10 Best Road Trips From Minnesota, USA - Updated 2024

1. Nashville, TN

Begin your trip with a visit to the historic Ryman Auditorium, the “Mother Church of Country Music,” where you can catch a live performance or take a backstage tour. Stroll down Broadway, famous for its honky-tonks and live country music, or visit the Grand Ole Opry, an iconic music venue showcasing top country artists. Delve into the city’s musical heritage at the Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum, where you can explore memorabilia from legends of the genre.

The neighborhoods of 12 South and East Nashville beckon with trendy boutiques and eateries. For a touch of history, tour the Belle Meade Historic Site & Winery or the Hermitage, the former home of President Andrew Jackson.

From Minneapolis to Nashville, the distance and driving time can vary depending on your starting point, but the journey typically spans around 882.2 miles (1,419.76 kilometers), with a driving time of about 13 hours.

2. Dallas, TX

The road trip from Minneapolis to Dallas covers a substantial distance of 939.3 miles (1,511.66 kilometers) and typically takes around 15 hours by car. Upon arriving in Dallas, you’ll discover a city oozing with exciting attractions and cultural experiences. You can kickstart your journey at the Sixth Floor Museum at Dealey Plaza, a poignant tribute to the JFK assassination. Admire the iconic skyline from Reunion Tower’s observation deck or immerse yourself in the American West’s history at the Dallas Heritage Village at Old City Park.

Art enthusiasts can’t miss the Dallas Museum of Art and the striking sculptures at the Nasher Sculpture Center. Sports enthusiasts can catch a Dallas Cowboys game at AT&T Stadium in Arlington, a short car ride away from Dallas. A trip to a city is never complete without having a taste of its food and Dallas’s diverse food scene offers delectable Tex-Mex cuisine and mouthwatering barbecue.

3. Chicago, IL

If you were to drive non-stop from Minneapolis to Chicago, the trip would take about eight hours, but this would underscore the essence of a road trip. The plenty of things to see and do en route to Chicago make it one of the best places to go on a road trip from Minnesota. And if you are not in any hurry, you can take as much time as you want to explore the various attractions.

This city needs almost no introduction, but some of the notable stops you shouldn’t miss on this trip include Minnehaha Falls, Paul Bunyan Logging Museum, Wisconsin Dale for the views and some photos with the pink elephant, and if you won’t be too exhausted when approaching Chicago, a stop at Jelly Belly Warehouse for about an hour should complete your list of activities for the trip.

4. Detroit, MI

A road trip from Minnesota to Michigan depending on the actual route you take, as well as the time of your travel, should take just over 7 hours. The most recommended time for such a trip would be in summer or fall. And for better exposure to scenery and attractions, you should consider using Highway 61 because it is one of the most scenic roads in North America. Some of the attractions you are likely to encounter during the trip, and which you should take some time to explore include: the Split Rock Lighthouse just north of Two Harbors, Grand Marais, Silver Bay, Grand Rapids, and Circus World in Baraboo. Choose your stops accordingly based on whether you are interested in outdoor or indoor attractions.

5. Cincinnati, OH

The distance between Minneapolis to Cincinnati is about 710 miles (1140km), and if you were to drive without making any stops, then you will spend about 13 hours getting to Cincinnati. This is not only tiring but also potentially dangerous. However, with plenty of attractions in between, you will have more than enough to see and do and you can spend as long as you want on the road. On this road trip, your likely stops should be at Eau Claire, La Crosse, Madison, Chicago, Indianapolis, and finally Cincinnati. On attractions and activities, you have a whole world to choose from, and it is entirely upon you to choose based on the specific experiences you are going after.

6. Indianapolis, IN

If you are taking your friends or family for a road trip from Minnesota to Indianapolis, then you have a bunch of options, both routes and attractions at your disposal. You can start on US 14 just west of Madison, then join US 61 which will lead you to Lacrosse and finally, the Twin Cities.

If you have time, you can check out the Lloyd Wright Museum and the House on the Rock at Spring Green. New Glarus Brewery and Our Lady of Guadalupe Shrine in Lacrosse are also potential attractions you could consider on this road trip. Other than these attractions, Wisconsin is blessed with a plethora of beautiful scenery you will enjoy seeing throughout the state.

7. St. Louis, MO

Minneapolis to St Louis in Missouri is about nine hours apart by road, and though you may not have the pleasure of driving on some of the most scenic roads during this trip, there are plenty of attractions where you can make stops for short tours and enjoy the sceneries. Some of the highly recommended stops during this tour include Cedar Falls, Clear Lake, Faribault, O’Fallon Brewery, Amana Colonies and Nauvoo among others.

8. Denver, CO

Minneapolis and Denver are about 950 miles (1528km) apart and if you were to drive non-stop at about 70mph (113km/h), it would take you at least 13 hours to get to Denver. But the longer the distance, the higher the number of attractions and stops you can make. Some of the possible stops for tours and sightseeing for this trip include Clear Lake, Des Moines, Omaha, Hastings, North Plate, and Brush before finally arriving in Denver. This city is one of the best places to road trip from Minnesota!

9. Tulsa, OK

If you are driving from Minneapolis to Tulsa, you will need at least ten hours to cover a distance of about 706 miles (1136km), and for a good road trip experience, you should set aside at least two days so that you also have good contact time with the attractions at the various stops. Some of the places you are likely to stop at include Bancroft, Des Moines, Nevada in Missouri, and Joplin before you finally make it to Tulsa. Nestled in between is a plethora of attractions including tours and sightseeing adventures that will make the road trip worth the while.

10. Columbia, MO

Owing to the distance between Minnesota and Columbia, a road trip between Minneapolis and Columbia is bound to be filled with lots of thrills and challenges. With a solid itinerary, mapping your stops, tours, and sightseeing adventures, it should be a wonderful time covering the 468 miles (753km) that separates the two.

If you’re traveling from southern Minnesota, this day-trip destination will only take approximately 6 hours to reach.

Enjoy the trip and the beautiful sceneries with these road trips from Minnesota

While there are a great deal of scenic drives in Minnesota, sometimes exploring outside the state is what you need for a break. There are lots of road trip opportunities from Minnesota and you should seize every chance you get for these scenic drives. Read through the list of the best driving vacations from Minnesota, USA described above, and choose the ones you think are likely to bring you the greatest pleasure.