Sign in
No account yet?
Create accountData updated 1 hour ago
Drive Time
3h 8m
Distance
152.2 mi
245 km
Drive Score
8/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$23
one way
EV Charging
None
0 DC fast
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Bloomington, MN
Wikimedia Commons
Lakefield, MN
Tom Fisk
This 152.2-mile drive from Bloomington, MN to Lakefield, MN is a manageable one-day trip, estimated to take just over 3 hours. You'll primarily travel on US 169, with portions on 450th Ave and MN 13, covering 89% of the journey on highways. The estimated fuel cost for this Midwest to Midwest excursion is around $23. It's a straightforward route that allows for flexibility, meaning you can depart at your convenience and arrive in Lakefield without needing an overnight stay.
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
76.1 miles from Bloomington, MN
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h 36m into the drive .
Loading map...
Expect a highway-focused drive for most of this 152.2-mile journey. With 89% of the route on main roads like US 169, you'll experience a good amount of consistent travel. The longest stretch without a significant change in road type is 121.9 miles on US 169, offering a predictable driving rhythm. While predominantly highway, the inclusion of 450th Ave and MN 13 suggests a potential shift to more local road characteristics as you near your destination.
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on US 169 and 450th Ave. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes early in the drive near West Bloomington Freeway.
Demanding - plan breaks and stay ahead of the key maneuvers
This is a demanding drive. With 16 significant decision points across 152.2 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 (West Bloomington Freeway): Navigation decision point; at 4.4 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here; at 9.7 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
These are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
Turn left onto West Bloomington Freeway
Navigation decision point
Take the exit toward MN 13 South: Shakopee
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Keep slight left at fork toward US 169 South, CR 21: Mankato
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Take the exit toward MN 41, CR 78: Chestnut Boulevard
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Keep slight left at fork toward CR 78: Chestnut Boulevard
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
On the drive from Bloomington, MN to Lakefield, MN, road signs begin pointing toward Cr 21: Mankato along the way.
Cr 21: Mankato
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| US 169 | 121.9 mi | 2h 25m |
| 450th Ave | 9.8 mi | 12m |
| MN 13 | 4.9 mi | 6m |
| I 35W | 4.1 mi | 4m |
| MN 60 W | 3.8 mi | 4m |
| Louisville Road | 2 mi | 3m |
| North Highway 86 | 0.8 mi | 1m |
| 2nd Avenue North | 0.6 mi | 1m |
Step-by-step road directions between Bloomington, MN and Lakefield, MN.
Start on West 90th Street
Turn left onto West Bloomington Freeway
Take the ramp
Merge onto I 35W
Take the exit
Merge onto MN 13
Keep slight left at fork
Merge onto US 169
Take the exit
Keep slight left at fork
Continue on CR 78
Turn right onto Louisville Road
Turn right onto 147th Street
Turn left onto Red Rock Drive
Take the ramp
Merge onto US 169
Continue on US 169
Continue on US 169
Continue on US 169; MN 99
Continue on US 169; MN 60
Continue on US 71; MN 60
Continue on US 71; MN 60
Continue on US 71; MN 60
Turn left onto MN 86
Continue on MN 86
Turn left onto CR 42
Arrive at destination
Given the 3-hour duration, this drive from Bloomington to Lakefield is easily completed in a single day, so you have the flexibility to leave when you're ready. With only one recommended stop and a fuel cost of approximately $23, planning is minimal. Keep an eye on your fuel gauge, especially during the longest 121.9-mile stretch on US 169, as services might be spaced out. A good tip for this route is to check for any local events in Lakefield that might affect parking or traffic upon arrival.
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.
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 41m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 76.1 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 33m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Lakefield, MN than in the middle of the route.
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 152.2 miles and 3h 8m.
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 76.1 mi from Bloomington, MN · 1h 36m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
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.
A short stop after about 80 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
The midpoint is around 76.1 miles from Bloomington, MN, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Before the longest stretch
Fuel checkTop up before US 169 if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 121.9 miles.
The final approach into Lakefield, 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 Lakefield, 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.
Regular Gas
$22.65 one way
$45.30 round trip
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.07 | $24.41 | $48.81 |
| premium | $4.53 | $27.16 | $54.31 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $33.60 | $67.21 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$23
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$48–$73
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 53.3 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $16 in charging · 0 stops · 66% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 45.7 | 0 | $15.98 | $7.31 |
| Efficient EV | 38.1 | 0 | $13.32 | $6.09 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 60.9 | 0 | $21.31 | $9.74 |
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.
Current conditions at both ends of the drive.
Origin
Afternoon in Bloomington on Tuesday
Local time
4:35 PM
CDT
Current temp
69°F
Slight Chance Rain Showers
Destination
Afternoon in Lakefield on Tuesday
Local time
4:35 PM
CDT
Current temp
43°F
Unavailable
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
Origin and destination are on the same clock, so arrival timing is easier to judge at a glance.
Temperature spread
A meaningful temperature swing is a good cue to rethink layers, water, and how soon you want to arrive.
Road read
The weather snapshot is not static. If you are leaving later, give both cities one more quick forecast check before departure.
Weather data from the National Weather Service. Conditions may change; check closer to your travel date.
Thanks for your feedback!
Your tip has been submitted. Thanks!
/500
Recent Tips
·
Explore more options from Bloomington, MN or browse trips ending in Lakefield, MN.
Looking for more statewide routes? Browse MN road trips.
Explore maps for Bloomington, MN or Lakefield, MN on MapSof.net.