How far is Minneapolis, MN from Lakefield, MN?
The driving distance from Minneapolis, MN to Lakefield, MN is about 160.7 miles (258.6 km), with a travel time of about 03h 21m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 130.4 miles (209.8 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 06h 43m 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 21m.
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.
The largest city in Blue Earth County, Minnesota.
Route Weather Snapshot
Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.
Slight Chance Rain Showers then Sunny
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Minneapolis and Lakefield.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Minneapolis and Lakefield.
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1
Start on Washington Avenue South
19 m · 9 sec · Washington Avenue South
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2
Turn left onto 3rd Avenue South
1 km · 2 min · 3rd Avenue South
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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
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5
Continue straight
2677 ft · 33 sec
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6
Merge slight right
7.5 mi · 10 min
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7
Take the exit slight right toward I 494 West, MN 5 West
2990 ft · 1 min
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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
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10
Keep slight left to continue on US 169 South
2543 ft · 58 sec
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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
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13
Keep slight left to continue on CR 78: Chestnut Boulevard
69 m · 7 sec
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14
Continue on County Road 78
1252 ft · 25 sec · County Road 78
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15
Turn right onto Louisville Road
2 mi · 4 min · Louisville Road
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16
Turn right onto 147th Street
1775 ft · 43 sec · 147th Street
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17
Turn left onto Red Rock Drive
1624 ft · 35 sec · Red Rock Drive
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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
61.6 mi · 1 hr 13 min
-
24
Continue on 2nd Avenue North
2369 ft · 1 min · 2nd Avenue North
-
25
Continue on State Highway 60
1564 ft · 35 sec · State Highway 60
-
26
Continue on MN 60 W
3.8 mi · 5 min · MN 60 W
-
27
Turn left onto 450th Ave; State Highway 86
9.8 mi · 12 min · 450th Ave; State Highway 86
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28
Continue on North Highway 86
1.3 km · 2 min · North Highway 86
-
29
Turn left onto 2nd Avenue North
784 ft · 22 sec · 2nd Avenue North
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30
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · 2nd Avenue North
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Minneapolis and Lakefield.
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
61.6 mi · 01h 13m
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 Slight Chance Rain Showers then Sunny near Lakefield.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Minneapolis to Lakefield?
The road trip is about 160.7 miles (258.6 km) and usually takes 03h 21m 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?
Mankato is a useful midpoint, sitting about 80.2 miles from Minneapolis and 80.4 miles from Lakefield.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 130.4 miles (209.8 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 10:16 AM CDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $20.24 one way or $40.47 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 50.4 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Sunny around Minneapolis and Slight Chance Rain Showers then Sunny near Lakefield.
Stop Ideas Near Mankato
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 Mankato.
Saint Paul Union Depot
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Minneapolis and Lakefield. Straight-line distance: 130.34 mi (209.76 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 Lakefield
City in Jackson County, Minnesota, United States
| Population | 1,602 |
| Coordinates | 43.6774600, -95.1716600 |
| Altitude | 452 |
| Country | United States |
End: Lakefield (-95.17166, 43.67746)
Estimated Travel Time
Distance: 259 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 05h 21m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 04h 01m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 03h 12m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 02h 40m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 02h 17m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 02h 00m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $3.57 | $20.24 | $40.47 |
| Mid-grade | $3.92 | $22.23 | $44.46 |
| Premium | $4.39 | $24.90 | $49.81 |
| Diesel | $4.86 | $27.58 | $55.16 |
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 13, 2026
Distance to Other Cities
Planning a road trip? See the full trip guide on Trip.ovh — stops, fuel costs, weather, and departure timing.