Major city · United States
DarwinDarwin, Minnesota
Go only as a 1–2 hour roadside stop for the twine ball on a US-12 drive; skip it as a base — there is no lodging or transit to build a trip on.
Darwin is a village of about 350 people in Meeker County, southern Minnesota, and it exists on the travel map for one object: the world's largest ball of twine rolled by one person, 3.65 m across and about 8 tons, sitting free and open 24 hours beside County Road 14. Everything else — two bars, a small inn, a summer festival — is a footnote. Come as a stop between Minneapolis and Litchfield, not as a destination.
More ways in
Local time, weather, currency, airports
- Weather
- see forecast
- Currency
- USD
- Best months
- May–Oct
- avoid Dec–Mar (ice, snow, unplowed rural roads)
- Airports
- MSP · RST
- Nights
- 0–1
Rules in force · 7Crossing between the US, Canada and Mexico by land needs …Cannabis is legal in Canada and in many US states, but ta…
- North America ↗Crossing between the US, Canada and Mexico by land needs your passport even on a day trip; rental cars need the company's written permission to cross, and most US and Canadian rental insurance stops at the Mexican border.
- North America ↗Cannabis is legal in Canada and in many US states, but taking any amount across the US, Canadian or Mexican border is a federal crime — including edibles and vapes.
- North America ↗The busiest US and Canadian national parks need timed-entry, campsite or lodge reservations in summer; release dates are months ahead.
- United States ↗Check whether you need an ESTA (Visa Waiver Program) or a visa on the official CBP and State Department sites; apply only through esta.cbp.dhs.gov, not third-party sites, and allow time before you book.
- United States ↗Several popular national parks use timed-entry or vehicle reservations in peak season; check each park's page on nps.gov and book on recreation.gov before fixing your dates.
- United States ↗Medical care is very expensive for visitors; buy travel insurance with high medical cover before you fly.
- United States ↗Tipping is expected: about 15–20% at sit-down restaurants and bars, and a tip for taxis, hotel staff and guides.
What is in this basic guide9 covered · 4 not yet ▾
In this guide
Not in this guide yet
- Walking areas with bag rules
- Day plans checked against opening hours
- Airport-to-bed timings and the last safe connection
- Field-checked times and prices
Official sites
Emergency numbers for Darwin911 ▾
Tap a number to call from your phone. These are the numbers listed in this guide; a row marked check has not been verified.
EssentialsQuick answers and what things cost
Essentials
Quick answers and what things cost
Quick answers
The questions people ask first about Darwin, one line each. Tap a card for the full answer.
- Cash or card?Currency is the US dollar (USD, $).United States-wide
- SIM or eSIMAT&T, Verizon and T-Mobile cover the country; prepaid SIMs at their stores and Walmart/Target (passport required), or an eSIM before you fly.United States-wide
- Tap waterTap water is drinkable nearly everywhere; boil or treat water from streams in parks.United States-wide
- TippingSit-down restaurant: 18–22% of the pre-tax bill.United States-wide
- Plugs & powerSockets A/B. US/Canada (A/B): fits · UK/Ireland (G): adapter · Australia/NZ (I): adapter. 120 V: UK and AU 230 V-only devices need a converter; most chargers are dual-voltage.United States-wide
- SafetyVery low crime in a village of about 350 people.
Show all 12 answers
- RestroomsFree public toilets are scarce in big cities; use cafés, department stores, libraries, stations.United States-wide
- Emergency numbers911 police, fire, ambulance · 511 Minnesota road conditions (MnDOT 511)
- Sundays & holidaysFederal holidays close offices, banks and post offices; national parks stay open.United States-wide
- Your embassyFind your embassy's 24-hour line before you fly.
- AirportMSP Minneapolis–St Paul International (About 1 h 30 min by car via I-394 west and US-12; no public transport to Darwin.).
- Getting aroundYou need a car.
Cost cheat-sheet
Typical prices for the everyday things, as ranges. Your currency is shown next to the local price.
- CoffeeCoffee to go$2–4
- BeerDraught beer$5–8
- Budget bedChain hotel room, Hutchinson or St Cloud, a night, per roomUS$95
- Mid-range bedSmall village inn room, a night, per roomUS$120
- High-end bedSmall village inn room, a night, per roomUS$180
A day, not counting the bed: Budget US$45 · Mid US$95 · High US$190
Prices in local money; change the currency in the header to see yours next to them. Every price and the budget calculator →
DecideWhat it is known for, and when the weather works
Decide
What it is known for, and when the weather works
At a glance
What the city is known for, how you fly in, and where to find the phrases.
