Duluth to Minneapolis: Stops to Make, Routes, & Transportation Options (2023)
Are you traveling from Duluth to Minneapolis? Whether you’re a local going out on a road trip or a visitor checking out the state’s largest cities, this is a great trip!
Whether you’re hoping to take the easiest route there or you’re wanting to make it a little more leisurely, there are several ways to get between the two.
And, you can make some stops along the way to make your road trip a bit more fun and interesting!
I live about an hour from Duluth, and lived about 30 minutes from Minneapolis for a year! So I have extensive knowledge of the trip between these major cities.
In this post, I’ll tell you all about what to expect, how to take the trip, and where to stop along the way. Let’s hit the road!
Distance from Duluth to Minneapolis
The driving distance between these two cities, Minneapolis and Duluth, is approximately 150 miles, which equals about 2 hours and 20 minutes of drive time.
Based on traffic and weather conditions, this drive could go faster or take longer.
Because these are two of Minnesota’s major cities, traffic can get busy in either, but more so once you start to reach the Twin Cities Metro.
So the final stretch of your trip may take the longest!
This is a pretty short trip, and it can easily be done in the morning to spend an entire day exploring whichever city you’re driving too!
Map Between Duluth and Minneapolis
If you’re wondering what the drive between these cities looks like, here’s a
It’s a fairly simple and easy drive, with most of it taking place on Interstate 35W. The speed limit along this interstate is 65 MPH at the time of writing this, so you can get there pretty quickly! There are a few methods of transportation to get between these two cities, but overall the best, cheapest, and easiest way to get from Minneapolis to Duluth is by car. Rather than flying, taking a bus, or the train, driving your own car or a rental car allows you to stop along the way, and it’s a relatively short drive! While there are other options, I really wouldn’t recommend them as highly, since they take longer and are more expensive. Here are all of the ways to make this trip! The easiest and best way to get from Duluth to Minneapolis, or vice versa is to take either your own car or a rental car. First of all, it’s the most convenient way of taking the trip, because you’ll have your own car to explore and sightsee with. Secondly, it’s going to be your cheapest and fastest way to get between these two cities. The drive is roughly 150 miles and takes just under 2.5 hours, so you don’t even have to worry about setting aside much time to make the trip! I’ve taken this drive many times, and it goes by very quickly since you’re on the interstate for nearly the entire drive! Check Out the Best Rentals Cars in Minnesota Here! Maybe you’re someone who likes flying better than driving. You can definitely take a flight between these two cities! The Duluth to Minneapolis flight time is only about an hour long, and it almost feels like you spend more time going through security than you do in the air! Although this method of transportation can be convenient and easy, it actually takes about the same amount of time and is more expensive. Flights typically range from $150-300, depending on when you’re planning to travel. But if you do decide to fly, you’ll fly in and out of either Duluth International Airport or Minneapolis-St. Paul International Airport. Check out Flights Between Minneapolis and Duluth Here! Another easy option for getting between these two Minnesotan cities is to try bus travel with some bus companies. This option works well if you don’t have a driver’s license, don’t like to drive, or just want to sit back and relax while someone else does the work! You can book a ticket on the Greyhound Bus, which takes several trips between these two cities throughout the week, with trips lasting between 4 to 20 hours, depending on your travel date. Tickets can be fairly inexpensive, sometimes only $35 for a one-way ticket, but then you have to figure out how to get around once you arrive. Jefferson Lines is another company that you can take a Minneapolis to Duluth bus through. Another downfall of bus travel is that rides may not be available every day. But bus tickets can be found online to check availability. The final best option for getting between these cities is to take the Groome Transportation Shuttle. This shuttle picks up and drops off people at the