How far is Minneapolis, MN from Dawson, MN?
The driving distance from Minneapolis, MN to Dawson, MN is about 144.8 miles (233.1 km), with a travel time of about 03h 17m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 136.5 miles (219.6 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 06h 34m 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 17m.
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 Minnesota, United States
Route Weather Snapshot
Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.
Sunny
Sunny
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Minneapolis and Dawson.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Minneapolis and Dawson.
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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
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4
Turn straight
3.3 mi · 4 min
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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
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8
Keep slight left
123 m · 10 sec
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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
1.2 mi · 2 min
-
12
Take the exit slight right toward MN 7 West
1299 ft · 31 sec
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13
Merge slight left onto Minnesota State Highway 7
18.7 mi · 27 min · Minnesota State Highway 7
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14
Enter the roundabout and take exit 2 toward the route
40 m · 2 sec
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15
Exit the roundabout
5.8 mi · 8 min
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16
Enter the roundabout and take exit 2 toward the route
46 m · 3 sec
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17
Exit the roundabout
2.5 mi · 3 min
-
18
Enter the roundabout and take exit 2 toward the route
50 m · 3 sec
-
19
Exit the roundabout
9 mi · 11 min
-
20
Enter the roundabout and take exit 2 toward the route
37 m · 2 sec
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21
Exit the roundabout
50.6 mi · 1 hr 6 min
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22
Enter the roundabout and take exit 2 toward 195th Avenue
47 m · 2 sec · 195th Avenue
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23
Exit the roundabout onto 195th Avenue
34.7 mi · 45 min · 195th Avenue
-
24
Continue straight
917 ft · 15 sec
-
25
Turn right
16.2 mi · 24 min
-
26
Turn left onto 5th Street
1419 ft · 41 sec · 5th Street
-
27
Turn right onto Locust Street
112 m · 18 sec · Locust Street
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28
Turn right onto 6th Street
98 m · 9 sec · 6th Street
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29
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · 6th Street
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Minneapolis and Dawson.
Highway-focused drive
Most of the mileage stays on named highways, so the important moments are ramps, exits, merges, and the final local approach.
Minnesota State Highway 7
Exit the roundabout
50.6 mi · 01h 06m
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.
Sunny leaving Minneapolis and Sunny near Dawson.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Minneapolis to Dawson?
The road trip is about 144.8 miles (233.1 km) and usually takes 03h 17m 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?
Cosmos is a useful midpoint, sitting about 72.2 miles from Minneapolis and 72.6 miles from Dawson.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 136.5 miles (219.6 km), while the road route adds roughly 8.3 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 10:26 AM CDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $18.24 one way or $36.48 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 45.4 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Sunny around Minneapolis and Sunny near Dawson.
Stop Ideas Near Cosmos
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 Cosmos.
St. Cloud
Saint Paul Union Depot
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Minneapolis and Dawson. Straight-line distance: 136.48 mi (219.64 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 Dawson
Human settlement in Lac qui Parle County, Minnesota, United States of America
| Population | 1,378 |
| Coordinates | 44.9327400, -96.0544800 |
| Altitude | 319 |
| Country | United States |
End: Dawson (-96.05448, 44.93274)
Estimated Travel Time
Distance: 233 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 04h 49m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 03h 37m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 02h 53m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 02h 24m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 02h 04m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 01h 48m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $3.57 | $18.24 | $36.48 |
| Mid-grade | $3.92 | $20.04 | $40.07 |
| Premium | $4.39 | $22.44 | $44.89 |
| Diesel | $4.86 | $24.86 | $49.71 |
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
Distance to Other Cities
Planning a road trip? See the full trip guide on Trip.ovh — stops, fuel costs, weather, and departure timing.