Compare base fares from $1.40 • Per-mile rates from $1.12 • Updated 2026
By Vincent Ruan · Updated June 11, 2026 · Methodology
Avg. Ride Cost
$27
Service Tiers
8
Airport Rides
1 routes
Cheapest Option
Lyft
Save ~$0.38/ride
How much does an Uber or Lyft cost in Minneapolis, MN? UberX base fares in Minneapolis start at $1.48 plus $1.18/mile and $0.23/minute. Lyft starts at $1.40 plus $1.12/mile and $0.21/minute. Standard taxi fares begin at $2.50 with $2.20/mile. Based on current rate cards, Lyft offers the lowest base fare in Minneapolis. Your real fare depends on distance, time of day, and live surge — the tables below break down every option so you can pick the cheapest ride for your route.
A typical UberX ride in Minneapolis — about 5 miles and 15 minutes — runs around $13 at current rates, built from a $1.48 base fare, $1.18/mile, and $0.23/minute. The same trip on Lyft is about $12. Short minimum-fare hops start at $5.95. Treat these as the baseline. Live surge and traffic can push the real total higher, so the app quote at booking time is what counts.
| Service | Base Fare | Per Mile | Per Min | Booking Fee | Minimum |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| UberX | $1.48 | $1.18 | $0.23 | $2.12 | $5.95 |
| Uber Comfort | $2.52 | $1.62 | $0.33 | $2.12 | $8.40 |
| UberXL | $2.78 | $2.25 | $0.38 | $2.12 | $9.35 |
| Uber Black | $6.80 | $3.45 | $0.58 | $0.00 | $15.00 |
| Lyft StandardCheapest | $1.40 | $1.12 | $0.21 | $2.18 | $5.70 |
| Lyft XL | $2.68 | $2.15 | $0.36 | $2.18 | $8.85 |
| Lyft Lux | $6.80 | $3.30 | $0.54 | $0.00 | $15.00 |
| Taxi | $2.50 | $2.20 | $0.30 | $0.50 | $5.75 |
Rates based on publicly available rate cards from Uber, Lyft, and local taxi authorities. Actual fares include distance, time, surge multipliers, and fees. Last updated July 2026.
Uber and Lyft use surge (dynamic) pricing during high-demand periods. The table below shows typical surge multipliers for Minneapolis by time of day. A 1.5x multiplier means your fare is 50% higher than the standard rate.
| Service | Standard | Morning Rush | Evening Rush | Late Night |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| UberX | 1x | 1.2x | 1.3x | 1.15x |
| Lyft Standard | 1x | 1.2x | 1.3x | 1.15x |
| Taxi | 1x | 1x | 1x | 1x |
Surge multipliers are estimates based on typical demand patterns. Actual surge pricing varies in real time. Morning rush: 7–9 AM, Evening rush: 4–7 PM, Late night: 11 PM–4 AM.
Lyft is currently cheaper for base fares in Minneapolis. Lyft Standard has a base fare of $1.40 compared to UberX's $1.48 — a difference of $0.08 per ride before distance and time charges. However, per-mile rates tell a more complete story: UberX charges $1.18/mile while Lyft charges $1.12/mile. This means Lyft is cheaper for longer rides in Minneapolis. That said, surge can flip the answer at any moment, so it pays to check both apps right before you book.
The Uber price per mile in Minneapolis is $1.18/mile for UberX, with a base fare of $1.48 and a per-minute charge of $0.23/min. Lyft's per-mile rate in Minneapolis is $1.12/mile with a base fare of $1.40.
Lyft charges less per mile in Minneapolis — ideal for longer trips where the per-mile rate dominates the fare. Because surge hits the two apps differently minute to minute, comparing both right before booking is the only reliable way to get the lower fare. For a full national comparison, see our Uber price per mile guide.
Between 9:30 AM and 11:30 AM on weekdays, after the I-35W and I-94 commute settles.
After Vikings games at U.S. Bank Stadium, walk west to Hennepin Avenue or take the Blue Line from U.S. Bank Stadium station — the stadium exits surge 3x and the East Town area gets gridlocked.
Downtown, Uptown, and Northeast Minneapolis have the best driver density. The U of M campus area and Dinkytown are well-served during the school year. North Minneapolis, Phillips, and the far southern suburbs have fewer drivers.
Metro Transit runs the Blue Line (Mall of America to Target Field) and Green Line (Minneapolis to St. Paul) light rail, plus extensive bus service and the A Line and C Line bus rapid transit. Note that the Northstar commuter rail to Big Lake stopped running in January 2026 and was replaced by a Metro Transit bus, and the Nice Ride bike-share system has been suspended since 2023 — neither is a current option.
A rideshare from MSP to downtown is $20-$30. Blue Line light rail is $2. The standard 31-Day Metro Transit pass is $120. MSP daily parking runs up to a $30/day maximum, making the Blue Line the clear winner for airport trips.
Minneapolis-St. Paul International (MSP) rideshare pickup is at the Ground Transportation Center on Level 1 of the Green/Gold Parking Ramps at Terminal 1 (zones A, B, and C), and on the second level of the Purple Parking Ramp at Terminal 2. The Blue Line light rail runs from MSP to downtown Minneapolis for $2 in about 25 minutes — a fantastic deal vs. $20-$30 rideshare.
Minneapolis shares a rideshare market with neighboring St. Paul across the Twin Cities metro. Both Uber and Lyft operate extensively, with rates slightly below the national average. Minnesota winters significantly impact the market, with snowy conditions increasing demand and wait times from November through March.
Downtown Minneapolis, Uptown (Hennepin/Lake), North Loop, Northeast (Nordeast), and the Stadium Village area near U of M are the busiest zones. Minneapolis-St. Paul International Airport (MSP) is 10 miles from downtown, with UberX rides typically $16-24.
Vikings games at U.S. Bank Stadium, Twins games at Target Field, the Minnesota State Fair (late August—one of the largest in the US), and concerts at First Avenue drive surges. The Metro Blue and Green light rail lines connect MSP airport to both downtowns for $2, making them a strong rideshare alternative.
See how rideshare prices in Minneapolis stack up against other major US cities.