10 Cities Near Albert Lea + Drive Times
The 10 closest cities to Albert Lea, Minnesota, ranked by distance — with drive time, flight time and day-trip vs weekend-getaway picks, including Rochester, Lakeville, Burnsville.
The closest notable city to Albert Lea, Minnesota is Rochester, about 52 mi (83 km) away — roughly 1 hr 33 min by road. Below, 10 nearby cities are ranked by distance, with real drive and flight estimates and whether each works best as a day trip or an overnight getaway.
| City | Distance | Drive | Flight | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Rochester | 52 mi / 83 km | 1 hr 33 min | Drive/rail | Day trip |
| Lakeville | 69 mi / 112 km | 2 hr 5 min | Drive/rail | Day trip / overnight |
| Burnsville | 77 mi / 125 km | 1 hr 48 min | Drive/rail | Day trip / overnight |
| Eden Prairie | 84 mi / 134 km | 1 hr 57 min | Drive/rail | Day trip / overnight |
| Woodbury | 90 mi / 146 km | 2 hr 6 min | Drive/rail | Day trip / overnight |
| Minneapolis | 92 mi / 148 km | 2 hr 9 min | Drive/rail | Day trip / overnight |
| Plymouth | 94 mi / 152 km | 2 hr 11 min | Drive/rail | Day trip / overnight |
| Waterloo | 95 mi / 153 km | 2 hr 13 min | Drive/rail | Day trip / overnight |
| Brooklyn Park | 100 mi / 161 km | 2 hr 19 min | Drive/rail | Day trip / overnight |
| Blaine | 105 mi / 169 km | 2 hr 26 min | Drive/rail | Day trip / overnight |
Day trips from Albert Lea
Within about 100 miles and easy to visit in a day: Rochester, Lakeville, Burnsville, Eden Prairie, Woodbury. These are close enough to go and return without an overnight stay.
Weekend getaways from Albert Lea
Far enough for a change of scene but still an easy hop: Blaine. Worth an overnight or a full weekend.
Getting around
Nearby cities are usually quickest by car or train; for the longer hops a regional flight can save time. Tap any city above for its full distance, driving-time and flight-time breakdown, or plan a specific route with the tools below.
Frequently asked questions
Notable cities near Albert Lea include Rochester, Lakeville, Burnsville, Eden Prairie, Woodbury. The closest is Rochester, about 52 miles (83 km) away. The table above lists each with its distance, drive time and best use.