How far is Minneapolis, MN from Esko, MN?

The driving distance from Minneapolis, MN to Esko, MN is about 139.9 miles (225.1 km), with a travel time of about 02h 35m by car.

  • The straight-line flight distance is about 126.9 miles (204.2 km).
  • For a round trip, plan for roughly 05h 11m of driving time before adding stops, traffic, or weather delays.
  • A comfortable departure window is usually 8:00 AM to 10:00 AM CST.
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
139.9 mi
02h 35m
Flight
126.87 mi
204.18 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
126.87 mi
Kilometers
204.18 km
Flight Time
00h 15m

Driving Distance

Road route
139.9 mi
Kilometers
225.14 km
Drive Time
02h 35m

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 35m.

Arrival Snapshot
Arrive in Esko
Sat, Nov 7, 4:06 PM CST
Return by in Minneapolis
Sat, Nov 7, 6:42 PM CST
Useful when you're deciding between a quick errand, a day trip, or a longer stop.
Leave Minneapolis
2026-11-07T13:30
Arrive Esko
Sat, Nov 7, 4:06 PM CST
Route Timing
02h 35m
One way by road
Best Departure Window
8:00 AM to 10:00 AM CST
Aim for a morning departure
Arrive between
10:36 AM to 12:36 PM CST

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

Leave by
1:18 PM CST
Keeps a same-day return open with about 03h 00m at the destination.
Back in Minneapolis
9:30 PM CST
Morning start is best

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.

Mid-route stop
Pine City
MN

City in Pine County, Minnesota, United States of America

From Minneapolis
69.9 mi
01h 17m
To Esko
70 mi
01h 17m

Route Weather Snapshot

Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.

Origin
51°F
Saturday

Mostly Sunny

Starts
Sat, Nov 7 6:00 AM CST
Wind
5 mph SSW
Destination
47°F
Saturday

Partly Sunny

Starts
Sat, Nov 7 6:00 AM CST
Wind
5 to 10 mph SW

Driving Route Map

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

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

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

  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

    16.7 mi · 18 min

  9. 9

    Keep slight left

    109.5 mi · 1 hr 57 min

  10. 10

    Take the exit slight right toward CR 1: Esko, Thomson

    2115 ft · 58 sec

  11. 11

    Turn left onto Thomson Road

    1.2 km · 2 min · Thomson Road

  12. 12

    Arrive at your destination

    0 m · 1 sec · Thomson Road

Car Route Details

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

OSRM road route
Drive Character

Interchange-aware route

The drive includes several ramps, exits, or merges, so checking the next few maneuvers before busy interchanges is useful.

Directions
12 steps
1 turns on the saved route
Ramps & Exits
5
2 merges, 3 ramps or exits
Navigation Density
8.6 / 100 mi
Decision points by distance
Main Roads
MN 36
134 mi · 96%
I 35W North
3.91 mi · 3%
Washington Avenue South
0.89 mi · 1%
Thomson Road
0.73 mi · 1%
CR 1
0.4 mi
Longest Stretch

MN 36

Keep slight left

110 mi · 01h 57m

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 35m
Day trip friendly
Same-Day Return
05h 12m
Round-trip wheel time
Road vs Air
+13 mi
126.9 mi direct line
Halfway Stop
Pine City
01h 17m from Minneapolis
Leave By
1:18 PM CST
Morning start is best
Weather Watch

Mostly Sunny leaving Minneapolis and Partly Sunny near Esko.

Trip Questions

Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.

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

The road trip is about 139.9 miles (225.1 km) and usually takes 02h 35m 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?

Pine City is a useful midpoint, sitting about 69.9 miles from Minneapolis and 70 miles from Esko.

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

The direct path is about 126.9 miles (204.2 km), while the road route adds roughly 13 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 CST. If you want a more comfortable same-day return, try to leave by 1:18 PM CST.

How much will gas cost for this route?

Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $19.57 one way or $39.14 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 43.9 kg one way.

What should you check before leaving?

Before you leave, expect Mostly Sunny around Minneapolis and Partly Sunny near Esko.

Stop Ideas Near Pine City

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

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

RAIL

St. Cloud

96 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 Esko. Straight-line distance: 126.87 mi (204.18 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 Esko

Esko is a place in Minnesota, United States.

Population0
Coordinates46.7057800, -92.3632500
Altitude356
CountryUnited States
Start: Minneapolis (-93.26384, 44.97997)
End: Esko (-92.36325, 46.70578)

Estimated Travel Time

Distance: 225 km by road

SpeedTime
30 mph (48.3 km/h)04h 39m
40 mph (64.37 km/h)03h 29m
50 mph (80.47 km/h)02h 47m
60 mph (96.56 km/h)02h 19m
70 mph (112.65 km/h)01h 59m
80 mph (129 km/h)01h 44m

Fuel, Round Trip and CO2

Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.

One-way fuel
4.94 gal
18.69 L · about $19.57
Round trip
$39.14
9.88 gal · 37.38 L
Estimated CO2
43.9 kg one way
Round trip: 87.8 kg / 194 lb CO2, using regular gasoline.
Fuel$/galOne wayRound trip
Regular gas $3.96 $19.57 $39.14
Mid-grade $4.45 $21.96 $43.93
Premium $4.97 $24.55 $49.10
Diesel $6.09 $30.09 $60.19

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 · Nov 07, 2026

There is no time difference between Minneapolis and Esko. The current time is 13:30:43.

Distance to Other Cities

How did we calculate? Place names are translated into coordinates. The Haversine formula calculates straight-line distance; driving distance uses road network data.