Getting there faster – estimated travel times on the Blue Line Extension

Date: Tuesday, June 4, 2024

Light rail will provide fast and convenient transit in this corridor. In some cases, travel times can even be comparable to driving in your own car, and in most cases, it will cut current transit travel times in half. Half of Blue Line Extension riders are expected to come from households without a car. 

From Brooklyn Park to the MSP International Airport will be an estimated 58-minute ride when the Blue Line Extension connects to existing METRO Blue Line tracks. If you consider the time it takes to park, then walk to the terminal with luggage, the actual travel times are comparable to driving, minus the airport parking fees. A U of M student living in Crystal can be on the East Bank in 37 minutes versus the hour and a half transit trip with two transfers that it currently takes. A U of M student living in North Minneapolis will shave 12 minutes off their current transit commute. 

A service that offers fast travel times will have a dramatic, positive impact on thousands of people, providing a one-seat ride to regional destinations like Target Field, the Mall of America, and the MSP International Airport. A quick transfer to the METRO Green Line LRT will serve the University of Minnesota, the State Capitol and downtown Saint Paul to the east; and St. Louis Park, Hopkins and Eden Prairie in the southwest suburbs, via the Green Line Extension, home to several major employment destinations connecting corridor residents to thousands of jobs previously inaccessible by transit. 

Overall, taking the Blue Line Extension could dramatically cut the length of your trip, with the added benefit of not having to fight traffic behind the wheel. 

Blue Line Extension estimated travel times  

 

Here are a few examples of common times and destinations that will be available when the Blue Line Extension is complete. 

Brooklyn Park, Brooklyn Blvd Station to MSP airport (Terminal 1) 

Blue Line Extension Estimate: 58 Minutes  

Non-rush hour 

Car: 39 minutes 

Transit: 1:48 Rt 724 to METRO C Line to METRO Blue Line  


Rush Hour 

Car: 50 minutes 

Transit: 1:48 Rt 724 to METRO C Line to METRO Blue Line 
 

Downtown Robbinsdale to MSP airport (Terminal 1) 

Blue Line Extension estimate: 45 minutes 

Non-rush hour 

Car: 23 to 29 minutes 

Transit 1:35, Rt 14 bus to METRO Blue Line  

 

Rush Hour  

Car: 26 to 45 minutes  

Transit 1:35, Rt 14 bus to METRO Blue Line  

 

Crystal, Bass Lake Road Station to U of M East Bank 

Blue Line Extension estimate: 37 minutes 

Non-rush hour 

Car: 22 minutes  

Transit: 1:28, Rt 721 to Rt 22H to Metro Green Line  

 

Morning rush hour to arrive for a 9:00 AM class 

Car: 24 minutes 

Transit: 1:15, Rt 721 to the Metro C Line, then Green Line. Depart at 7:11 AM arrive at 8:26 AM 

Transit: 1:45, Rt 721 to the Metro Green Line. Depart at 7:11 arrive at 8:56 AM  

 

Brooklyn Park, Brooklyn Boulevard Station (Brooklyn Blvd & W Broadway) to Target Field 

Blue Line Extension estimate: 32 minutes 

Non-rush hour 

Car: 17 minutes 

Transit: 1:10, Rt 724 

Transit: 1:09, Rt 724 to METRO C Line 

 

Rush Hour  

Car: 20 minutes 

Transit: 1:15 Rt 724,  

Transit: 1:18 Rt 724 to METRO C Line 

 

Penn Ave. West & Broadway Station (North Minneapolis to North Hennepin Community College) 

Blue Line Extension estimate: 20 minutes 

Non-rush hour 

Car: 20 minutes 

Transit: 46 minutes, METRO C Line to Rt. 723 

 

Rush hour 

Car: 14 – 26 minutes 

Transit: 51 minutes, Metro C Line to Rt. 723 

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