Minneapolis-St. Paul Airport, and can drive you from Duluth to MSP, or from MSP to Duluth. It’s an affordable price to take the shuttle, and it can drop you off at a variety of locations including the State Capital, MSP Airport, and Duluth hotels. Since the best way to travel between these two cities is to drive, we should also cover the best routes to take. The fastest and most straightforward route to take is the fastest way between the Twin Cities and Duluth is along I-35 and I-35W. You won’t have to worry about any turns or anything, as this route is just to chug straight ahead for about 150 miles. It takes about 2 hours and 20 minutes. Hop onto I-35 South from Duluth, and follow it for the entirety of your trip, until it merges into I-35W South. Another route, which will take you about 2 hours and 40 minutes, covering around 160 miles, takes you onto US Highway 65. You’ll still follow I-35 until just past North Branch, where you’ll exit towards US Highway 65 and follow that until you merge onto I-94. The third and final route is to follow I-35 until you reach Hinckley, and then you’ll merge onto Minnesota Highway 23. From here, you’ll follow this until Milaca, where you’ll jump onto US Highway 169, and follow that until you merge with I-94E into Minneapolis. This route takes about 3 hours, and is just under 180 miles long. Of course, there are also many great stops to make along the way, and once you’ve arrived in whichever city your destination is! Here are a few of those best stops between Duluth and Minneapolis to make your trip more enjoyable! Distance from Duluth: In Duluth Before leaving Duluth, also be sure to stop in and check out all of the great activities in Canal Park! With stunning views of Lake Superior, this area is filled with restaurants, shops, and activities for the entire family to enjoy. Check out the Aerial Lift Bridge, wander through Park Point, grab a bite to eat, and take a walk along the Lakewalk to stretch your legs. Distance from Duluth: 20 miles Just a short distance out of the way, Jay Cooke State Park is a nature lover’s paradise located in Carlton. The park is home to stunning views of the St. Louis River and its dramatic gorge, which you can hike around and enjoy the beautiful Minnesota weather. Jay Cooke is open year-round, and each season offers its own unique beauty and recreational opportunities. During the summer, hike and watch for wildlife through the park. When winter hits, strap on a set of snowshoes and wander around the trails! Distance from Duluth: 50 miles Of course, we all know that Minnesota is well known for its thousands of beautiful lakes, so what would this trip be without a stop at one of them? Just outside of Moose Lake and this lake’s small namesake town, you’ll find the large Sturgeon Lake. Here you can stop for some kayaking, swimming, fishing, or just take in the views of the lake. There’s a public boat ramp on the north side of the lake. You should also definitely check out the adorable covered bridge on the east side of Sturgeon Lake. Distance from Duluth: 65 miles Banning State Park is known for its dramatic sandstone rock formations, waterfalls, and the Kettle River. There are trails scattered all over the park, and you can even hike to see a small waterfall, called Wolf Creek Falls. It offers some of the best opportunities for hiking in the central part of Minnesota and gives a nice place to stretch your legs along the drive. Distance from Duluth: 75 miles If you like to have a good time at the casino, then you’ll be glad to know that you can find one right in Hinckley. Make a stop and see if you can win enough to cover the cost of gas to get from Duluth to Minneapolis! 😉 Distance from Duluth: 90 miles Another of Minnesota’s great state parks is St. Croix State Park, located in Hinckley, right along the St. Croix River. It’s right at the halfway point, so be sure to go off the beaten path slightly to see this park. This park offers nice opportunities for hiking, kayaking the river, and even climbing a fire tower for some pretty epic views! Distance from Duluth: 125 miles In Chisago City, which is just a small city located a short distance off of I-35, you’ll find the beautiful Winehaven Winery, one of the best places for wine in Minnesota. Here, you can stop in for a wine tasting, or to tour the gorgeous vineyards. The winery sits high on a hill overlooking the Chisago Lakes District, which is also a fantastic place for kayaking near the Twin Cities, taking your boat out, or