- Airports
- MSP Minneapolis–St Paul International (About 1 h 30 min by car via I-394 west and US-12; no public transport to Darwin.) · RST Rochester International (Longer drive, about 2 h 30 min; only useful if you are already in southeast Minnesota.)
Best months at a glance
From the guide's best and avoid lists
Jan
Avoid
−5°C (23°F)23°F (−5°C)
Feb
Avoid
−2°C (28°F)28°F (−2°C)
Mar
Avoid
5°C (41°F)41°F (5°C)
Apr
not flagged
14°C (57°F)57°F (14°C)
May
Best
21°C (70°F)70°F (21°C)
Jun
Best
26°C (79°F)79°F (26°C)
Jul
Best
29°C (84°F)84°F (29°C)
Aug
Best
28°C (82°F)82°F (28°C)
Sep
Best
23°C (73°F)73°F (23°C)
Oct
Best
15°C (59°F)59°F (15°C)
Nov
not flagged
5°C (41°F)41°F (5°C)
Dec
Avoid
−3°C (27°F)27°F (−3°C)
Best: May–Oct. Avoid: Dec–Mar. Month by month →
Warmest Jul (29°C (84°F)84°F (29°C)), coolest Jan (−15°C (5°F)5°F (−15°C) low), wettest May (11 rain days), driest Feb (6). Averages, not a forecast.
Weather and climate
Darwin: next 7 days
Loading forecast…
Forecast: Open-Meteo (CC BY 4.0), model data for this point.
Air quality
Loading…
Model estimate (CAMS via Open-Meteo), not a street-level station; readings near busy roads run higher.
Jan
−5°C (23°F)23°F (−5°C)
−15°C (5°F)5°F (−15°C)
7 rd
Feb
−2°C (28°F)28°F (−2°C)
−13°C (9°F)9°F (−13°C)
6 rd
Mar
5°C (41°F)41°F (5°C)
−6°C (21°F)21°F (−6°C)
8 rd
Apr
14°C (57°F)57°F (14°C)
2°C (36°F)36°F (2°C)
10 rd
May
21°C (70°F)70°F (21°C)
9°C (48°F)48°F (9°C)
11 rd
Jun
26°C (79°F)79°F (26°C)
14°C (57°F)57°F (14°C)
11 rd
Jul
29°C (84°F)84°F (29°C)
17°C (63°F)63°F (17°C)
10 rd
Aug
28°C (82°F)82°F (28°C)
16°C (61°F)61°F (16°C)
9 rd
Sep
23°C (73°F)73°F (23°C)
11°C (52°F)52°F (11°C)
9 rd
Oct
15°C (59°F)59°F (15°C)
4°C (39°F)39°F (4°C)
8 rd
Nov
5°C (41°F)41°F (5°C)
−4°C (25°F)25°F (−4°C)
7 rd
Dec
−3°C (27°F)27°F (−3°C)
−12°C (10°F)10°F (−12°C)
7 rd
High / low, both scales · rd = rain days
Arrive & moveAirports are listed under At a glance; this is how to move once you are in
Arrive & move
Airports are listed under At a glance; this is how to move once you are in
Getting around
You need a car. Darwin sits on US-12 about 80 km west of Minneapolis; there is no bus or rail service to the village. Inside Darwin everything is walkable in minutes — the twine ball, the bars and the inn are all within a few blocks.
See & doDay-trips, door to door
See & do
Day-trips, door to door
Day-trips
Litchfield, Minnesota
goDoor to door: About 20 min
US-12 east, about 15 min by car
Motels, food and fuel; the sensible base for this stretch.
Rochester, Minnesota
overnightDoor to door: About 2 h 30 min
US-12 east to I-494, then US-52 south
Too far for a return day from Darwin; sleep there instead.
Austin, Minnesota
overnightDoor to door: About 3 h
US-12 east, then I-35 south
Southern Minnesota base, not a day trip.
Northfield, Minnesota
cautionDoor to door: About 2 h
US-12 east, then I-35 and MN-19
Doable as a long day if you are already driving east.
Minneapolis
goDoor to door: About 1 h 30 min
US-12 east, becomes I-394
The nearest big-city airport and hotel supply.
Eat & sleepWhich area to sleep in
Eat & sleep
Which area to sleep in
Where to sleep
Areas, not hotels: pick the one that fits your arrival time and plans.
