Minnesota River Road Trip

Take a journey through the great state of Minnesota on the Minnesota River Road Trip! This exciting road trip begins in La Crosse and ends in Bemidji, taking you along a route of approximately 707 km (440 miles). Along the way, you'll pass through bustling cities like Minneapolis and Brainerd, providing plenty of opportunities for sightseeing and exploration. The best time of year to embark on this road trip is during the warmer months, as you'll be able to take advantage of the excellent road conditions and pleasant weather. You don't need to be an experienced driver to enjoy this trip, as the roads are suitable for all levels of experience. And, with a moderate budget, you can enjoy all the sights and sounds of the Minnesota River Road Trip. So, get your car ready and set off on a journey through the heart of Minnesota! With so much to explore, you'll be glad you chose the Minnesota River Road Trip.

La Crosse, Wisconsin, is a great starting point for the Minnesota River Road Trip. Located on the banks of the Mississippi River, La Crosse is a beautiful city with plenty of attractions to explore. The stunning bluffs of Grandad Bluff Park provide a breathtaking view of the city and the surrounding area. The La Crosse Queen riverboat is also a popular attraction for visitors, offering a chance to explore the river and learn about the city's history. The city is also home to many cultural attractions, from the Children's Museum of La Crosse to the La Crosse Symphony Orchestra. Visitors can also explore the vibrant nightlife of La Crosse, with plenty of bars and restaurants to choose from. The closest international airport to La Crosse is Minneapolis-St. Paul International Airport (IATA: MSP). Car rental services are available at the airport, making it easy to begin your road trip. From La Crosse, travelers can explore the many attractions along the Minnesota River Road Trip. The city of Winona, Minnesota, is a great stop, with its historic downtown, the National Eagle Center, and the Winona State University. The state capital of St. Paul is also a great destination, with its many museums and parks. Further along the road trip, travelers can explore the beautiful Mississippi National River and Recreation Area, as well as the historic city of Minneapolis. No matter where your road trip takes you, La Crosse is a great starting point for exploration and adventure.

Embark on a 152 mile journey through Wisconsin and Minnesota! Starting in La Crosse, you will pass through the beautiful city of Winona and make your way to the capital of Minnesota, St. Paul. Here, you can explore the Science Museum of Minnesota, take a stroll through the Como Park Zoo and Conservatory, or visit the Minnesota State Capitol. After spending some time in St. Paul, you will make your way to Minneapolis. Here, you can explore the Minneapolis Institute of Art, the Walker Art Center, and the Minneapolis Sculpture Garden. You can also take a boat ride on the Mississippi River or visit the Mall of America. All this and more can be seen in less than 3 hours of driving. For more information about attractions, accommodation options, recommended restaurants, and campsites along the route, please refer to the "Itinerary" of this stage.

Embark on an exciting 134mi road trip from Minneapolis to Brainerd and explore the best of Minnesota! Start your journey in Minneapolis, one of the most vibrant cities in the US, and drive through St. Cloud, a city known for its historic downtown, and end your journey in Brainerd, a popular tourist destination. In Minneapolis, be sure to visit the iconic Chain of Lakes, the Walker Art Center, and the Minneapolis Institute of Art. In St. Cloud, don't miss out on the Quarry Park and Nature Preserve, the Munsinger Gardens, and the Stearns History Museum. And in Brainerd, make sure to check out the Paul Bunyan Land Amusement Park, the Northland Arboretum, and the Brainerd International Raceway. The entire journey should take you fewer than 3 hours, allowing you to explore the beauty of Minnesota in a short amount of time. For more information, such as attractions, accommodation options, recommended restaurants, and campsites along the route, please refer to the "Itinerary" of this stage. Enjoy your road trip!

Welcome road-trippers! Get ready to explore the great state of Minnesota. This stage of your tour will take you from Brainerd to Bemidji, a distance of 153 miles and a driving time of fewer than 3 hours. Your first stop is Grand Rapids, a city of 10,000 people located on the banks of the Mississippi River. Here you can visit the Itasca State Park, the oldest and largest state park in Minnesota, and the source of the Mississippi River. You can also explore the Judy Garland Museum, which celebrates the life and work of the beloved entertainer. Next, you will pass through Bemidji, the first city on the Mississippi River. This charming city is home to the famous Paul Bunyan and Babe the Blue Ox statues, a must-see for any visitor to the area. You can also take a stroll through the downtown area, where you will find a variety of shops, restaurants, and other attractions. For more information about attractions, accommodation options, recommended restaurants, and campsites along the route, please check the "Itinerary" of this stage. Enjoy your journey!

