How far is Woodbury, MN from Detroit Lakes, MN?
The driving distance from Woodbury, MN to Detroit Lakes, MN is about 162.4 miles (261.4 km), with a travel time of about 03h 17m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 137 miles (220.4 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 06h 35m 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 03h 17m.
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.
Human settlement in Sylvan Township, Minnesota, United States of America
Route Weather Snapshot
Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.
Patchy Fog then Sunny
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Woodbury and Detroit Lakes.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Woodbury and Detroit Lakes.
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1
Start on Gisler Road
1011 ft · 30 sec · Gisler Road
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2
Turn right
32.2 mi · 40 min
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3
Turn left onto Voyageur Highway
7.5 mi · 9 min · Voyageur Highway
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4
Continue on 2nd Street Northeast
1.9 mi · 4 min · 2nd Street Northeast
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5
Continue on Voyageur Highway
8.8 mi · 11 min · Voyageur Highway
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6
Continue on East Front Street
2129 ft · 30 sec · East Front Street
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7
Turn right onto Archibald Road
1.1 km · 45 sec · Archibald Road
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8
Continue on Voyageur Highway
2.3 mi · 3 min · Voyageur Highway
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9
Enter the roundabout and take exit 2 toward East Main Street
33 m · 2 sec · East Main Street
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10
Exit the roundabout onto East Main Street
1.1 mi · 1 min · East Main Street
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11
Turn left onto 3rd Avenue Southwest
2046 ft · 26 sec · 3rd Avenue Southwest
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12
Continue on Oak Street
1.1 km · 45 sec · Oak Street
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13
Continue on 4th Street
1992 ft · 26 sec · 4th Street
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14
Continue on Voyageur Highway
11.7 mi · 13 min · Voyageur Highway
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15
Continue on Northeast Washington Street
1.5 mi · 2 min · Northeast Washington Street
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16
Continue on Washington Street
1.8 mi · 4 min · Washington Street
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17
Continue on State Highway 210
20.7 mi · 25 min · State Highway 210
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18
Continue straight
6.4 mi · 7 min
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19
Turn straight
8.5 mi · 10 min
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20
Continue straight
10.9 mi · 12 min
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21
Turn slight right
20 m · 2 sec
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22
Enter the roundabout and take exit 2 toward the route
30 m · 2 sec
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23
Exit the roundabout
29 m · 1 sec
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24
Turn straight
44.3 mi · 51 min
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25
Turn left onto Washington Avenue
781 ft · 27 sec · Washington Avenue
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26
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · Washington Avenue
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Woodbury and Detroit Lakes.
Straightforward drive
The saved road route has a manageable number of maneuvers and should be easy to follow with normal attention to signs.
Longest stretch
Turn straight
44.3 mi · 00h 51m
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.
Sunny leaving Woodbury and Patchy Fog then Sunny near Detroit Lakes.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Woodbury to Detroit Lakes?
The road trip is about 162.4 miles (261.4 km) and usually takes 03h 17m 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?
Sylvan is a useful midpoint, sitting about 81 miles from Woodbury and 81.4 miles from Detroit Lakes.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 137 miles (220.4 km), while the road route adds roughly 25.4 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 10:24 AM CDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $24.37 one way or $48.74 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 50.9 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Sunny around Woodbury and Patchy Fog then Sunny near Detroit Lakes.
Stop Ideas Near Sylvan
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 Sylvan.
Staples
St. Cloud
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Woodbury and Detroit Lakes. Straight-line distance: 136.93 mi (220.37 km).
#1 Woodbury
The most populous city in Washington County, Minnesota.
| Population | 74,255 |
| Coordinates | 46.6791100, -92.9599300 |
| Altitude | 402 |
| Country | United States |
#2 Detroit Lakes
City in Minnesota, United States
| Population | 9,255 |
| Coordinates | 46.8171800, -95.8453300 |
| Altitude | 418 |
| Country | United States |
End: Detroit Lakes (-95.84533, 46.81718)
Estimated Travel Time
Distance: 261 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 05h 24m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 04h 03m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 03h 14m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 02h 42m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 02h 19m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 02h 01m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $4.25 | $24.37 | $48.74 |
| Mid-grade | $4.74 | $27.13 | $54.26 |
| Premium | $5.27 | $30.18 | $60.36 |
| Diesel | $6.21 | $35.57 | $71.14 |
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 · Oct 20, 2026