$400 round-trip from Brainerd to International Falls and back and trip meters at $488.51 one way!
The drive from Brainerd to International Falls is a quintessential northern Minnesota trek, spanning roughly 185 miles and taking about 4.5 hours. The most direct route follows Highway 371 north through the heart of the "Land of 10,000 Lakes" before merging onto Highway 71 toward Bemidji. As you leave the bustling resort atmosphere of Brainerd and Nisswa, the scenery shifts into the dense, sprawling pines of the Chippewa National Forest. This corridor offers a front-row seat to the transition from central Minnesota's vacation heartland to the more rugged, remote wilderness of the Canadian border.
Key Stops Along the Route
• Walker & Leech Lake: A perfect midway point to stretch your legs and catch a view of one of the state's largest and most majestic lakes.
• Bemidji: A must-stop to visit the iconic Paul Bunyan and Babe the Blue Ox statues. If you have an extra hour, a quick detour to Itasca State Park allows you to walk across the Mississippi River headwaters.
• Blackduck: Look for the old 100-foot fire tower just south of town for a panoramic view of the northern forest canopy.
Travel Tips
• Wildlife: Be vigilant for white-tailed deer and the occasional moose, especially during dawn and dusk as you get closer to the border.
• Fuel & Services: While Brainerd and Bemidji have plenty of amenities, services become much sparser north of Bemidji. It’s wise to top off your tank before the final 100-mile stretch.
• Connectivity: Cell service can be spotty in the dense forest sections between Big Falls and "The Falls," so having an offline map is a good backup.