swimming. Distance from Duluth: 140 miles Right as you pass through the Lino Lakes area, you’ll come across the Rice Creek Chain of Lakes Park Reserve. This area is home to multiple lakes, including Peltier Lake, Centerville Lake, Rice Lake, and George Watch Lake. You can check out these lakes for boating, kayaking, paddle boarding, swimming, and more. There are also hiking trails and golf courses in this area. If you have a dog with you, there’s even an off-leash dog park here to let them get some energy out! Distance from Duluth: 150 miles Another stop between Minneapolis and Duluth is the Rosedale Center. The Rosedale Center is a nice shopping mall that’s located in Roseville, just off of the road as you make your way towards Minneapolis. Here you’ll find over 150 stores to check out, a movie theater, a large food court to grab lunch at, and more. Distance from Duluth: 155 miles Once you’ve made it into Minneapolis, one of the top things that you have to see is the beautiful Mississippi River, as it winds its way through the cities. Walking along the river paths are a great way to spend some time alone, or with whoever made the trip with you. And now that you’re here, you can explore all there is to see in the Twin Cities! Currently, there is no train that will take you between Duluth and Minneapolis, although there is possibly one in the works! The Northern Lights Express is a proposed passenger train system that will provide transportation between these two cities, covering about 150 miles of ground. This isn’t available yet, but hopefully will be someday! Yes, there is a Minneapolis to Duluth shuttle, and vice versa! The Groome Transportation shuttle will take you from the MSP Airport to a few select locations in Duluth, and will also bring you from Duluth to MSP. You can book tickets online to make sure you can grab a spot! No, Amtrak does not have a station in Duluth, MN. Amtrak operates in Detroit Lakes, Winona, Staples, St. Paul/Minneapolis, St. Cloud, and Red Wing. In Minnesota, Amtrak has stations in Detroit Lakes, Winona, Staples, St. Paul/Minneapolis, St. Cloud, and Red Wing. Yes, the Minneapolis/St. Paul Amtrak station is found at the Union Depot in St. Paul. Yes, you can fly between Duluth and Minneapolis. Airline operators that service flights include Delta, United, and more. You will fly into Duluth International Airport (DLH) and Minneapolis-St. Paul International Airport (MSP). The Duluth to Minneapolis flight time is about 1 hour. No, there is no train between St. Paul and Duluth, although there is a proposed train extending between these two cities to hopefully happen in the coming years. Duluth is popular for many reasons including its shopping, close access to Lake Superior, Canal Park, for being the gateway to the North Shore, and more. For visiting Duluth, MN, you can either fly into Duluth International Airport, which is right in Duluth or to Minneapolis-St. Paul International Airport in the Twin Cities. Yes, Duluth, MN is a beautiful place to live. With great people, plenty to do, and good job opportunities, this northern Minnesota city is a nice place to call home. Traveling from Duluth to Minneapolis is a journey that promises to offer scenic views and unforgettable experiences. Whether you choose to drive, take a bus or fly, you’ll be surrounded by towering trees, and shimmering lakes, and have the opportunity to make stops along the way. No matter what you’re visiting for, these two Minnesota cities are great places to be, and are easily accessible from one another!
Best Ways to Get to Minneapolis from Duluth
By Car [Fastest & Most Convienient]
By Plane
Duluth to Minneapolis Bus
By Shuttle
Driving Routes from Duluth to Minneapolis
Route #1: I-35/I-35W
Route #2: I-35/US 65
Route #3: I-35/MN-23/US-169
Best Stops to Make Along the Way
Canal Park
Distance from Minneapolis: 155 miles
Jay Cooke State Park
Distance from Minneapolis: 135 miles
Sturgeon Lake
Distance from Minneapolis: 110 milesBanning State Park
Distance from Minneapolis: 95 miles
Grand Casino Hinckley
Distance from Minneapolis: 85 milesSt. Croix State Park
Distance from Minneapolis: 95 miles
Winehaven Winery
Distance from Minneapolis: 40 milesRice Creek Chain of Lakes Park Reserve
Distance from Minneapolis: 25 miles
Rosedale Center
Distance from Minneapolis: 10 milesMississippi River
Distance from Minneapolis: In Minneapolis
Is There a Train Between Duluth and Minneapolis?
Is There a Shuttle From Duluth to Minneapolis, MN?
FAQs
Wrap-Up: Minneapolis to Duluth
