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Trip from Babbitt, MN to Blaine, MN

Last recalculated Apr 16, 2026

Drive Time

4h 26m

Distance

223 mi

359 km

Drive Score

8/10

Great drive

Same Day?

Yes, doable

Fuel Cost

$33

one way

EV Charging

Unknown

Best Time to Leave

Save up to 40 min
4 AM
4h 13m ★
6 AM
4h 26m
8 AM
4h 53m
10 AM
4h 36m
12 PM
4h 33m
3 PM
4h 37m
5 PM
4h 52m
8 PM
4h 18m

Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.

Best Time Drive vs Fly
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city in St. Louis County, Minnesota, United States

Babbitt, MN

Wikimedia Commons

city in Anoka County, Minnesota, United States

Blaine, MN

Wikimedia Commons

Trip Overview

The drive from Babbitt, MN to Blaine, MN covers 223 miles and takes about 4h 26m behind the wheel. This route is realistic as a one-day drive if you keep your stops efficient.

The route leans on I 35, US 53, Highway 21 for much of the mileage, and the overall profile is highway-focused drive. The longest uninterrupted segment is about 109.7 miles on I 35. At current regular gas prices, budget about $33.19 one way before food or hotel costs.

Trip Pace

Same-day drive is realistic

A same-day return is possible, but it will make for a full day on the road.

Break Rhythm

1 planned break

Plan on a short reset every 3 to 4 hours to stay fresh behind the wheel.

Midpoint

111.5 miles from Babbitt, MN

A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 2h 23m into the drive .

Who Is This Route For?

Weekend Trip

Doable as a same-day drive at 4h 26m. Total distance: 223 miles.

Family Friendly

Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.

Solo Traveler

4h 26m drive, comfortable solo distance.

First-Time Driver

Mostly highway driving (94%). Some complex stretches to watch for.

Drive Character

This is a 4h 26m highway drive covering 223 miles, with most of the trip on I 35 and US 53. The longest continuous stretch is about 109.7 miles on I 35.

Most of the miles stay on highways, which makes pacing and fuel planning easier than turn-by-turn city driving.
There are about 26 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.
I 35 is the longest continuous segment at about 109.7 miles.

How Hard Is This Drive?

This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 35 and US 53. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 32.5 miles in.

Driving Effort 7/10

Demanding - plan breaks and stay ahead of the key maneuvers

Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.

This is a demanding drive. With 14 significant decision points across 223 miles, you will need to stay alert - especially through interchange areas and urban stretches. Consider splitting it into segments if you are not comfortable with fast highway navigation.

Where does it get tricky?

The main spots that need attention: at 32.5 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully; at 33.4 miles (US 53 / Speaker Irvin N. Anderson Memorial Highway): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here; at 210.3 miles (I 35W): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.

Critical Maneuvers

5 of 14 key points

These are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.

5
32.5 mi into trip | ~46m in

Keep slight left at fork toward US 53 South: Virginia

Highway fork - watch signs carefully

Toward US 53 South: Virginia
5
33.4 mi into trip | ~47m in | US 53 / Speaker Irvin N. Anderson Memorial Highway

Merge onto US 53 / Speaker Irvin N. Anderson Memorial Highway

Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here

Use the straight lane.
7
210.3 mi into trip | ~4h 9m in | I 35W

Keep slight right at fork onto I 35W toward I 35W: Minneapolis

Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here

Use the straight / right lanes. Toward I 35W: Minneapolis
7
218.2 mi into trip | ~4h 17m in

Take the exit toward CR 17: Lexington Avenue

Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here

Use the straight / slight right lanes. Exit 33 Toward CR 17: Lexington Avenue
6
218.4 mi into trip | ~4h 18m in | CR 17 / Lexington Avenue Northeast

Turn right onto CR 17 / Lexington Avenue Northeast

Lane positioning matters here

Use the right lane.

Main Roads

Road Distance Duration
I 35 109.7 mi 1h 57m
US 53 42 mi 50m
Highway 21 24.5 mi 33m
MN 33 19.7 mi 26m
I 35W 7.8 mi 8m
State Highway 169 6.1 mi 8m
Speaker Irvin N. Anderson Memorial Highway 5.5 mi 7m
109th Avenue Northeast 3.5 mi 5m
Longest stretch: I 35 — 109.7 mi, about 1h 57m

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between Babbitt, MN and Blaine, MN.

