How far is Minneapolis, MN from Circle Pines, MN?

The driving distance from Minneapolis, MN to Circle Pines, MN is about 16.1 miles (25.9 km), with a travel time of about 00h 23m by car.

  • The straight-line flight distance is about 12.9 miles (20.7 km).
  • For a round trip, plan for roughly 00h 47m of driving time before adding stops, traffic, or weather delays.
  • A comfortable departure window is usually 7:00 AM to 7:00 PM CDT.
Trip Tools

Reverse, save, or send this route

This is an easy same-day return drive. Copy the route link, send it to another device, or print a clean version before you head out.

Reverse Route
Quick Snapshot
Road
16.12 mi
00h 23m
Flight
12.87 mi
20.72 km direct

This is an easy same-day return drive.

Learn Distance

Choose another destination from Minneapolis.

Flight Distance

Direct air line
12.87 mi
Kilometers
20.72 km
Flight Time
00h 01m

Driving Distance

Road route
16.12 mi
Kilometers
25.95 km
Drive Time
00h 23m

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 00h 23m.

Arrival Snapshot
Arrive in Circle Pines
Thu, Apr 23, 8:21 AM CDT
Return by in Minneapolis
Thu, Apr 23, 8:45 AM CDT
Useful when you're deciding between a quick errand, a day trip, or a longer stop.
Leave Minneapolis
2026-04-23T07:58
Arrive Circle Pines
Thu, Apr 23, 8:21 AM CDT
Route Timing
00h 23m
One way by road
Best Departure Window
7:00 AM to 7:00 PM CDT
Leave when it suits your day
Arrive between
7:24 AM to 7:24 PM CDT

This is a short drive, so your comfort window is wide. Traffic and current weather matter more than the clock.

Leave by
7:42 PM CDT
Keeps a same-day return open with about 01h 30m at the destination.
Back in Minneapolis
10:00 PM CDT
Flexible departure

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
New Brighton
MN

City in Ramsey County, Minnesota, United States

From Minneapolis
8.1 mi
00h 11m
To Circle Pines
8.1 mi
00h 11m

Route Weather Snapshot

Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.

Origin
77°F
Thursday

Showers And Thunderstorms Likely

Starts
Thu, Apr 23 6:00 AM CDT
Wind
15 to 20 mph S
Destination
75°F
Thursday

Showers And Thunderstorms Likely

Starts
Thu, Apr 23 6:00 AM CDT
Wind
15 to 20 mph S

Driving Route Map

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

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between Minneapolis and Circle Pines.

  1. 1

    Start on Washington Avenue South

    19 m · 9 sec · Washington Avenue South

  2. 2

    Continue on Washington Avenue South

    1.4 km · 3 min · Washington Avenue South

  3. 3

    Take the ramp left toward I 35W North

    1159 ft · 28 sec

  4. 4

    Merge slight left

    3.7 mi · 5 min

  5. 5

    Take the exit slight right toward MN 36

    1758 ft · 25 sec

  6. 6

    Merge slight left

    1359 ft · 19 sec

  7. 7

    Keep slight left

    7.1 mi · 9 min

  8. 8

    Keep slight left

    1 mi · 1 min

  9. 9

    Take the exit slight right toward Lake Drive

    1963 ft · 48 sec

  10. 10

    Continue on Lake Drive Northeast

    2.1 mi · 3 min · Lake Drive Northeast

  11. 11

    Turn left onto Pine Drive

    97 m · 16 sec · Pine Drive

  12. 12

    Turn slight left onto Crossway Drive

    100 m · 14 sec · Crossway Drive

  13. 13

    Arrive at your destination

    0 m · 1 sec · Crossway Drive

Car Route Details

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

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
13 steps
2 turns on the saved route
Ramps & Exits
5
2 merges, 3 ramps or exits
Navigation Density
80.7 / 100 mi
Decision points by distance
Main Roads
MN 36
8.7 mi · 54%
I 35W North
3.91 mi · 24%
Lake Drive Northeast
2.13 mi · 13%
Washington Avenue South
0.89 mi · 6%
Lake Drive
0.37 mi · 2%
Crossway Drive
0.06 mi
Longest Stretch

MN 36

Keep slight left

7.1 mi · 00h 09m

Route Summary

A quick read on whether this route feels easy, ambitious, or worth planning around.

