How far is Minneapolis, MN from Mankato, MN?

The driving distance from Minneapolis, MN to Mankato, MN is about 82 miles (131.9 km), with a travel time of about 01h 47m by car.

  • The straight-line flight distance is about 67.5 miles (108.7 km).
  • For a round trip, plan for roughly 03h 34m of driving time before adding stops, traffic, or weather delays.
  • A comfortable departure window is usually 8:00 AM to 10:00 AM CDT.
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
81.93 mi
01h 47m
Flight
67.55 mi
108.71 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
67.55 mi
Kilometers
108.71 km
Flight Time
00h 08m

Driving Distance

Road route
81.93 mi
Kilometers
131.86 km
Drive Time
01h 47m

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 47m.

Arrival Snapshot
Arrive in Mankato
Wed, Apr 22, 11:27 PM CDT
Return by in Minneapolis
Thu, Apr 23, 1:15 AM CDT
Useful when you're deciding between a quick errand, a day trip, or a longer stop.
Leave Minneapolis
2026-04-22T21:40
Arrive Mankato
Wed, Apr 22, 11:27 PM CDT
Route Timing
01h 47m
One way by road
Best Departure Window
8:00 AM to 10:00 AM CDT
Aim for a morning departure
Arrive between
9:47 AM to 11:47 AM CDT

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

Leave by
2:56 PM CDT
Keeps a same-day return open with about 03h 00m at the destination.
Back in Minneapolis
9:30 PM CDT
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
Lawrence
MN

Human settlement in St.

From Minneapolis
40.9 mi
00h 53m
To Mankato
41 mi
00h 53m

Route Weather Snapshot

Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.

Origin
83°F
Wednesday

Sunny

Starts
Wed, Apr 22 6:00 AM CDT
Wind
5 to 15 mph SE
Destination
85°F
Wednesday

Sunny

Starts
Wed, Apr 22 6:00 AM CDT
Wind
5 to 20 mph SSE

Driving Route Map

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

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

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

  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

    11.2 mi · 14 min

  23. 23

    Take the exit slight right

    1162 ft · 28 sec

  24. 24

    Keep slight left

    54 m · 6 sec

  25. 25

    Turn left onto Belgrade Avenue

    775 ft · 32 sec · Belgrade Avenue

  26. 26

    Continue on West Mulberry Street

    761 ft · 22 sec · West Mulberry Street

  27. 27

    Turn right onto North 2nd Street

    151 m · 16 sec · North 2nd Street

  28. 28

    Continue on South 2nd Street

    1 km · 2 min · South 2nd Street

  29. 29

    Turn right onto Van Brunt Street

    41 m · 6 sec · Van Brunt Street

  30. 30

    Arrive at your destination

    0 m · 1 sec · Van Brunt Street

Car Route Details

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

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
30 steps
8 turns on the saved route
Ramps & Exits
10
4 merges, 6 ramps or exits
Navigation Density
36.6 / 100 mi
Decision points by distance
Main Roads
US 169 South
64.2 mi · 78%
I-35W South
8.33 mi · 10%
I 494 West
4.41 mi · 5%
Louisville Road
2.04 mi · 2%
South 2nd Street
0.65 mi · 1%
3rd Avenue South
0.63 mi · 1%
Longest Stretch

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.

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
01h 47m
Day trip friendly
Same-Day Return
03h 34m
Round-trip wheel time
Road vs Air
+14.5 mi
67.5 mi direct line
Halfway Stop
Lawrence
00h 53m from Minneapolis
Leave By
2:56 PM CDT
Morning start is best
Weather Watch

Sunny leaving Minneapolis and Sunny near Mankato.

Trip Questions

Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.

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

The road trip is about 82 miles (131.9 km) and usually takes 01h 47m 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?

Lawrence is a useful midpoint, sitting about 40.9 miles from Minneapolis and 41 miles from Mankato.

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

The direct path is about 67.5 miles (108.7 km), while the road route adds roughly 14.5 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 2:56 PM CDT.

How much will gas cost for this route?

Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $10.31 one way or $20.63 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 25.7 kg one way.

What should you check before leaving?

Before you leave, expect Sunny around Minneapolis and Sunny near Mankato.

Stop Ideas Near Lawrence

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

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

RAIL

Saint Paul Union Depot

52 mi away
Midway Station
RAIL

Red Wing station

91 mi away
420 Levee Street
RAIL

St. Cloud

107 mi away
555 East St. Germain Street

Flight Path Map

This map shows the direct air route between Minneapolis and Mankato. Straight-line distance: 67.55 mi (108.71 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
Mankato

#2 Mankato

The largest city in Blue Earth County, Minnesota.

Population43,435
Coordinates44.1590600, -94.0091500
Altitude253
CountryUnited States
Start: Minneapolis (-93.26384, 44.97997)
End: Mankato (-94.00915, 44.15906)

Estimated Travel Time

Distance: 132 km by road

SpeedTime
30 mph (48.3 km/h)02h 43m
40 mph (64.37 km/h)02h 02m
50 mph (80.47 km/h)01h 38m
60 mph (96.56 km/h)01h 21m
70 mph (112.65 km/h)01h 10m
80 mph (129 km/h)01h 01m

Fuel, Round Trip and CO2

Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.

One-way fuel
2.89 gal
10.94 L · about $10.31
Round trip
$20.63
5.78 gal · 21.88 L
Estimated CO2
25.7 kg one way
Round trip: 51.4 kg / 113 lb CO2, using regular gasoline.
Fuel$/galOne wayRound trip
Regular gas $3.57 $10.31 $20.63
Mid-grade $3.92 $11.33 $22.66
Premium $4.39 $12.69 $25.39
Diesel $4.86 $14.06 $28.11

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 Mankato. The current time is 21:40:25.

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.