City lakes to Lake Superior cliffs
This is leg 1 of 2, the opening leg.
Travel leg · Minnesota North Shore
Minneapolis to Duluth
Minneapolis and Duluth sit about 220 km (137 mi) apart in a straight line, with Duluth to the north-east. It is leg 1 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
- 220 km · 137 mi
- Est. road distance
- 264–309 km
- Est. drive time
- 2 h 45 min – 4 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 264–309 km (164–192 mi) of road and 2 h 45 min – 4 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 Duluth
A full day for the harbor, the Lakewalk and Glensheen, plus an evening of local beer.
Aerial Lift Bridge
Rising bridge over the ship canal that lifts for 1,000-foot lake freighters.
Duluth Lakewalk
Paved shoreline path from Canal Park toward Brighton Beach along Lake Superior.
Skyline Parkway
Ridge road above the city with overlooks of the harbor and lake.
Duluth Grill
Local-sourcing diner in West Duluth with hearty breakfasts.
Bent Paddle Brewing Co.
Popular Lincoln Park taproom of a Duluth craft brewery.
Lake Superior Maritime Visitor Center
Free museum by the canal on Great Lakes shipping and shipwrecks.
Before you leave Minneapolis
Two days for the riverfront, lakes and museums before driving north.
On this curated route
Where Minneapolis → Duluth sits in the full itinerary. Highlighted stops are this leg.
Going the other way? Duluth to Minneapolis is the same 220 km in a straight line, heading south-west. Reverse directions in Google Maps ↗
Weather at each end
The biggest gap comes in June, when Duluth averages highs 5°C cooler than Minneapolis.
| Measure | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Minneapolis high | -6° | -3° | 5° | 13° | 20° | 26° | 29° | 27° | 23° | 14° | 5° | -3° |
| Duluth high | -7° | -5° | 2° | 9° | 16° | 21° | 26° | 25° | 20° | 12° | 4° | -4° |
| Minneapolis rain | 18 | 27 | 44 | 82 | 109 | 130 | 94 | 107 | 89 | 70 | 33 | 37 |
| Duluth rain | 23 | 27 | 41 | 72 | 91 | 104 | 89 | 90 | 82 | 81 | 40 | 42 |
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 Duluth month guides.
Minneapolis to Duluth: questions travelers ask
How far is Minneapolis from Duluth?
Minneapolis is about 220 km (137 mi) from Duluth in a straight line, with Duluth to the north-east. By road, we estimate 264–309 km (164–192 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 Minneapolis to Duluth?
An estimated 2 h 45 min – 4 h 45 min, assuming 264–309 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 Minneapolis to Duluth?
Our Minnesota North Shore itinerary includes this leg. Minnesota North Shore runs about 6 days across 3 stops, best in Jun – Oct.
Onward from Duluth
- Duluth to Grand Marais 171 km
Guides for both ends
- Minneapolis travel guide
- Minneapolis weather best time to visit
- Duluth travel guide
- Duluth weather best time to visit
Duluth by month
Plan Minneapolis → Duluth 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.