This 153.1-mile drive from Cross Lake to Bloomington, Minnesota, is easily manageable as a single-day trip, taking approximately 3 hours and 13 minutes. The majority of your journey, about 85% highway, will be on US Highway 169 and I-494, with a brief section on County Road 11. With an estimated fuel cost of $23, this is an economical option for a quick getaway or transition. The route stays within the Midwest region, offering a straightforward drive with minimal complexity. It’s a good choice if you’re looking for an efficient way to get from point A to point B without extensive planning.
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
76.6 miles from Cross Lake, MN
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 1h 42m into the drive
.
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 3h 13m. Total distance: 153.1 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
3h 13m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (85%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Drive Character
Expect a predominantly highway-focused experience on this route, with 85% of the drive utilizing major roadways. You'll encounter a significant stretch of 73.3 miles along US Highway 169, offering a consistent pace. The character of the drive is largely dictated by these main arteries, providing a predictable and efficient journey. While primarily highway, the inclusion of County Road 11 adds a slight variation as you approach your destination. This isn't a winding scenic byway, but rather a direct and functional path.
Most of the miles stay on highways, which makes pacing and fuel planning easier than turn-by-turn city driving.
There are about 29 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.
US Highway 169 is the longest continuous segment at about 73.3 miles.
How Hard Is This Drive?
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on US Highway 169 and I 494. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 3.2 miles in near CR 11 / County Road 11.
Driving Effort8/10
Demanding - plan breaks and stay ahead of the key maneuvers
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This is a demanding drive. With 15 significant decision points across 153.1 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 3.2 miles (CR 11 / County Road 11): Roundabout - know your exit number before entering; at 128.9 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here; at 151.3 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here.
Critical Maneuvers
5 of 15 key points
These are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
6
3.2 mi into trip|~4m in|CR 11 / County Road 11
Enter roundabout onto CR 11 / County Road 11
Roundabout - know your exit number before entering
7
128.9 mi into trip|~2h 42m in
Take the exit toward I 494 South
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Exit 216
Toward I 494 South
7
151.3 mi into trip|~3h 10m in
Take the exit toward I 35W South: Albert Lea
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight right lane.
Exit 5B
Toward I 35W South: Albert Lea
7
152.9 mi into trip|~3h 12m in
Take the exit toward 90th Street
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Exit 7B
Toward 90th Street
7
153.1 mi into trip|~3h 13m in|West 90th Street
Turn left onto West 90th Street
Lane positioning matters here
Use the left / straight lanes.
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 Cross Lake, MN to Bloomington, MN, road signs begin pointing toward Saint Paul along the way.
Saint Paul
120 mi in|~2h 31m
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
US Highway 169
73.3 mi
1h 23m
I 494
21.9 mi
27m
County Road 11
14.5 mi
19m
MN 6
14.1 mi
24m
I 94
8.3 mi
9m
MN 101
6.9 mi
8m
State Highway 18
4.3 mi
7m
Central Avenue
2.3 mi
2m
Longest stretch:
US Highway 169
— 73.3 mi, about 1h 23m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Cross Lake, MN and Bloomington, MN.
1
Start on CH 3; IC C
3.2 mi·4 min·County Road 11
2
Keep slight right at fork onto CH 3; IC C
341 ft·5 sec·County Road 3
3
Enter roundabout onto CR 11
213 ft·4 sec·County Road 11
4
Continue on CR 11
3.6 mi·4 min·County Road 11
5
Continue on CR 11
7.7 mi·10 min·County Road 11
6
Turn right onto MN 6
4.7 mi·8 min·MN 6
7
Turn left onto MN 6; MN 210
1.1 mi·1 min·West Main Street
8
Enter roundabout onto MN 6; MN 210
110 ft·1 sec·Voyageur Highway
9
Continue on MN 6; MN 210
2.3 mi·2 min·Voyageur Highway
10
Continue on MN 6; MN 210
0.7 mi·50 sec·Archibald Road
11
At end of road, turn left onto MN 6; MN 210
0.4 mi·29 sec·East Front Street
12
Turn right onto MN 6
9.4 mi·16 min·MN 6
13
Turn left onto MN 18
4.3 mi·7 min·State Highway 18
14
Turn straight onto US 169; MN 18
37 mi·42 min·US Highway 169
15
Continue on US 169
2.3 mi·2 min·Central Avenue
16
Continue on US 169
9.5 mi·10 min·US Highway 169
17
Keep slight right at fork onto US 169
26 mi·30 min·US Highway 169
18
Continue on US 169
383 ft·4 sec·POW/MIA Memorial Highway
19
Continue on MN 101
6.9 mi·8 min·MN 101
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
20
Take the exit
0.7 mi·1 min
Toward I 94 East: Minneapolis, Saint Paul
21
Merge onto I 94
8.3 mi·9 min·I 94
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
22
Take the exit
0.4 mi·31 sec
Exit 216Toward I 494 SouthUse the straight / slight right lanes.
