Drive Time
35m
Distance
27.4 mi
44 km
Drive Score
5/10
Practical drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$4
one way
Photo: Tom Fisk
The drive from Bloomington, MN to Blaine, MN covers 27.4 miles and takes about 35m behind the wheel. This route is realistic as a one-day drive if you keep your stops efficient.
The route leans on I 35W, US 10, Central Avenue Northeast for much of the mileage, and the overall profile is highway-focused drive. The longest uninterrupted segment is about 21.9 miles on I 35W. At current regular gas prices, budget about $3.92 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
0 planned breaks
A short stop every 2 to 3 hours is enough for this drive.
Midpoint
13.7 miles from Bloomington, MN
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 18m into the drive .
This is a 35m highway drive covering 27.4 miles, with most of the trip on I 35W and US 10. The longest continuous stretch is about 21.9 miles on I 35W.
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 35W and US 10. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes early in the drive.
High effort - long or complex enough to need steady focus all day
This is a demanding drive. With 10 significant decision points across 27.4 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 9.2 miles (I 35W): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 14.8 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here.
These are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
Take the ramp toward I 35W North
Complex interchange - multiple decisions in a short stretch
Keep slight right at fork onto I 35W
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Take the exit toward MN 36
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Keep slight left at fork onto I 35W
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Keep slight right at fork onto US 10 toward US 10 West
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| I 35W | 21.9 mi | 28m |
| US 10 | 2.8 mi | 3m |
| Central Avenue Northeast | 1.8 mi | 2m |
| West 90th Street | <0.1 mi | <1m |
Step-by-step road directions between Bloomington, MN and Blaine, MN.
Start on West 90th Street
Take the ramp
Merge onto I 35W
Keep slight right at fork onto I 35W
Take the exit
Merge onto I 35W
Keep slight left at fork onto I 35W
Keep slight right at fork onto US 10
Take the exit
Keep slight left at fork
Turn right onto MN 65
Arrive at destination
Morning Departure
Leave by 9 AM and you'll arrive before lunch.
Evening Departure
Even a 4 PM departure gets you there before dark in summer.
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 27.4 miles or 35m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 13.7 miles or 18m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 30m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Blaine, 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 27.4 miles and 35m.
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 13.7 mi from Bloomington, MN · 18m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
14 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 27.4 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
The midpoint is around 13.7 miles from Bloomington, MN, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
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.
These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.
Regular Gas
$3.92 one way
$7.84 round trip
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $3.92 | $4.23 | $8.46 |
| premium | $4.39 | $4.74 | $9.48 |
| diesel | $5.64 | $6.09 | $12.17 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$4
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$29–$54
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 9.6 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-06.
Driving Electric?
About $3 in charging · 0 stops · 70% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 8.2 | 0 | $2.88 | $1.32 |
| Efficient EV | 6.9 | 0 | $2.40 | $1.10 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 11 | 0 | $3.84 | $1.75 |
Gas CO2
10 kg
EV CO2
3 kg (70% 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. If you're planning ahead, check the forecast closer to your travel date.
Origin
Afternoon in Bloomington on Saturday
Local time
3:45 PM
CDT
Current temp
41°F
Forecast unavailable right now
Destination
Afternoon in Blaine on Saturday
Local time
3:45 PM
CDT
Current temp
39°F
Forecast unavailable right now
Along the Route
40°F
Minneapolis, MN
14 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
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
Use the two city cards together: check the sky where you start, then compare it with the local time and temperature at arrival.
Thanks for your feedback!
Your tip has been submitted. Thanks!
/500
Recent Tips
·
Explore more options from Bloomington, MN or browse trips ending in Blaine, MN.
Looking for more statewide routes? Browse MN road trips.
Explore maps for Bloomington, MN or Blaine, MN on MapSof.net.
