City lakes to Lake Superior cliffs
This is leg 2 of 2, the final leg.
Travel leg · Minnesota North Shore
Duluth to Grand Marais
Duluth and Grand Marais sit about 171 km (106 mi) apart in a straight line, with Grand Marais to the north-east. It is leg 2 of 2 on our Minnesota North Shore itinerary, a 6-day trip. Here is how long it takes by car, what to see on the way and where it fits in a real itinerary.
- Straight-line distance
- 171 km · 106 mi
- Est. road distance
- 205–239 km
- Est. drive time
- 2 h 15 min – 3 h 45 min
- Direction
- Heading north-east
- Curated routes
- 1 itinerary
Road distance is estimated as 1.2–1.4× the straight line; drive time assumes average speeds of 65–95 km/h with no stops or traffic. These are rough estimates — check a maps app for the actual route.
Ways to get there
We don't have live routing data, so the figures below are labelled estimates built from the straight-line distance. Use them to plan the day, then confirm in a maps app.
By car
Most travelers on our Minnesota North Shore itinerary do this leg by car. We estimate 205–239 km (128–149 mi) of road and 2 h 15 min – 3 h 45 min behind the wheel, so check live traffic before you set off.
Driving is the standard way to move up the shore, and the scenic road along Lake Superior is part of the experience. Minneapolis is easy to enjoy without a car, but you will want one from Duluth onward.
Worth stopping for
Picks from our curated guides at both ends.
When you arrive in Grand Marais
Two days for the harbor town, a Gunflint Trail drive and nearby state park waterfalls.
Artist's Point
Rocky basalt spit behind the Coast Guard station leading to the harbor lighthouse breakwall.
North House Folk School
Harborfront school for traditional crafts, with short classes and sails on the schooner Hjordis.
World's Best Donuts
Seasonal donut shop near the harbor since 1969.
Voyageur Brewing Company
Downtown brewery with a rooftop deck overlooking the harbor.
Gunflint Trail
57-mile road from town into Boundary Waters lake country, with moose sightings at dusk.
Judge C.R. Magney State Park
Trail to the Devil's Kettle, where half the Brule River seems to vanish into a pothole.
Before you leave Duluth
A full day for the harbor, the Lakewalk and Glensheen, plus an evening of local beer.
On this curated route
Where Duluth → Grand Marais sits in the full itinerary. Highlighted stops are this leg.
Going the other way? Grand Marais to Duluth is the same 171 km in a straight line, heading south-west. Reverse directions in Google Maps ↗
Weather at each end
Average daytime highs at both ends stay within 1°C of each other all year, so you can pack the same way for both.
| Measure | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Duluth high | -7° | -5° | 2° | 9° | 16° | 21° | 26° | 25° | 20° | 12° | 4° | -4° |
| Grand Marais high | -7° | -6° | 2° | 10° | 17° | 22° | 26° | 25° | 20° | 11° | 3° | -4° |
| Duluth rain | 23 | 27 | 41 | 72 | 91 | 104 | 89 | 90 | 82 | 81 | 40 | 42 |
| Grand Marais rain | 27 | 24 | 33 | 62 | 82 | 98 | 84 | 75 | 81 | 75 | 44 | 38 |
Temperatures in °C, rain in mm per month. Long-term monthly averages from NASA POWER satellite climatology — a guide to typical conditions, not a forecast. Month headings link to Grand Marais month guides.
Duluth to Grand Marais: questions travelers ask
How far is Duluth from Grand Marais?
Duluth is about 171 km (106 mi) from Grand Marais in a straight line, with Grand Marais to the north-east. By road, we estimate 205–239 km (128–149 mi), or 1.2–1.4 times the straight line. Check a maps app for the exact route.
How long does it take to drive from Duluth to Grand Marais?
An estimated 2 h 15 min – 3 h 45 min, assuming 205–239 km of road at average speeds of 65–95 km/h with no stops or traffic. It is not a routed time, so check a maps app on the day.
Which itineraries include the trip from Duluth to Grand Marais?
Our Minnesota North Shore itinerary includes this leg. Minnesota North Shore runs about 6 days across 3 stops, best in Jun – Oct.
Getting to Duluth
- Minneapolis to Duluth 220 km
Guides for both ends
- Duluth travel guide
- Duluth weather best time to visit
- Grand Marais travel guide
- Grand Marais weather best time to visit
Grand Marais by month
Plan Duluth → Grand Marais with your crew
Add this leg to a shared itinerary, poll the group on where to stop, split fuel and tickets, and keep everyone's packing list in one place in TripsCircle.