🗺️CityToCityDistance

Minneapolis to Madison Distance

272 miles•437 km•4.2 hours

Driving distance and route information from Minneapolis, United Statesto Madison, United States. Compare multiple routes and get detailed travel information.

⭐

FASTEST ROUTE

271.6 mi
(437.1 km)
⏱️4h 13m
Via I-94 → I-39 → I-90 → WI-30
I-94 → I-39
🔄

ALTERNATIVE ROUTE

297 mi
(477.97 km)
⏱️4h 38m
Via I-94 → US-52 → I-90 → WI-30
I-94 → US-52
📏 Straight-line distance: 234 miles (376 km)
See crow flies distance →
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Complete Driving Guide: Minneapolis to Madison

Essential Route Information

TOTAL DISTANCE
272 mi
437 kilometers
DRIVING TIME
4.2 hours
252 minutes
FUEL ESTIMATE
36 L
$55 cost

📍 Route Overview

Starting PointMinneapolis, Minnesota
DestinationMadison, Wisconsin
Route Options2 available routes
Countries Crossed1 country
Time Zone ChangesCheck local times

🚗 Driving Details

Average Speed104 km/h
Straight-line Distance376 km
Route Efficiency86%
Toll RoadsNo tolls expected
Ferry CrossingsNo ferries

Compare All Routes from Minneapolis to Madison

Route TypeDistanceDrive TimeAvg SpeedTolls
⭐ Fastest Route272 mi (437 km)4.2 hours104 km/h❌ No
Alternative 1297 mi (478 km)4.6 hours103 km/h❌ No

Complete Journey Overview: Minneapolis to Madison

The road journey from Minneapolis to Madison spans approximately 272 miles (437 kilometers), making it a medium-distance drive that typically requires 4.2 hours of continuous driving under normal traffic conditions.

This route connects Minnesota, United States with Wisconsin, United States, traversing through various regions within United States. The journey offers 2 distinct routing options, each with unique advantages in terms of distance, time, or scenic value.

The fastest driving route from Minneapolis to Madison follows the I-94 → I-39 → I-90 → WI-30 corridor, maintaining an average speed of approximately 104 km/h. This corridor avoids toll roads, keeping out-of-pocket cost limited to fuel and incidentals.

🗺️ Travel Planning Essentials

✓
Fuel Planning: Expect to use approximately 11 gallons (36 liters) of fuel for this 272 mile journey. Plan fuel stops every 250-300 miles.
✓
Rest Stops: For safety, plan a 15-minute break every 2 hours of driving. Total journey with breaks: 4.8 hours.
✓
Best Travel Times: Avoid peak traffic hours (7-9 AM and 5-7 PM) in major cities along your route for optimal travel time.
✓
Weather Check: Monitor weather conditions along the entire route, especially during winter months or rainy seasons.

💰 Cost Estimation Guide

Fuel Cost (approximate)$38
Toll Costs$0
Vehicle Wear & Tear (total, ~$0.25/mi)$68
Total Trip Cost$106

* Costs are estimates based on average fuel prices and vehicle maintenance. Actual costs may vary.

Alternative Transportation Options

🚗

By Car

4.2 hours

272 miles

✈️

By Plane

0.5 hours flight

376 km direct

🚌

By Bus

5.5 hours

Multiple stops

More routes from Minneapolis

View all distances from Minneapolis →

More routes from Madison

View all distances from Madison →

Minneapolis to Madison - Frequently Asked Questions

What is the driving distance from Minneapolis to Madison?
The driving distance from Minneapolis to Madison is 272 miles (437 km) by the fastest route, which follows I-94 → I-39 → I-90 → WI-30. The straight-line ("as the crow flies") distance is 376 km — driving distances are typically 20-40% longer than straight-line because roads must navigate around terrain and built environment.
How long does it take to drive from Minneapolis to Madison?
The drive from Minneapolis to Madison takes approximately 4h 13m of continuous driving at an average speed of 104 km/h. With a 15-minute rest stop every two hours, plan on roughly 4.8 hours of total trip time. Add additional time for traffic, weather, or border crossings.
What is the fastest route from Minneapolis to Madison?
The fastest driving route from Minneapolis to Madison is 272 miles (437 km) via I-94 → I-39 → I-90 → WI-30, taking about 4h 13m. This corridor follows the major highway connection between the two cities and is optimized for travel time.
Are there alternative routes from Minneapolis to Madison?
Yes, 2 routing options exist between Minneapolis and Madison. Alternatives have similar total distance but use different road segments — useful if the primary corridor has heavy traffic or construction.
Does the route from Minneapolis to Madison include tolls?
No, the fastest driving route from Minneapolis to Madison stays on toll-free public roads. Alternative routes may use different segments — check each route's summary above.
How much fuel does it take to drive from Minneapolis to Madison?
A standard car at 30 mpg uses approximately 9 gallons (36 liters) of fuel for the 272-mile (437-km) drive from Minneapolis to Madison. At $3.50 per gallon that is roughly $32 in fuel cost; less efficient vehicles or higher local fuel prices will increase this proportionally.
How do I navigate from Minneapolis to Madison?
Use the "Open this route in your nav app" buttons above the journey guide to launch turn-by-turn directions in Google Maps, Apple Maps, or Waze. Each link pre-fills Minneapolis as the origin and Madison as the destination, so navigation begins as soon as the app opens.