Trip Read

A short regional drive

This route is short enough to handle as a quick errand, commute, or easy same-day return without much planning overhead.

Drive Time
00h 23m
Quick drive
Same-Day Return
00h 48m
Round-trip wheel time
Road vs Air
+3.2 mi
12.9 mi direct line
Halfway Stop
New Brighton
00h 11m from Minneapolis
Leave By
7:42 PM CDT
Flexible departure
Weather Watch

Showers And Thunderstorms Likely leaving Minneapolis and Showers And Thunderstorms Likely near Circle Pines.

Trip Questions

Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.

How long does it take to drive from Minneapolis to Circle Pines?

The road trip is about 16.1 miles (25.9 km) and usually takes 00h 23m in normal driving conditions.

Is this a same-day trip or an overnight route?

This route is short enough to handle as a quick errand, commute, or easy same-day return without much planning overhead.

What is the halfway point on this route?

New Brighton is a useful midpoint, sitting about 8.1 miles from Minneapolis and 8.1 miles from Circle Pines.

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

The direct path is about 12.9 miles (20.7 km), while the road route adds roughly 3.2 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 7:00 AM to 7:00 PM CDT. If you want a more comfortable same-day return, try to leave by 7:42 PM CDT.

How much will gas cost for this route?

Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $2.03 one way or $4.07 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 5.1 kg one way.

What should you check before leaving?

Before you leave, expect Showers And Thunderstorms Likely around Minneapolis and Showers And Thunderstorms Likely near Circle Pines.

Stop Ideas Near New Brighton

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

Mid-route Guidance
These suggestions come from reviewed places and nearby services around New Brighton and the surrounding midpoint area.
Minneapolis City Hall
Scenic stop 6 mi away

Minneapolis City Hall

Minneapolis , MN
350 S 5th St, Minneapolis, MN 55415
Rating 4.3/5 28 reviews City Hall,Tourist attraction
St. Louis Park City Hall
Meeting point 10.1 mi away

St. Louis Park City Hall

Saint Louis Park , MN
5005 Minnetonka Blvd, St Louis Park, MN 55416
Rating 2.9/5 21 reviews City government office
Mall of America®
Nearby stop 13.5 mi away

Mall of America®

Bloomington , MN
60 E Broadway, Bloomington, MN 55425, United States
Rating 4.6/5 44,911 reviews Shopping mall

Transit and Meeting Points

Useful pickup, handoff, or rendezvous points close to New Brighton.

RAIL

Saint Paul Union Depot

11 mi away
Midway Station
RAIL

Red Wing station

76 mi away
420 Levee Street
RAIL

St. Cloud

93 mi away
555 East St. Germain Street
BUS

Menomonie, WI

103 mi away
302 10th Avenue East

Flight Path Map

This map shows the direct air route between Minneapolis and Circle Pines. Straight-line distance: 12.87 mi (20.72 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
Circle Pines

#2 Circle Pines

City in Anoka County, Minnesota, United States

Population4,928
Coordinates45.1485800, -93.1516100
Altitude277
CountryUnited States
Start: Minneapolis (-93.26384, 44.97997)
End: Circle Pines (-93.15161, 45.14858)

Estimated Travel Time

Distance: 26 km by road

SpeedTime
30 mph (48.3 km/h)00h 32m
40 mph (64.37 km/h)00h 24m
50 mph (80.47 km/h)00h 19m
60 mph (96.56 km/h)00h 16m
70 mph (112.65 km/h)00h 13m
80 mph (129 km/h)00h 12m

Fuel, Round Trip and CO2

Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.

One-way fuel
0.57 gal
2.15 L · about $2.03
Round trip
$4.07
1.14 gal · 4.3 L
Estimated CO2
5.1 kg one way
Round trip: 10.1 kg / 22 lb CO2, using regular gasoline.
Fuel$/galOne wayRound trip
Regular gas $3.57 $2.03 $4.07
Mid-grade $3.92 $2.23 $4.47
Premium $4.39 $2.50 $5.01
Diesel $4.86 $2.77 $5.54

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 23, 2026

There is no time difference between Minneapolis and Circle Pines. The current time is 07:58:26.

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.