At the end of your Minnesota River Road Trip, you will find yourself in the city of Bemidji, the first city of Minnesota. Bemidji is a city of many charms, from its natural beauty to its many attractions. For a taste of the outdoors, you can take a stroll along the lakeside walkway, stopping off to admire the sculptures of Paul Bunyan and Babe the Blue Ox. If you’re looking for a more active adventure, you can take a canoe trip down the Mississippi River. For an even more thrilling experience, you can take a zip line tour through the trees. If you’re in the mood for something a bit more cultural, you can visit the Bemidji Woolen Mills, where you can watch artisans spinning wool into yarn. You can also enjoy a show at the historic Chief Theater, or take a tour of the Arts District, where you will find many galleries and studios. Finally, if you’re looking for a unique souvenir to take home, you can check out the stores at the Hillside Center, where you’ll find everything from antiques to jewelry. For travelers coming in by air, the closest international airport is Minneapolis-St. Paul International Airport (MSP). No matter what your interests are, you’re sure to find something in Bemidji to make your Minnesota River Road Trip complete.

Surely, our Minnesota River Road Trip has become a great inspiration for your future holiday excursions.
The plan we’ve prepared can be used as a foundation that you can recreate in its entirety or only partially and that can be enriched with interesting beauty spots of your choice.
If travelling by car is your plan when exploring highlights around Minnesota, there are a number of essential traffic regulations to follow and a bunch of elements to be mindful of to turn your road trip into pure pleasure. These tips will surely become useful for tourists who opt for renting a vehicle or renting a camper.
Travelling around Minnesota in a car requires you to follow the local traffic regulations. To be on the safe side, try to avoid alcohol at any expense. Holidayers should remember that the permitted blood alcohol level is extremely low and amounts to only 0.5‰. Exceeding the maximum allowed speed limit, which is 40km/h, when travelling around the build-up areas may lead to a speeding fine. In non-build-up areas, tourists can travel at at speeds up to 72km/h. You can travel at the allowed speed of 129km/h on highways. Having a first aid kit and fire extinguisher in your car and driving with your headlights on at daytime heavily increase the safety of you and your passengers.
You’re probably wondering about the costs of the whole trip. The total cost of the whole adventure will vary depending on the budget option that you choose. A wide range of budget options is presented below.
We estimate that the cheapest offer when it comes to gasoline to cover the planned 4 stages across Minnesota will amount to 100 EUR. Holidaymakers will have to spend the average of up to 242 EUR on economy accommodation. Those who want to benefit from this option will spend approximately 216 EUR on food and restaurants. Travellers will have to pay about 135 EUR if they go for the cheapest car rental offer as well. Thus, going for car rental will increase the expenses of the road trip from more or less 558 EUR to roughly 693 EUR.
When it comes to the standard offer, you have to spend the maximum of 100 EUR to cover the planned mileage of the adventure. Cost amounting to 352 EUR can be expected by all holidaymakers who are searching for standard accommodation. Tourists can expect that the standard option in terms of food and restaurants will cost approximately 324 EUR. Travellers who want to cover the tour in a standard rental vehicle can expect a cost of roughly 162 EUR. Summing up the standard offer, the estimated cost of the road trip will total around 963 EUR for drivers who would like to try car rental and 801 EUR for those who are not interested in renting.
The highest level of comfort of the premium option will live up to the expectations of the most demanding holidaymakers. Drivers who would like to rent a car will pay approximately 1,471 EUR for the whole road trip, whereas those who are not interested in vehicle rental will spend about 1,201 EUR. Travellers who would like to cover the road trip in a premium rental car should expect a cost of roughly 270 EUR. In the top standard option of the itinerary, the gasoline cost will be up to about 175 EUR. You should expect to pay approximately 432 EUR for restaurants and food and approximately 594 EUR for accommodation options if you are interested in the exclusive standard of services during Minnesota River Road Trip.
Our tour is also ideal for camper fans. When it comes to this travel means, you will pay up to approximately 675 EUR. You will spend about 188 EUR on gasoline allowing to cover all stages of the tour. Travellers who will go for camper rental should expect to pay approximately 165 EUR for accommodation and roughly 216 EUR for expenses connected with food.
The section Road Trip Costs shows all the presented costs in detail.
The part of Minnesota mentioned in our adventure idea is most enjoyable between May and October. There are multiple exciting road trips and scenic drives that are available on our website if you’d like to see other of our road trip ideas. We hope that the wide spectrum of travel opportunities will definitely measure up to the expectations of the most demanding tourists.