How far is Minnetonka Mills, MN from Columbia Heights, MN?

The driving distance from Minnetonka Mills, MN to Columbia Heights, MN is about 15.3 miles (24.6 km), with a travel time of about 00h 26m by car.

  • The straight-line flight distance is about 11.1 miles (17.9 km).
  • For a round trip, plan for roughly 00h 53m of driving time before adding stops, traffic, or weather delays.
  • A comfortable departure window is usually 7:00 AM to 7:00 PM CDT.
Trip Tools

Reverse, save, or send this route

This is an easy same-day return drive. Copy the route link, send it to another device, or print a clean version before you head out.

Reverse Route
Quick Snapshot
Road
15.27 mi
00h 26m
Flight
11.13 mi
17.91 km direct

This is an easy same-day return drive.

Learn Distance

Choose another destination from Minnetonka Mills.

Flight Distance

Direct air line
11.13 mi
Kilometers
17.91 km
Flight Time
00h 01m

Driving Distance

Road route
15.27 mi
Kilometers
24.58 km
Drive Time
00h 26m

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 26m.

Arrival Snapshot
Arrive in Columbia Heights
Tue, Apr 14, 8:25 PM CDT
Return by in Minnetonka Mills
Tue, Apr 14, 8:52 PM CDT
Useful when you're deciding between a quick errand, a day trip, or a longer stop.
Leave Minnetonka Mills
2026-04-14T19:58
Arrive Columbia Heights
Tue, Apr 14, 8:25 PM CDT
Route Timing
00h 26m
One way by road
Best Departure Window
7:00 AM to 7:00 PM CDT
Leave when it suits your day
Arrive between
7:27 AM to 7:27 PM CDT

This is a short drive, so your comfort window is wide. Traffic and current weather matter more than the clock.

Leave by
7:36 PM CDT
Keeps a same-day return open with about 01h 30m at the destination.
Back in Minnetonka Mills
10:00 PM CDT
Flexible departure

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
Saint Louis Park
MN

The most populous city in Hennepin County, Minnesota.

From Minnetonka Mills
7.6 mi
00h 13m
To Columbia Heights
7.6 mi
00h 13m

Route Weather Snapshot

Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.

Origin
64°F
Tuesday

Chance Rain Showers

Starts
Tue, Apr 14 1:00 AM CDT
Wind
5 to 10 mph NE
Destination
54°F
Tuesday

Chance Rain Showers

Starts
Tue, Apr 14 6:00 AM CDT
Wind
10 mph NNE

Driving Route Map

The map below follows the saved road route between Minnetonka Mills and Columbia Heights.

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between Minnetonka Mills and Columbia Heights.

  1. 1

    Start on Shady Oak Road

    98 m · 12 sec · Shady Oak Road

  2. 2

    Turn right onto Minnetonka Boulevard

    1 mi · 2 min · Minnetonka Boulevard

  3. 3

    Turn left onto Hopkins Crossroad

    1.7 mi · 3 min · Hopkins Crossroad

  4. 4

    Take the ramp slight right toward I 394 East

    1971 ft · 50 sec

  5. 5

    Merge slight left

    6.1 mi · 8 min

  6. 6

    Take the exit slight right toward I 94 East, I 94 West

    646 ft · 9 sec

  7. 7

    Keep slight left to continue on I 94 West

    1.5 km · 2 min

  8. 8

    Merge slight left

    1.1 km · 49 sec

  9. 9

    Take the exit slight right toward CR 81: Washington Avenue North, West Broadway Avenue

    1706 ft · 44 sec

  10. 10

    Turn left onto North Washington Avenue

    1.2 mi · 3 min · North Washington Avenue

  11. 11

    Turn right onto North Lowry Avenue

    1835 ft · 54 sec · North Lowry Avenue

  12. 12

    Continue on Northeast Lowry Avenue

    3015 ft · 2 min · Northeast Lowry Avenue

  13. 13

    Turn left onto Northeast University Avenue

    1.6 mi · 3 min · Northeast University Avenue

  14. 14

    Continue on University Avenue Northeast

    1919 ft · 36 sec · University Avenue Northeast

  15. 15

    Arrive at your destination

    0 m · 1 sec · University Avenue Northeast

Car Route Details

A richer read on the saved driving route between Minnetonka Mills and Columbia Heights.

