How far is Minneapolis, MN from Pelican Rapids, MN?

The driving distance from Minneapolis, MN to Pelican Rapids, MN is about 198.2 miles (319 km), with a travel time of about 03h 39m by car.

  • The straight-line flight distance is about 174.7 miles (281.2 km).
  • For a round trip, plan for roughly 07h 19m of driving time before adding stops, traffic, or weather delays.
  • A comfortable departure window is usually 6:00 AM to 8:00 AM CDT.
Trip Tools

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.

Reverse Route
Quick Snapshot
Road
198.23 mi
03h 39m
Flight
174.74 mi
281.21 km direct

This drive is better planned with a longer stop or an overnight stay.

Learn Distance

Choose another destination from Minneapolis.

Flight Distance

Direct air line
174.74 mi
Kilometers
281.21 km
Flight Time
00h 21m

Driving Distance

Road route
198.23 mi
Kilometers
319.02 km
Drive Time
03h 39m

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 39m.

Arrival Snapshot
Arrive in Pelican Rapids
Thu, Apr 23, 4:56 AM CDT
Return by in Minneapolis
Thu, Apr 23, 8:36 AM CDT
Useful when you're deciding between a quick errand, a day trip, or a longer stop.
Leave Minneapolis
2026-04-23T01:16
Arrive Pelican Rapids
Thu, Apr 23, 4:56 AM CDT
Route Timing
03h 39m
One way by road
Best Departure Window
6:00 AM to 8:00 AM CDT
Leave early for more breathing room
Arrive between
9:40 AM to 11:40 AM CDT

An early departure helps you fit a real stop into the day without turning the return into a late-night drive.

Leave by
9:40 AM CDT
Keeps a same-day return open with about 04h 00m at the destination.
Back in Minneapolis
9:00 PM CDT
Early departure recommended

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
Melrose
MN

City in Stearns County, Minnesota, United States

From Minneapolis
99 mi
01h 49m
To Pelican Rapids
99.3 mi
01h 49m

Route Weather Snapshot

Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.

Origin
77°F
Thursday

Showers And Thunderstorms Likely

Starts
Thu, Apr 23 6:00 AM CDT
Wind
15 to 20 mph S
Destination
73°F
Thursday

Chance Light Rain

Starts
Thu, Apr 23 6:00 AM CDT
Wind
21 to 25 mph S

Driving Route Map

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

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between Minneapolis and Pelican Rapids.

  1. 1

    Start on Washington Avenue South

    1977 ft · 1 min · Washington Avenue South

  2. 2

    Turn left onto North 1st Avenue

    130 m · 18 sec · North 1st Avenue

  3. 3

    Turn right onto North 3rd Street

    127 m · 16 sec · North 3rd Street

  4. 4

    Take the ramp straight toward I 94 West

    1.8 mi · 4 min

  5. 5

    Merge slight left

    12.3 mi · 15 min

  6. 6

    Continue on I-94 W

    17.1 mi · 19 min · I-94 W

  7. 7

    Keep slight left

    149.7 mi · 2 hr 40 min

  8. 8

    Take the exit slight right toward US 59 North, CH 88: Pelican Rapids, Detroit Lakes

    16.7 mi · 19 min

  9. 9

    Exit the roundabout onto North Broadway

    777 ft · 15 sec · North Broadway

  10. 10

    Turn right onto 1st Avenue Northeast

    56 m · 10 sec · 1st Avenue Northeast

  11. 11

    Turn right

    61 m · 15 sec

  12. 12

    Arrive at your destination

    0 m · 1 sec

Car Route Details

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

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
12 steps
5 turns on the saved route
Ramps & Exits
4
1 merges, 3 ramps or exits
Navigation Density
6.1 / 100 mi
Decision points by distance
Main Roads
I-94 W
167 mi · 84%
US 59 North
16.7 mi · 8%
I 94 West
14.1 mi · 7%
Washington Avenue South
0.37 mi
North Broadway
0.15 mi
North 1st Avenue
0.08 mi
Longest Stretch

I-94 W

Keep slight left

150 mi · 02h 40m

Route Summary

A quick read on whether this route feels easy, ambitious, or worth planning around.

Trip Read

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.

Drive Time
03h 39m
Long day trip
Same-Day Return
07h 20m
Round-trip wheel time
Road vs Air
+23.5 mi
174.7 mi direct line
Halfway Stop
Melrose
01h 49m from Minneapolis
Leave By
9:40 AM CDT
Early departure recommended
Weather Watch

Showers And Thunderstorms Likely leaving Minneapolis and Chance Light Rain near Pelican Rapids.

Trip Questions

Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.

How long does it take to drive from Minneapolis to Pelican Rapids?

The road trip is about 198.2 miles (319 km) and usually takes 03h 39m 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?

Melrose is a useful midpoint, sitting about 99 miles from Minneapolis and 99.3 miles from Pelican Rapids.

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

The direct path is about 174.7 miles (281.2 km), while the road route adds roughly 23.5 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 6:00 AM to 8:00 AM CDT. If you want a more comfortable same-day return, try to leave by 9:40 AM CDT.

How much will gas cost for this route?

Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $24.98 one way or $49.97 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 62.2 kg one way.

What should you check before leaving?

Before you leave, expect Showers And Thunderstorms Likely around Minneapolis and Chance Light Rain near Pelican Rapids.

Stop Ideas Near Melrose

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

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

RAIL

St. Cloud

53 mi away
555 East St. Germain Street
RAIL

Staples

76 mi away
First & Fourth Aves

Flight Path Map

This map shows the direct air route between Minneapolis and Pelican Rapids. Straight-line distance: 174.74 mi (281.21 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
Pelican Rapids

#2 Pelican Rapids

City in Otter Tail County, Minnesota, United States

Population2,634
Coordinates46.5707900, -96.0831100
Altitude398
CountryUnited States
Start: Minneapolis (-93.26384, 44.97997)
End: Pelican Rapids (-96.08311, 46.57079)

Estimated Travel Time

Distance: 319 km by road

SpeedTime
30 mph (48.3 km/h)06h 36m
40 mph (64.37 km/h)04h 57m
50 mph (80.47 km/h)03h 57m
60 mph (96.56 km/h)03h 18m
70 mph (112.65 km/h)02h 49m
80 mph (129 km/h)02h 28m

Fuel, Round Trip and CO2

Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.

One-way fuel
7 gal
26.48 L · about $24.98
Round trip
$49.97
14 gal · 52.96 L
Estimated CO2
62.2 kg one way
Round trip: 124.4 kg / 274 lb CO2, using regular gasoline.
Fuel$/galOne wayRound trip
Regular gas $3.57 $24.98 $49.97
Mid-grade $3.92 $27.45 $54.89
Premium $4.39 $30.74 $61.49
Diesel $4.86 $34.05 $68.10

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 Pelican Rapids. The current time is 01:16:40.

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.