How long is the drive from Minneapolis to Lake Superior?
Living in Minneapolis puts you in close proximity to some of the most gorgeous outdoor destinations in the United States. Lake Superior is one destination everyone in the area should make the trek to visit at some point in their life. You’ll find that spending time near this aquatic landmark gives you many family-friendly adventures, or you might make the Upper Peninsula of Michigan the place you travel to for a special event, such as your honeymoon or anniversary.
Whether you want to go hunting or celebrate romance, you’ll find everything you want, but you’ll first have to figure out how to get there. Technically, you could fly from Minneapolis to Lake Superior in a little more than an hour. But that involves having to spend additional time going through airport security and waiting for your turn to board the plane.
For most people, driving to the lake makes sense. Plus, you’ll be able to take in the gorgeous views that change with each new season. From admiring the snowy landscape to checking out the fall colors, you’ll find that this is one drive that will leave you feeling excited to look out the window or stop and stretch your legs. The average distance from Minneapolis to Lake Superior is around 356 miles, but there can be a significant degree of variance, depending on where you choose your final destination.
Choose Your Adventure
The first thing you’ll want to do to determine your actual driving distance to the lake, is deciding how long you want your road trip to take. If you stick to the Southwest edge of the lake, then you can make the trip in a few hours to under half a day. Or, you could take a multi-day trip that allows you to have plenty of time to check out the best towns in the upper peninsula.
The many beautiful cities surrounding the lake often contain historical sites worth checking out. You’ll also find an array of national forest land and parks that offer everything from snow skiing to fishing and hunting. As you think about your trip, take a few minutes to consider what everyone in your group would like to do. If your crew veers on the adventurous side, planning your trip to span at least a weekend gives you more time to pack extra fun into your itinerary.
Plan a Day Trip to Duluth
If you’ve only got a day to spend on the road, Duluth offers you the chance to see the lake without having to venture too far away from home. The drive from Minneapolis to Duluth is about 155 miles or two hours. You might want to go to Canal Park in Duluth, where you can take in the famous lift bridge. If you’re lucky, you might even enjoy the opportunity to see it in action as a ship pulls into the harbor.
Here, you can also enjoy a leisurely stroll along a paved path that makes it easier to meander around as you enjoy the beauty of the lakeshore. As you do, keep an eye out for the many local birds and wildlife that flock to the area. Once you’re done, you can enjoy a meal at one of the many local eateries before you head home for the day.
Take a Quick Trip to Ironwood
This town is known as one of the best cross-country ski destinations in the world, which makes it a go-to place to visit during the height of the winter season. On top of being one of the snowiest places in the United States with a frequent dropping of fresh powder, you’ll also want to note that it is close to the Porcupine Mountains and other outdoor destinations that are perfect for visiting during the summer.
Minneapolis residents have the good fortune of already living within a close driving distance of this town. In fact, this could be a day trip since it is only about 218 miles or four hours and 19 minutes to hit this historic city. However, you’ll likely want to plan for at least a weekend or even a whole week. Once here, you can go paddling along Lake Superior’s beautiful waters. Or, you might just want to go fat tire biking. If you’re in the mood for a little less adventure, you can also take in a movie at the historic theater located in the heart of this town or go on a tour of the Stormy Kromer factory and outlet.
Continue to Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore
This national treasure is on many people’s bucket lists, but it involves more than just taking a day trip from Minneapolis. With Minneapolis as your starting destination, you can expect to drive for about seven hours and 34 minutes, or about 447 miles. However, the Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore is only a hop and a skip away from Ironwood.
The historic town represents a good halfway point between Minneapolis and the gorgeous painted rocks that surround Lake Superior. If you leave from Ironwood, you’ll make the second leg of your trip in under four hours. Arriving fresh and ready to explore the area helps you make the most of your trip.
During your time in Pictured Rocks, you might want to book a guided kayak tour or hop on a boat cruise to visit the cliffs where a guide can tell you all about the local history. For a touch of romance, you can also meander through the unspoiled beaches that line the lakeshore, where the sun sets and rises with magnificent colors that turn every moment into a picture-perfect dream come true.
Stretch Your Legs In Ottawa National Forest
As you travel between the best upper peninsula towns, you’ll likely encounter the opportunity to stop in the Ottawa National Forest. In this beautiful natural forestland, you and your traveling crew can enjoy getting out of the car and experience spending time in the wilderness.
Most people who visit the forest area do so to go on a hike that leads to some of the most beautiful waterfalls in the world. If you love photography, you’ll also find some of the furriest subjects, as the wildlife here includes everything from fluffy gray squirrels to white-tail deer and the rare sighting of a black bear.
While you can reach Lake Superior within a matter of hours from Minneapolis, the real question is how much time you can dedicate to exploring the area. For the full experience, you’ll want to plan for your trip to spend several days, and don’t forget to pack all the clothing and gear you’ll need to dive fully into your experience. Whether you choose to go on a winter excursion or visit the area when you can comfortably hike and kayak in warm weather, you’ll find that the upper peninsula is an area that you’ll want to come back to again in the future.