How far is Minneapolis, MN from Benson, MN?

The driving distance from Minneapolis, MN to Benson, MN is about 124.8 miles (200.9 km), with a travel time of about 02h 53m by car.

  • The straight-line flight distance is about 116.3 miles (187.1 km).
  • For a round trip, plan for roughly 05h 46m 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
124.8 mi
02h 53m
Flight
116.29 mi
187.15 km direct

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

Learn Distance

Choose another destination from Minneapolis.

Flight Distance

Direct air line
116.29 mi
Kilometers
187.15 km
Flight Time
00h 14m

Driving Distance

Road route
124.8 mi
Kilometers
200.85 km
Drive Time
02h 53m

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 53m.

Arrival Snapshot
Arrive in Benson
Wed, Apr 15, 11:46 AM CDT
Return by in Minneapolis
Wed, Apr 15, 2:39 PM CDT
Useful when you're deciding between a quick errand, a day trip, or a longer stop.
Leave Minneapolis
2026-04-15T08:53
Arrive Benson
Wed, Apr 15, 11:46 AM CDT
Route Timing
02h 53m
One way by road
Best Departure Window
8:00 AM to 10:00 AM CDT
Aim for a morning departure
Arrive between
10:53 AM to 12:53 PM CDT

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

Leave by
12:44 PM CDT
Keeps a same-day return open with about 03h 00m at the destination.
Back in Minneapolis
9:30 PM CDT
Morning start is best

This departure sits inside the recommended comfort window for the route.

Halfway Point

A useful midpoint for breaks, coffee, or meeting in the middle.

Mid-route stop
Darwin
MN

City in Minnesota, United States

From Minneapolis
62.3 mi
01h 26m
To Benson
62.6 mi
01h 26m

Route Weather Snapshot

Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.

