How far is Lakeville, MN from Thief River Falls, MN?
The driving distance from Lakeville, MN to Thief River Falls, MN is about 318.1 miles (511.9 km), with a travel time of about 06h 13m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 277.6 miles (446.7 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 12h 26m of driving time before adding stops, traffic, or weather delays.
- A comfortable departure window is usually 6:00 AM to 7:30 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 06h 13m.
Starting early still helps, but most travelers will want a longer stop or an overnight stay on a route this long.
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 Todd County and Wadena County, Minnesota
Route Weather Snapshot
Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.
Slight Chance Rain Showers
Partly Sunny
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Lakeville and Thief River Falls.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Lakeville and Thief River Falls.
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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 left
8.3 mi · 10 min
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12
Take the exit slight right toward I 494 East, MN 5 East
1527 ft · 37 sec
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13
Keep slight left to continue on I 494 West, MN 5 West
1.3 km · 2 min
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14
Merge slight left
5.8 mi · 7 min
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15
Keep slight left
15.9 mi · 20 min
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16
Keep slight left to continue on I 94 West: Saint Cloud
3250 ft · 50 sec
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17
Continue straight
16.6 mi · 18 min
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18
Keep slight left
6 mi · 6 min
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19
Take the exit slight right
2016 ft · 53 sec
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20
Turn right onto Pine Street
1.3 km · 2 min · Pine Street
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21
Continue on State Highway 25
540 ft · 19 sec · State Highway 25
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22
Turn left onto County Road 11
1.1 km · 54 sec · County Road 11
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23
Continue on Park Boulevard Southeast
1.4 mi · 2 min · Park Boulevard Southeast
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24
Continue on 165th Avenue Southeast
1.8 mi · 2 min · 165th Avenue Southeast
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25
Turn left
54.4 mi · 1 hr 4 min
-
26
Keep slight left
38 mi · 43 min
-
27
Turn straight
8.5 mi · 10 min
-
28
Continue straight
10.9 mi · 12 min
-
29
Turn slight right
20 m · 2 sec
-
30
Enter the roundabout and take exit 2 toward the route
30 m · 2 sec
-
31
Exit the roundabout
29 m · 1 sec
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32
Turn straight
44.9 mi · 52 min
-
33
Turn right
85 mi · 1 hr 37 min
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34
Turn left
147 m · 6 sec
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35
Merge slight left
9.4 mi · 12 min
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36
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · 3rd Street East
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Lakeville and Thief River Falls.
Long-distance drive
This route is long enough that fuel, rest stops, weather, and timing matter more than any single maneuver.
Longest stretch
Turn right
85 mi · 01h 37m
Route Summary
A quick read on whether this route feels easy, ambitious, or worth planning around.
Better with a longer stop
This route is long enough that most travelers will be better off planning an overnight stay or a more deliberate stop window.
Slight Chance Rain Showers leaving Lakeville and Partly Sunny near Thief River Falls.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Lakeville to Thief River Falls?
The road trip is about 318.1 miles (511.9 km) and usually takes 06h 13m in normal driving conditions.
Is this a same-day trip or an overnight route?
This route is long enough that most travelers will be better off planning an overnight stay or a more deliberate stop window.
What is the halfway point on this route?
Staples is a useful midpoint, sitting about 158.9 miles from Lakeville and 159.2 miles from Thief River Falls.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 277.6 miles (446.7 km), while the road route adds roughly 40.5 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 6:00 AM to 7:30 AM CDT. Starting early still helps, but most travelers will want a longer stop or an overnight stay on a route this long.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $40.04 one way or $80.09 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 99.7 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Slight Chance Rain Showers around Lakeville and Partly Sunny near Thief River Falls.
Stop Ideas Near Staples
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 Staples.
Staples
Detroit Lakes
St. Cloud
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Lakeville and Thief River Falls. Straight-line distance: 277.58 mi (446.72 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 Thief River Falls
City in Pennington County, Minnesota, USA
| Population | 8,688 |
| Coordinates | 48.1191400, -96.1811500 |
| Altitude | 345 |
| Country | United States |
End: Thief River Falls (-96.18115, 48.11914)
Estimated Travel Time
Distance: 512 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 10h 35m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 07h 57m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 06h 21m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 05h 18m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 04h 32m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 03h 58m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $3.57 | $40.04 | $80.09 |
| Mid-grade | $3.92 | $43.99 | $87.99 |
| Premium | $4.39 | $49.28 | $98.56 |
| Diesel | $4.86 | $54.57 | $109.15 |
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 31, 2026
Distance to Other Cities
Planning a road trip? See the full trip guide on Trip.ovh — stops, fuel costs, weather, and departure timing.