Origin
Bloomington, MN
Afternoon in Bloomington on Thursday
Local time
3:09 PM
CDT
Current temp
48°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Bloomington, MN to Benson, MN
Last recalculated Apr 16, 2026
Drive Time
3h
Distance
130.7 mi
210 km
Drive Score
9/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$19
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
2h 49m
★
6 AM
3h 1m
8 AM
3h 24m
10 AM
3h 9m
12 PM
3h 6m
3 PM
3h 10m
5 PM
3h 22m
8 PM
2h 54m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Bloomington, MN
Wikimedia Commons
Benson, MN
Tom Fisk
Trip Overview
The drive from Bloomington, MN to Benson, MN covers 130.7 miles and takes about 3h behind the wheel. This route is realistic as a one-day drive if you keep your stops efficient.
The route leans on US 12, Pacific Avenue Southeast, I 494 for much of the mileage, and the overall profile is mixed drive. The longest uninterrupted segment is about 26.1 miles on US 12. At current regular gas prices, budget about $19.45 one way before food or hotel costs.
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
65.4 miles from Bloomington, MN
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h 28m into the drive .
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 3h. Total distance: 130.7 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
3h drive, comfortable solo distance.
Drive Character
The drive from Bloomington, MN to Benson, MN covers 130.7 miles and takes about 3h, using a mix of highways and local roads.
Expect a mix of faster highway mileage and slower local approaches near the beginning or end.
There are about 48 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.
US 12 is the longest continuous segment at about 26.1 miles.
How Hard Is This Drive?
This route mixes highway mileage with some local-road sections near the start or finish. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes early in the drive.
Driving Effort
10/10
High effort - long or complex enough to need steady focus all day
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This is a demanding drive. With 18 significant decision points across 130.7 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: near the start: Complex interchange - multiple decisions in a short stretch; at 1.1 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 1.3 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Critical Maneuvers
5 of 18 key pointsThese are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
6
0 mi into trip
|
~0m in
Take the ramp toward I 35W North
Complex interchange - multiple decisions in a short stretch
Toward I 35W North
8
1.1 mi into trip
|
~1m in
Take the exit toward I 494 East, MN 5 East
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Exit 8B-C
Toward I 494 East, MN 5 East
6
1.3 mi into trip
|
~2m in
Keep slight left at fork toward I 494 West, MN 5 West
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Toward I 494 West, MN 5 West
7
15.9 mi into trip
|
~21m in
Take the exit toward US 12 West: Wayzata
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / right lanes.
Exit 19B
Toward US 12 West: Wayzata
7
16.6 mi into trip
|
~22m in
Keep slight left at fork toward US 12 West: Wayzata
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / right lanes.
Toward US 12 West: Wayzata
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| US 12 | 26.1 mi | 35m |
| Pacific Avenue Southeast | 24.9 mi | 36m |
| I 494 | 13.7 mi | 17m |
| US Highway 12 | 13.3 mi | 18m |
| Parker Avenue East | 11.8 mi | 13m |
| Officer Bill Mathews Memorial Highwa | 11 mi | 14m |
| 15th Ave Northeast | 6.8 mi | 8m |
| Babcock Boulevard | 6.1 mi | 8m |
Longest stretch:
US 12
— 26.1 mi, about 35m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Bloomington, MN and Benson, MN.
1
Start on West 90th Street
163 ft
·
10 sec
·
West 90th Street
2
Take the ramp
0.2 mi
·
22 sec
Toward I 35W North
3
Merge onto I 35W
0.8 mi
·
1 min
·
I 35W
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
4
Take the exit
0.3 mi
·
37 sec
Exit 8B-C
Toward I 494 East, MN 5 East
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
5
Keep slight left at fork
0.8 mi
·
1 min
Toward I 494 West, MN 5 West
6
Merge onto I 494; MN 5
5.8 mi
·
7 min
·
I 494; MN 5
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
7
Keep slight left at fork onto I 494; MN 5
7.9 mi
·
9 min
·
I 494; MN 5
Use the straight / right lanes.
8
Take the exit
0.3 mi
·
33 sec
Exit 19B
Toward US 12 West: Wayzata
Use the straight / right lanes.
9
Merge onto I 394
80 ft
·
1 sec
·
I 394
Exit 1A
10
Keep slight left at fork
0.4 mi
·
28 sec
Toward US 12 West: Carlson Parkway, Linner Road
11
Keep slight left at fork
0.5 mi
·
52 sec
Toward US 12 West: Wayzata
Use the straight / right lanes.
