What lake area has the quickest drive if a person were to buy a cabin? (Willmar: vacation home)

[queenswake]

While I'd prefer areas way to the north, I also realize that I wouldn't go as often because of the long drive. So what is a good compromise? I could deal with the Brainerd or Alexandria areas as long as it was on a more secluded, rustic lake (something fundamentally wrong with having a Best Buy 10 minutes away from your vacation home and cabin palaces all over the place). Is the 94 commute better than the Hwy 10 commute? Or is Wisconsin a good option via the Taylor's Falls route? I know these are all bad drives Fri/Sun nights, but what is better?

[Glenfield]

The Chisago area strikes me a really accessible and I've seen some places around there that look to be pretty reasonably priced.

[golfgal]

I would look out towards Willmar or even out toward Fergus Falls.

[knke0204]

Brainerd Lakes Area is awesome. I live in the NW Burbs' and I take I94 to Clearwater and then drive to Highway 10 and am at my cabin in exactly 90 mins. 100 miles. Baxter is growing extremely fast, so there's a Best Buy, Cub Foods (2) Wal Mart, Target, Apple Bees, and all that jazz 10 minutes from my cabin. So if it's a rainy, crappy day and the lake isn't looking so fun, a nice quick drive into town for a movie and some shopping isn't off the radar.

I know you mentioned it being wrong being 'at the cabin' and then having a best buy 10 mins away... but... that's how it is, unless you want to go WAAYY up north, were it's real big time seclusion. Walker, MN area is pretty nice too, but it's an hour north of Brainerd even.

I like the Brainerd Lakes Area. Granted it's a little different from the small cabins and seclusion days, but it's a nice area that can still give you that 'outdoorsy', 'up north' feel