Car Rental Minneapolis Airport (MSP)

Minneapolis Airport – or Minneapolis-Saint Paul International Airport to give it its full name – is very close to the city itself. Once you’re behind the wheel, you’re only 20 minutes or so from Downtown. There are several routes you can take in, including the I-94 and Highway 55. Head north and you’ll soon be in the heart of things.

The I-94 is also the best road if you want to explore the north-west or south-east of Minnesota. At one end is North Dakota, at the other Milwaukee. Head for the latter if your travel plans include lovely Lake Michigan. The I-35 is the main north-south route. South takes you to Iowa, north to Duluth, sitting on the shores of Lake Superior.

There are some unusual toll roads in Minnesota, on the I-35E, I-35W and I-394. They’re express lanes designed for carpoolers and solo drivers and are much faster than normal lanes. Our local teams can help you with any questions you may have about them.

If you’re navigating the city, you can skirt much of it using the I-494, a beltway to the west and south of the centre. There’s plenty of parking in the city, with a mixture of lots, garages and metered on-street spots. The latter are usually free on evenings, weekends and holidays but not everywhere, so always check the signs before leaving your rental car.

Speed limits in urban areas are markedly lower than in rural ones, especially in school zones. The top limit on rural stretches of interstates is 70mph (112km/h), and there will often be a minimum limit shown too. Speeds drop to 65mph (104km/h) on expressways, and 55mph (88km/h) on two-lane highways.

Minneapolis is the city of Prince, home of the NFL’s Vikings and a place packed with surprising amounts of art and architecture. You could spend a week just touring the galleries here but you’ll also find a buzzing food scene, a passion for live music and, best of all, you’re only a short journey from two of the Great Lakes.

City limits

Minneapolis’ art and music scene is the envy of many other major cities. You can peer into the life of Prince at Paisley Park – his former studio is now open to visitors, so you can see where he recorded and rehearsed some of his greatest hits – or head to a swathe of venues to see shows by the stars of tomorrow.

Gallery and museum-wise, you’re spoiled for choice. The Minneapolis Institute of Art is the spot for old masters, the Renaissance and beyond, while the Walker and Weisman are amazing homes of modern and contemporary art. The latter is a work of art in its own right, a trademark Frank Gehry creation comprised of curved metal.

In summer, wander between the gorgeous Cowles Conservatory and its neighbour, the Minneapolis Sculpture Garden – favourites at the latter include Spoonbridge and Cherry, and pieces from Lichtenstein and Henry Moore.

Lakeside leisure

Minneapolis Airport car rental doesn’t just let you see the city, but beyond it too. Head east for Lake Michigan, north-east for Lake Superior.

There are many serene stretches of shore to choose from in Lake Michigan, whether you want to relax, picnic, fish or get out on to the water itself. Sleeping Bear Dunes is one such gem, lined with forests to hike in and gentle, sun-dappled water to paddle or swim in.

You can indulge in maritime life, tour the nearby state parks or even make a trip to the cities that line the lake – Milwaukee, Green Bay and Chicago are all here.

Lake Superior is shared with Wisconsin, Michigan, Minnesota and Canada, with Duluth the nearest point of interest from Minneapolis. It’s a vast lake – the largest freshwater one on Earth – and surrounded by breathtaking beauty.

Provincial Parks teems with wildlife – the Chippewa Falls is a wonder of nature, while the cliffs and caves of Pictured Rocks like nothing else on earth. Park up and take to the lake to see the full panorama. Try to get to a boat out to Slate Islands, rumoured to be a meteorite, and a kayaking hotspot where you’ll come across caribou and hare.

Car rental from Minneapolis Airport is the best way to explore Minneapolis and beyond.