23
Continue on I 494
22 mi·27 min·I 494
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
24
Take the exit
0.2 mi·25 sec
Exit 5BToward I 35W South: Albert LeaUse the slight right lane.
25
Continue on this road
0.4 mi·50 sec·this road
Exit 5BToward I 35W South: Albert Lea
26
Merge onto I 35W
1.0 mi·1 min·I 35W
27
Take the exit
0.2 mi·34 sec
Exit 7BToward 90th StreetUse the straight / slight right lanes.
28
Turn left onto West 90th Street
207 ft·5 sec·West 90th Street
Use the left / straight lanes.
29
Arrive at destination
West 90th Street
Trip Plan
Given the 3-hour and 13-minute duration, this trip is perfectly suited for a single day, offering flexibility in your departure time. Leaving in the morning should allow you to avoid the bulk of any potential traffic. With only one suggested stop and a fuel cost around $23, you won't need to worry much about extensive planning for refueling or lengthy breaks. A practical tip for this route is to stay aware of your surroundings as you transition from US Highway 169 to I-494 and then County Road 11, as these changes can sometimes be less intuitive than a simple interstate merge.
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.
You can normally do this drive in one day.
Plan roughly 1 meaningful break for fuel, food, and rest.
The halfway point lands around 76.6 miles from Cross Lake, MN, or about 1h 42m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 73.3 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 34 miles or 51m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 76.6 miles or 1h 42m 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 38m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Bloomington, MN than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving Cross Lake, 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 Cross Lake, MN
This is one driving day of about 153.1 miles and 3h 13m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 34 miles from Cross Lake, 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 US Highway 169 for about 73.3 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 76.6 mi from Cross Lake, MN
· 1h 42m into the drive
Station data from NREL Alternative Fuel Stations database.
Driving Electric?
About $16 in charging
· 0 stops
· 67% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
45.9
0
$16.08
$7.35
Efficient EV
38.3
0
$13.40
$6.12
EV Truck/SUV
61.2
0
$21.43
$9.80
Gas CO2
54 kg
EV CO2
18 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.
Forecast as of Apr 15, 2026
Origin
Cross Lake, MN
Late night
in Cross Lake on Friday
Local time
4:23 AM
CDT
Current temp
37°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
Bloomington, MN
Late night
in Bloomington on Friday
Local time
4:23 AM
CDT
Current temp
48°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
3h 13m 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 Cross Lake, MN to Bloomington, MN covers 153.1 miles and takes about 3h 13m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are US Highway 169, I 494, County Road 11. Most of the drive stays on highways, so watch for ramps and exits.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 76.6 miles from Cross Lake, MN. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $22.78 one way. This estimate uses 25.4 MPG — your actual cost will vary with your vehicle's fuel efficiency and current gas prices.
An early start around 7-8 AM gets you there with plenty of daylight left. A late afternoon start means arriving after dark. Morning is better.
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 15 significant decision points across 153.1 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 3.2 miles (CR 11 / County Road 11): Roundabout - know your exit number before entering; at 128.9 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here; at 151.3 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here.
On the drive from Cross Lake, MN to Bloomington, MN, road signs begin pointing toward Saint Paul along the way.
How this page is built
Compiled and maintained by the Trip.ovh planning team at COD Solutions Oy (Helsinki). Each route is built from authoritative open government and mapping datasets rather than crowdsourced reviews. Distances and geometry come from
OSRM
over
OpenStreetMap.
Fuel cost uses
EIA
weekly regional averages.
EV charging comes from the
NREL Alternative Fuels
dataset.
National park proximity is from the
NPS API.
Pages are published only after passing our data-quality checks; our
methodology page
documents refresh cadence, editorial standards, and known limitations.
