How far is Jackson, MN from Minneapolis, MN?

The driving distance from Jackson, MN to Minneapolis, MN is about 157.3 miles (253.1 km), with a travel time of about 02h 39m by car.

  • The straight-line flight distance is about 126.8 miles (204.1 km).
  • For a round trip, plan for roughly 05h 19m 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
157.29 mi
02h 39m
Flight
126.85 mi
204.15 km direct

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

Learn Distance

Choose another destination from Jackson.

Flight Distance

Direct air line
126.85 mi
Kilometers
204.15 km
Flight Time
00h 15m

Driving Distance

Road route
157.29 mi
Kilometers
253.14 km
Drive Time
02h 39m

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 39m.

Arrival Snapshot
Arrive in Minneapolis
Thu, Apr 23, 2:47 AM CDT
Return by in Jackson
Thu, Apr 23, 5:27 AM CDT
Useful when you're deciding between a quick errand, a day trip, or a longer stop.
Leave Jackson
2026-04-23T00:07
Arrive Minneapolis
Thu, Apr 23, 2:47 AM CDT
Route Timing
02h 39m
One way by road
Best Departure Window
8:00 AM to 10:00 AM CDT
Aim for a morning departure
Arrive between
10:40 AM to 12:40 PM CDT

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

Leave by
1:10 PM CDT
Keeps a same-day return open with about 03h 00m at the destination.
Back in Jackson
9:30 PM CDT
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
North Mankato
MN

City in Nicollet County, Minnesota, United States of America

From Jackson
78.5 mi
01h 19m
To Minneapolis
78.8 mi
01h 19m

Route Weather Snapshot

Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.

