How far is Minneapolis, MN from Lake City, MN?
The driving distance from Minneapolis, MN to Lake City, MN is about 72 miles (115.9 km), with a travel time of about 01h 40m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 61.1 miles (98.3 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 03h 21m of driving time before adding stops, traffic, or weather delays.
- A comfortable departure window is usually 8:00 AM to 10:00 AM CDT.
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.
This route works well as a day trip with time at the destination.
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 01h 40m.
A morning start gives you useful time at the destination and keeps the return out of the late evening.
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 Dakota and Washington counties, in the U.
Route Weather Snapshot
Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.
Chance Rain And Snow Showers
Chance Rain And Snow Showers
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Minneapolis and Lake City.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Minneapolis and Lake City.
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1
Start on Washington Avenue South
19 m · 9 sec · Washington Avenue South
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2
Continue on Washington Avenue South
1 km · 2 min · Washington Avenue South
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3
Turn right onto 11th Avenue South
1642 ft · 1 min · 11th Avenue South
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4
Turn left onto South 6th Street
822 ft · 28 sec · South 6th Street
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5
Take the ramp straight toward I 94 East
2946 ft · 56 sec
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6
Merge slight left
10.3 mi · 14 min
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7
Take the exit slight right toward US 10 East, US 61 South
20.2 mi · 27 min
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8
Turn left onto Red Wing Boulevard
760 ft · 13 sec · Red Wing Boulevard
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9
Enter the roundabout and take exit 1 toward Red Wing Boulevard
19 m · 1 sec · Red Wing Boulevard
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10
Exit the roundabout onto Red Wing Boulevard
1930 ft · 32 sec · Red Wing Boulevard
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11
Enter the roundabout and take exit 2 toward Red Wing Boulevard
22 m · 1 sec · Red Wing Boulevard
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12
Exit the roundabout onto Red Wing Boulevard
2574 ft · 44 sec · Red Wing Boulevard
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13
Enter the roundabout and take exit 2 toward Red Wing Boulevard
23 m · 1 sec · Red Wing Boulevard
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14
Exit the roundabout onto Red Wing Boulevard
4.9 mi · 7 min · Red Wing Boulevard
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15
Continue on Polk Avenue
1.8 mi · 3 min · Polk Avenue
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16
Continue on Highway 316 Boulevard
2 mi · 3 min · Highway 316 Boulevard
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17
Enter the roundabout and take exit 3 toward Route 61
75 m · 3 sec · Route 61
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18
Exit the roundabout onto Route 61
5.6 mi · 7 min · Route 61
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19
Keep slight right to continue on Route 61
6.1 mi · 9 min · Route 61
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20
Continue on Main Street
1.7 mi · 4 min · Main Street
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21
Continue on Route 61/Route 63
14.8 mi · 19 min · Route 61/Route 63
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22
Continue on North Lakeshore Drive
1.6 mi · 3 min · North Lakeshore Drive
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23
Turn right onto West Chestnut Street
55 m · 8 sec · West Chestnut Street
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24
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · West Chestnut Street
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Minneapolis and Lake City.
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.
US 10 East
Take the exit slight right toward US 10 East, US 61 South
20.2 mi · 00h 27m
Route Summary
A quick read on whether this route feels easy, ambitious, or worth planning around.
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.
Chance Rain And Snow Showers leaving Minneapolis and Chance Rain And Snow Showers near Lake City.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Minneapolis to Lake City?
The road trip is about 72 miles (115.9 km) and usually takes 01h 40m 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?
Hastings is a useful midpoint, sitting about 36 miles from Minneapolis and 36 miles from Lake City.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 61.1 miles (98.3 km), while the road route adds roughly 10.9 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 CDT. If you want a more comfortable same-day return, try to leave by 3:08 PM CDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $9.07 one way or $18.13 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 22.6 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Chance Rain And Snow Showers around Minneapolis and Chance Rain And Snow Showers near Lake City.
Stop Ideas Near Hastings
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 Hastings.
Red Wing station
Saint Paul Union Depot
Menomonie, WI
Eau Claire, WI
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Minneapolis and Lake City. Straight-line distance: 61.09 mi (98.32 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 Lake City
City in Minnesota, USA
| Population | 4,357 |
| Coordinates | 44.4496800, -92.2682000 |
| Altitude | 210 |
| Country | United States |
End: Lake City (-92.2682, 44.44968)
Estimated Travel Time
Distance: 116 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 02h 23m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 01h 48m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 01h 26m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 01h 11m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 01h 01m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 00h 53m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $3.57 | $9.07 | $18.13 |
| Mid-grade | $3.92 | $9.96 | $19.92 |
| Premium | $4.39 | $11.16 | $22.31 |
| Diesel | $4.86 | $12.35 | $24.71 |
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 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.