Origin
Empire, MN
Night in Empire on Friday
Local time
9:36 PM
CDT
Current temp
44°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Empire, MN to Blaine, MN
Compiled and reviewed by the Trip.ovh planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Apr 18, 2026 · Editorial standards
Drive Time
52m
Distance
41 mi
66 km
Drive Score
6/10
Good drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$6
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
0h 48m
★
6 AM
0h 52m
8 AM
1h 1m
10 AM
0h 55m
12 PM
0h 54m
3 PM
0h 56m
5 PM
1h 0m
8 PM
0h 50m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Empire, MN
Tom Fisk
Blaine, MN
Wikimedia Commons
Trip Overview
If you are planning to travel from Empire to Blaine, you are looking at a 41.5-mile journey that typically takes about 42 minutes. This trip is perfectly suited for a single-day excursion, as it is short enough that you won't need to worry about overnight lodging. You can expect to spend roughly $6 on fuel, making it a budget-friendly option for your schedule. The route primarily utilizes US 52 North and I-35E North to navigate through the Midwest. Because this is a straightforward local connection within Minnesota, it offers a functional way to traverse the region without the logistical complexity of a long-haul trip.
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 52m. Total distance: 41 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 0 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
52m drive, comfortable solo distance.
EV Driver
0 DC fast chargers along the route. Coverage: unknown.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (94%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Drive Character
Expect a turn-heavy local drive rather than a monotonous highway cruise. While the path incorporates segments of US 52 and I-35E, the highway share is effectively zero, meaning you will spend most of your time navigating local infrastructure. There is no significant longest stretch of uninterrupted highway, as the character of the road changes frequently as you transition between thoroughfares. You should be prepared for a more engaged driving experience that requires your full attention compared to a long-distance interstate haul. It is a practical, utilitarian route that moves you efficiently through the local landscape.
Most of the miles stay on highways, which makes pacing and fuel planning easier than turn-by-turn city driving.
There are about 18 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.
US 52 is the longest continuous segment at about 21.9 miles.
How Hard Is This Drive?
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on US 52 and US 10. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 0.6 miles in.
Driving Effort
10/10
Focused - lots of decisions in a short distance, but it is over quickly
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This is a short but busy drive. With 16 decision points packed into just 41 miles, you will need to pay attention to lane changes and exits — but the whole thing is over in 52m.
Where does it get tricky?
The main spots that need attention: at 0.6 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here; at 12.5 miles (US 52): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 22.6 miles (US 10): Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Critical Maneuvers
5 of 16 key pointsThese are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
8
0.6 mi into trip
|
~1m in
Take the exit toward US 52 North
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the left lane.
Toward US 52 North
7
12.5 mi into trip
|
~14m in
|
US 52
Keep slight right at fork onto US 52 toward US 52 North: Saint Paul
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight left / slight right lanes.
Toward US 52 North: Saint Paul
8
22.6 mi into trip
|
~28m in
|
US 10
Take the exit onto US 10 toward I 35E North, US 10 West
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the slight right lane.
Exit 242B
Toward I 35E North, US 10 West
9
27.7 mi into trip
|
~35m in
|
US 10
Keep slight right at fork onto US 10 toward US 10 West, I 694 West, I 694 East
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Exit 113-114
Toward US 10 West, I 694 West, I 694 East
8
34.7 mi into trip
|
~44m in
|
US 10
Keep slight right at fork onto US 10 toward I 35W North, US 10 West
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the straight / slight left lanes.
Toward I 35W North, US 10 West
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| US 52 | 21.9 mi | 27m |
| US 10 | 16.3 mi | 20m |
| Central Avenue Northeast | 1.8 mi | 2m |
| 200th Street East | 0.4 mi | <1m |
| I 94 | 0.2 mi | <1m |
Longest stretch:
US 52
— 21.9 mi, about 27m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Empire, MN and Blaine, MN.
1
Start on CR 66
0.4 mi
·
41 sec
·
200th Street East
2
Take the ramp
184 ft
·
7 sec
Toward US 52 South
3
Merge onto US 52
0.2 mi
·
13 sec
·
US 52
4
Take the exit
106 ft
·
10 sec
Toward US 52 North
Use the left lane.
5
Turn left onto US 52
12 mi
·
13 min
·
US 52
Use the straight lane.
6
Keep slight right at fork onto US 52
9.4 mi
·
12 min
·
US 52
Toward US 52 North: Saint Paul
Use the slight left / slight right lanes.
7
Keep slight right at fork onto US 52
0.5 mi
·
1 min
·
US 52
8
Merge onto I 94; US 10
0.2 mi
·
15 sec
·
I 94; US 10
9
Take the exit onto US 10
5.1 mi
·
6 min
·
US 10
Exit 242B
Toward I 35E North, US 10 West
Use the slight right lane.
10
Keep slight right at fork onto US 10
0.3 mi
·
19 sec
·
US 10
Exit 113-114
Toward US 10 West, I 694 West, I 694 East
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
11
Continue on US 10
3.9 mi
·
4 min
·
US 10
Exit 113
Toward I 694 West, US 10 West
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
12
Take the exit onto US 10
2.8 mi
·
3 min
·
US 10
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
13
Keep slight right at fork onto US 10
1.4 mi
·
1 min
·
US 10
Toward I 35W North, US 10 West
Use the straight / slight left lanes.
14
Keep slight right at fork onto US 10
2.8 mi
·
3 min
·
US 10
Toward US 10 West
Use the slight right lane.
15
Take the exit
0.3 mi
·
34 sec
Toward MN 65: Central Avenue
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
16
Keep slight left at fork
222 ft
·
6 sec
17
Turn right onto MN 65
1.8 mi
·
2 min
·
Central Avenue Northeast
Use the left lane.
18
Arrive at destination
MN 65
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 20.5 mi from Empire, MN · 25m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
21 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 41 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 20.5 miles from Empire, MN, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Arriving in Blaine, MN
Allow a few extra minutes for the final approach into Blaine, MN if you are unfamiliar with the area.
These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$6.10 one way
$12.20 round trip
$3.78/gal
25.4 MPG avg
14 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.07 | $6.57 | $13.15 |
| premium | $4.53 | $7.32 | $14.63 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $9.05 | $18.10 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Drive Cost (one way)
Fuel
$6
Estimated CO2 emission: 14.3 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $4 in charging · 0 stops · 64% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 12.3 | 0 | $4.31 | $1.97 |
| Efficient EV | 10.3 | 0 | $3.59 | $1.64 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 16.4 | 0 | $5.74 | $2.62 |
Gas CO2
14 kg
EV CO2
5 kg (64% 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
Blaine, MN
Night in Blaine on Friday
Local time
9:36 PM
CDT
Current temp
66°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
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
22 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
52m 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 Empire, MN to Blaine, MN covers 41 miles and takes about 52m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are US 52, US 10, Central Avenue Northeast. Most of the drive stays on highways, so watch for ramps and exits.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 20.5 miles from Empire, MN. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $6.10 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.
This is a short but busy drive. With 16 decision points packed into just 41 miles, you will need to pay attention to lane changes and exits — but the whole thing is over in 52m.
The main spots that need attention: at 0.6 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here; at 12.5 miles (US 52): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 22.6 miles (US 10): Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
The route from Empire, MN to Blaine, MN does not surface many named destination signs beyond the main corridor.
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, and EIA for fuel prices. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.
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