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

The driving distance from North Branch, MN to Franconia, MN is about 21.2 miles (34.1 km), with a travel time of about 00h 36m by car.

  • The straight-line flight distance is about 17 miles (27.4 km).
  • For a round trip, plan for roughly 01h 12m 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
21.19 mi
00h 36m
Flight
17.06 mi
27.45 km direct

This is an easy same-day return drive.

Learn Distance

Choose another destination from North Branch.

Flight Distance

Direct air line
17.06 mi
Kilometers
27.45 km
Flight Time
00h 02m

Driving Distance

Road route
21.19 mi
Kilometers
34.11 km
Drive Time
00h 36m

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 36m.

Arrival Snapshot
Arrive in Franconia
Sat, May 2, 7:47 AM CDT
Return by in North Branch
Sat, May 2, 8:24 AM CDT
Useful when you're deciding between a quick errand, a day trip, or a longer stop.
Leave North Branch
2026-05-02T07:11
Arrive Franconia
Sat, May 2, 7:47 AM CDT
Route Timing
00h 36m
One way by road
Best Departure Window
7:00 AM to 7:00 PM CDT
Leave when it suits your day
Arrive between
7:36 AM to 7:36 PM CDT

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

Leave by
7:18 PM CDT
Keeps a same-day return open with about 01h 30m at the destination.
Back in North Branch
10:00 PM CDT
Flexible departure

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
Lindstrom
MN

City in Minnesota, USA

From North Branch
10.3 mi
00h 18m
To Franconia
10.9 mi
00h 18m

Route Weather Snapshot

Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.

Origin
62°F
Saturday

Widespread Frost then Mostly Sunny

Starts
Sat, May 2 6:00 AM CDT
Wind
0 to 5 mph W
Destination
62°F
Saturday

Widespread Frost then Sunny

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

Driving Route Map

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

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

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

  1. 1

    Start on Forest Boulevard

    11 m · 5 sec · Forest Boulevard

  2. 2

    Turn right onto Main Street

    2479 ft · 50 sec · Main Street

  3. 3

    Continue on Saint Croix Trail

    1510 ft · 30 sec · Saint Croix Trail

  4. 4

    Enter the roundabout and take exit 1 toward the route

    6 m · 1 sec

  5. 5

    Exit the roundabout

    1291 ft · 26 sec

  6. 6

    Continue straight

    602 ft · 12 sec

  7. 7

    Continue on Hemingway Avenue

    1507 ft · 31 sec · Hemingway Avenue

  8. 8

    Turn left onto Lincoln Trail

    3.2 mi · 6 min · Lincoln Trail

  9. 9

    Continue on Lincoln Road

    7.1 mi · 10 min · Lincoln Road

  10. 10

    Turn left onto Lake Boulevard

    3.2 mi · 4 min · Lake Boulevard

  11. 11

    Enter the roundabout and take exit 2 toward Lake Boulevard

    40 m · 2 sec · Lake Boulevard

  12. 12

    Exit the rotary onto Lake Boulevard

    4.5 mi · 5 min · Lake Boulevard

  13. 13

    Enter the roundabout and take exit 1 toward the route

    8 m · 1 sec

  14. 14

    Exit the roundabout

    776 ft · 13 sec

  15. 15

    Continue on Saint Croix Trail

    1809 ft · 33 sec · Saint Croix Trail

  16. 16

    Turn left onto Franconia Trail

    3165 ft · 2 min · Franconia Trail

  17. 17

    Continue on Summer Street

    906 ft · 40 sec · Summer Street

  18. 18

    Arrive at your destination

    0 m · 1 sec · Summer Street

Car Route Details

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

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
18 steps
10 turns on the saved route
Ramps & Exits
6
0 merges, 6 ramps or exits
Navigation Density
84.9 / 100 mi
Decision points by distance
Main Roads
Lake Boulevard
7.81 mi · 37%
Lincoln Road
7.1 mi · 34%
Lincoln Trail
3.19 mi · 15%
Saint Croix Trail
0.99 mi · 5%
Franconia Trail
0.6 mi · 3%
Main Street
0.47 mi · 2%
Longest Stretch

Lincoln Road

Continue on Lincoln Road

7.1 mi · 00h 10m

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 36m
Quick drive
Same-Day Return
01h 12m
Round-trip wheel time
Road vs Air
+4.2 mi
17 mi direct line
Halfway Stop
Lindstrom
00h 18m from North Branch
Leave By
7:18 PM CDT
Flexible departure
Weather Watch

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

Trip Questions

Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.

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

The road trip is about 21.2 miles (34.1 km) and usually takes 00h 36m 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?

Lindstrom is a useful midpoint, sitting about 10.3 miles from North Branch and 10.9 miles from Franconia.

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

The direct path is about 17 miles (27.4 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 7:18 PM CDT.

How much will gas cost for this route?

Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $2.68 one way or $5.35 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 6.7 kg one way.

What should you check before leaving?

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

Stop Ideas Near Lindstrom

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

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

RAIL

Saint Paul Union Depot

54 mi away
Midway Station
BUS

Menomonie, WI

92 mi away
302 10th Avenue East
RAIL

Red Wing station

95 mi away
420 Levee Street
RAIL

St. Cloud

103 mi away
555 East St. Germain Street

Flight Path Map

This map shows the direct air route between North Branch and Franconia. Straight-line distance: 17.06 mi (27.45 km).

North Branch

#1 North Branch

City in Minnesota, United States

Population1,875
Coordinates45.5113500, -92.9802200
Altitude274
CountryUnited States
Franconia

#2 Franconia

Township in Chisago County, Minnesota

Population1,902
Coordinates45.3702400, -92.6916000
Altitude215
CountryUnited States
Start: Forest Boulevard (-92.980115, 45.511346)
End: Summer Street (-92.691942, 45.370001)

Estimated Travel Time

Distance: 34 km by road

SpeedTime
30 mph (48.3 km/h)00h 42m
40 mph (64.37 km/h)00h 31m
50 mph (80.47 km/h)00h 25m
60 mph (96.56 km/h)00h 21m
70 mph (112.65 km/h)00h 18m
80 mph (129 km/h)00h 15m

Fuel, Round Trip and CO2

Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.

One-way fuel
0.75 gal
2.83 L · about $2.68
Round trip
$5.35
1.5 gal · 5.66 L
Estimated CO2
6.7 kg one way
Round trip: 13.3 kg / 29 lb CO2, using regular gasoline.
Fuel$/galOne wayRound trip
Regular gas $3.57 $2.68 $5.35
Mid-grade $3.92 $2.94 $5.88
Premium $4.39 $3.29 $6.59
Diesel $4.86 $3.65 $7.30

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 North Branch and Franconia. The current time is 07:11:18.

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.