How far is Minneapolis, MN from North Branch, MN?

The driving distance from Minneapolis, MN to North Branch, MN is about 45.5 miles (73.3 km), with a travel time of about 00h 54m by car.

  • The straight-line flight distance is about 39.2 miles (63.1 km).
  • For a round trip, plan for roughly 01h 48m 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
45.56 mi
00h 54m
Flight
39.22 mi
63.12 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
39.22 mi
Kilometers
63.12 km
Flight Time
00h 04m

Driving Distance

Road route
45.56 mi
Kilometers
73.32 km
Drive Time
00h 54m

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 00h 54m.

Arrival Snapshot
Arrive in North Branch
Sat, May 2, 9:16 AM CDT
Return by in Minneapolis
Sat, May 2, 10:10 AM CDT
Useful when you're deciding between a quick errand, a day trip, or a longer stop.
Leave Minneapolis
2026-05-02T08:22
Arrive North Branch
Sat, May 2, 9:16 AM CDT
Route Timing
00h 54m
One way by road
Best Departure Window
8:00 AM to 10:00 AM CDT
Aim for a morning departure
Arrive between
8:54 AM to 10:54 AM CDT

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

Leave by
4:42 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

This departure sits inside the recommended comfort window for the route.

Halfway Point

A useful midpoint for breaks, coffee, or meeting in the middle.

Mid-route stop
Centerville
MN

City in Minnesota, United States

From Minneapolis
22.7 mi
00h 27m
To North Branch
22.8 mi
00h 27m

Route Weather Snapshot

Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.

Origin
62°F
Saturday

Sunny

Starts
Sat, May 2 6:00 AM CDT
Wind
0 to 10 mph NW
Destination
62°F
Saturday

Widespread Frost then Mostly Sunny

Starts
Sat, May 2 6:00 AM CDT
Wind
0 to 5 mph W

Driving Route Map

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

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between Minneapolis and North Branch.

  1. 1

    Start on Washington Avenue South

    19 m · 9 sec · Washington Avenue South

  2. 2

    Continue on Washington Avenue South

    1.4 km · 3 min · Washington Avenue South

  3. 3

    Take the ramp left toward I 35W North

    1159 ft · 28 sec

  4. 4

    Merge slight left

    3.7 mi · 5 min

  5. 5

    Take the exit slight right toward MN 36

    1758 ft · 25 sec

  6. 6

    Merge slight left

    1359 ft · 19 sec

  7. 7

    Keep slight left

    7.1 mi · 9 min

  8. 8

    Keep slight left

    16.7 mi · 18 min

  9. 9

    Keep slight left

    15.5 mi · 17 min

  10. 10

    Take the exit slight right toward MN 95: Cambridge, North Branch

    1406 ft · 38 sec

  11. 11

    Turn right

    1236 ft · 32 sec

  12. 12

    Continue on Main Street

    1853 ft · 41 sec · Main Street

  13. 13

    Turn right onto Forest Boulevard

    11 m · 1 sec · Forest Boulevard

  14. 14

    Arrive at your destination

    0 m · 1 sec · Forest Boulevard

Car Route Details

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

OSRM road route
Drive Character

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.

Directions
14 steps
2 turns on the saved route
Ramps & Exits
5
2 merges, 3 ramps or exits
Navigation Density
30.7 / 100 mi
Decision points by distance
Main Roads
MN 36
39.9 mi · 88%
I 35W North
3.91 mi · 9%
Washington Avenue South
0.89 mi · 2%
Main Street
0.35 mi · 1%
MN 95
0.27 mi · 1%
Forest Boulevard
0.01 mi
Longest Stretch

MN 36

Keep slight left

16.7 mi · 00h 18m

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
00h 54m
Day trip friendly
Same-Day Return
01h 48m
Round-trip wheel time
Road vs Air
+6.3 mi
39.2 mi direct line
Halfway Stop
Centerville
00h 27m from Minneapolis
Leave By
4:42 PM CDT
Morning start is best
Weather Watch

Sunny leaving Minneapolis and Widespread Frost then Mostly Sunny near North Branch.

Trip Questions

Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.

How long does it take to drive from Minneapolis to North Branch?

The road trip is about 45.5 miles (73.3 km) and usually takes 00h 54m 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?

Centerville is a useful midpoint, sitting about 22.7 miles from Minneapolis and 22.8 miles from North Branch.

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

The direct path is about 39.2 miles (63.1 km), while the road route adds roughly 6.3 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 8:00 AM to 10:00 AM CDT. If you want a more comfortable same-day return, try to leave by 4:42 PM CDT.

How much will gas cost for this route?

Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $5.75 one way or $11.49 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 14.3 kg one way.

What should you check before leaving?

Before you leave, expect Sunny around Minneapolis and Widespread Frost then Mostly Sunny near North Branch.

Stop Ideas Near Centerville

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

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

RAIL

Saint Paul Union Depot

24 mi away
Midway Station
RAIL

Red Wing station

78 mi away
420 Levee Street
BUS

Menomonie, WI

94 mi away
302 10th Avenue East
RAIL

St. Cloud

96 mi away
555 East St. Germain Street

Flight Path Map

This map shows the direct air route between Minneapolis and North Branch. Straight-line distance: 39.22 mi (63.12 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
North Branch

#2 North Branch

City in Minnesota, United States

Population1,875
Coordinates45.5113500, -92.9802200
Altitude274
CountryUnited States
Start: Minneapolis (-93.26384, 44.97997)
End: North Branch (-92.98022, 45.51135)

Estimated Travel Time

Distance: 73 km by road

SpeedTime
30 mph (48.3 km/h)01h 31m
40 mph (64.37 km/h)01h 08m
50 mph (80.47 km/h)00h 54m
60 mph (96.56 km/h)00h 45m
70 mph (112.65 km/h)00h 39m
80 mph (129 km/h)00h 34m

Fuel, Round Trip and CO2

Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.

One-way fuel
1.61 gal
6.09 L · about $5.75
Round trip
$11.49
3.22 gal · 12.18 L
Estimated CO2
14.3 kg one way
Round trip: 28.6 kg / 63 lb CO2, using regular gasoline.
Fuel$/galOne wayRound trip
Regular gas $3.57 $5.75 $11.49
Mid-grade $3.92 $6.31 $12.63
Premium $4.39 $7.07 $14.14
Diesel $4.86 $7.83 $15.66

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 02, 2026

There is no time difference between Minneapolis and North Branch. The current time is 08:22:31.

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.