How far is Minneapolis, MN from Cottonwood, MN?
The driving distance from Minneapolis, MN to Cottonwood, MN is about 140.5 miles (226.1 km), with a travel time of about 03h 02m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 120.9 miles (194.6 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 06h 04m 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 03h 02m.
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 McLeod County, Minnesota, United States
Route Weather Snapshot
Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.
Chance Rain And Snow Showers
Mostly Sunny
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Minneapolis and Cottonwood.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Minneapolis and Cottonwood.
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1
Start on Washington Avenue South
1977 ft · 1 min · Washington Avenue South
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2
Turn left onto North 1st Avenue
130 m · 18 sec · North 1st Avenue
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3
Turn right onto North 3rd Street
127 m · 16 sec · North 3rd Street
-
4
Turn straight
3.3 mi · 4 min
-
5
Take the exit slight right toward MN 100 South, MN 100 North: Park Place-Xenia
837 ft · 12 sec
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6
Keep slight left to continue on MN 100 South: Park Place-Xenia
1720 ft · 26 sec
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7
Keep slight right to continue on MN 100 South
1468 ft · 48 sec
-
8
Keep slight left
123 m · 10 sec
-
9
Keep slight left to continue on MN 100 South
1925 ft · 47 sec
-
10
Keep slight left to continue on MN 100 South
832 ft · 20 sec
-
11
Merge slight left
4.7 mi · 6 min
-
12
Take the exit slight right toward MN 62 West
2471 ft · 1 min
-
13
Merge slight left onto Crosstown Highway
1.7 mi · 2 min · Crosstown Highway
-
14
Take the exit slight left toward US 212
4.6 mi · 6 min
-
15
Keep slight left
36.4 mi · 43 min
-
16
Enter the roundabout and take exit 2 toward US Highway 212
44 m · 2 sec · US Highway 212
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17
Exit the roundabout onto US Highway 212
71.8 mi · 1 hr 34 min · US Highway 212
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18
Turn left onto State Highway 23/67
14.9 mi · 19 min · State Highway 23/67
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19
Turn right onto 390th Street
627 ft · 20 sec · 390th Street
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20
At the end of the road, turn left onto Barstad Road
3150 ft · 1 min · Barstad Road
-
21
Turn right onto Main Street
139 m · 12 sec · Main Street
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22
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · Main Street
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Minneapolis and Cottonwood.
Highway-focused drive
Most of the mileage stays on named highways, so the important moments are ramps, exits, merges, and the final local approach.
US Highway 212
Exit the roundabout onto US Highway 212
71.8 mi · 01h 34m
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.
Chance Rain And Snow Showers leaving Minneapolis and Mostly Sunny near Cottonwood.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Minneapolis to Cottonwood?
The road trip is about 140.5 miles (226.1 km) and usually takes 03h 02m 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?
Stewart is a useful midpoint, sitting about 70.1 miles from Minneapolis and 70.4 miles from Cottonwood.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 120.9 miles (194.6 km), while the road route adds roughly 19.6 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 10:56 AM CDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $17.70 one way or $35.40 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 44.1 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Chance Rain And Snow Showers around Minneapolis and Mostly Sunny near Cottonwood.
Stop Ideas Near Stewart
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 Stewart.
St. Cloud
Saint Paul Union Depot
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Minneapolis and Cottonwood. Straight-line distance: 120.93 mi (194.61 km).
#1 Minneapolis
The largest city in Minnesota, Minneapolis is a major center for business, finance, and culture.
| Population | 433,111 |
| Coordinates | 44.9799700, -93.2638400 |
| Altitude | 253 |
| Country | United States |
#2 Cottonwood
City in Lyon County, Minnesota, United States
| Population | 1,223 |
| Coordinates | 44.6088500, -95.6741900 |
| Altitude | 329 |
| Country | United States |
End: Cottonwood (-95.67419, 44.60885)
Estimated Travel Time
Distance: 226 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 04h 40m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 03h 30m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 02h 48m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 02h 20m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 02h 00m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 01h 45m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $3.57 | $17.70 | $35.40 |
| Mid-grade | $3.92 | $19.45 | $38.90 |
| Premium | $4.39 | $21.78 | $43.57 |
| Diesel | $4.86 | $24.13 | $48.25 |
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 19, 2026
Distance to Other Cities
Planning a road trip? See the full trip guide on Trip.ovh — stops, fuel costs, weather, and departure timing.