Last recalculated Apr 17, 2026
Drive Time
3h 25m
Distance
176.6 mi
284 km
Drive Score
8/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$26
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Co on Rapids, MN
Tom Fisk
Two Harbors, MN
Tom Fisk
The drive from Co on Rapids, MN to Two Harbors, MN covers 176.6 miles and takes about 3h 25m behind the wheel. This route is realistic as a one-day drive if you keep your stops efficient.
The route leans on I 35, MN 61, I 35W for much of the mileage, and the overall profile is highway-focused drive. The longest uninterrupted segment is about 127.3 miles on I 35. At current regular gas prices, budget about $26.28 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
88.3 miles from Co on Rapids, MN
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h 40m into the drive .
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 3h 25m. Total distance: 176.6 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
3h 25m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (97%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
This is a 3h 25m highway drive covering 176.6 miles, with most of the trip on I 35 and MN 61. The longest continuous stretch is about 127.3 miles on I 35.
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 35 and MN 61. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 2.7 miles in.
Demanding - plan breaks and stay ahead of the key maneuvers
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This is a demanding drive. With 12 significant decision points across 176.6 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 2.7 miles: Navigation decision point; at 2.8 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 3 miles (US 10): Merge point - match speed before joining. 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 US 10 East
Navigation decision point
Keep slight left at fork toward US 10 East
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Merge onto US 10
Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here
Take the exit toward I 35W North: Duluth
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Merge onto I 35W
Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| I 35 | 127.3 mi | 2h 19m |
| MN 61 | 23.5 mi | 32m |
| I 35W | 16.5 mi | 17m |
| US 10 | 4.2 mi | 4m |
| East River Road | 1.4 mi | 2m |
| Foley Boulevard | 1.2 mi | 2m |
| 7th Avenue | 0.9 mi | 2m |
| Waterfront Drive | 0.2 mi | <1m |
Step-by-step road directions between Co on Rapids, MN and Two Harbors, MN.
Start on Mississippi Boulevard Northwest
Turn left onto CR 1
Turn right onto Foley Boulevard
Take the ramp
Keep slight left at fork
Merge onto US 10
Take the exit
Merge onto I 35W
Keep slight left at fork onto I 35
Take the exit
Merge onto MN 61
Continue on MN 61
Turn right onto CR 20
Turn left onto 4th Avenue
Arrive at destination
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 39 miles or 46m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 88.3 miles or 1h 40m 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 42m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Two Harbors, MN than in the middle of the route.
Open the route before leaving Co on Rapids, 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 Co on Rapids, MN
This is one driving day of about 176.6 miles and 3h 25m.
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 88.3 mi from Co on Rapids, MN · 1h 40m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
88 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 39 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
The midpoint is around 88.3 miles from Co on Rapids, 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 127.3 miles.
The final approach into Two Harbors, 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 Two Harbors, 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
$26.28 one way
$52.56 round trip
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.07 | $28.32 | $56.64 |
| premium | $4.53 | $31.51 | $63.02 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $38.99 | $77.98 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$26
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$51–$76
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 61.8 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $19 in charging · 0 stops · 66% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 53 | 0 | $18.54 | $8.48 |
| Efficient EV | 44.2 | 0 | $15.45 | $7.06 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 70.6 | 0 | $24.72 | $11.30 |
Gas CO2
62 kg
EV CO2
21 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
Night in Co on Rapids on Thursday
Local time
10:04 PM
CDT
Current temp
59°F
Mostly Clear
Destination
Night in Two Harbors on Thursday
Local time
10:04 PM
CDT
Current temp
37°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.
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