Hey everyone. Going to Mille Lacs over Memorial Day Weekend, first trip to that lake. Just have a dumb quick question for anyone that’s traveled to the lake from southern/southeast Minnesota before. Google maps is showing me two options, one taking MN-65 north and one taking I-35. The times are very similar, so I’m just wondering if anyone knows from experience if one way is better.
Thanks!
I would go I35 up and thru the cities… from there, it depends on which end of lake… North, South ? East or West ?
Depending on which side of Mille Lacs you’re heading to, I would say either MN-65 or 169. We usually go up via 169, and I like that drive. Pretty route and several fun places to stop at. Although since Meleen’s Sports Center closed there’s one less place to stop.
Driving from the Red Wing area, heading to the east side of the lake past Isle.
Me, I would take 94 to 694 to 35E north to 35 North.
I would take the Hinckley exit (HWY 3) and go west.
At the Hinckely exit take a left, go to T (STOP LIGHTS) take a right (north) then a left again on HWY 3 (about 2 blocks)
Go West on 3 to HWY 65. Go North (Right) on 65 to HWY 27.
Go West (Left) on 27 to HWY 47. Take a right on 47 (North). This will bring you just south of Isle and 47 will run north all along the east shore.
Lots of places to get supplies. Johnsons port side is one.
This may sound difficult, but actually a quite easy route I’ve taken numerous times.
Others may have better advice.
Safe travels
I would second Mike’s suggestion. That’s a very good route that maximizes your time on the freeway. You want to stay on the freeway as much as possible, especially on a holiday weekend.
I highly recommend installing MN DOT’s 511 traffic app. Find it in the app store for your phone. It shows live traffic conditions.
If there is someone with you, have them keep an eye on the traffic on the route ahead. If any freeway part of the route goes red, get off the exit and use maps to route yourself around it before you drive into the mess and get stuck.
HWY 61 can be a good alternative to 35E on holiday weekends. They are only a few miles apart. Yes, there are traffic lights to contend with, but compared to a gridlocked 35E, that’s a small price to pay. I have avoided many clustermucks by having Mrs Grouse keep an eye on the traffic app and using 61 to skirt around jams on 35 and then rejoining 35 once I’ve passed the mess.
Grouse
Hey everyone. Going to Mille Lacs over Memorial Day Weekend, first trip to that lake. Just have a dumb quick question for anyone that’s traveled to the lake from southern/southeast Minnesota before. Google maps is showing me two options, one taking MN-65 north and one taking I-35. The times are very similar, so I’m just wondering if anyone knows from experience if one way is better.
Thanks!
Your drive will stink either way as going through the cities from 52 is terrible. Especially on a heavy traffic weekend. My advice is to stay on 35 until at least North Branch and then head West whenever you want to cut over. I like cutting over near Rock Creek. You are usually above the bad traffic by then. Cutting over to 169 or 65 on Hwy 10 from 35E out of St. Paul will be HE!! on memorial weekend. Bumper to bumper stop and crawl. 35 north won’t be much better till you clear North Branch area but it will still be better than cutting over to 65 or 169.
Me, I would take 94 to 694 to 35E north to 35 North.
I would take the Hinckley exit (HWY 3) and go west.
This is great advice.
Yep, go Mikes route from I35 
Me, I would take 94 to 694 to 35E north to 35 North.
I would take the Hinckley exit (HWY 3) and go west.
At the Hinckely exit take a left, go to T (STOP LIGHTS) take a right (north) then a left again on HWY 3 (about 2 blocks)
Go West on 3 to HWY 65. Go North (Right) on 65 to HWY 27.
Go West (Left) on 27 to HWY 47. Take a right on 47 (North). This will bring you just south of Isle and 47 will run north all along the east shore.
Lots of places to get supplies. Johnsons port side is one.This may sound difficult, but actually a quite easy route I’ve taken numerous times.
Others may have better advice.
Safe travels
When we come over on 70 from Northern WI, we just keep heading west on Mike’s route, perfect for us!!!
Mark
Mike’s rout takes you too far east while traveling north. Take 61 to 94, take 94 thru mpls and take 252 to 610 east to 65. North on 65 to 27, west on 27 to 47. North on 47 to your destination. Or 94 to north 35w to 694 west to 65, this might be a little better. Hinckley is still a 45 minuet drive to isle.
I’d go the Hinckley route. Lot easier drive, especially pulling a boat/trailer. Only adds 10-15 minutes to the drive.
-J.
I’d go the Hinckley route. Lot easier drive, especially pulling a boat/trailer. Only adds 10-15 minutes to the drive.
-J.
I agree, miles may be more but the stress level is NO comparison.
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