Getting here
US 14, MN 15, and MN 68 connect New Ulm to Mankato, the Twin Cities, southwestern Minnesota, and the river valley. A car remains useful after arrival even though downtown itself is compact.
US 14, MN 15, MN 68, Mankato, the Twin Cities, and southern Minnesota approaches
US 14 connects New Ulm with Mankato and southwestern Minnesota, MN 15 approaches from the north and south, and MN 68 follows the river valley. Use live navigation plus current Minnesota road, weather, construction, and event-traffic information.
Second Star gear guide
Road Trip Essentials
Road-trip packing list
Phone mounts, chargers, coolers, emergency supplies, and small car organizers for the drive to and from the destination.
Car Phone Mounts
$19.99
Road Trip Coolers
$275.00
Car Emergency Kits
$69.95
Allow about two hours for the roughly 95-mile drive from Minneapolis or Minneapolis–Saint Paul International Airport. The usual approach leaves the metro on US 169, then reaches New Ulm from the north on MN 15; compare live routing because metro traffic, construction, and winter weather can change that choice.
US 14 runs directly west from Mankato to New Ulm, about 29 miles and 35 to 40 minutes in ordinary conditions. This is the simplest approach from Mankato Regional Airport, but scheduled airline travelers will usually find more flight and rental-car choice at Minneapolis–Saint Paul.
Follow US 14 west through Owatonna and the Mankato corridor for roughly 110 miles and a little over two hours without stops. Rochester International Airport is a viable rental-car origin, not a practical transfer without a car; compare its flight schedule and rental hours with the longer flight selection at Minneapolis–Saint Paul.
Allow roughly 2 hours 45 minutes for the 150-mile drive from Sioux Falls. Live routing commonly uses Interstate 90 before turning north and east on state highways; US 14 is the slower cross-country alternative. Wind, snow, and construction can change travel time across the open prairie.
Minnesota Street is the walkable downtown spine. Use the car for Schell's Brewery, Hermann Monument, Flandrau State Park, and lodging outside the core rather than trying to combine them into one walking circuit.
Before a winter festival or Bock Fest trip, check Minnesota road conditions, event parking guidance, and the forecast. Wind and blowing snow can reduce visibility on exposed southern Minnesota highways even when streets in New Ulm remain clear.
Keep exploring
Continue through Second Star Guide destinations for heritage towns, river valleys, local food and drink, festivals, state parks, and compact Midwest getaways.
