Minneapolis is one of the coldest major cities in the United States, regularly hitting -20°F in winter. When cabin fever sets in, a long southbound drive is one of the most rewarding ways to find warmth. The Great Plains open up a direct path to Texas, the Gulf Coast, and the desert Southwest.
While most warm destinations from Minneapolis require a full day or more of driving, the payoff is dramatic — swapping sub-zero temps for 70-degree sunshine in Austin, New Orleans, or Phoenix. These drives also pass through interesting stops along the way.
Use WarmRoad to check weather conditions along your route before setting out. Plains states can see fast-moving storms in spring, and knowing what's ahead helps you plan stops and timing.
Drive time: 18 hours
Live music capital with winter temps in the 60s–70s
Drive time: 19 hours
River Walk, Alamo, and warm Hill Country weather
Drive time: 17 hours
Cajun cuisine, jazz clubs, and mild Gulf Coast winters
Drive time: 23 hours
Sonoran Desert sunshine and winter highs near 70°F
Drive time: 14 hours
Music city warmth and a solid halfway stop heading further south
Drive time: 19 hours
Emerald-green Gulf waters and sugar-white sand beaches
Before hitting the road from Minneapolis, use WarmRoad's route weather tool to see real-time conditions along your entire drive. Know what to expect mile by mile so you can plan the best day to leave.
Check Route Weather