12
Merge onto US 12
11 mi
·
14 min
·
Officer Bill Mathews Memorial Highwa
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
13
Enter roundabout onto US 12
135 ft
·
1 sec
·
Babcock Boulevard
14
Continue on US 12
2.0 mi
·
2 min
·
Babcock Boulevard
15
Keep slight right at fork onto US 12
4.1 mi
·
5 min
·
Babcock Boulevard
16
Continue on US 12
3.6 mi
·
5 min
·
US 12
17
Continue on US 12
0.2 mi
·
19 sec
·
60th Street Southeast
18
Continue on US 12
0.6 mi
·
51 sec
·
US 12
19
Turn slight right onto US 12; MN 25
0.5 mi
·
39 sec
·
60th Street Southeast
20
Merge onto US 12; MN 25
1.3 mi
·
1 min
·
US 12; MN 25
21
Continue on US 12; MN 25
1.1 mi
·
2 min
·
Nelson Boulevard
22
Continue on US 12
1.9 mi
·
2 min
·
US 12
23
Continue on US 12
0.7 mi
·
1 min
·
Pacific Avenue
24
Continue on US 12
4.1 mi
·
5 min
·
US 12
25
Continue on US 12
1.0 mi
·
2 min
·
6th Street
26
Continue on US 12
3.5 mi
·
4 min
·
60th Street Southwest
27
Continue on US 12
1.9 mi
·
2 min
·
US 12
28
Continue on US 12
1.1 mi
·
1 min
·
Cokato Street
29
Continue on US 12
2.7 mi
·
3 min
·
50th Street Southwest
30
Continue on US 12
2.0 mi
·
2 min
·
US 12
31
Continue on US 12
12 mi
·
13 min
·
Parker Avenue East
32
Turn right onto US 12; MN 22
0.9 mi
·
2 min
·
North Sibley Avenue
33
Continue on US 12; MN 22
13 mi
·
18 min
·
US Highway 12
34
Continue on US 12
6.8 mi
·
8 min
·
15th Ave Northeast
35
Continue on US 12
0.8 mi
·
1 min
·
Pacific Avenue
36
Continue on US 12
4.6 mi
·
6 min
·
US 12
Use the right lane.
37
Continue on US 12
0.4 mi
·
1 min
·
Litchfield Avenue Southeast
38
Continue on US 12
0.2 mi
·
29 sec
·
Pacific Avenue Southeast
39
Continue on US 12
0.4 mi
·
1 min
·
Highway 12 Bypass Southwest
Use the straight lane.
40
Continue on US 12
0.3 mi
·
53 sec
·
Litchfield Avenue Southwest
41
Continue on US 12
1.3 mi
·
2 min
·
US 12
Use the straight lane.
42
Enter roundabout onto US 12
110 ft
·
1 sec
·
US 12
43
Continue on US 12
0.5 mi
·
45 sec
·
US 12
44
Enter roundabout onto US 12
95 ft
·
1 sec
·
US 12
45
Continue on US 12
4.2 mi
·
5 min
·
US 12
46
Continue on US 12
25 mi
·
35 min
·
Pacific Avenue Southeast
Use the straight lane.
47
Turn left
132 ft
·
9 sec
48
Arrive at destination
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 65.4 miles from Bloomington, MN, or about 1h 28m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 26.1 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 29 miles or 38m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 65.4 miles or 1h 28m 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 26m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Benson, MN than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving Bloomington, 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 Bloomington, MN
This is one driving day of about 130.7 miles and 3h.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 29 miles from Bloomington, 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 12 for about 26.1 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 65.4 mi from Bloomington, MN · 1h 28m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
65 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
Fuel and coffee
A short stop after about 29 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 65.4 miles from Bloomington, MN, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Arriving in Benson, MN
The final approach into Benson, 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 Benson, 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
$19.45 one way
$38.90 round trip
$3.78/gal
25.4 MPG avg
46 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.07 | $20.96 | $41.92 |
| premium | $4.53 | $23.32 | $46.64 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $28.86 | $57.71 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$19
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$44–$69
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 45.7 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $14 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 39.2 | 0 | $13.72 | $6.27 |
| Efficient EV | 32.7 | 0 | $11.44 | $5.23 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 52.3 | 0 | $18.30 | $8.36 |
Gas CO2
46 kg
EV CO2
15 kg (67% 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.
Destination
Benson, MN
Afternoon in Benson on Thursday
Local time
3:09 PM
CDT
Current temp
45°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
3 degrees cooler at arrival
A meaningful temperature swing is a good cue to rethink layers, water, and how soon you want to arrive.
Road read
3h 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 Bloomington, MN to Benson, MN covers 130.7 miles and takes about 3h without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are US 12, Pacific Avenue Southeast, I 494. Expect a mix of highway and local road driving.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 65.4 miles from Bloomington, MN. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $19.45 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.
This is a demanding drive. With 18 significant decision points across 130.7 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: near the start: Complex interchange - multiple decisions in a short stretch; at 1.1 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 1.3 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
The route from Bloomington, MN to Benson, MN does not surface many named destination signs beyond the main corridor.
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