Trip from Blaine, MN to Cottonwood, MN

Drive Time

3h 17m

Distance

152.9 mi

246 km

Drive Score

8/10

Great drive

Same Day?

Yes, doable

Fuel Cost

$22

one way

Best Time Drive vs Fly

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Blaine, MN

Tom Fisk

Cottonwood, MN

Tom Fisk

Trip Overview

If you are planning a trip from Blaine to Cottonwood, you are looking at a straightforward 152.9-mile journey across Minnesota. Expect to spend about 3 hours and 17 minutes behind the wheel, making this a perfect candidate for a single-day excursion. With a modest fuel budget of approximately $22, the drive is highly economical for those moving between these two Midwest locations. Because the route is compact, you won't need to worry about booking an overnight stay unless you prefer a slower pace. The trip is primarily highway-focused, ensuring a consistent experience as you transition from the metro area toward the southwestern part of the state.

Trip Pace

Same-day drive is realistic

A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.

Break Rhythm

1 planned break

A short stop every 2 to 3 hours is enough for this drive.

Midpoint

76.4 miles from Blaine, MN

A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h 36m into the drive .

Drive Character

This 152.9-mile route is heavily centered on highway travel, with 93% of your time spent on major thoroughfares. You will navigate via US Highway 212 and State Highway 23/67, which provide a steady, reliable pace for the duration of your trip. The longest uninterrupted section covers 71.8 miles on US Highway 212, allowing you to settle into a comfortable rhythm on the open road. While the drive is efficient, you should be prepared for the transition from faster highways to the specific state road segments near your destination. Overall, it offers a functional and predictable driving experience that avoids the complexity of winding local backroads.

Most of the miles stay on highways, which makes pacing and fuel planning easier than turn-by-turn city driving.

There are about 18 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.

US Highway 212 is the longest continuous segment at about 71.8 miles.

How Hard Is This Drive?

This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on US Highway 212 and US 212. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 6.3 miles in.

Route Complexity 7/10

Demanding - plan breaks and stay ahead of the key maneuvers

This is a demanding drive. With 13 significant decision points across 152.9 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 6.3 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here; at 8.7 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here; at 22.3 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here.

Critical Maneuvers

5 of 13 key points

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

6.3 mi into trip | ~9m in

Take the exit toward I 694 West

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

Use the straight / slight right lanes. Toward I 694 West

8.7 mi into trip | ~12m in

Take the exit toward MN 100

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

Use the straight / slight right lanes. Exit 35A Toward MN 100

22.3 mi into trip | ~29m in

Take the exit toward MN 62 West

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

Use the straight / slight right lanes. Toward MN 62 West

24.4 mi into trip | ~32m in | US 212

Take the exit onto US 212 toward US 212

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

Use the none / slight right lanes. Exit 106A Toward US 212

29 mi into trip | ~38m in | US 212

Keep slight left at fork onto US 212

Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here

Use the slight left lane.

Main Roads

Road	Distance	Duration
US Highway 212	71.8 mi	1h 34m
US 212	41 mi	48m
State Highway 23/67	14.9 mi	18m
MN 100	13 mi	16m
Central Avenue Northeast	6.3 mi	9m
I 694	1.8 mi	2m
Crosstown Highway	1.7 mi	2m
Barstad Road	0.6 mi	1m

Longest stretch: US Highway 212 — 71.8 mi, about 1h 34m

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

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

Start on MN 65

26 ft · 8 sec · Central Avenue Northeast

Continue on MN 65

6.3 mi · 8 min · Central Avenue Northeast

Use the left lane.

Continue on MN 65

300 ft · 5 sec · Central Avenue Northeast

Use the left / none lanes.

Take the exit

0.5 mi · 1 min

Toward I 694 West Use the straight / slight right lanes.

Merge onto I 694

1.8 mi · 2 min · I 694

Use the none / straight / slight right lanes.

Take the exit

0.6 mi · 1 min

Exit 35A Toward MN 100 Use the straight / slight right lanes.

Continue on MN 100

13 mi · 16 min · MN 100

Use the none lane.

Take the exit

0.5 mi · 1 min

Toward MN 62 West Use the straight / slight right lanes.

Merge onto MN 62

1.7 mi · 2 min · Crosstown Highway

Use the none / straight / slight right lanes.

Take the exit onto US 212

4.6 mi · 5 min · US 212

Exit 106A Toward US 212 Use the none / slight right lanes.

Keep slight left at fork onto US 212

36 mi · 43 min · US 212

Use the slight left lane.

