How far is Minneapolis, MN from Jackson, MN?

The driving distance from Minneapolis, MN to Jackson, MN is about 157.1 miles (252.9 km), with a travel time of about 03h 17m by car.

  • The straight-line flight distance is about 126.8 miles (204.1 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.
Trip Tools

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.

Reverse Route
Quick Snapshot
Road
157.12 mi
03h 17m
Flight
126.85 mi
204.15 km direct

This drive is better planned with a longer stop or an overnight stay.

Learn Distance

Choose another destination from Minneapolis.

Flight Distance

Direct air line
126.85 mi
Kilometers
204.15 km
Flight Time
00h 15m

Driving Distance

Road route
157.12 mi
Kilometers
252.86 km
Drive Time
03h 17m

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.

Arrival Snapshot
Arrive in Jackson
Thu, Apr 23, 7:58 AM CDT
Return by in Minneapolis
Thu, Apr 23, 11:15 AM CDT
Useful when you're deciding between a quick errand, a day trip, or a longer stop.
Leave Minneapolis
2026-04-23T04:41
Arrive Jackson
Thu, Apr 23, 7:58 AM CDT
Route Timing
03h 17m
One way by road
Best Departure Window
6:00 AM to 8:00 AM CDT
Leave early for more breathing room
Arrive between
9:17 AM to 11:17 AM CDT

An early departure helps you fit a real stop into the day without turning the return into a late-night drive.

Leave by
10:26 AM CDT
Keeps a same-day return open with about 04h 00m at the destination.
Back in Minneapolis
9:00 PM CDT
Early departure recommended

