How far is Thief River Falls, MN from Burnsville, MN?
The driving distance from Thief River Falls, MN to Burnsville, MN is about 313.2 miles (504.1 km), with a travel time of about 05h 14m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 269.6 miles (433.9 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 10h 28m of driving time before adding stops, traffic, or weather delays.
- A comfortable departure window is usually 6:00 AM to 8:00 AM CDT.
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.
This drive is better planned with a longer stop or an overnight stay.
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 05h 14m.
An early departure helps you fit a real stop into the day without turning the return into a late-night drive.
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.
City in Wadena County, Minnesota, United States of America
Route Weather Snapshot
Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.
Mostly Sunny
Sunny
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Thief River Falls and Burnsville.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Thief River Falls and Burnsville.
-
1
Start on 3rd Street East
9.5 mi · 12 min · 3rd Street East
-
2
Turn left
85 mi · 1 hr 37 min
-
3
Turn left
44.9 mi · 52 min
-
4
Enter the roundabout and take exit 1 toward the route
31 m · 2 sec
-
5
Exit the roundabout
20 m · 1 sec
-
6
Turn straight onto Ash Avenue Northwest
7.3 mi · 8 min · Ash Avenue Northwest
-
7
Continue on West Mason Avenue
78.4 mi · 1 hr 30 min · West Mason Avenue
-
8
Keep slight left
26.1 mi · 31 min
-
9
Turn right onto 165th Avenue Southeast
1.8 mi · 2 min · 165th Avenue Southeast
-
10
Continue on Park Boulevard Southeast
1.4 mi · 2 min · Park Boulevard Southeast
-
11
Continue on County Road 11
1.1 km · 58 sec · County Road 11
-
12
Turn right onto State Highway 25
540 ft · 12 sec · State Highway 25
-
13
Continue on Pine Street
1652 ft · 43 sec · Pine Street
-
14
Turn left onto Broadway Street East
1.5 mi · 3 min · Broadway Street East
-
15
Turn right onto Fenning Avenue
1727 ft · 40 sec · Fenning Avenue
-
16
Take the ramp left
1892 ft · 54 sec
-
17
Merge slight left
21.1 mi · 23 min
-
18
Take the exit slight right toward I 494 South
2227 ft · 32 sec
-
19
Continue straight
21.9 mi · 27 min
-
20
Take the exit slight right toward I 35W South: Albert Lea
1038 ft · 25 sec
-
21
Continue on I 35W South: Albert Lea
2054 ft · 50 sec
-
22
Merge slight left
5.9 mi · 7 min
-
23
Take the exit slight right toward MN 13 North
1006 ft · 24 sec
-
24
Merge slight left
2721 ft · 42 sec
-
25
Turn right onto Nicollet Avenue South
1.1 km · 2 min · Nicollet Avenue South
-
26
Continue on Nicollet Avenue South
88 m · 13 sec · Nicollet Avenue South
-
27
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · Nicollet Avenue South
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Thief River Falls and Burnsville.
Long-distance drive
This route is long enough that fuel, rest stops, weather, and timing matter more than any single maneuver.
Longest stretch
Turn left
85 mi · 01h 37m
Route Summary
A quick read on whether this route feels easy, ambitious, or worth planning around.
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.
Mostly Sunny leaving Thief River Falls and Sunny near Burnsville.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Thief River Falls to Burnsville?
The road trip is about 313.2 miles (504.1 km) and usually takes 05h 14m 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?
Aldrich is a useful midpoint, sitting about 154.4 miles from Thief River Falls and 158.8 miles from Burnsville.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 269.6 miles (433.9 km), while the road route adds roughly 43.6 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 6:00 AM to 8:00 AM CDT. If you want a more comfortable same-day return, try to leave by 6:32 AM CDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $39.44 one way or $78.87 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 98.2 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Mostly Sunny around Thief River Falls and Sunny near Burnsville.
Stop Ideas Near Aldrich
Useful break, food, and waypoint ideas within about 15 miles of the route midpoint.
Transit and Meeting Points
Useful pickup, handoff, or rendezvous points close to Aldrich.
Staples
Detroit Lakes
St. Cloud
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Thief River Falls and Burnsville. Straight-line distance: 269.63 mi (433.93 km).
#1 Thief River Falls
City in Pennington County, Minnesota, USA
| Population | 8,688 |
| Coordinates | 48.1191400, -96.1811500 |
| Altitude | 345 |
| Country | United States |
#2 Burnsville
The most populous city in Dakota County, Minnesota.
| Population | 62,170 |
| Coordinates | 44.7677400, -93.2777200 |
| Altitude | 296 |
| Country | United States |
End: Nicollet Avenue South (-93.277664, 44.76774)
Estimated Travel Time
Distance: 504 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 10h 26m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 07h 49m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 06h 15m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 05h 13m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 04h 28m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 03h 54m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $3.57 | $39.44 | $78.87 |
| Mid-grade | $3.92 | $43.33 | $86.65 |
| Premium | $4.39 | $48.53 | $97.06 |
| Diesel | $4.86 | $53.75 | $107.49 |
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 16, 2026
Distance to Other Cities
Planning a road trip? See the full trip guide on Trip.ovh — stops, fuel costs, weather, and departure timing.