the route midpoint.

Mid-route Guidance
Local place coverage is thin around Pine City, so nearby transit and meeting points are shown instead.
Reviewed stop coverage is still thin around this midpoint, so practical transit waypoints are shown on the right.

Transit and Meeting Points

Useful pickup, handoff, or rendezvous points close to Pine City.

RAIL

St. Cloud

96 mi away
555 East St. Germain Street
RAIL

Saint Paul Union Depot

97 mi away
Midway Station

Flight Path Map

This map shows the direct air route between Esko and Minneapolis. Straight-line distance: 126.87 mi (204.18 km).

Photo coming soon

#1 Esko

Esko is a place in Minnesota, United States.

Population0
Coordinates46.7057800, -92.3632500
Altitude356
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: Thomson Road (-92.363192, 46.70578)
End: Washington Avenue South (-93.263855, 44.979952)

Estimated Travel Time

Distance: 225 km by road

SpeedTime
30 mph (48.3 km/h)04h 39m
40 mph (64.37 km/h)03h 29m
50 mph (80.47 km/h)02h 47m
60 mph (96.56 km/h)02h 19m
70 mph (112.65 km/h)01h 59m
80 mph (129 km/h)01h 44m

Fuel, Round Trip and CO2

Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.

One-way fuel
4.93 gal
18.67 L · about $19.53
Round trip
$39.07
9.86 gal · 37.34 L
Estimated CO2
43.8 kg one way
Round trip: 87.6 kg / 193 lb CO2, using regular gasoline.
Fuel$/galOne wayRound trip
Regular gas $3.96 $19.53 $39.07
Mid-grade $4.45 $21.92 $43.84
Premium $4.97 $24.50 $49.00
Diesel $6.09 $30.03 $60.07

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 07, 2026

There is no time difference between Esko and Minneapolis. The current time is 12:32:09.

Distance to Other Cities

How did we calculate? Place names are translated into coordinates. The Haversine formula calculates straight-line distance; driving distance uses road network data.