1

Start on South Drive

0.3 mi · 47 sec · South Drive
2

Turn right onto Babbitt Road

0.4 mi · 1 min · Babbitt Road
3

At end of road, turn left onto CH 70

0.2 mi · 16 sec · County Highway 70
4

Continue on CH 70

0.7 mi · 1 min · Ely-Babbitt Road
5

Continue on CH 21

13 mi · 18 min · Highway 21
6

Continue on CH 21

0.4 mi · 54 sec · County Highway 21
7

Continue on CH 21

11 mi · 15 min · Highway 21
8

At end of road, turn left onto MN 169

6.1 mi · 8 min · State Highway 169
9

Keep slight left at fork

0.6 mi · 1 min
Toward US 53 South: Virginia
10

Continue on MN 169

0.3 mi · 21 sec · MN 169
Toward US 53 South: Virginia
11

Merge onto US 53

5.5 mi · 7 min · Speaker Irvin N. Anderson Memorial Highway
Use the straight lane.
12

Continue on US 53

4.6 mi · 6 min · US 53
Use the straight lane.
13

Enter roundabout onto US 53

114 ft · 1 sec · US 53
14

Continue on US 53

37 mi · 43 min · US 53
Use the straight lane.
15

Take the exit onto MN 33

15 mi · 18 min · MN 33
Use the straight lane.
16

Continue on MN 33

3.9 mi · 7 min · MN 33
Use the straight lane.
17

Enter roundabout onto MN 33

77 ft · 1 sec · MN 33
Toward I 35 South
18

Continue on MN 33

0.5 mi · 40 sec · MN 33
Toward I 35 South
19

Merge onto I 35

110 mi · 1 hr 57 min · I 35
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
20

Keep slight right at fork onto I 35W

7.8 mi · 8 min · I 35W
Toward I 35W: Minneapolis Use the straight / right lanes.
21

Take the exit

0.3 mi · 40 sec
Exit 33 Toward CR 17: Lexington Avenue Use the straight / slight right lanes.
22

Turn right onto CR 17

0.5 mi · 58 sec · Lexington Avenue Northeast
Use the right lane.
23

Turn left onto 109th Avenue Northeast

3.5 mi · 5 min · 109th Avenue Northeast
24

Turn left onto MN 65

0.5 mi · 1 min · Central Avenue Northeast
25

Turn left onto MN 65

103 ft · 10 sec · Central Avenue Northeast
26

Arrive at destination

MN 65

Trip Plan

Morning Departure

An early start around 7-8 AM gets you there with plenty of daylight left.

Evening Departure

A late afternoon start means arriving after dark. Morning is better.

You can normally do this drive in one day.
Plan roughly 1 meaningful break for fuel, food, and rest.
The halfway point lands around 111.5 miles from Babbitt, MN, or about 2h 23m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 109.7 miles.

This is a comfortable same-day trip.

Departure

Before you leave

Start with fuel, water, and navigation already sorted so the first hour feels easy.

First stop

Around 49 miles or 1h 7m in

Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.

Halfway reset

Around 111.5 miles or 2h 23m in

This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.

Final approach

Final hour starts around 3h 39m

Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Blaine, MN than in the middle of the route.

Before You Leave

+

Open the route before leaving Babbitt, MN so your first major turns are already loaded.

+

Leave with enough water and a charging cable within reach, not packed away.

+

Check your fuel range against the first long segment, especially if you are starting outside city service areas.

Day 1

Settle into the route from Babbitt, MN

This is one driving day of about 223 miles and 4h 26m.

Your first comfortable stop window is around 49 miles from Babbitt, MN.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
Plan about 1 real break rather than only quick fuel stops.
The longest stretch is on I 35 for about 109.7 miles.

Where to Stop

Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.

Halfway Point

Midpoint

About 111.5 mi from Babbitt, MN · 2h 23m into the drive

Downtown Cloquet, MN, MN

Mid-route town

Meal stop

Cloquet, MN

112 mi into the route

Best for: Lunch, fuel, and a longer reset

This sits close to the middle of the route, so it works well for the longest stop of the day.

Popular next leg

Cloquet, MN to Blaine, MN

125.1 mi · 2h 19m

Pacing Suggestions

Eveleth, MN

Fuel and coffee

A short stop after about 49 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.

Cloquet, MN

Meal break

The midpoint is around 111.5 miles from Babbitt, MN, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.

Before the longest stretch

Fuel check

Top up before I 35 if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 109.7 miles.

Arriving in Blaine, MN

The final approach into Blaine, MN usually feels slower than the middle of the drive, so avoid planning your tightest schedule at the very end.

Try to arrive with enough fuel left to skip an immediate station stop unless you already know the area around Blaine, MN.

After long uninterrupted mileage, take five minutes before the last urban segment to reset and refocus on exits, merges, and city traffic.

These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.

Nearby Places

Restaurants, cafes, gas stations and more along your route.

