Origin
Cloquet, MN
Afternoon in Cloquet on Sunday
Local time
3:16 PM
CDT
Current temp
29°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Cloquet, MN to Minneapolis, MN
Drive Time
2h 2m
Distance
137 mi
220 km
Drive Score
8/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$20
one way
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
1h 54m
★
6 AM
2h 3m
8 AM
2h 20m
10 AM
2h 9m
12 PM
2h 7m
3 PM
2h 10m
5 PM
2h 19m
8 PM
1h 57m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Cloquet, MN
Tom Fisk
Trip Overview
If you are planning to head south from Cloquet to Minneapolis, you are looking at a straightforward 137-mile journey that typically takes about 2 hours and 2 minutes. This trip is perfectly suited for a single-day excursion, as it does not require an overnight stay to manage the distance comfortably. You will primarily navigate via Cloquet Avenue, I-35 South, and I-35W to reach your destination. Expect to set aside roughly $19 for fuel to cover the transit between these two Midwestern points. Since the drive is relatively short and efficient, it serves as an excellent connector for anyone needing to bridge the gap between these Minnesota locations without significant travel fatigue.
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
68.5 miles from Cloquet, MN
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h 1m into the drive .
Drive Character
Expect a turn-heavy local drive as you navigate out of Cloquet before transitioning onto the interstate system. While the route relies heavily on major arteries like I-35, the initial departure from town requires careful attention to local road transitions. You will find that the longest uninterrupted stretch on Cloquet Avenue is minimal, meaning you should be prepared for frequent maneuvering early on. The journey lacks long, monotonous highway sections, keeping the driving experience engaging rather than repetitive. Once you merge onto the interstate, the character of the road shifts toward a more consistent, high-speed pace that carries you through the remainder of the trip.
This route has more turning and local-road decision points than a simple highway run.
There are about 10 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.
Cloquet Avenue is one of the defining roads on this drive.
How Hard Is This Drive?
Expect a hands-on drive with frequent turns and local roads rather than long highway stretches. Navigation is very simple — set it and forget it for most of the drive.
Route Complexity
1/10
Very easy - short and simple to drive
The drive from Cloquet, MN to Minneapolis, MN is easy. At 2h 2m with 0% highway, most drivers will find it relaxed and low-stress.
Where does it get tricky?
This route does not have any notably tricky sections. Most of the drive from Cloquet, MN to Minneapolis, MN is straightforward, with well-signed roads and simple exits.
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| Cloquet Avenue | Unavailable | Refreshing |
| I 35 South | Unavailable | Refreshing |
| I 35W | Unavailable | Refreshing |
| Washington Avenue | Unavailable | Refreshing |
| Washington Avenue South | Unavailable | Refreshing |
Per-road distance and duration are being refreshed from OSRM for this route.
Longest stretch:
Cloquet Avenue
— detailed segment metrics are refreshing.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Cloquet, MN and Minneapolis, MN.
1
Start on 4th Street
26 ft
·
1 sec
·
4th Street
2
Turn left onto Cloquet Avenue
518 ft
·
22 sec
·
Cloquet Avenue
3
Turn left
2.1 mi
·
3 min
4
Enter the roundabout and take exit 2 toward I 35 South
79 ft
·
1 sec
·
I 35 South
5
Exit the roundabout onto I 35 South
0.5 mi
·
40 sec
·
I 35 South
6
Merge slight left
110 mi
·
1 hr 57 min
7
Keep slight right to continue on I 35W: Minneapolis
23 mi
·
27 min
·
I 35W: Minneapolis
8
Take the exit slight right toward Washington Avenue
0.2 mi
·
42 sec
·
Washington Avenue
9
Turn right onto Washington Avenue South
0.8 mi
·
2 min
·
Washington Avenue South
10
Arrive at your destination
Trip Plan
Because this is a manageable two-hour drive, you have the flexibility to depart whenever it best fits your schedule without worrying about complex pacing. Since there are no mandatory stops built into the data, feel free to adjust your departure to avoid peak traffic hours when approaching Minneapolis via I-35W. Keep your $19 fuel budget in mind when filling up, as prices can vary between these two cities. A great way to handle the trip is to ensure your vehicle is ready for the transition from the local streets of Cloquet to the heavier traffic flow of the interstate. By maintaining a steady pace, you can easily complete the entire 137-mile distance in one focused session.
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.
You may only need one short stretch break if traffic stays light.
The halfway point lands around 68.5 miles from Cloquet, MN, or about 1h 1m into the drive.
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 11m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 68.5 miles or 1h 1m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 1h 40m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Minneapolis, MN than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving Cloquet, 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 Cloquet, MN
This is one driving day of about 137 miles and 2h 2m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 80 miles from Cloquet, MN.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
You may only need one short stretch stop if conditions stay smooth.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 68.5 mi from Cloquet, MN · 1h 1m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
69 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 68.5 miles from Cloquet, MN, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Arriving in Minneapolis, MN
The final approach into Minneapolis, 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 Minneapolis, 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
$19.60 one way
$39.19 round trip
$3.63/gal
25.4 MPG avg
48 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $3.92 | $21.15 | $42.30 |
| premium | $4.39 | $23.69 | $47.38 |
| diesel | $5.64 | $30.44 | $60.87 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$20
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$45–$70
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 47.9 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-06.
Driving Electric?
About $14 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 41.1 | 0 | $14.39 | $6.58 |
| Efficient EV | 34.3 | 0 | $11.99 | $5.48 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 54.8 | 0 | $19.18 | $8.77 |
Gas CO2
48 kg
EV CO2
16 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
Minneapolis, MN
Afternoon in Minneapolis on Sunday
Local time
3:16 PM
CDT
Current temp
40°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
11 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 2m 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 Cloquet, MN to Minneapolis, MN covers 137 miles and takes about 2h 2m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are Cloquet Avenue, I 35 South, I 35W. Expect a mix of highway and local road driving.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 68.5 miles from Cloquet, MN. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $19.60 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.
The drive from Cloquet, MN to Minneapolis, MN is easy. At 2h 2m with 0% highway, most drivers will find it relaxed and low-stress.
This route does not have any notably tricky sections. Most of the drive from Cloquet, MN to Minneapolis, MN is straightforward, with well-signed roads and simple exits.
The route from Cloquet, MN to Minneapolis, MN does not surface many named destination signs beyond the main corridor.
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