A look at our transportation, and how it connects your business to the world.

Located in the geographical center of Minnesota, the Brainerd Lakes Area offers direct access to major economic centers in Minnesota and the Upper Midwest.

Roadways

The Brainerd Lakes Area is conveniently located in Central Minnesota with direct driving routes to major population centers north of the Twin Cities, including St. Cloud, Bemidji, Duluth/Superior, and Fargo/Moorhead. U.S. Interstate 94 is only an hour drive and the Minneapolis/St. Paul metropolitan area is only two hours south – all are accessed by four-lane highways and interstates.

All U.S. interstates and highways, as well as state highways 371, 210, 18, and 25 are ten-ton roads. The seasonal load limits on area county roads vary. For the latest road construction news, visit the Minnesota Department of Transportation.

Railways

The Burlington Northern/Santa Fe Railway provides daily direct freight rail service from its hub in Brainerd. Abutting the rail line in Brainerd and Baxter is industrial-zoned property that’s available for development. The Amtrak “Empire Builder,” a passenger train, stops in nearby Staples twice daily as it travels between Seattle/Portland and Chicago.

Commercial Air Service

Only three miles outside of Brainerd, the Brainerd Lakes Regional Airport offers commercial air service to and from Minneapolis/St. Paul several times a day.

Air Freight is handled by Fed Ex and UPS, which provide three air freight flights a day.

The 1,475-acre airport has three runways: two 6,500-by-150-foot concrete runways with full ILS systems. The airport also offers a lighted helipad with windsock and a seaplane launching ramp.

Land is available at the airport complex for private hangar construction and aviation-related business development. Existing hanger space is also available for lease. A variety of other aviation-related businesses, as well as full-service fixed based operator, are also located at the Airport.

Business Travelers

The Brainerd Lakes Regional Airport (BRD) is your ticket to low-cost, reliable air service in the Lakes Area. Business travelers and vacationers alike can experience the convenience of flying directly to and from Brainerd, spending less time driving. With FREE parking, forget about a three-hour drive when you fly out of the Twin Cities, and avoid the high parking fees. The ample parking lot at the Brainerd Airport is safe, well-lit and conveniently located just steps outside the terminal doors.

Delta Air Lines, operated by SkyWest, operates daily service. You are literally one stop away from thousands of locations worldwide. And don’t forget the extra 200+ frequent flier miles you get per segment just for beginning and ending your trip at Brainerd.

Plus, the Brainerd Airport offers one of the more complete terminals north of the Twin Cities. A great restaurant, free wi-fi and many transportation options, such as rental car agencies, taxi cab services, and the county transit are ready to serve you.

Waterways

The International Port of Duluth-Superior, the largest port on the Great Lakes, is two hours away along State Highway 210. There is also a major container handling facility in St. Paul.