Best Road Trips From Minneapolis

🚗 960 miles ⏱️ 14 hours

Embark on a scenic journey from Minneapolis to Niagara Falls to experience the breath taking views and iconic mist of the Falls. A bucket-list destination, which needs to be seen to be believed.

Take a southern journey and you'll pass through Wisconsin Dells, Madison, and on to Chicago where a stop-off is a must, before travelling alongside gorgeous Lake Erie.

🚗 270 miles ⏱️ 4 hours, 40 minutes

Journey from Minneapolis to Wisconsin Dells for a fun-filled getaway perfect for families, where you'll experience beautiful lakes and colorful forests in this outdoor adventure.

Head direct and you can enjoy stops at vibrant Rochester and stunning Lake Pepin, before travelling the Historic Bluff Country Scenic Byway.

🚗 26 miles ⏱️ 30 minutes

Enjoy a quick and scenic drive from Minneapolis to Stillwater. This beautiful but underrated city with a lively Main Street with impressive early 20th-century architecture and over 100 miles of biking trails.

If you are visiting in winter then make sure to stop off at Afton, ideal for winter sports on the Afton Alps, and isn't too far away.

🚗 520 miles ⏱️ 8 hours

Drive from Minneapolis to explore the rugged beauty and dramatic landscapes of Badlands National Park, a remarkable haven for fossil hunters and nature lovers.

Head direct and you enjoy the delights of southern Minnesota, with Sioux Falls, unique Corn Museum in Mitchell, and Chamberlain, just some memorable stops we recommend.

🚗 400 miles ⏱️ 6 hours, 10 minutes

Take the Southern Route from Minneapolis to Chicago and experience the vibrant culture, iconic architecture, and bustling nightlife of the Windy City.

As you follow the border between Minnesota and Wisconsin, this trip passes stunning sites including Great River Bluffs State Park, La Crosse, Lower Wisconsin State Riverway and Madison.

🚗 372 miles ⏱️ 6 hours, 47 minutes

This trip takes you to the very best of Michigan's Upper Peninsula, not only the highest landmass in the state but is also surrounded by three of the Great Lakes

There are hiking options galore both north of the peninsula near Munising, and at the Porcupine Mountains along the northwestern edge. Mackinac Island is also a short drive east.

🚗 244 miles ⏱️ 3 hours, 36 minutes

Travel from Minneapolis to Des Moines, the capital of Iowa, proving hands-down, that there's a lot more to Iowa than the corn fields, and instead a culturally vibrant city, with a fabulous foodie scene.

As you pass through Mason City why not stop off at Clear Lake, Iowa's largest lakes and one of the Midwest's most popular fishing spots.

🚗 600 miles ⏱️ 8 hours, 50 minutes

Set off from Minneapolis to Mount Rushmore, where you can marvel at the rich history of the American presidents carved into the granite face.

Although this is a direct route there is plenty to enjoy along the way, including visits to Mankato, Sioux Falls, Chamberlain and a more lengthy stop to explore Badlands National Park.

🚗 30 miles ⏱️ 37 minutes

Enjoy a quick drive from Minneapolis to Hastings, most certainly worth a visit. This small town has a rich agricultural history and as it is found along the confluence of the St. Croix, Vermillion, and great Mississippi River, it's also super scenic.

From Downtown Minneapolis, you'll cross Hastings Bridge, and then make a stop at popular Levee Park, just before you arrive in Hastings.

🚗 540 miles ⏱️ 9 hours

Travel from Minneapolis through picturesque northern landscapes to Mackinac Island, best known for its timeless charm, car-free environment and fudge shops!

Check out some of these route highlights, including charming Eau Claire, Chippewa Falls and Green Bay, before reaching St Ignace where you can hop on the ferry to Mackinac Island.

🚗 910 miles ⏱️ 14 hours, 30 minutes

Embark on an exciting journey from Minneapolis to Nashville, soaking in musical histories, from the bluesy vibes of Chicago to the country roots of Nashville.

As well as passing the Windy City, recommended places to stop on the way include Tomah and New Lisbon, where you can visit Buckhorn State Park and Castle Rock Lake.

🚗 60 miles ⏱️ 1 hour, 5 minutes

Take a quick trip from Minneapolis and the Twin Cities to the Twin Towns of Northfield and Faribault for a trip filled with local history, outdoor exploration, arts, and crafts.

A short drive from Northfield in Minnesota is Big Woods State Park where you can hike, explore or discover a waterfall or two.

🚗 22 miles ⏱️ 25 minutes

Escape Minneapolis for Anoka, known as the "Halloween Capital of the World," offering quaint downtown shopping and seasonal festivals.

Just before Anoka you'll pass Coon Rapids, with The Bunker Hills Regional Park and Coon Rapids Dam Regional Park, both popular spots for some downtime.