Origin
46°F
Overnight

Patchy Fog

Starts
Wed, Apr 15 12:00 AM CDT
Wind
0 to 5 mph N
Destination
60°F
Wednesday

Chance Rain Showers

Starts
Wed, Apr 15 6:00 AM CDT
Wind
10 mph NNW

Driving Route Map

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

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

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

  1. 1

    Start on Washington Avenue South

    1977 ft · 1 min · Washington Avenue South

  2. 2

    Turn left onto North 1st Avenue

    130 m · 18 sec · North 1st Avenue

  3. 3

    Turn right onto North 3rd Street

    127 m · 16 sec · North 3rd Street

  4. 4

    Turn straight

    9.4 mi · 12 min

  5. 5

    Keep slight left

    12.3 mi · 16 min

  6. 6

    Enter the roundabout and take exit 2 toward Babcock Boulevard;County Road 90

    41 m · 2 sec · Babcock Boulevard

  7. 7

    Exit the rotary onto Babcock Boulevard

    2 mi · 3 min · Babcock Boulevard

  8. 8

    Keep slight right to continue on Babcock Boulevard

    4.1 mi · 6 min · Babcock Boulevard

  9. 9

    Continue on US 12

    3.6 mi · 5 min · US 12

  10. 10

    Continue on 60th Street Southeast

    1234 ft · 19 sec · 60th Street Southeast

  11. 11

    Continue on US 12

    1 km · 51 sec · US 12

  12. 12

    Turn slight right onto 60th Street Southeast

    2418 ft · 39 sec · 60th Street Southeast

  13. 13

    Merge slight left onto US 12

    1.3 mi · 2 min · US 12

  14. 14

    Continue on Nelson Boulevard

    1.1 mi · 2 min · Nelson Boulevard

  15. 15

    Continue on US 12

    1.9 mi · 3 min · US 12

  16. 16

    Continue on Pacific Avenue

    1.1 km · 1 min · Pacific Avenue

  17. 17

    Continue on US 12

    4.1 mi · 6 min · US 12

  18. 18

    Continue on 6th Street

    1.5 km · 2 min · 6th Street

  19. 19

    Continue on 60th Street Southwest

    3.5 mi · 5 min · 60th Street Southwest

  20. 20

    Continue on US 12

    1.9 mi · 3 min · US 12

  21. 21

    Continue on Cokato Street

    1.1 mi · 1 min · Cokato Street

  22. 22

    Continue on 50th Street Southwest

    2.7 mi · 3 min · 50th Street Southwest

  23. 23

    Continue on US 12

    2 mi · 2 min · US 12

  24. 24

    Continue on Parker Avenue East

    11.8 mi · 13 min · Parker Avenue East

  25. 25

    Turn right onto North Sibley Avenue

    1.4 km · 2 min · North Sibley Avenue

  26. 26

    Continue on US Highway 12

    13.3 mi · 18 min · US Highway 12

  27. 27

    Continue on 15th Ave Northeast

    6.8 mi · 9 min · 15th Ave Northeast

  28. 28

    Continue on Pacific Avenue

    1.2 km · 1 min · Pacific Avenue

  29. 29

    Continue on US 12

    4.6 mi · 7 min · US 12

  30. 30

    Continue on Litchfield Avenue Southeast

    2319 ft · 1 min · Litchfield Avenue Southeast

  31. 31

    Continue on Pacific Avenue Southeast

    1025 ft · 29 sec · Pacific Avenue Southeast

  32. 32

    Continue on Highway 12 Bypass Southwest

    2147 ft · 1 min · Highway 12 Bypass Southwest

  33. 33

    Continue on Litchfield Avenue Southwest

    1725 ft · 53 sec · Litchfield Avenue Southwest

  34. 34

    Continue on US 12

    1.3 mi · 2 min · US 12

  35. 35

    Enter the roundabout and take exit 2 toward US 12

    34 m · 2 sec · US 12

  36. 36

    Exit the roundabout onto US 12

    2670 ft · 46 sec · US 12

  37. 37

    Enter the roundabout and take exit 2 toward US 12

    29 m · 2 sec · US 12

  38. 38

    Exit the roundabout onto US 12

    4.2 mi · 5 min · US 12

  39. 39

    Continue on Pacific Avenue Southeast

    24.7 mi · 36 min · Pacific Avenue Southeast

  40. 40

    Turn left

    40 m · 10 sec

  41. 41

    Arrive at your destination

    0 m · 1 sec

Car Route Details

A richer read on the saved driving route between Minneapolis and Benson.

OSRM road route
Drive Character

Turn-heavy local drive

The route has frequent decision points for its length, so lane choice and turn timing will matter more than cruising speed.

Directions
41 steps
12 turns on the saved route
Ramps & Exits
7
1 merges, 6 ramps or exits
Navigation Density
32.9 / 100 mi
Decision points by distance
Main Roads
US 12
26.1 mi · 21%
Pacific Avenue Southeast
24.9 mi · 20%
US Highway 12
13.3 mi · 11%
North 3rd Street
12.3 mi · 10%
Parker Avenue East
11.8 mi · 9%
15th Ave Northeast
6.83 mi · 5%
Longest Stretch

Pacific Avenue Southeast

Continue on Pacific Avenue Southeast

24.7 mi · 00h 36m

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 53m
Day trip friendly
Same-Day Return
05h 46m
Round-trip wheel time
Road vs Air
+8.5 mi
116.3 mi direct line
Halfway Stop
Darwin
01h 26m from Minneapolis
Leave By
12:44 PM CDT
Morning start is best
Weather Watch

Patchy Fog leaving Minneapolis and Chance Rain Showers near Benson.

Trip Questions

Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.

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

The road trip is about 124.8 miles (200.9 km) and usually takes 02h 53m 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?

Darwin is a useful midpoint, sitting about 62.3 miles from Minneapolis and 62.6 miles from Benson.

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

The direct path is about 116.3 miles (187.1 km), while the road route adds roughly 8.5 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 12:44 PM CDT.

How much will gas cost for this route?

Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $15.70 one way or $31.41 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 39.1 kg one way.

What should you check before leaving?

Before you leave, expect Patchy Fog around Minneapolis and Chance Rain Showers near Benson.

Stop Ideas Near Darwin

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

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

RAIL

St. Cloud

56 mi away
555 East St. Germain Street
RAIL

Saint Paul Union Depot

97 mi away
Midway Station

Flight Path Map

This map shows the direct air route between Minneapolis and Benson. Straight-line distance: 116.29 mi (187.15 km).

Minneapolis

#1 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
Photo coming soon

#2 Benson

Benson is a place in Minnesota, United States.

Population0
Coordinates45.3150000, -95.6025000
Altitude319
CountryUnited States
Start: Minneapolis (-93.26384, 44.97997)
End: Benson (-95.6025, 45.315)

Estimated Travel Time

Distance: 201 km by road

SpeedTime
30 mph (48.3 km/h)04h 09m
40 mph (64.37 km/h)03h 07m
50 mph (80.47 km/h)02h 29m
60 mph (96.56 km/h)02h 04m
70 mph (112.65 km/h)01h 46m
80 mph (129 km/h)01h 33m

Fuel, Round Trip and CO2

Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.

One-way fuel
4.4 gal
16.67 L · about $15.70
Round trip
$31.41
8.8 gal · 33.34 L
Estimated CO2
39.1 kg one way
Round trip: 78.2 kg / 172 lb CO2, using regular gasoline.
Fuel$/galOne wayRound trip
Regular gas $3.57 $15.70 $31.41
Mid-grade $3.92 $17.25 $34.50
Premium $4.39 $19.32 $38.65
Diesel $4.86 $21.40 $42.80

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 15, 2026

There is no time difference between Minneapolis and Benson. The current time is 08:53:07.

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.