Origin
Blue Earth, MN
Late night in Blue Earth on Wednesday
Local time
4:59 AM
CDT
Current temp
39°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Blue Earth, MN to Blaine, MN
Data updated 0 seconds ago
Drive Time
2h 52m
Distance
151.8 mi
244 km
Drive Score
8/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$23
one way
EV Charging
Loading...
station data
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
2h 42m
★
6 AM
2h 53m
8 AM
3h 15m
10 AM
3h 0m
12 PM
2h 58m
3 PM
3h 2m
5 PM
3h 14m
8 PM
2h 46m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Blue Earth, MN
Wikimedia Commons
Blaine, MN
Wikimedia Commons
Trip Overview
This 151.8-mile drive from Blue Earth, MN, to Blaine, MN, is a straightforward, highway-focused journey that can easily be completed in a single day, taking about 2 hours and 52 minutes. You'll primarily be on I-35 and I-90, with a 97% highway share, making for a largely uninterrupted trip through the Midwest. With an estimated fuel cost of $23, it's an economical option for a quick transit. This route is ideal for a day trip, allowing you to reach your destination without needing an overnight stop. It's a practical choice for efficient travel within Minnesota.
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
75.9 miles from Blue Earth, MN
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h 24m into the drive .
Loading map...
Drive Character
Expect a predominantly highway experience on this route, with 97% of the drive taking place on major interstates like I-35 and I-35W. The longest uninterrupted stretch you'll encounter is approximately 75 miles on I-35, providing a consistent pace. This profile suggests a drive that prioritizes speed and directness over winding scenic byways. While the highway focus means less in the way of unexpected detours, it ensures a predictable and efficient journey from start to finish.
Most of the miles stay on highways, which makes pacing and fuel planning easier than turn-by-turn city driving.
There are about 21 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 75 miles.
How Hard Is This Drive?
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 35 and I 90. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 41.8 miles in.
Route Complexity
10/10
High effort - long or complex enough to need steady focus all day
This is a demanding drive. With 18 significant decision points across 151.8 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 41.8 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 117.1 miles (I 35W): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 133.5 miles (I 35W): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
Critical Maneuvers
5 of 18 key pointsThese are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
7
41.8 mi into trip
|
~47m in
Take the exit toward I 35 North: Minneapolis, Saint Paul
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the right lane.
Toward I 35 North: Minneapolis, Saint Paul
6
117.1 mi into trip
|
~2h 8m in
|
I 35W
Keep slight left at fork onto I 35W
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight left / slight right lanes.
6
133.5 mi into trip
|
~2h 29m in
|
I 35W
Keep slight right at fork onto I 35W
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
7
139.1 mi into trip
|
~2h 36m in
Take the exit toward MN 36
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight right lane.
Exit 22B
Toward MN 36
7
146.8 mi into trip
|
~2h 46m in
|
US 10
Keep slight right at fork onto US 10 toward US 10 West
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight right lane.
Toward US 10 West
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
On the drive from Blue Earth, MN to Blaine, MN, road signs begin pointing toward Saint Paul along the way.
Saint Paul
41.8 mi in
|
~47m
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| I 35 | 75 mi | 1h 20m |
| I 90 | 39.6 mi | 42m |
| I 35W | 29.4 mi | 37m |
| US 10 | 2.8 mi | 3m |
| Central Avenue Northeast | 1.8 mi | 2m |
| South Main Street | 1 mi | 2m |
| US Highway 169 | 0.5 mi | <1m |
| Fairgrounds Road | 0.4 mi | <1m |
Longest stretch:
I 35
— 75 mi, about 1h 20m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Blue Earth, MN and Blaine, MN.
