Drive Time
3h 22m
Distance
211.8 mi
341 km
Drive Score
8/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$30
one way
Photo: Tom Fisk
The drive from Detroit Lakes, MN to Bloomington, MN covers 211.8 miles and takes about 3h 22m behind the wheel. This route is realistic as a one-day drive if you keep your stops efficient.
The route leans on the route, Ash Avenue Northwest, West Mason Avenue for much of the mileage, and the overall profile is turn-heavy local drive. At current regular gas prices, budget about $29.76 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
105.9 miles from Detroit Lakes, MN
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h 41m into the drive .
Expect a 3h 22m drive with frequent turns across 211.8 miles of local and secondary roads.
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| the route | Unavailable | Refreshing |
| Ash Avenue Northwest | Unavailable | Refreshing |
| West Mason Avenue | Unavailable | Refreshing |
| 165th Avenue Southeast | Unavailable | Refreshing |
| Park Boulevard Southeast | Unavailable | Refreshing |
| County Road 11 | Unavailable | Refreshing |
| Highway 25 | Unavailable | Refreshing |
| Pine Street | Unavailable | Refreshing |
Per-road distance and duration are being refreshed from OSRM for this route.
Step-by-step road directions between Detroit Lakes, MN and Bloomington, MN.
Start on Washington Avenue
Turn right
Enter the roundabout and take exit 1 toward the route
Exit the roundabout
Turn straight onto Ash Avenue Northwest
Continue on West Mason Avenue
Keep slight left
Turn right onto 165th Avenue Southeast
Continue on Park Boulevard Southeast
Continue on County Road 11
Turn right onto State Highway 25
Continue on Pine Street
Turn left onto Broadway Street East
Turn right onto Fenning Avenue
Take the ramp left
Merge slight left
Take the exit slight right toward I 494 South
Continue straight
Take the exit slight right toward I 35W South: Albert Lea
Continue on I 35W South: Albert Lea
Merge slight left
Take the exit slight right toward 90th Street
Turn left onto West 90th Street
Arrive at your 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 80 miles or 1h 16m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 105.9 miles or 1h 41m 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 45m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Bloomington, MN than in the middle of the route.
Open the route before leaving Detroit Lakes, 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 Detroit Lakes, MN
This is one driving day of about 211.8 miles and 3h 22m.
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 105.9 mi from Detroit Lakes, MN · 1h 41m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
106 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.
The final approach into Bloomington, 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 Bloomington, MN.
These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.
Regular Gas
$29.76 one way
$59.52 round trip
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $3.92 | $32.70 | $65.39 |
| premium | $4.39 | $36.62 | $73.25 |
| diesel | $4.86 | $40.56 | $81.12 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$30
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$55–$80
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 74.1 kg one way.
Driving Electric?
About $22 in charging · 0 stops · 66% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 63.5 | 0 | $22.24 | $10.17 |
| Efficient EV | 53 | 0 | $18.53 | $8.47 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 84.7 | 1 | $29.65 | $13.56 |
Gas CO2
74 kg
EV CO2
25 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. If you're planning ahead, check the forecast closer to your travel date.
Origin
Morning in Detroit Lakes on Saturday
Local time
9:30 AM
CDT
Current temp
38°F
Forecast unavailable right now
Destination
Morning in Bloomington on Saturday
Local time
9:30 AM
CDT
Current temp
41°F
Forecast unavailable right now
Along the Route
37°F
Avon, MN
106 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.
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