Minnesota Vacations Within Driving Distance

As winter finally comes to an end in Minnesota, most of us find ourselves in the mood for a little vacation to enjoy the great outdoors. But airfare is expensive and a long-distance road trip might require you to take more time off work than you can afford to. The solution is simple: take a vacation that’s a short drive away!

 

Unlike a cross-country road trip, a vacation to a destination within driving distance can easily be completed in a weekend. There are plenty of vacations in Minnesota that are within driving distance of the Twin Cities metro. Here are some of the best destinations that you can reach in a few hours on the road.

Short-Drive Vacation Destinations in MN

 

Duluth & The North Shore

  • Location: Northeastern MN on the shore of Lake Superior and on the Wisconsin border
  • Driving Distance from Minneapolis: 2 hours 30 minutes to Duluth
  • Features: The largest city in northern Minnesota, Duluth has many tourist attractions that make it a great short-drive vacation spot. Duluth’s Canal Park is home to many popular restaurants and breweries, as well as the Great Lakes Aquarium, notable for being the only freshwater-exclusive aquarium in the country. If you’re up for a slightly longer road trip, driving north of Duluth will allow you to explore the North Shore of Lake Superior, where there are many popular hiking, camping and fishing destinations, including Split Rock Lighthouse and Palisade Head.

 

Itasca State Park

  • Location: Northwestern MN
  • Driving Distance from Minneapolis: 3 hours 30 minutes
  • Features: The remote Itasca State Park contains the headwaters of the Mississippi River, making it a cool short-drive vacation destination in Minnesota. Aside from visiting the headwaters, you can enjoy hiking through old-growth pine forests, kayaking, fishing and many other fun outdoor activities.

 

Voyageurs National Park

  • Location: Northern MN on the Ontario border
  • Driving Distance from Minneapolis: 4 hours 30 minutes
  • Features: Voyageurs National Park is a great outdoor destination for a weekend getaway in northern Minnesota. Rainy Lake is a prime spot for fishing, canoeing and kayaking and the park contains over 50 miles of hiking trails to explore. For the astronomy enthusiast, Voyageurs also contains several popular stargazing locations. You can stay at a campground or in the historic Kettle Falls Hotel, which has been in operation since 1913.

 

Winona & Great River Bluffs State Park

  • Location: Southeastern MN along the Mississippi River on the Wisconsin border
  • Driving Distance from Minneapolis: 2 hours 30 minutes to Winona
  • Features: Winona is a charming little city on the bluffs of the Mississippi River which provides easy access to many great spots for outdoor exploration and adventure. The famous Sugar Loaf serves as a great vantage point and it’s just a short drive to Great River Bluffs State Park, which features many scenic hiking trails and bird-watching locations.

 

Get Vehicle Maintenance Before Your Road Trip in MN

If you’re planning to take a driving vacation in Minnesota, it’s important to make sure your automobile is in good working order. Long drives can place a lot of wear and tear on vehicles, as can driving on the rough roads you may need to traverse in order to access state parks. Get in contact with Arvu Auto today for the best vehicle maintenance and repair services in the West Minneapolis metro and beyond!

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