How far is Minneapolis, MN from Lake Crystal, MN?
The driving distance from Minneapolis, MN to Lake Crystal, MN is about 93.4 miles (150.3 km), with a travel time of about 02h 00m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 76.6 miles (123.2 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 04h 00m 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 02h 00m.
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.
Township in Scott County, Minnesota
Route Weather Snapshot
Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.
Partly Sunny
Mostly Sunny
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Minneapolis and Lake Crystal.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Minneapolis and Lake Crystal.
-
1
Start on Washington Avenue South
19 m · 9 sec · Washington Avenue South
-
2
Turn left onto 3rd Avenue South
1 km · 2 min · 3rd Avenue South
-
3
Turn left onto South 10th Street
124 m · 16 sec · South 10th Street
-
4
Take the ramp slight right toward I-35W South
1506 ft · 37 sec
-
5
Continue straight
2677 ft · 33 sec
-
6
Merge slight right
7.5 mi · 10 min
-
7
Take the exit slight right toward I 494 West, MN 5 West
2990 ft · 1 min
-
8
Merge slight left
3.8 mi · 5 min
-
9
Take the exit slight right toward US 169 South, US 169 North
1456 ft · 36 sec
-
10
Keep slight left to continue on US 169 South
2543 ft · 58 sec
-
11
Merge slight left
13.3 mi · 15 min
-
12
Take the exit slight right toward MN 41, CR 78: Chestnut Boulevard
1473 ft · 36 sec
-
13
Keep slight left to continue on CR 78: Chestnut Boulevard
69 m · 7 sec
-
14
Continue on County Road 78
1252 ft · 25 sec · County Road 78
-
15
Turn right onto Louisville Road
2 mi · 4 min · Louisville Road
-
16
Turn right onto 147th Street
1775 ft · 43 sec · 147th Street
-
17
Turn left onto Red Rock Drive
1624 ft · 35 sec · Red Rock Drive
-
18
Take the ramp straight toward US 169 South
80 m · 7 sec
-
19
Merge slight left
11.1 mi · 13 min
-
20
Continue straight
3.8 mi · 4 min
-
21
Continue straight
23.7 mi · 29 min
-
22
Continue straight
14.3 mi · 18 min
-
23
Continue straight
9.1 mi · 11 min
-
24
Take the exit slight left toward North Main Street
714 ft · 24 sec · North Main Street
-
25
Continue on North Main Street
1970 ft · 56 sec · North Main Street
-
26
Turn right onto West Prince Street
23 m · 2 sec · West Prince Street
-
27
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · West Prince Street
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Minneapolis and Lake Crystal.
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 169 South
Continue straight
23.7 mi · 00h 29m
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.
Partly Sunny leaving Minneapolis and Mostly Sunny near Lake Crystal.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Minneapolis to Lake Crystal?
The road trip is about 93.4 miles (150.3 km) and usually takes 02h 00m 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?
Blakeley is a useful midpoint, sitting about 46.7 miles from Minneapolis and 46.7 miles from Lake Crystal.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 76.6 miles (123.2 km), while the road route adds roughly 16.8 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 2:30 PM CDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $11.74 one way or $23.48 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 29.2 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Partly Sunny around Minneapolis and Mostly Sunny near Lake Crystal.
Stop Ideas Near Blakeley
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 Blakeley.
Saint Paul Union Depot
Red Wing station
St. Cloud
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Minneapolis and Lake Crystal. Straight-line distance: 76.55 mi (123.19 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 Crystal
City in Blue Earth County, Minnesota, United States
| Population | 2,512 |
| Coordinates | 44.1058000, -94.2188500 |
| Altitude | 303 |
| Country | United States |
End: Lake Crystal (-94.21885, 44.1058)
Estimated Travel Time
Distance: 150 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 03h 06m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 02h 20m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 01h 52m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 01h 33m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 01h 20m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 01h 09m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $3.57 | $11.74 | $23.48 |
| Mid-grade | $3.92 | $12.90 | $25.80 |
| Premium | $4.39 | $14.45 | $28.90 |
| Diesel | $4.86 | $16.00 | $32.01 |
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 · May 30, 2026
Distance to Other Cities
Planning a road trip? See the full trip guide on Trip.ovh — stops, fuel costs, weather, and departure timing.