How far is Lakeville, MN from Esko, MN?
The driving distance from Lakeville, MN to Esko, MN is about 162 miles (260.7 km), with a travel time of about 03h 03m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 148.3 miles (238.6 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 06h 06m of driving time before adding stops, traffic, or weather delays.
- A comfortable departure window is usually 6:00 AM to 8:00 AM CST.
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 03h 03m.
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 Chisago County, Minnesota, United States of America
Route Weather Snapshot
Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.
Mostly Sunny
Partly Sunny
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Lakeville and Esko.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Lakeville and Esko.
-
1
Start on 207th Street West
7 m · 5 sec · 207th Street West
-
2
Turn right onto Holyoke Avenue
2278 ft · 1 min · Holyoke Avenue
-
3
Enter the roundabout and take exit 3 toward 202nd Street West
60 m · 4 sec · 202nd Street West / Richard J. Ames Memorial Highway
-
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
-
5
Continue on Kenwood Trail / Richard J. Ames Memorial Highway
1.2 km · 1 min · Kenwood Trail / Richard J. Ames Memorial Highway
-
6
Continue on Kenwood Trail /Richard J. Ames Memorial Highway
1.6 mi · 2 min · Kenwood Trail /Richard J. Ames Memorial Highway
-
7
Enter the roundabout and take exit 2 toward Kenwood Trail
38 m · 2 sec · Kenwood Trail
-
8
Exit the roundabout onto Kenwood Trail
1.2 mi · 2 min · Kenwood Trail
-
9
Take the ramp right toward I 35 North
951 ft · 23 sec
-
10
Merge slight left
2.6 mi · 3 min
-
11
Keep slight right
16.1 mi · 19 min
-
12
Keep slight left
2.7 mi · 5 min
-
13
Keep slight left
2303 ft · 36 sec
-
14
Merge slight right onto Purple Heart Memorial Highway
107 m · 5 sec · Purple Heart Memorial Highway
-
15
Take the exit slight left toward I 35E North, US 10 West
5.2 mi · 7 min
-
16
Keep slight right to continue on US 10 West, I 694 West, I 694 East
1620 ft · 20 sec
-
17
Take the exit slight right toward I 35E North, I 694 East
2496 ft · 35 sec
-
18
Merge slight left
1.3 km · 60 sec
-
19
Keep slight left to continue on I 35E North: Duluth
18 mi · 19 min
-
20
Keep slight left
109.5 mi · 1 hr 57 min
-
21
Take the exit slight right toward CR 1: Esko, Thomson
2115 ft · 58 sec
-
22
Turn left onto Thomson Road
1.2 km · 2 min · Thomson Road
-
23
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · Thomson Road
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Lakeville and Esko.
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
110 mi · 01h 57m
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 Partly Sunny near Esko.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Lakeville to Esko?
The road trip is about 162 miles (260.7 km) and usually takes 03h 03m 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?
Rush City is a useful midpoint, sitting about 81 miles from Lakeville and 81 miles from Esko.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 148.3 miles (238.6 km), while the road route adds roughly 13.7 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 6:00 AM to 8:00 AM CST. If you want a more comfortable same-day return, try to leave by 10:54 AM CST.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $22.66 one way or $45.33 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 50.8 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Mostly Sunny around Lakeville and Partly Sunny near Esko.
Stop Ideas Near Rush City
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 Rush City.
Saint Paul Union Depot
St. Cloud
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Lakeville and Esko. Straight-line distance: 148.27 mi (238.61 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 Esko
Esko is a place in Minnesota, United States.
| Population | 0 |
| Coordinates | 46.7057800, -92.3632500 |
| Altitude | 356 |
| Country | United States |
End: Esko (-92.36325, 46.70578)
Estimated Travel Time
Distance: 261 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 05h 23m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 04h 02m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 03h 14m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 02h 41m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 02h 18m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 02h 01m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $3.96 | $22.66 | $45.33 |
| Mid-grade | $4.45 | $25.43 | $50.86 |
| Premium | $4.97 | $28.43 | $56.86 |
| Diesel | $6.09 | $34.85 | $69.69 |
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