Enter roundabout onto US 212

145 ft · 2 sec · US Highway 212

Continue on US 212

72 mi · 1 hr 34 min · US Highway 212

Turn left onto MN 23; MN 67

15 mi · 18 min · State Highway 23/67

Turn right onto CR 10

0.1 mi · 20 sec · 390th Street

At end of road, turn left onto CR 32

0.6 mi · 1 min · Barstad Road

Turn right onto CR 10

455 ft · 12 sec · Main Street

Arrive at destination

CR 10

Trip Plan

Since this is a manageable 3-hour and 17-minute drive, you have plenty of flexibility regarding your departure time. Aim to leave during off-peak hours to ensure your trek remains stress-free and consistent. You only need to plan for one major stop, which is ideal for refueling or grabbing a quick snack to stay sharp. Given the $22 fuel estimate, it is wise to check your levels before heading out to avoid unnecessary stops in more rural stretches. Keep an eye on the transition between US Highway 212 and State Highway 23/67, as navigating these shifts will be the most important part of your route planning.

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 76.4 miles from Blaine, MN, or about 1h 36m into the drive.

The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 71.8 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 80 miles or 1h 40m in

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

Halfway reset

Around 76.4 miles or 1h 36m in

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

Final approach

Final hour starts around 2h 40m

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

Before You Leave

Open the route before leaving Blaine, 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 Blaine, MN

This is one driving day of about 152.9 miles and 3h 17m.

Your first comfortable stop window is around 80 miles from Blaine, 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 US Highway 212 for about 71.8 miles.

Where to Stop

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

Halfway Point

Midpoint

About 76.4 mi from Blaine, MN · 1h 36m into the drive

Mid-route town

Meal stop

Plymouth, MN

76 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.

Pacing Suggestions

Albertville, MN

Fuel and coffee

A short stop after about 80 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.

Albertville, MN

Meal break

The midpoint is around 76.4 miles from Blaine, MN, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.

Before the longest stretch

Fuel check

Top up before US Highway 212 if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 71.8 miles.

Arriving in Cottonwood, MN

The final approach into Cottonwood, 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 Cottonwood, MN.

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

Fuel & Cost

Regular Gas

$21.87 one way

$43.74 round trip

$3.63/gal 25.4 MPG avg 54 kg CO₂

Fuel Type	$/gal	One Way	Round Trip
midgrade	$3.92	$23.60	$47.21
premium	$4.39	$26.44	$52.88
diesel	$5.64	$33.97	$67.94

No toll roads detected on this route.

Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)

Fuel

$22

Meals

$25–$50

Total

$47–$72

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

Estimated CO2 emission: 53.5 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-06.

Driving Electric?

About $16 in charging · 0 stops · 66% less CO₂

Vehicle Type	kWh	DC Fast	Home Charge
Average EV	45.9	$16.05	$7.34
Efficient EV	38.2	$13.38	$6.12
EV Truck/SUV	61.2	$21.41	$9.79

Gas CO2

53 kg

EV CO2

18 kg (66% less)

This trip is well within single-charge range for most EVs. No charging stops needed if you start fully charged.

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 data refreshed 2 days ago

Origin

Blaine, MN

Afternoon in Blaine on Sunday

Local time

2:07 PM

CDT

Current temp

39°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

Destination

Cottonwood, MN

Afternoon in Cottonwood on Sunday

Local time

2:07 PM

CDT

Current temp

71°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

Along the Route

39°F

Plymouth, MN

76 mi in

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

32 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

3h 17m on the road

Use the two city cards together: check the sky where you start, then compare it with the local time and temperature at arrival.

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

Frequently Asked Questions

The drive from Blaine, MN to Cottonwood, MN covers 152.9 miles and takes about 3h 17m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.

The main roads are US Highway 212, US 212, State Highway 23/67. Most of the drive stays on highways, so watch for ramps and exits.

This is a comfortable same-day trip.

The midpoint is about 76.4 miles from Blaine, MN. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.

At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $21.87 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. A short stop every 2 to 3 hours is enough for this drive.

The route from Blaine, MN to Cottonwood, MN does not surface many named destination signs beyond the main corridor.

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Trip from Blaine, MN to Cottonwood, MN

Trip Overview

Drive Character

How Hard Is This Drive?

Critical Maneuvers

Main Roads

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Trip Plan

Before You Leave

Where to Stop

Pacing Suggestions

Arriving in Cottonwood, MN

Fuel & Cost

Travel Intel

Blaine, MN

Cottonwood, MN

Same local time

32 degrees warmer at arrival

3h 17m on the road

Frequently Asked Questions

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