Origin
77°F
Thursday

Showers And Thunderstorms Likely

Starts
Thu, Apr 23 6:00 AM CDT
Wind
25 to 30 mph S
Destination
77°F
Thursday

Showers And Thunderstorms Likely

Starts
Thu, Apr 23 6:00 AM CDT
Wind
15 to 20 mph S

Driving Route Map

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

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

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

  1. 1

    Start on US Highway 71

    1.4 mi · 3 min · US Highway 71

  2. 2

    Take the exit right toward I 90 East: Albert Lea

    1112 ft · 27 sec

  3. 3

    Merge slight left

    13.3 mi · 14 min

  4. 4

    Take the exit slight right toward MN 4: Saint James, Sherburn

    1388 ft · 35 sec

  5. 5

    Turn right onto State Highway 4

    629 ft · 12 sec · State Highway 4

  6. 6

    Continue on 70th Avenue

    3 mi · 4 min · 70th Avenue

  7. 7

    Continue on State Highway 4

    3.7 mi · 5 min · State Highway 4

  8. 8

    Continue on Broadway Avenue South

    736 ft · 21 sec · Broadway Avenue South

  9. 9

    Continue on State Highway 4

    13.9 mi · 18 min · State Highway 4

  10. 10

    Take the ramp slight right toward MN 60 East, MN 4 North: St. James, Mankato

    1452 ft · 19 sec

  11. 11

    Merge slight left onto State Highway 60

    19.5 mi · 23 min · State Highway 60

  12. 12

    Continue on MN 60 E

    8.8 mi · 11 min · MN 60 E

  13. 13

    Continue on State Highway 60

    15 mi · 19 min · State Highway 60

  14. 14

    Continue straight

    19.5 mi · 24 min

  15. 15

    Continue straight

    11.8 mi · 14 min

  16. 16

    Continue straight

    17 mi · 20 min

  17. 17

    Take the exit slight right toward MN 41, CR 78: Chaska

    1682 ft · 41 sec

  18. 18

    Keep slight right to continue on MN 41, CR 78: Chaska

    81 m · 8 sec

  19. 19

    Turn straight onto County Road 78

    2231 ft · 35 sec · County Road 78

  20. 20

    Continue on Chestnut Boulevard

    2499 ft · 41 sec · Chestnut Boulevard

  21. 21

    Enter the roundabout and take exit 2 toward 130th Street West

    35 m · 3 sec · 130th Street West

  22. 22

    Exit the roundabout onto 130th Street West

    1.6 km · 1 min · 130th Street West

  23. 23

    Turn left onto Marystown Road

    1.4 km · 1 min · Marystown Road

  24. 24

    Take the ramp right toward US 169 North

    2122 ft · 52 sec

  25. 25

    Merge slight left

    5.1 mi · 6 min

  26. 26

    Keep slight left

    6.1 mi · 7 min

  27. 27

    Take the exit slight right toward I 494 East, MN 5 East

    1.1 km · 1 min

  28. 28

    Merge slight left

    4.2 mi · 5 min

  29. 29

    Take the exit slight right toward I 35W North: Minneapolis

    1519 ft · 37 sec

  30. 30

    Merge slight left

    7.6 mi · 10 min

  31. 31

    Keep slight left to continue on I 94 West

    2634 ft · 32 sec

  32. 32

    Keep slight left to continue on 5th Avenue South

    1682 ft · 43 sec

  33. 33

    Continue on 5th Avenue South

    3273 ft · 2 min · 5th Avenue South

  34. 34

    Turn left onto Washington Avenue South

    798 ft · 32 sec · Washington Avenue South

  35. 35

    Arrive at your destination

    0 m · 1 sec · Washington Avenue South

Car Route Details

A richer read on the saved driving route between Jackson 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
35 steps
6 turns on the saved route
Ramps & Exits
14
5 merges, 9 ramps or exits
Navigation Density
22.3 / 100 mi
Decision points by distance
Main Roads
State Highway 60
82.9 mi · 53%
State Highway 4
17.8 mi · 11%
I 90 East
13.5 mi · 9%
US 169 North
11.6 mi · 7%
MN 60 E
8.79 mi · 6%
I 35W North
7.9 mi · 5%
Longest Stretch

State Highway 60

Merge slight left onto State Highway 60

19.5 mi · 00h 23m

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 39m
Day trip friendly
Same-Day Return
05h 20m
Round-trip wheel time
Road vs Air
+30.5 mi
126.8 mi direct line
Halfway Stop
North Mankato
01h 19m from Jackson
Leave By
1:10 PM CDT
Morning start is best
Weather Watch

Showers And Thunderstorms Likely leaving Jackson and Showers And Thunderstorms Likely near Minneapolis.

Trip Questions

Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.

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

The road trip is about 157.3 miles (253.1 km) and usually takes 02h 39m 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?

North Mankato is a useful midpoint, sitting about 78.5 miles from Jackson and 78.8 miles from Minneapolis.

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

The direct path is about 126.8 miles (204.1 km), while the road route adds roughly 30.5 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 1:10 PM CDT.

How much will gas cost for this route?

Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $19.81 one way or $39.62 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 49.3 kg one way.

What should you check before leaving?

Before you leave, expect Showers And Thunderstorms Likely around Jackson and Showers And Thunderstorms Likely near Minneapolis.

Stop Ideas Near North Mankato

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

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

RAIL

Saint Paul Union Depot

111 mi away
Midway Station

Flight Path Map

This map shows the direct air route between Jackson and Minneapolis. Straight-line distance: 126.85 mi (204.15 km).

Jackson

#1 Jackson

City in Jackson County, Minnesota, United States

Population1,619
Coordinates43.6207900, -94.9886000
Altitude401
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: 3rd Street (-94.988626, 43.620783)
End: Washington Avenue South (-93.263838, 44.979973)

Estimated Travel Time

Distance: 253 km by road

SpeedTime
30 mph (48.3 km/h)05h 14m
40 mph (64.37 km/h)03h 55m
50 mph (80.47 km/h)03h 08m
60 mph (96.56 km/h)02h 37m
70 mph (112.65 km/h)02h 14m
80 mph (129 km/h)01h 57m

Fuel, Round Trip and CO2

Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.

One-way fuel
5.55 gal
21.01 L · about $19.81
Round trip
$39.62
11.1 gal · 42.02 L
Estimated CO2
49.3 kg one way
Round trip: 98.6 kg / 217 lb CO2, using regular gasoline.
Fuel$/galOne wayRound trip
Regular gas $3.57 $19.81 $39.62
Mid-grade $3.92 $21.76 $43.52
Premium $4.39 $24.38 $48.75
Diesel $4.86 $27.00 $53.99

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 · Apr 23, 2026

There is no time difference between Jackson and Minneapolis. The current time is 00:07:54.

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.