1
Start on this road
58 ft
·
9 sec
·
this road
2
Turn left
53 ft
·
9 sec
3
Turn left onto East 7th Street
150 ft
·
8 sec
·
East 7th Street
4
Turn right onto CR 6
1.0 mi
·
2 min
·
South Main Street
5
Turn right onto CR 44
0.4 mi
·
55 sec
·
Fairgrounds Road
6
Enter roundabout onto US 169
293 ft
·
12 sec
·
US Highway 169
7
Continue on US 169
0.5 mi
·
40 sec
·
US Highway 169
8
Take the ramp
0.2 mi
·
31 sec
Toward I 90 East: Albert Lea
9
Merge onto I 90
40 mi
·
42 min
·
I 90
Use the straight / right lanes.
10
Take the exit
0.2 mi
·
30 sec
Toward I 35 North: Minneapolis, Saint Paul
Use the right lane.
11
Merge onto I 35
75 mi
·
1 hr 20 min
·
I 35
Use the straight / right lanes.
12
Keep slight left at fork onto I 35W
16 mi
·
20 min
·
I 35W
Use the slight left / slight right lanes.
13
Keep slight right at fork onto I 35W
5.6 mi
·
7 min
·
I 35W
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
14
Take the exit
0.3 mi
·
25 sec
Exit 22B
Toward MN 36
Use the slight right lane.
15
Merge onto I 35W
0.3 mi
·
19 sec
·
I 35W
16
Keep slight left at fork onto I 35W
7.1 mi
·
8 min
·
I 35W
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
17
Keep slight right at fork onto US 10
2.8 mi
·
3 min
·
US 10
Toward US 10 West
Use the slight right lane.
18
Take the exit
0.3 mi
·
34 sec
Toward MN 65: Central Avenue
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
19
Keep slight left at fork
222 ft
·
6 sec
20
Turn right onto MN 65
1.8 mi
·
2 min
·
Central Avenue Northeast
Use the left lane.
21
Arrive at destination
MN 65
Trip Plan
For this 1-day, 151.8-mile trip, flexibility is your advantage. You can depart whenever it suits you, though an early start will help you beat any potential traffic as you approach the Minneapolis area. With a total duration of under 3 hours, you might only need one brief stop for fuel or a quick break, making the $23 fuel budget quite manageable. Keep an eye on your GPS for the transition between I-35 and I-35W as you get closer to Blaine, as this is a key junction on your route.
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.
You can normally do this drive in one day.
Plan roughly 1 meaningful break for fuel, food, and rest.
The halfway point lands around 75.9 miles from Blue Earth, MN, or about 1h 24m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 75 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 28m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 75.9 miles or 1h 24m 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 17m
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 Blue Earth, 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 Blue Earth, MN
This is one driving day of about 151.8 miles and 2h 52m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 80 miles from Blue Earth, 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 75 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 75.9 mi from Blue Earth, MN · 1h 24m 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.
Pacing Suggestions
Fuel and coffee
A short stop after about 80 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 75.9 miles from Blue Earth, MN, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Before the longest stretch
Fuel checkTop up before I 35 if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 75 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.
These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$22.59 one way
$45.18 round trip
$3.78/gal
25.4 MPG avg
53 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.07 | $24.34 | $48.68 |
| premium | $4.53 | $27.08 | $54.17 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $33.52 | $67.03 |
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: 53.1 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 | 45.5 | 0 | $15.94 | $7.29 |
| Efficient EV | 38 | 0 | $13.28 | $6.07 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 60.7 | 0 | $21.25 | $9.72 |
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.
Destination
Blaine, MN
Late night in Blaine on Wednesday
Local time
4:59 AM
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
27 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
2h 52m 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 Blue Earth, MN to Blaine, MN covers 151.8 miles and takes about 2h 52m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are I 35, I 90, I 35W. Most of the drive stays on highways, so watch for ramps and exits.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 75.9 miles from Blue Earth, MN. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $22.59 one way. This estimate uses 25.4 MPG — your actual cost will vary with your vehicle's fuel efficiency and current gas prices.
Leave by 9 AM and you'll arrive before lunch. Even a 4 PM departure gets you there before dark in summer.
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 151.8 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 41.8 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 117.1 miles (I 35W): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 133.5 miles (I 35W): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
On the drive from Blue Earth, MN to Blaine, MN, road signs begin pointing toward Saint Paul along the way.
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