How far is Thief River Falls, MN from Lakeville, MN?
The driving distance from Thief River Falls, MN to Lakeville, MN is about 321.4 miles (517.3 km), with a travel time of about 05h 23m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 277.6 miles (446.7 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 10h 46m 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 23m.
An early departure helps you fit a real stop into the day without turning the return into a late-night drive.
This departure sits inside the recommended comfort window for the route.
Halfway Point
A useful midpoint for breaks, coffee, or meeting in the middle.
City in Todd County and Wadena County, Minnesota
Route Weather Snapshot
Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.
Partly Sunny
Slight Chance Rain Showers
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Thief River Falls and Lakeville.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Thief River Falls and Lakeville.
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1
Start on 3rd Street East
9.5 mi · 12 min · 3rd Street East
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2
Turn left
85 mi · 1 hr 37 min
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3
Turn left
44.9 mi · 52 min
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4
Enter the roundabout and take exit 1 toward the route
31 m · 2 sec
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5
Exit the roundabout
20 m · 1 sec
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6
Turn straight onto Ash Avenue Northwest
7.3 mi · 8 min · Ash Avenue Northwest
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7
Continue on West Mason Avenue
78.4 mi · 1 hr 30 min · West Mason Avenue
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8
Keep slight left
26.1 mi · 31 min
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9
Turn right onto 165th Avenue Southeast
1.8 mi · 2 min · 165th Avenue Southeast
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10
Continue on Park Boulevard Southeast
1.4 mi · 2 min · Park Boulevard Southeast
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11
Continue on County Road 11
1.1 km · 58 sec · County Road 11
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12
Turn right onto State Highway 25
540 ft · 12 sec · State Highway 25
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13
Continue on Pine Street
1652 ft · 43 sec · Pine Street
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14
Turn left onto Broadway Street East
1.5 mi · 3 min · Broadway Street East
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15
Turn right onto Fenning Avenue
1727 ft · 40 sec · Fenning Avenue
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16
Take the ramp left
1892 ft · 54 sec
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17
Merge slight left
21.1 mi · 23 min
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18
Take the exit slight right toward I 494 South
2227 ft · 32 sec
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19
Continue straight
21.9 mi · 27 min
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20
Take the exit slight right toward I 35W South: Albert Lea
1038 ft · 25 sec
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21
Continue on I 35W South: Albert Lea
2054 ft · 50 sec
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22
Merge slight left
11.1 mi · 13 min
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23
Take the exit slight right toward CR 5, CR 50
999 ft · 26 sec
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24
Turn left onto Kenwood Trail
1.3 mi · 2 min · Kenwood Trail
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25
Enter the roundabout and take exit 2 toward Kenwood Trail /Richard J. Ames Memorial Highway
39 m · 3 sec · Kenwood Trail /Richard J. Ames Memorial Highway
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26
Exit the roundabout onto Kenwood Trail /Richard J. Ames Memorial Highway
2.2 mi · 3 min · Kenwood Trail /Richard J. Ames Memorial Highway
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27
Continue on Kenwood Trai/Richard J. Ames Memorial Highway
770 ft · 17 sec · Kenwood Trai/Richard J. Ames Memorial Highway
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28
Continue on 202nd Street West / Richard J. Ames Memorial Highway
2553 ft · 48 sec · 202nd Street West / Richard J. Ames Memorial Highway
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29
Enter the roundabout and take exit 1 toward 202nd Street West
4 m · 1 sec · Holyoke Avenue
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30
Exit the rotary onto Holyoke Avenue
2291 ft · 1 min · Holyoke Avenue
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31
Turn left onto 207th Street West
7 m · 1 sec · 207th Street West
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32
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · 207th Street West
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Thief River Falls and Lakeville.
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.
Partly Sunny leaving Thief River Falls and Slight Chance Rain Showers near Lakeville.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Thief River Falls to Lakeville?
The road trip is about 321.4 miles (517.3 km) and usually takes 05h 23m 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?
Staples is a useful midpoint, sitting about 158.7 miles from Thief River Falls and 162.7 miles from Lakeville.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 277.6 miles (446.7 km), while the road route adds roughly 43.8 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 6:14 AM CDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $40.47 one way or $80.94 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 100.8 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Partly Sunny around Thief River Falls and Slight Chance Rain Showers near Lakeville.
Stop Ideas Near Staples
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 Staples.
Staples
Detroit Lakes
St. Cloud
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Thief River Falls and Lakeville. Straight-line distance: 277.58 mi (446.72 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 Lakeville
The most populous city in Dakota County, Minnesota.
| Population | 69,583 |
| Coordinates | 44.6496900, -93.2427200 |
| Altitude | 296 |
| Country | United States |
End: 207th Street West (-93.24272, 44.649706)
Estimated Travel Time
Distance: 517 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 10h 42m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 08h 02m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 06h 25m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 05h 21m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 04h 35m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 04h 00m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $3.57 | $40.47 | $80.94 |
| Mid-grade | $3.92 | $44.46 | $88.93 |
| Premium | $4.39 | $49.81 | $99.61 |
| Diesel | $4.86 | $55.16 | $110.32 |
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 31, 2026
Distance to Other Cities
Planning a road trip? See the full trip guide on Trip.ovh — stops, fuel costs, weather, and departure timing.