How far is Lakeville, MN from Ely, MN?
The driving distance from Lakeville, MN to Ely, MN is about 267.3 miles (430.2 km), with a travel time of about 05h 20m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 234.2 miles (376.9 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 10h 41m of driving time before adding stops, traffic, or weather delays.
- A comfortable departure window is usually 6:00 AM to 8:00 AM CDT.
Reverse, save, or send this route
This drive is better planned with a longer stop or an overnight stay. Copy the route link, send it to another device, or print a clean version before you head out.
This drive is better planned with a longer stop or an overnight stay.
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 05h 20m.
An early departure helps you fit a real stop into the day without turning the return into a late-night drive.
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.
City in Carlton County, Minnesota, United States of America
Route Weather Snapshot
Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.
Mostly Sunny
Slight Chance Rain Showers
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Lakeville and Ely.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Lakeville and Ely.
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1
Start on 207th Street West
7 m · 5 sec · 207th Street West
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2
Turn right onto Holyoke Avenue
2278 ft · 1 min · Holyoke Avenue
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3
Enter the roundabout and take exit 3 toward 202nd Street West
60 m · 4 sec · 202nd Street West / Richard J. Ames Memorial Highway
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4
Exit the rotary onto 202nd Street West / Richard J. Ames Memorial Highway
2565 ft · 51 sec · 202nd Street West / Richard J. Ames Memorial Highway
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5
Continue on Kenwood Trail / Richard J. Ames Memorial Highway
1.2 km · 1 min · Kenwood Trail / Richard J. Ames Memorial Highway
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6
Continue on Kenwood Trail /Richard J. Ames Memorial Highway
1.6 mi · 2 min · Kenwood Trail /Richard J. Ames Memorial Highway
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7
Enter the roundabout and take exit 2 toward Kenwood Trail
38 m · 2 sec · Kenwood Trail
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8
Exit the roundabout onto Kenwood Trail
1.2 mi · 2 min · Kenwood Trail
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9
Take the ramp right toward I 35 North
951 ft · 23 sec
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10
Merge slight left
2.6 mi · 3 min
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11
Keep slight right
16.1 mi · 19 min
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12
Keep slight left
2.7 mi · 5 min
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13
Keep slight left
2303 ft · 36 sec
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14
Merge slight right onto Purple Heart Memorial Highway
107 m · 5 sec · Purple Heart Memorial Highway
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15
Take the exit slight left toward I 35E North, US 10 West
5.2 mi · 7 min
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16
Keep slight right to continue on US 10 West, I 694 West, I 694 East
1620 ft · 20 sec
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17
Take the exit slight right toward I 35E North, I 694 East
2496 ft · 35 sec
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18
Merge slight left
1.3 km · 60 sec
-
19
Keep slight left to continue on I 35E North: Duluth
18 mi · 19 min
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20
Keep slight left
105 mi · 1 hr 52 min
-
21
Take the exit slight right toward MN 33: Cloquet, Iron Range
2915 ft · 58 sec
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22
Enter the roundabout and take exit 2 toward the route
39 m · 2 sec
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23
Exit the roundabout
18.9 mi · 25 min
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24
Take the exit straight
1929 ft · 30 sec
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25
Merge slight right
37.4 mi · 43 min
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26
Enter the roundabout and take exit 2 toward the route
34 m · 1 sec
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27
Exit the roundabout
10.3 mi · 14 min
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28
Take the exit slight right toward MN 169: Ely
2825 ft · 44 sec
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29
Continue on State Highway 169
14.4 mi · 20 min · State Highway 169
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30
Continue on Highway 169
28.6 mi · 40 min · Highway 169
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31
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · West Sheridan Street
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Lakeville and Ely.
Interchange-aware route
The drive includes several ramps, exits, or merges, so checking the next few maneuvers before busy interchanges is useful.
I 35E North
Keep slight left
105 mi · 01h 52m
Route Summary
A quick read on whether this route feels easy, ambitious, or worth planning around.
A longer out-and-back drive
This is still possible in one day, but it becomes a long driving day. Leaving early and planning your stop window matters more here.
Mostly Sunny leaving Lakeville and Slight Chance Rain Showers near Ely.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Lakeville to Ely?
The road trip is about 267.3 miles (430.2 km) and usually takes 05h 20m in normal driving conditions.
Is this a same-day trip or an overnight route?
This is still possible in one day, but it becomes a long driving day. Leaving early and planning your stop window matters more here.
What is the halfway point on this route?
Moose Lake is a useful midpoint, sitting about 133.6 miles from Lakeville and 133.7 miles from Ely.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 234.2 miles (376.9 km), while the road route adds roughly 33.1 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 6:00 AM to 8:00 AM CDT. If you want a more comfortable same-day return, try to leave by 6:18 AM CDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $33.66 one way or $67.31 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 83.8 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Mostly Sunny around Lakeville and Slight Chance Rain Showers near Ely.
Stop Ideas Near Moose Lake
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 Moose Lake.
Duluth (Greyhound Station), Minnesota
Duluth (University of Minnesota), Minnesota
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Lakeville and Ely. Straight-line distance: 234.19 mi (376.89 km).
#1 Lakeville
The most populous city in Dakota County, Minnesota.
| Population | 69,583 |
| Coordinates | 44.6496900, -93.2427200 |
| Altitude | 296 |
| Country | United States |
#2 Ely
City in Minnesota, United States
| Population | 3,325 |
| Coordinates | 47.9032400, -91.8670900 |
| Altitude | 436 |
| Country | United States |
End: Ely (-91.86709, 47.90324)
Estimated Travel Time
Distance: 430 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 08h 54m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 06h 40m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 05h 20m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 04h 27m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 03h 49m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 03h 20m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $3.57 | $33.66 | $67.31 |
| Mid-grade | $3.92 | $36.98 | $73.95 |
| Premium | $4.39 | $41.42 | $82.83 |
| Diesel | $4.86 | $45.87 | $91.74 |
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 12, 2026
Distance to Other Cities
Planning a road trip? See the full trip guide on Trip.ovh — stops, fuel costs, weather, and departure timing.