Darwin village
One small inn; a handful of rooms. Book ahead for Twine Ball Days or plan to sleep in Litchfield.
Litchfield (13 km east)
Chain motels on US-12, restaurants and a full supermarket; the practical base for this stretch of road.
Hutchinson (about 30 km southeast)
More rooms and services; useful if Litchfield is full.
PracticalWhat a day costs, what to watch out for, and the pocket card
Practical
What a day costs, what to watch out for, and the pocket card
Cost per day
- Roadside stop (fuel and snacks)
- $10–25 per person
- Day out from the Twin Cities
- $40–80 per person incl. fuel and a meal
- Overnight in Litchfield
- $90–160 per room
Trip budget
| Motel room in Litchfield1 × 1 night × US$110 | US$110 |
| Food, local transport, entries2 × 1 day × US$95 | US$190 |
| Fuel, Twin Cities round trip (about 160 km)1 × US$20 · check | US$20 |
| Bar meal and a drink2 × US$25 | US$50 |
| eSIM, about a week of data2 × US$15 | US$30 |
| Buffer 10%Price creep, a taxi you did not plan, one splurge | US$40 |
| Trip total≈ US$220 per person per day, bed included | US$440 |
2026 estimate in US dollars; fuel and rental car excluded. Your choices stay in this browser.
Prices of common things
| Coffee to go | $2–4 |
| Bar burger with fries | $12–18 |
| Draught beer | $5–8 |
| Motel room, Litchfield, summer weekendcheck | $90–160 |
| Fuel, per galloncheck | $3–4 |
| Twine ball visit | Free |
2026 estimate; check locally.
Watch out
Safety
- No public transport: without a car you cannot get here or leave.
- Cell coverage is fine in the village but patchy on surrounding county roads.
- Winter roads ice up and rural stretches are not quickly cleared; drive to conditions.
- The bars are small and cash-friendly; card acceptance varies — carry some cash.
- The twine ball sits in an open shelter with no staff, no toilets and no lighting beyond the street.
Emergency numbers
- Police, fire, ambulance
- 911
- Minnesota road conditions (MnDOT 511)
- 511
Pocket card
Fill in, then print or save as PDF
Stays in this browser only; nothing is sent anywhere.
DarwinDarwin, Minnesota
Pocket card · Voykit
My bed tonight
—
—
—
1st Street, Darwin, MN 55324To this address, please
Emergency
- Police, fire, ambulance911
- Minnesota road conditions (MnDOT 511)511
Embassy
No consulates in Darwin. Nearest consulates-general are in Minneapolis and Chicago; embassies are in Washington, D.C.
My embassy: —
Fare anchors (2026 estimate)
- Drive MSP airport → Darwin: about 130 km (81 mi), 1 h 30 min by car (check)about 81 mi (130 km), 1 h 30 min by car (check)
- Drive Minneapolis → Darwin: about 80 km (50 mi), 1 h 15 min via I-394 and US-12 (check)about 50 mi (80 km), 1 h 15 min via I-394 and US-12 (check)
- Parking at the twine ball: free roadside pull-off
Say or show
- It is on 1st Street, off County Road 14. — Where is the twine ball?
- It is open 24 hours and free. — Is it open now?
- Two bars in the village; more in Litchfield. — Is there food nearby?
- Ask first; some small bars are cash-friendly. — Can I pay by card?
Carry water and a paper map: services are sparse between towns.
Deep diveWhat this guide covers so far, and its sources
Deep dive
What this guide covers so far, and its sources
Not a trip line yet
This is a basic guide: no airport-to-bed contract, walking clusters or day plans are published for Darwin. Airport, fare and schedule details are unverified; check the operators before you fly.
What we know, and what is coming
On this page
- Best months: May–Oct · avoid Dec–Mar (ice, snow, unplowed rural roads) · month by month →
- 2 airports and 3 areas to sleep in
- Weather: a 7-day forecast and monthly averages
- Cost per day in 3 bands
- 5 day-trips, door to door
- 5 things to watch out for, with emergency numbers
Coming as the guide grows
- Airport-to-bed contract for MSP: last-mile drive times field-checked, rental-car fallback, overnight rung.
- Two walking clusters with rescue anchors: the twine ball and County Road 14, the village bars and inn.
- Place pages with verified cutoffs (twine ball shelter, Twine Ball Days, Country Saloon, Jack's Tavern) and eat pages with last orders.
- Winter and storm arrival fixtures so gates A–D can go green.