How far is Fairfax, MN from Minneapolis, MN?

The driving distance from Fairfax, MN to Minneapolis, MN is about 95.7 miles (154 km), with a travel time of about 01h 41m by car.

  • The straight-line flight distance is about 78 miles (125.5 km).
  • For a round trip, plan for roughly 03h 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.
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
95.7 mi
01h 41m
Flight
77.98 mi
125.49 km direct

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

Learn Distance

Choose another destination from Fairfax.

Flight Distance

Direct air line
77.98 mi
Kilometers
125.49 km
Flight Time
00h 09m

Driving Distance

Road route
95.7 mi
Kilometers
154.01 km
Drive Time
01h 41m

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 01h 41m.

Arrival Snapshot
Arrive in Minneapolis
Mon, May 25, 10:37 AM CDT
Return by in Fairfax
Mon, May 25, 12:18 PM CDT
Useful when you're deciding between a quick errand, a day trip, or a longer stop.
Leave Fairfax
2026-05-25T08:56
Arrive Minneapolis
Mon, May 25, 10:37 AM CDT
Route Timing
01h 41m
One way by road
Best Departure Window
8:00 AM to 10:00 AM CDT
Aim for a morning departure
Arrive between
9:41 AM to 11:41 AM CDT

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

Leave by
3:08 PM CDT
Keeps a same-day return open with about 03h 00m at the destination.
Back in Fairfax
9:30 PM CDT
Morning start is best

This departure sits inside the recommended comfort window for the route.

Halfway Point

A useful midpoint for breaks, coffee, or meeting in the middle.

Mid-route stop
Plato
MN

City in Minnesota, United States

From Fairfax
47.8 mi
00h 50m
To Minneapolis
47.9 mi
00h 50m

Route Weather Snapshot

Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.

Origin
89°F
Memorial Day

Sunny

Starts
Mon, May 25 6:00 AM CDT
Wind
10 mph S
Destination
86°F
Memorial Day

Sunny

Starts
Mon, May 25 6:00 AM CDT
Wind
10 mph SSW

Driving Route Map

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

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

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

  1. 1

    Start on Park Street North

    14 m · 8 sec · Park Street North

  2. 2

    Turn left onto Lincoln Avenue East

    17.2 mi · 23 min · Lincoln Avenue East

  3. 3

    Turn left onto State Highway 15

    12.6 mi · 16 min · State Highway 15

  4. 4

    Turn right

    12.8 mi · 16 min

  5. 5

    Enter the roundabout and take exit 2 toward the route

    47 m · 2 sec

  6. 6

    Exit the roundabout

    10.2 mi · 12 min

  7. 7

    Keep slight right

    30.9 mi · 37 min

  8. 8

    Continue on Crosstown Highway

    4.9 mi · 6 min · Crosstown Highway

  9. 9

    Take the exit slight left toward I 35W North

    964 ft · 24 sec

  10. 10

    Merge slight left

    5.4 mi · 7 min

  11. 11

    Keep slight left to continue on I 94 West

    2634 ft · 32 sec

  12. 12

    Keep slight left to continue on 5th Avenue South

    1682 ft · 43 sec

  13. 13

    Continue on 5th Avenue South

    3272 ft · 2 min · 5th Avenue South

  14. 14

    Turn left onto Washington Avenue South

    798 ft · 32 sec · Washington Avenue South

  15. 15

    Arrive at your destination

    0 m · 1 sec · Washington Avenue South

Car Route Details

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

OSRM road route
Drive Character

Highway-focused drive

Most of the mileage stays on named highways, so the important moments are ramps, exits, merges, and the final local approach.

Directions
15 steps
6 turns on the saved route
Ramps & Exits
4
1 merges, 3 ramps or exits
Navigation Density
15.7 / 100 mi
Decision points by distance
Main Roads
State Highway 15
53.7 mi · 56%
Lincoln Avenue East
17.2 mi · 18%
I 35W North
5.59 mi · 6%
Crosstown Highway
4.92 mi · 5%
5th Avenue South
0.94 mi · 1%
I 94 West
0.5 mi · 1%
Longest Stretch

State Highway 15

Keep slight right

30.9 mi · 00h 37m

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
01h 41m
Day trip friendly
Same-Day Return
03h 22m
Round-trip wheel time
Road vs Air
+17.7 mi
78 mi direct line
Halfway Stop
Plato
00h 50m from Fairfax
Leave By
3:08 PM CDT
Morning start is best
Weather Watch

Sunny leaving Fairfax and Sunny near Minneapolis.

Trip Questions

Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.

How long does it take to drive from Fairfax to Minneapolis?

The road trip is about 95.7 miles (154 km) and usually takes 01h 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?

Plato is a useful midpoint, sitting about 47.8 miles from Fairfax and 47.9 miles from Minneapolis.

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

The direct path is about 78 miles (125.5 km), while the road route adds roughly 17.7 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 3:08 PM CDT.

How much will gas cost for this route?

Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $12.06 one way or $24.13 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 30 kg one way.

What should you check before leaving?

Before you leave, expect Sunny around Fairfax and Sunny near Minneapolis.

Stop Ideas Near Plato

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

Mid-route Guidance
Local place coverage is thin around Plato, 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 Plato.

RAIL

Saint Paul Union Depot

70 mi away
Midway Station
RAIL

St. Cloud

89 mi away
555 East St. Germain Street

Flight Path Map

This map shows the direct air route between Fairfax and Minneapolis. Straight-line distance: 77.98 mi (125.49 km).

Photo coming soon

#1 Fairfax

City in Minnesota, United States

Population1,119
Coordinates44.5291300, -94.7208200
Altitude315
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: Park Street North (-94.720827, 44.52913)
End: Washington Avenue South (-93.263838, 44.979973)

Estimated Travel Time

Distance: 154 km by road

SpeedTime
30 mph (48.3 km/h)03h 11m
40 mph (64.37 km/h)02h 23m
50 mph (80.47 km/h)01h 54m
60 mph (96.56 km/h)01h 35m
70 mph (112.65 km/h)01h 22m
80 mph (129 km/h)01h 11m

Fuel, Round Trip and CO2

Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.

One-way fuel
3.38 gal
12.78 L · about $12.06
Round trip
$24.13
6.76 gal · 25.56 L
Estimated CO2
30 kg one way
Round trip: 60.1 kg / 132 lb CO2, using regular gasoline.
Fuel$/galOne wayRound trip
Regular gas $3.57 $12.06 $24.13
Mid-grade $3.92 $13.25 $26.51
Premium $4.39 $14.84 $29.69
Diesel $4.86 $16.44 $32.88

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 25, 2026

There is no time difference between Fairfax and Minneapolis. The current time is 08:56:23.

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.