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
15 steps
5 turns on the saved route
Ramps & Exits
5
2 merges, 3 ramps or exits
Navigation Density
98 / 100 mi
Decision points by distance
Main Roads
I 394 East
6.46 mi · 42%
Hopkins Crossroad
1.66 mi · 11%
I 94 West
1.58 mi · 10%
Northeast University Avenue
1.56 mi · 10%
North Washington Avenue
1.17 mi · 8%
Minnetonka Boulevard
1.04 mi · 7%
Longest Stretch

I 394 East

Merge slight left

6.09 mi · 00h 08m

Route Summary

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

Trip Read

A short regional drive

This route is short enough to handle as a quick errand, commute, or easy same-day return without much planning overhead.

Drive Time
00h 26m
Quick drive
Same-Day Return
00h 54m
Round-trip wheel time
Road vs Air
+4.2 mi
11.1 mi direct line
Halfway Stop
Saint Louis Park
00h 13m from Minnetonka Mills
Leave By
7:36 PM CDT
Flexible departure
Weather Watch

Chance Rain Showers leaving Minnetonka Mills and Chance Rain Showers near Columbia Heights.

Trip Questions

Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.

How long does it take to drive from Minnetonka Mills to Columbia Heights?

The road trip is about 15.3 miles (24.6 km) and usually takes 00h 26m in normal driving conditions.

Is this a same-day trip or an overnight route?

This route is short enough to handle as a quick errand, commute, or easy same-day return without much planning overhead.

What is the halfway point on this route?

Saint Louis Park is a useful midpoint, sitting about 7.6 miles from Minnetonka Mills and 7.6 miles from Columbia Heights.

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

The direct path is about 11.1 miles (17.9 km), while the road route adds roughly 4.2 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 7:00 AM to 7:00 PM CDT. If you want a more comfortable same-day return, try to leave by 7:36 PM CDT.

How much will gas cost for this route?

Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $1.93 one way or $3.85 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 4.8 kg one way.

What should you check before leaving?

Before you leave, expect Chance Rain Showers around Minnetonka Mills and Chance Rain Showers near Columbia Heights.

Stop Ideas Near Saint Louis Park

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

Mid-route Guidance
These suggestions come from reviewed places and nearby services around Saint Louis Park and the surrounding midpoint area.
Minneapolis City Hall
Scenic stop 2.9 mi away

Minneapolis City Hall

Minneapolis , MN
350 S 5th St, Minneapolis, MN 55415
Rating 4.3/5 28 reviews City Hall,Tourist attraction
City of Bloomington
Meeting point 10 mi away

City of Bloomington

Bloomington , MN
1800 W Old Shakopee Rd, Bloomington, MN 55431
Rating 3.6/5 25 reviews City Hall,City government office
Mall of America®
Nearby stop 8.9 mi away

Mall of America®

Bloomington , MN
60 E Broadway, Bloomington, MN 55425, United States
Rating 4.6/5 44,911 reviews Shopping mall

Transit and Meeting Points

Useful pickup, handoff, or rendezvous points close to Saint Louis Park.

RAIL

Saint Paul Union Depot

13 mi away
Midway Station
RAIL

Red Wing station

77 mi away
420 Levee Street
RAIL

St. Cloud

93 mi away
555 East St. Germain Street
BUS

Menomonie, WI

112 mi away
302 10th Avenue East

Flight Path Map

This map shows the direct air route between Minnetonka Mills and Columbia Heights. Straight-line distance: 11.13 mi (17.91 km).

Photo coming soon

#1 Minnetonka Mills

A city in Hennepin County, Minnesota.

Population50,117
Coordinates44.9410700, -93.4419000
Altitude288
CountryUnited States
Columbia Heights

#2 Columbia Heights

City in Anoka County, Minnesota

Population20,381
Coordinates45.0408000, -93.2630000
Altitude281
CountryUnited States
Start: Minnetonka Mills (-93.4419, 44.94107)
End: Columbia Heights (-93.263, 45.0408)

Estimated Travel Time

Distance: 25 km by road

SpeedTime
30 mph (48.3 km/h)00h 30m
40 mph (64.37 km/h)00h 22m
50 mph (80.47 km/h)00h 18m
60 mph (96.56 km/h)00h 15m
70 mph (112.65 km/h)00h 13m
80 mph (129 km/h)00h 11m

Fuel, Round Trip and CO2

Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.

One-way fuel
0.54 gal
2.04 L · about $1.93
Round trip
$3.85
1.08 gal · 4.08 L
Estimated CO2
4.8 kg one way
Round trip: 9.6 kg / 21 lb CO2, using regular gasoline.
Fuel$/galOne wayRound trip
Regular gas $3.57 $1.93 $3.85
Mid-grade $3.92 $2.12 $4.23
Premium $4.39 $2.37 $4.74
Diesel $4.86 $2.63 $5.25

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 15, 2026

There is no time difference between Minnetonka Mills and Columbia Heights. The current time is 19:58:57.

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.