How long is the drive from Minneapolis to Chicago?

About 6 hr 36 min and 409 mi of road driving, before any detours.

What are the best stops between Minneapolis and Chicago?

Top ranked stops include Trappers Turn, Wild Rock Golf Club, Lula Cafe. Each stop shows an honest +N min detour estimate from the main drive.

Can I plan this drive in Roamward?

Yes — open the pre-filled From→To planner for Minneapolis to Chicago, pick a detour budget, and save the trip.

Roamward

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Drive corridor

Minneapolis to Chicago road trip: 19 stops worth the detour

Minneapolis, MN → Chicago, IL. Ranked detours with honest +N min estimates — then open a pre-filled plan door when you're ready to drive it.

409 miRoad miles

6 hr 36 minDrive time

3States crossed

19Detour stops

Plan this drive

Worth the detour

Stops along the drive

10 stops · 9 hidden

All19 Golf5 Dining5 Hikes3 Breweries & distilleries2 Roadside Americana1 Mountain biking1 Waterfalls1 Hidden gems1

Lula Cafe+1 min
Dining · IL
Logan Square neighborhood pioneer since 1999 serving seasonal market-to-table cooking that earned a James Beard hospitality award. Order: Farmer's breakfast.
Ngon Bistro+4 min
Dining · MN
Romantic French-Vietnamese restaurant with an open interior and patio, known for house pho and locally sourced ingredients. Order: Grande Soupe pho.
Trieu Chau+4 min
Dining · MN
Intimate no-frills St. Paul dining room seating roughly thirty, an authentic longtime local pick for pho and beef noodle soup. Order: Pho tai.
Myriel+12 min
Dining · MN
Karyn Tomlinson's Best Chef Midwest winner in St. Paul, a grandma-chic tasting menu celebrating Minnesota farmers with precision. Order: Tasting menu.
Minnehaha Falls+16 min
Roadside Americana · MN
a city-park fall made famous by Longfellow’s poem
The Old Fashioned+18 min
Dining · WI
All-Wisconsin tavern named for the state cocktail, steps from the Capitol and the Dane County Farmers' Market. Order: Beer-battered cheese curds.
CamRock+18 min
Mountain biking · WI
a fun, flowy network near Madison
Gibraltar Rock+27 min
Hikes · WI
a clifftop over the Wisconsin River
Pewits Nest+29 min
Hikes · WI
a hidden slot gorge and falls near Baraboo
Balanced Rock (Devils Lake)+34 min
Hikes · WI
a steep climb past a famous balanced quartzite boulder

Corridor graph

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State hubs & places

Minnesota atlas Illinois atlas Wisconsin atlas Trappers Turn Wild Rock Golf Club Lula Cafe Ngon Bistro

Where to stay

Where to stay along this drive

Hotels, cabins, and rentals close to the action — compare and book for your trip.

At the destination: Chicago →

Mid-drive: Black River Falls →

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FAQ

Before you go

How long is the drive from Minneapolis to Chicago?
About 6 hr 36 min and 409 mi of road driving, before any detours.
What are the best stops between Minneapolis and Chicago?
Top ranked stops include Trappers Turn, Wild Rock Golf Club, Lula Cafe. Each stop shows an honest +N min detour estimate from the main drive.
Can I plan this drive in Roamward?
Yes — open the pre-filled From→To planner for Minneapolis to Chicago, pick a detour budget, and save the trip.

Paper backup

Glovebox note

Dead zones happen. Plan this corridor, then use Print glovebox sheet on the trip page for a paper itinerary with coordinates — no signal required. Start here: pre-filled From→To door.