Origin
Ely, MN
Morning in Ely on Saturday
Local time
6:49 AM
CDT
Current temp
33°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Ely, MN to Co on Rapids, MN
Compiled and reviewed by the Trip.ovh planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Apr 18, 2026 · Editorial standards
Drive Time
4h 48m
Distance
239.7 mi
386 km
Drive Score
8/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$36
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
4h 35m
★
6 AM
4h 48m
8 AM
5h 15m
10 AM
4h 58m
12 PM
4h 55m
3 PM
4h 59m
5 PM
5h 14m
8 PM
4h 40m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Ely, MN
Wikimedia Commons
Co on Rapids, MN
Tom Fisk
Trip Overview
The drive from Ely, MN to Co on Rapids, MN covers 239.7 miles and takes about 4h 48m behind the wheel. This route is realistic as a one-day drive if you keep your stops efficient.
The route leans on I 35, US 53, MN 1 for much of the mileage, and the overall profile is highway-focused drive. The longest uninterrupted segment is about 109.7 miles on I 35. At current regular gas prices, budget about $35.67 one way before food or hotel costs.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is possible, but it will make for a full day on the road.
Break Rhythm
1 planned break
Plan on a short reset every 3 to 4 hours to stay fresh behind the wheel.
Midpoint
119.8 miles from Ely, MN
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 2h 34m into the drive .
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 4h 48m. Total distance: 239.7 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
4h 48m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (87%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Drive Character
This is a 4h 48m highway drive covering 239.7 miles, with most of the trip on I 35 and US 53. The longest continuous stretch is about 109.7 miles on I 35.
Most of the miles stay on highways, which makes pacing and fuel planning easier than turn-by-turn city driving.
There are about 25 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 109.7 miles.
Elevation Profile
Mostly flat terrain
1,598 ft
862 ft
Total Climb
137 ft
Total Descent
771 ft
Highest Point
1,598 ft
~51.4 mi in
Elevation Range
736 ft
How Hard Is This Drive?
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 35 and US 53. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 43 miles in.
Driving Effort
9/10
High effort - long or complex enough to need steady focus all day
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This is a demanding drive. With 17 significant decision points across 239.7 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 43 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully; at 220.8 miles (I 35W): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 232.1 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here.
Critical Maneuvers
5 of 17 key pointsThese are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
5
43 mi into trip
|
~1h in
Keep slight left at fork toward US 53 South: Virginia
Highway fork - watch signs carefully
Toward US 53 South: Virginia
7
220.8 mi into trip
|
~4h 23m in
|
I 35W
Keep slight right at fork onto I 35W toward I 35W: Minneapolis
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / right lanes.
Toward I 35W: Minneapolis
7
232.1 mi into trip
|
~4h 35m in
Take the exit toward US 10 West
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight right lane.
Exit 30
Toward US 10 West
6
236 mi into trip
|
~4h 39m in
|
MN 610 / MN-610
Keep slight right at fork onto MN 610 / MN-610
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight right lane.
6
236.3 mi into trip
|
~4h 40m in
Take the exit toward CR 51: University Avenue
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Toward CR 51: University Avenue
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| I 35 | 109.7 mi | 1h 57m |
| US 53 | 42 mi | 50m |
| MN 1 | 21.5 mi | 29m |
| West Sheridan Street | 20.1 mi | 28m |
| MN 33 | 19.7 mi | 26m |
| I 35W | 11.3 mi | 12m |
| Speaker Irvin N. Anderson Memorial Highway | 5.5 mi | 7m |
| US 10 | 3.5 mi | 3m |
Longest stretch:
I 35
— 109.7 mi, about 1h 57m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Ely, MN and Co on Rapids, MN.
1
Start on MN 1; MN 169
20 mi
·
28 min
·
West Sheridan Street
2
Continue on MN 1; MN 169
1.4 mi
·
2 min
·
Main Street
3
Turn straight onto MN 1; MN 169
21 mi
·
29 min
·
MN 1; MN 169
Use the straight lane.
4
Keep slight left at fork
0.6 mi
·
1 min
Toward US 53 South: Virginia
5
Continue on MN 169
0.3 mi
·
21 sec
·
MN 169
Toward US 53 South: Virginia
6
Merge onto US 53
5.5 mi
·
7 min
·
Speaker Irvin N. Anderson Memorial Highway
Use the straight lane.
7
Continue on US 53
4.6 mi
·
6 min
·
US 53
Use the straight lane.