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
North Mankato
MN

City in Nicollet County, Minnesota, United States of America

From Minneapolis
78.5 mi
01h 38m
To Jackson
78.7 mi
01h 38m

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
77°F
Thursday

Showers And Thunderstorms Likely

Starts
Thu, Apr 23 6:00 AM CDT
Wind
25 to 30 mph S

Driving Route Map

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

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

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

  1. 1

    Start on Washington Avenue South

    19 m · 9 sec · Washington Avenue South

  2. 2

    Turn left onto 3rd Avenue South

    1 km · 2 min · 3rd Avenue South

  3. 3

    Turn left onto South 10th Street

    124 m · 16 sec · South 10th Street

  4. 4

    Take the ramp slight right toward I-35W South

    1506 ft · 37 sec

  5. 5

    Continue straight

    2677 ft · 33 sec

  6. 6

    Merge slight right

    7.5 mi · 10 min

  7. 7

    Take the exit slight right toward I 494 West, MN 5 West

    2990 ft · 1 min

  8. 8

    Merge slight left

    3.8 mi · 5 min

  9. 9

    Take the exit slight right toward US 169 South, US 169 North

    1456 ft · 36 sec

  10. 10

    Keep slight left to continue on US 169 South

    2543 ft · 58 sec

  11. 11

    Merge slight left

    13.3 mi · 15 min

  12. 12

    Take the exit slight right toward MN 41, CR 78: Chestnut Boulevard

    1473 ft · 36 sec

  13. 13

    Keep slight left to continue on CR 78: Chestnut Boulevard

    69 m · 7 sec

  14. 14

    Continue on County Road 78

    1252 ft · 25 sec · County Road 78

  15. 15

    Turn right onto Louisville Road

    2 mi · 4 min · Louisville Road

  16. 16

    Turn right onto 147th Street

    1775 ft · 43 sec · 147th Street

  17. 17

    Turn left onto Red Rock Drive

    1624 ft · 35 sec · Red Rock Drive

  18. 18

    Take the ramp straight toward US 169 South

    80 m · 7 sec

  19. 19

    Merge slight left

    11.1 mi · 13 min

  20. 20

    Continue straight

    3.8 mi · 4 min

  21. 21

    Continue straight

    23.7 mi · 29 min

  22. 22

    Continue straight

    14.3 mi · 18 min

  23. 23

    Continue straight

    36.8 mi · 43 min

  24. 24

    Take the exit slight right toward MN 4 South, CR 57: Sherburn

    1621 ft · 39 sec

  25. 25

    Turn left onto State Highway 4

    14.1 mi · 18 min · State Highway 4

  26. 26

    Continue on Broadway Avenue South

    736 ft · 21 sec · Broadway Avenue South

  27. 27

    Continue on State Highway 4

    3.7 mi · 5 min · State Highway 4

  28. 28

    Continue on 70th Avenue

    3 mi · 4 min · 70th Avenue

  29. 29

    Take the ramp left toward I 90 West: Jackson

    1480 ft · 36 sec

  30. 30

    Merge slight left

    13.3 mi · 14 min

  31. 31

    Take the exit slight right toward US 71: Jackson, Windom

    1126 ft · 28 sec

  32. 32

    Turn left

    1.5 mi · 3 min

  33. 33

    Arrive at your destination

    0 m · 1 sec · US Highway 71

Car Route Details

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

OSRM road route
Drive Character

Highway-focused drive

Most of the mileage stays on named highways, so the important moments are ramps, exits, merges, and the final local approach.

Directions
33 steps
7 turns on the saved route
Ramps & Exits
13
5 merges, 8 ramps or exits
Navigation Density
21 / 100 mi
Decision points by distance
Main Roads
US 169 South
104 mi · 66%
State Highway 4
17.8 mi · 11%
I 90 West
13.6 mi · 9%
I-35W South
8.33 mi · 5%
I 494 West
4.41 mi · 3%
70th Avenue
2.95 mi · 2%
Longest Stretch

US 169 South

Continue straight

36.8 mi · 00h 43m

Route Summary

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

Trip Read

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.

Drive Time
03h 17m
Long day trip
Same-Day Return
06h 34m
Round-trip wheel time
Road vs Air
+30.3 mi
126.8 mi direct line
Halfway Stop
North Mankato
01h 38m from Minneapolis
Leave By
10:26 AM CDT
Early departure recommended
Weather Watch

Showers And Thunderstorms Likely leaving Minneapolis and Showers And Thunderstorms Likely near Jackson.

Trip Questions

Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.

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

The road trip is about 157.1 miles (252.9 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?

North Mankato is a useful midpoint, sitting about 78.5 miles from Minneapolis and 78.7 miles from Jackson.

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

The direct path is about 126.8 miles (204.1 km), while the road route adds roughly 30.3 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 $19.77 one way or $39.54 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 49.2 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 Jackson.

Stop Ideas Near North Mankato

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

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

RAIL

Saint Paul Union Depot

111 mi away
Midway Station

Flight Path Map

This map shows the direct air route between Minneapolis and Jackson. Straight-line distance: 126.85 mi (204.15 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
Jackson

#2 Jackson

City in Jackson County, Minnesota, United States

Population1,619
Coordinates43.6207900, -94.9886000
Altitude401
CountryUnited States
Start: Minneapolis (-93.26384, 44.97997)
End: Jackson (-94.9886, 43.62079)

Estimated Travel Time

Distance: 253 km by road

SpeedTime
30 mph (48.3 km/h)05h 14m
40 mph (64.37 km/h)03h 55m
50 mph (80.47 km/h)03h 08m
60 mph (96.56 km/h)02h 37m
70 mph (112.65 km/h)02h 14m
80 mph (129 km/h)01h 57m

Fuel, Round Trip and CO2

Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.

One-way fuel
5.54 gal
20.99 L · about $19.77
Round trip
$39.54
11.08 gal · 41.98 L
Estimated CO2
49.2 kg one way
Round trip: 98.5 kg / 217 lb CO2, using regular gasoline.
Fuel$/galOne wayRound trip
Regular gas $3.57 $19.77 $39.54
Mid-grade $3.92 $21.72 $43.44
Premium $4.39 $24.33 $48.66
Diesel $4.86 $26.95 $53.89

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 Jackson. The current time is 04:41:05.

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.