How far is Lakefield, MN from Minneapolis, MN?
The driving distance from Lakefield, MN to Minneapolis, MN is about 160.9 miles (259 km), with a travel time of about 02h 43m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 130.4 miles (209.8 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 05h 26m of driving time before adding stops, traffic, or weather delays.
- A comfortable departure window is usually 8:00 AM to 10:00 AM CDT.
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.
This route works well as a day trip with time at the destination.
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 02h 43m.
A morning start gives you useful time at the destination and keeps the return out of the late evening.
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.
The largest city in Blue Earth County, Minnesota.
Route Weather Snapshot
Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.
Slight Chance Rain Showers then Sunny
Sunny
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Lakefield and Minneapolis.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Lakefield and Minneapolis.
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1
Start on 2nd Avenue North
784 ft · 24 sec · 2nd Avenue North
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2
At the end of the road, turn right onto North Highway 86
1.3 km · 2 min · North Highway 86
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3
Continue on 450th Ave; State Highway 86
9.8 mi · 12 min · 450th Ave; State Highway 86
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4
Turn right onto MN 60 E
3.8 mi · 5 min · MN 60 E
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5
Continue on State Highway 60
1586 ft · 37 sec · State Highway 60
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6
Continue on 2nd Avenue North
2369 ft · 1 min · 2nd Avenue North
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7
Continue on State Highway 60
44.4 mi · 52 min · State Highway 60
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8
Continue on MN 60 E
8.8 mi · 11 min · MN 60 E
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9
Continue on State Highway 60
15 mi · 19 min · State Highway 60
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10
Continue straight
19.5 mi · 24 min
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11
Continue straight
11.8 mi · 14 min
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12
Continue straight
17 mi · 20 min
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13
Take the exit slight right toward MN 41, CR 78: Chaska
1682 ft · 41 sec
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14
Keep slight right to continue on MN 41, CR 78: Chaska
81 m · 8 sec
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15
Turn straight onto County Road 78
2231 ft · 35 sec · County Road 78
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16
Continue on Chestnut Boulevard
2499 ft · 41 sec · Chestnut Boulevard
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17
Enter the roundabout and take exit 2 toward 130th Street West
35 m · 3 sec · 130th Street West
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18
Exit the roundabout onto 130th Street West
1.6 km · 1 min · 130th Street West
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19
Turn left onto Marystown Road
1.4 km · 1 min · Marystown Road
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20
Take the ramp right toward US 169 North
2122 ft · 52 sec
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21
Merge slight left
5.1 mi · 6 min
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22
Keep slight left
6.1 mi · 7 min
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23
Take the exit slight right toward I 494 East, MN 5 East
1.1 km · 1 min
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24
Merge slight left
4.2 mi · 5 min
-
25
Take the exit slight right toward I 35W North: Minneapolis
1519 ft · 37 sec
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26
Merge slight left
7.6 mi · 10 min
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27
Keep slight left to continue on I 94 West
2634 ft · 32 sec
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28
Keep slight left to continue on 5th Avenue South
1682 ft · 43 sec
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29
Continue on 5th Avenue South
3272 ft · 2 min · 5th Avenue South
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30
Turn left onto Washington Avenue South
798 ft · 32 sec · Washington Avenue South
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31
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · Washington Avenue South
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Lakefield and Minneapolis.
Highway-focused drive
Most of the mileage stays on named highways, so the important moments are ramps, exits, merges, and the final local approach.
State Highway 60
Continue on State Highway 60
44.4 mi · 00h 52m
Route Summary
A quick read on whether this route feels easy, ambitious, or worth planning around.
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.
Slight Chance Rain Showers then Sunny leaving Lakefield and Sunny near Minneapolis.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Lakefield to Minneapolis?
The road trip is about 160.9 miles (259 km) and usually takes 02h 43m 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?
Mankato is a useful midpoint, sitting about 80.3 miles from Lakefield and 80.6 miles from Minneapolis.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 130.4 miles (209.8 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 1:04 PM CDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $20.27 one way or $40.54 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 50.5 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Slight Chance Rain Showers then Sunny around Lakefield and Sunny near Minneapolis.
Stop Ideas Near Mankato
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 Mankato.
Saint Paul Union Depot
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Lakefield and Minneapolis. Straight-line distance: 130.34 mi (209.76 km).
#1 Lakefield
City in Jackson County, Minnesota, United States
| Population | 1,602 |
| Coordinates | 43.6774600, -95.1716600 |
| Altitude | 452 |
| 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: 259 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 05h 21m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 04h 01m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 03h 13m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 02h 40m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 02h 17m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 02h 00m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $3.57 | $20.27 | $40.54 |
| Mid-grade | $3.92 | $22.27 | $44.54 |
| Premium | $4.39 | $24.95 | $49.89 |
| Diesel | $4.86 | $27.63 | $55.26 |
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 13, 2026
Distance to Other Cities
Planning a road trip? See the full trip guide on Trip.ovh — stops, fuel costs, weather, and departure timing.