410 miles · Est. 6.2 hours · Avg $2.35/mile · Gross $964
Lane Overview
410
Miles
$2.35
Avg rate/mile
$964
Avg gross rate
moderate
Competition
Chicago to Minneapolis on I-90 west to I-35 north is a solid Midwest corridor with moderate freight volume. Food and beverage companies — General Mills, Cargill, Land O'Lakes all have major Minneapolis operations — generate reefer and dry-van freight heading south. Consumer goods move north from Chicago's distribution infrastructure. Rates hold steadily at $2.25–$2.45/mile without extreme seasonal swings.
The I-90/I-94 split west of Chicago can be confusing — I-90 west is the Wisconsin/Minnesota route. Keep an eye on winter conditions November through March — I-90 through Wisconsin and I-35 through southern Minnesota get ice and snow that can add hours or force holds. Minneapolis-Saint Paul return freight is consistent — agricultural processing goods, consumer goods, and food products keep this a genuine two-way lane. No significant tolls make this a clean rate calculation.
Driver Tip
Use our Load Profitability Calculator to check if this lane covers your operating costs before accepting a load.
Trip Costs
Fuel Estimate
$152
Based on avg diesel price
Toll Estimate
$10
Varies by route and state
Net After Costs
$802
Before your other costs
What Moves on This Lane
Common Equipment
Return Freight
Minneapolis to Chicago
410 miles · $2.35/mile avg
Similar Routes
Driver's Complete Guide
Chicago to Minneapolis is one of those Midwest lanes that doesn't get talked about the way the Chicago-Dallas or Chicago-Atlanta corridors do, but it runs steadily and the freight is real. The food and beverage industry anchored in the Twin Cities metro — General Mills, Cargill, Land O'Lakes, Hormel operating from the region — generates consistent reefer and dry-van demand in both directions. It's not glamorous, it's not the highest-paying lane in your fleet, but it rarely goes quiet either.
Northbound from Chicago: consumer goods from Chicago's distribution infrastructure, electronics and retail merchandise for Twin Cities retailers, and manufactured goods from the Chicago suburbs' industrial base. Southbound return from Minneapolis: food and beverage products are the dominant category — packaged foods, dairy products, grain-based goods from General Mills and Cargill's Minneapolis operations head south toward Chicago's distribution and retail networks. Reefer operators find steady food freight on this corridor year-round, with agricultural produce shipping (summer sweet corn, root vegetables) adding seasonal volume.
The I-90/I-94 split west of Chicago trips up drivers who aren't familiar — I-90 west takes you toward Wisconsin and eventually I-35 north into Minnesota. Don't take I-94 west, which routes you toward Milwaukee not Minneapolis. I-90 west through Rockford and Madison, WI, then pick up I-90/I-94 through the Dells area and the La Crosse, WI corridor before crossing into Minnesota and transitioning to I-35 north into the Twin Cities. Winter on this lane is real — I-90 through Wisconsin and I-35 in southern Minnesota get ice storms that cause multi-hour holds. November through March, check Wisconsin DOT and MnDOT road conditions before leaving.
Moderate difficulty means rates are fair without being exceptional. Mid-week loads run $2.35–$2.45/mile. The food and beverage shippers around Minneapolis tend to be consistent shippers who value carrier relationships over the absolute lowest rate — build those accounts and you'll hold higher rates than spot market. No tolls on this run is a genuine advantage — your full rate is your net rate, which simplifies cost calculations.
Minneapolis back to Chicago mirrors the northbound with agricultural and food processing freight. Summer adds seasonal produce options that boost reefer rates. The bilateral balance is good and empty miles are uncommon for carriers who plan both directions together.
How bad is the winter weather risk on this lane?
Wisconsin's I-90 and Minnesota's I-35 both experience significant winter storms. The La Crosse, WI area on the Mississippi River bluffs is particularly prone to ice. Check MnDOT's 511 system and Wisconsin's 511 before departure from November through March — delays of 3–6 hours during major storms are not unusual.
Is the Twin Cities delivery area easy to navigate for a driver who hasn't been there?
The I-494/I-694 beltway around the metro handles most freight deliveries. Brooklyn Park and Eagan are the two largest warehouse districts. I-35W and I-35E split south of the city and drivers sometimes confuse them — know which side of the metro your delivery is on before you approach the split.
What food company shippers should I target on this lane?
General Mills ships from Golden Valley, MN. Cargill from Wayzata. Land O'Lakes from Arden Hills. These are large, consistent shippers who use dedicated carriers and brokers — contact their logistics departments or work with brokers who have established accounts with these companies.
Dispatch Service
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