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Twin Cities to Brainerd travel path .


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We make our annual trek to Nisswa for a week of fishing this coming week, for 15 years we have taken I94 to St. Cloud, then 371 north.

How about 169 north to Garrison, then east to Brainerd? I know that is a popular route for many. How is the drive ? Towing the boat. Decent roads, places to eat, places of interest ? Just the wife and myself this year.

Thanks for any info.

Don

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I do it almost every weekend. I don't do it for the scenery or places of interest, but rather speed. The two ways I go are:

94 West (north) to Monticello (25), right on 25. Take a left on 11, followed by a left on 10. 10 will obviously take you through St. Cloud and all the way up to Little Falls. After Little falls you will run into 371, which will take you right into Brainerd. 371 has been expanded to 2 lanes this year by Camp Ripley and it is very fast. All these roads are very nice to trailer a boat.

The other way to go and it is a little calmer drive is:

94 West (north) to Monticello (25), right on 25. Take a left on 11, followed by a left on 10. Right after Becker you will be able to turn right on 25 again. This will take you through Pierz and some other small towns. It is 1 lane the whole way. Roads can be interesting and there are some start and stops in the little towns.

Either way swing into Thelen Meats. They have the best meat for the money (bacon, rib eyes, smoked pork chops and breakfast sausage). They have a store in Pierz (right side of the street) and Little Falls (West side of 10).

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well if you go 169 and end up in walker to get to nisswa you are going the wrong way!!!

to go the 169 route take a left at the Y in Garrison 18/6 and follow 18 to the stop light (15-20 miles maybe) and hang a right. This will bring you into Brainerd and 210.....you can take 210 to 371..... or you can take a right and go north on 3 to 18(left) I believe and that will bring you into nisswa...there is a sign that will state to nisswa off of 3....good luck and have fun!!

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I take 94 to clearwater...it's a 5 mile drive to 10, little bit shorter than the monticello route. From there to brainerd takes just over an hour. 169 to walker to brainerd is WAY out of the way...walker is 65 miles north of brainerd.

On a side note, I took the 94 to 10 to 371 to cass lake this past weekend. I was surprised to see the gas prices in brainerd at $3.09 where as everywhere else north and south was between $3.29 and $3.39

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Brainerd gas was extremely low. I filled up everything I could, because I fear it won't go lower any time soon.

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Every way is about the same, but I think from the cities, 169 is probably shorter distance than 10-371.

Fast road from little falls to brd now.

I would take 169 though. In Garrison hang a left on 18, and go to Brd. At the pine square gas station<18&25> take a rght. Go to 25 and 210 stop lights kitty corner of JCPennys.

Go straight. 10-15 miles take a left on 18...will be a sign for nisswa. This brings you down-town...LOL...nisswa.

If you want to get bait first, and gas, take a left on #13 a couple miles earlier and that takes you to sportland corners(a mile or so south of Nisswa)...SPORTLAND BAIT and Holiday gas.

If you take 169, this is the fastest way to Nisswa.

However, DO slow down around the Casino because they are watching for you. Couple miles of 45mph zone...otherwise not to bad. Scenic around Lake Mille Lacs.

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Thanks everyone for your replies ! Of course, I really meant to say 169 north to Garrison, don't know why I said Walker. I have edited that in my post. Usually, we go 94, 24, 10, 371 and so on. Can bypass Brainerd and shoot right up to Nisswa. Downtown Nisswa, that is .LOL. Nice fast drive. Usually stop at Sportland bait for supplies, Shaefers for food. Other times we just run up for the races. Just thinking of something different, sounds like a nice drive up 169, think we will check it out. Looking forward to a week off! Might make a couple day trips for some muskie, maybe up to Little Boy, see if I can scare something up. cool.gif

Thanks, all !

Don

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Boy area lakes are going strong right now. Very hot!

Good Luck!

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Don, I see you are in NE metro, me too. I go to Crosslake, so NE of Brainerd. But if we go on Fridays, we shoot up 35 to 18 (Finlayson) to 47 on east side of Mille Lacs, up to Malmo, and then west to Garrison. Nicer drive around that side of the lake IMHO, and has spots to stop around the lake. Then just do the normal stuff from there. I have started going up into Aitkin and over to Crosslake from there, as I NEVER hit any traffic. About 20 miles longer for me, but totally peaceful. Even Memorial day on ride home we didn't hit another car until we got to 35 south. Hey, why am I saying this online wink.gif Anyway, its an option. Have a great trip whatever new way you choose.

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