Top Coffee Stop

Coffeesmith

4.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Forest Lake, Minnesota

Near the end, short detour

1.8 mi from route ~5 min detour $1 to $10 mile 207.1

Hours: 6 am–7 pm

+16513009039

Visit website

Cairo Cafe

5.0 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Blaine, Minnesota

2.6 mi

Bearaboo Coffee Escape

4.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Around the midpoint, ~9 min detour

3.4 mi from route ~9 min detour $1 to $10 mile 95.6

Cloquet, Minnesota

Hours: 6:30 am–3 pm

+12188795051

Coffeesmith

4.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, short detour

1.8 mi from route ~5 min detour $1 to $10 mile 207.1

Forest Lake, Minnesota

Hours: 6 am–7 pm

+16513009039

Visit website

Cairo Cafe

5.0 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, short detour

2.6 mi from route ~7 min detour mile 223

Blaine, Minnesota

Miigwitches Brew

5.0 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Around the midpoint, ~11 min detour

4.5 mi from route ~11 min detour $1 to $10 mile 95.6

Cloquet, Minnesota

Hours: 6 am–2 pm

+12189007959

Gas station designed by Frank Lloyd Wright

4.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Around the midpoint, short detour

2.3 mi from route ~6 min detour mile 95.6

Cloquet, Minnesota

Hours: 8 am–5 pm

+12188792279

United States Hockey Hall of Fame

4.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Early in the drive, ~9 min detour

3.7 mi from route ~9 min detour mile 47.8

Eveleth, Minnesota

Hours: Closed

+12187445167

Visit website

Golden Lake Park

4.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, ~11 min detour

4.3 mi from route ~11 min detour mile 223

Circle Pines, Minnesota

Hours: 6 am–9 pm

+17637845898

Visit website

Discover the Range

4.4 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Early in the drive, short detour

3.2 mi from route ~8 min detour mile 47.8

Eveleth, Minnesota

Hours: 8 am–4 pm

+12187498161

Visit website

Place data sourced from public business listings. Hours and availability may vary.

Fuel & Cost

Regular Gas

$33.19 one way

$66.37 round trip

$3.78/gal 25.4 MPG avg 78 kg CO2
Fuel Type $/gal One Way Round Trip
midgrade $4.07 $35.76 $71.52
premium $4.53 $39.79 $79.58
diesel $5.61 $49.24 $98.47

No toll roads detected on this route.

Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)

Fuel

$33

Meals

$25–$50

Total

$58–$83

Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.

Estimated CO2 emission: 78 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.

Driving Electric?

About $23 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO2

Vehicle Type kWh Stops DC Fast Home Charge
Average EV 66.9 0 $23.41 $10.70
Efficient EV 55.8 0 $19.51 $8.92
EV Truck/SUV 89.2 1 $31.22 $14.27

Gas CO2

78 kg

EV CO2

26 kg (67% less)

Plan for 0 charging stops, roughly every 270 miles. Allow 25-40 minutes per stop at a DC fast charger.

DC fast charging avg $0.35/kWh. Home charging avg $0.16/kWh. US grid CO2: 0.39 kg/kWh.

Travel Intel

Current conditions at both ends of the drive.

Forecast as of Apr 15, 2026

Origin

Babbitt, MN

Night in Babbitt on Thursday

Local time

11:33 PM

CDT

Current temp

61°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

Destination

Blaine, MN

Night in Blaine on Thursday

Local time

11:33 PM

CDT

Current temp

66°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

Seasonal Notes

Summer travel usually means heavier construction, hotter rest stops, and busier weekend traffic around major cities.

Winter travel shortens daylight, so a route that looks manageable on paper can feel much longer after dark.

Holiday weekends tend to make both departure and arrival windows slower than the raw route time suggests.

Time zone

Same local time

Origin and destination are on the same clock, so arrival timing is easier to judge at a glance.

Temperature spread

5 degrees warmer at arrival

A meaningful temperature swing is a good cue to rethink layers, water, and how soon you want to arrive.

Road read

4h 26m on the road

An early start around 7-8 AM gets you there with plenty of daylight left.

Weather data from the National Weather Service. Conditions may change; check closer to your travel date.

Frequently Asked Questions

The drive from Babbitt, MN to Blaine, MN covers 223 miles and takes about 4h 26m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are I 35, US 53, Highway 21. Most of the drive stays on highways, so watch for ramps and exits.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 111.5 miles from Babbitt, MN. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $33.19 one way. This estimate uses 25.4 MPG — your actual cost will vary with your vehicle's fuel efficiency and current gas prices.
An early start around 7-8 AM gets you there with plenty of daylight left. A late afternoon start means arriving after dark. Morning is better.
Plan about 1 meaningful break for fuel, food, or rest. Plan on a short reset every 3 to 4 hours to stay fresh behind the wheel.
This is a demanding drive. With 14 significant decision points across 223 miles, you will need to stay alert - especially through interchange areas and urban stretches. Consider splitting it into segments if you are not comfortable with fast highway navigation.
The main spots that need attention: at 32.5 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully; at 33.4 miles (US 53 / Speaker Irvin N. Anderson Memorial Highway): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here; at 210.3 miles (I 35W): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
The route from Babbitt, MN to Blaine, MN does not surface many named destination signs beyond the main corridor.

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