How far is Prior Lake, MN from Minneapolis, MN?
The driving distance from Prior Lake, MN to Minneapolis, MN is about 25.6 miles (41.2 km), with a travel time of about 00h 33m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 20 miles (32.2 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 01h 07m of driving time before adding stops, traffic, or weather delays.
- A comfortable departure window is usually 7:00 AM to 7:00 PM CDT.
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.
This is an easy same-day return drive.
Flight Distance
Driving Distance
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 33m.
This is a short drive, so your comfort window is wide. Traffic and current weather matter more than the clock.
This departure sits inside the recommended comfort window for the route.
Halfway Point
A useful midpoint for breaks, coffee, or meeting in the middle.
The most populous city in Hennepin County, Minnesota.
Route Weather Snapshot
Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.
Sunny
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Prior Lake and Minneapolis.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Prior Lake and Minneapolis.
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1
Start on the route
28 m · 2 sec
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2
Exit the roundabout onto Highway 13 South
4.3 mi · 7 min · Highway 13 South
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3
Turn right onto Mc Coll Drive
2.3 mi · 4 min · Mc Coll Drive
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4
Enter the roundabout and take exit 2 toward Mc Coll Drive
35 m · 2 sec · Mc Coll Drive
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5
Exit the roundabout onto Mc Coll Drive
1877 ft · 36 sec · Mc Coll Drive
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6
Continue on Williams Drive
1.2 mi · 2 min · Williams Drive
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7
Turn left onto County Road 5
154 m · 13 sec · County Road 5
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8
Take the ramp slight right toward MN 13 North
1181 ft · 29 sec
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9
Merge slight left
1 km · 53 sec
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10
Take the exit slight right toward I 35W North: Minneapolis
1158 ft · 28 sec
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11
Merge slight left
13.8 mi · 18 min
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12
Keep slight left to continue on I 94 West
2634 ft · 32 sec
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13
Keep slight left to continue on 5th Avenue South
1682 ft · 43 sec
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14
Continue on 5th Avenue South
3272 ft · 2 min · 5th Avenue South
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15
Turn left onto Washington Avenue South
798 ft · 32 sec · Washington Avenue South
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16
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · Washington Avenue South
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Prior Lake and Minneapolis.
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.
I 35W North
Merge slight left
13.8 mi · 00h 18m
Route Summary
A quick read on whether this route feels easy, ambitious, or worth planning around.
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.
Sunny leaving Prior Lake and Sunny near Minneapolis.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Prior Lake to Minneapolis?
The road trip is about 25.6 miles (41.2 km) and usually takes 00h 33m 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?
Bloomington is a useful midpoint, sitting about 12.4 miles from Prior Lake and 13.3 miles from Minneapolis.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 20 miles (32.2 km), while the road route adds roughly 5.6 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 7:22 PM CDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $3.21 one way or $6.42 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 8 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Sunny around Prior Lake and Sunny near Minneapolis.
Stop Ideas Near Bloomington
Useful break, food, and waypoint ideas within about 15 miles of the route midpoint.
Minneapolis City Hall
City of Bloomington
Mall of America®
Transit and Meeting Points
Useful pickup, handoff, or rendezvous points close to Bloomington.
Saint Paul Union Depot
Red Wing station
St. Cloud
Menomonie, WI
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Prior Lake and Minneapolis. Straight-line distance: 20 mi (32.19 km).
#1 Prior Lake
City in Minnesota, United States
| Population | 27,317 |
| Coordinates | 44.7133000, -93.4227300 |
| Altitude | 289 |
| Country | United States |
#2 Minneapolis
The largest city in Minnesota, Minneapolis is a major center for business, finance, and culture.
| Population | 433,111 |
| Coordinates | 44.9799700, -93.2638400 |
| Altitude | 253 |
| Country | United States |
End: Washington Avenue South (-93.263838, 44.979973)
Estimated Travel Time
Distance: 41 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 00h 51m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 00h 38m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 00h 30m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 00h 25m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 00h 21m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 00h 19m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $3.57 | $3.21 | $6.42 |
| Mid-grade | $3.92 | $3.53 | $7.06 |
| Premium | $4.39 | $3.95 | $7.91 |
| Diesel | $4.86 | $4.38 | $8.76 |
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 30, 2026
Distance to Other Cities
Planning a road trip? See the full trip guide on Trip.ovh — stops, fuel costs, weather, and departure timing.