🚗 873 miles ⏱️ 13 hours, 25 minutes

Journey from Minneapolis through South Dakota to Denver, and you'll experience stunning landscapes including the Badlands and Black Hills on your way to the Mile High City.

As you make your way to Denver don't pass by Sioux Falls without a visit, known for its stunning waterfalls at Falls Park.

🚗 177 miles ⏱️ 3 hours, 14 minutes

Drive along the scenic Great River Road from Minneapolis, is a case of the journey being the destination. and is strikingly beautiful, especially during the fall. Follow the majestic Mississippi River, dotted with stunning river towns and landscapes.

A great pit-stop and way to make this a tristate road trip, is to take Highway 25 from Wabasha over to Nelson and visit beautiful Nelson-Trevino Bottoms State Natural Area.

🚗 145 miles ⏱️ 2 hours, 30 minutes

Explore the heart of Minnesota's lake district from Minneapolis to Brainerd and Nisswa, perfect for a weekend of fishing, shopping, and outdoor adventure. A trip here will be sure to revitalize your connection with mother nature.

Pillsbury State Forest is roughly halfway between Brainerd and Nisswa, and great for a scenic spring or fall drive.

🚗 36 miles ⏱️ 40 minutes

Quickly reach Jordan from Minneapolis, a small town offering charming attractions like the Minnesota's Largest Candy Store and beautiful outdoor spaces.

Fancy enjoying a bit more of the great outdoors? Then visit Fisher Lake or Rice Lake en route to Jordan, both offering canoeing, kayaking, fishing and picnicking spots.

🚗 269 miles ⏱️ 4 hours, 6 minutes

Travel from Minneapolis to Madison, a vibrant city known for its large university campus and beautiful lakeside views. This trip will have more of a cosmopolitan feel than the other Midwestern stops.

For a beautiful fall visit consider taking Highway 61 via Winona and cross over into Wisconsin at La Crosse, for a particularly memorable trip.

🚗 230 miles ⏱️ 3 hours, 47 minutes

Drive from Minneapolis to the Apostle Islands National Lakeshore to explore the beauty of Lake Superior's coastal islands. This destination might make you think you're in the Mediterranean for a minute with its sapphire waters and sandstone cliffs. Wow!

Spend some time in Duluth on the way, with Canal Park, the Lake Superior Maritime Visitor Center, and scenic Lakewalk all worth a visit.

🚗 55 miles ⏱️ 1 hour

Enjoy a short trip from Minneapolis to Red Wing, a picturesque town along the Mississippi River, known for its towering bluffs and a great selection of 19th-century architecture. Red Wing is a popular weekend getaway.

Although you won't need to travel far, if you have the time then stops at Prescott and Hager City are worth a mention.

🚗 135 miles ⏱️ 2 hours, 5 minutes

Head from Minneapolis to Alexandria to experience classic Minnesota lake culture, with opportunities for boating, fishing, and exploring local history. Alexandria regularly makes it on lists of the best small towns in America. So, it's not just us who think it's worth a visit.

Be sure to explore some of the 55-mile long Central Lakes Trail which runs through Alexandria and the surrounding lakes.

🚗 160 miles ⏱️ 2 hours, 50 minutes

Explore the charm of Lanesboro and Decorah, a relatively short interstate trip from Minneapolis, which still packs a punch, taking you through the gorgeous countryside into Hawkeye State and two welcoming towns with strong Scandinavian roots.

En route make sure to stop off at Rochester, where you the Rochester Art Center and Silver Lake are just some of the main attractions.

🚗 217 miles ⏱️ 3 hours, 5 minutes

Travel from Minneapolis to Duluth, full of iconic buildings and landmarks, including a 19th-century lighthouse. In addition to Duluth's Great Lake views, this route passes through the gorgeous Banning State Park.

Enjoy what Lake Superior's shores have to offer, with thrilling whitewater adventures on the Kettle River.

🚗 364 miles ⏱️ 5 hours, 51 minutes

Enjoy a picturesque drive along the peninsula, from Minneapolis to Door County. You'll wind through forests, along shimmering lakeshores, and past several fascinating towns which boast lighthouses and even shipwrecks offshore.

Door County is nestled between Green Bay and Lake Michigan so both can be enjoyed as you make your trip.

🚗 147 miles ⏱️ 2 hours, 50 minutes

This interstate trip features two beautiful and historic river towns in Minnesota and Wisconsin. Take a scenic drive from Minneapolis to the river towns of Winona and La Crosse, and you'll enjoy rich history, stunning river bluffs, and vibrant cultural scenes.

🚗 265 miles ⏱️ 4 hours, 19 minutes

Escape to Grand Marais from Minneapolis, a coastal village on the shores of Lake Superior. Dense and varied foliage, majestic waterfalls, and coastal vistas are all highlights of this rejuvenating drive to the furthest regions of the North Star State.

The beautiful town of Two Harbors is directly along this route, so feel free to stop there at your leisure.