8
Enter roundabout onto US 53
114 ft
·
1 sec
·
US 53
9
Continue on US 53
37 mi
·
43 min
·
US 53
Use the straight lane.
10
Take the exit onto MN 33
15 mi
·
18 min
·
MN 33
Use the straight lane.
11
Continue on MN 33
3.9 mi
·
7 min
·
MN 33
Use the straight lane.
12
Enter roundabout onto MN 33
77 ft
·
1 sec
·
MN 33
Toward I 35 South
13
Continue on MN 33
0.5 mi
·
40 sec
·
MN 33
Toward I 35 South
14
Merge onto I 35
110 mi
·
1 hr 57 min
·
I 35
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
15
Keep slight right at fork onto I 35W
11 mi
·
12 min
·
I 35W
Toward I 35W: Minneapolis
Use the straight / right lanes.
16
Take the exit
0.5 mi
·
59 sec
Exit 30
Toward US 10 West
Use the slight right lane.
17
Merge onto US 10
3.5 mi
·
3 min
·
US 10
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
18
Keep slight right at fork onto MN 610
0.3 mi
·
16 sec
·
MN-610
Use the slight right lane.
19
Take the exit
0.4 mi
·
50 sec
Toward CR 51: University Avenue
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
20
Turn left onto CR 51
1.5 mi
·
3 min
·
University Avenue Northeast
Use the left lane.
21
Turn right onto CR 132
0.5 mi
·
1 min
·
85th Avenue Northwest
Use the right lane.
22
Turn slight right onto CR 132
0.6 mi
·
1 min
·
85th Avenue Northwest
23
Turn left onto CR 1
0.3 mi
·
44 sec
·
East River Road
Use the straight / left lanes.
24
Turn right onto Mississippi Boulevard Northwest
0.1 mi
·
30 sec
·
Mississippi Boulevard Northwest
25
Arrive at destination
Mississippi Boulevard Northwest
Trip Plan
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 119.8 miles from Ely, MN, or about 2h 34m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 109.7 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 53 miles or 1h 13m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 119.8 miles or 2h 34m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 3h 57m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Co on Rapids, MN than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving Ely, 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 Ely, MN
This is one driving day of about 239.7 miles and 4h 48m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 53 miles from Ely, 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 109.7 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 119.8 mi from Ely, MN · 2h 34m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
120 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 53 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 119.8 miles from Ely, 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 109.7 miles.
Arriving in Co on Rapids, MN
The final approach into Co on Rapids, 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 Co on Rapids, 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.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$35.67 one way
$71.34 round trip
$3.78/gal
25.4 MPG avg
84 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.07 | $38.44 | $76.87 |
| premium | $4.53 | $42.77 | $85.54 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $52.92 | $105.85 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$36
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$61–$86
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 83.9 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $25 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 71.9 | 0 | $25.17 | $11.51 |
| Efficient EV | 59.9 | 0 | $20.97 | $9.59 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 95.9 | 1 | $33.56 | $15.34 |
Gas CO2
84 kg
EV CO2
28 kg (67% less)
Plan for 0 charging stops, roughly every 270 miles. Allow 25-40 minutes per stop at a DC fast charger.
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
Co on Rapids, MN
Morning in Co on Rapids on Saturday
Local time
6:49 AM
CDT
Current temp
67°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
34 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
4h 48m on the road
An early start around 7-8 AM gets you there with plenty of daylight left.
Weather data from the National Weather Service. Conditions may change; check closer to your travel date.
Frequently Asked Questions
The drive from Ely, MN to Co on Rapids, MN covers 239.7 miles and takes about 4h 48m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are I 35, US 53, MN 1. Most of the drive stays on highways, so watch for ramps and exits.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 119.8 miles from Ely, MN. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $35.67 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. Plan on a short reset every 3 to 4 hours to stay fresh behind the wheel.
This is a demanding drive. With 17 significant decision points across 239.7 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 43 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully; at 220.8 miles (I 35W): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 232.1 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here.
The route from Ely, MN to Co on Rapids, MN does not surface many named destination signs beyond the main corridor.
Mostly flat terrain. The route ranges from 862 ft to 1,598 ft elevation with about 137 ft of total climbing.
How this page is built
Compiled by the Trip.ovh planning team at COD Solutions Oy from open government datasets — OSRM over OpenStreetMap for geometry, EIA for fuel prices, and USGS 3DEP for elevation. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.
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