Origin
Gaylord, MN
Afternoon in Gaylord on Friday
Local time
3:20 PM
CDT
Current temp
45°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Gaylord, MN to Bloomington, MN
Compiled and reviewed by the Trip.ovh planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Apr 17, 2026 · Editorial standards
Drive Time
1h 20m
Distance
63.9 mi
103 km
Drive Score
7/10
Good drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$10
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
1h 14m
★
6 AM
1h 21m
8 AM
1h 33m
10 AM
1h 25m
12 PM
1h 24m
3 PM
1h 26m
5 PM
1h 32m
8 PM
1h 17m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Gaylord, MN
Ketut Subiyanto
Bloomington, MN
Wikimedia Commons
Trip Overview
The drive from Gaylord, MN to Bloomington, MN covers 63.9 miles and takes about 1h 20m behind the wheel. This route is realistic as a one-day drive if you keep your stops efficient.
The route leans on US 212, State Highway 22, MN 5 for much of the mileage, and the overall profile is highway-focused drive. The longest uninterrupted segment is about 37.5 miles on US 212. At current regular gas prices, budget about $9.51 one way before food or hotel costs.
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 1h 20m. Total distance: 63.9 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 0 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
1h 20m drive, comfortable solo distance.
EV Driver
0 DC fast chargers along the route. Coverage: unknown.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (95%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Drive Character
This is a 1h 20m highway drive covering 63.9 miles, with most of the trip on US 212 and State Highway 22. The longest continuous stretch is about 37.5 miles on US 212.
Most of the miles stay on highways, which makes pacing and fuel planning easier than turn-by-turn city driving.
There are about 19 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.
US 212 is the longest continuous segment at about 37.5 miles.
How Hard Is This Drive?
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on US 212 and State Highway 22. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 55.6 miles in near MN 5.
Driving Effort
9/10
Demanding - stay alert through the decision-heavy sections
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This drive requires moderate attention. Across 63.9 miles you will encounter 10 spots where lane choice or exit timing matters. Not difficult for experienced highway drivers, but worth previewing the tricky sections before you go.
Where does it get tricky?
The main spots that need attention: at 55.6 miles (MN 5): Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 55.8 miles (MN 5): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 62 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here.
Critical Maneuvers
5 of 10 key pointsThese are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
7
55.6 mi into trip
|
~1h 9m in
|
MN 5
Take the exit onto MN 5 toward I 494 East, MN 5 East
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Toward I 494 East, MN 5 East
8
55.8 mi into trip
|
~1h 9m in
|
MN 5
Keep slight left at fork onto MN 5 toward I 494 East, MN 5 East
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Toward I 494 East, MN 5 East
7
62 mi into trip
|
~1h 17m 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
63.6 mi into trip
|
~1h 19m 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
63.9 mi into trip
|
~1h 20m in
|
West 90th Street
Turn left onto West 90th Street
Lane positioning matters here
Use the left / straight lanes.
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| US 212 | 37.5 mi | 44m |
| State Highway 22 | 11.5 mi | 14m |
| MN 5 | 6.4 mi | 8m |
| US Highway 212 | 4.5 mi | 5m |
| 7th Avenue | 1.1 mi | 2m |
| I 35W | 1 mi | 1m |
| 6th Street | 0.8 mi | 2m |
| Main Avenue | 0.1 mi | <1m |
Longest stretch:
US 212
— 37.5 mi, about 44m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Gaylord, MN and Bloomington, MN.
1
Start on MN 5; MN 19
0.1 mi
·
23 sec
·
Main Avenue
2
Turn right onto MN 22
0.8 mi
·
2 min
·
6th Street
3
Continue on MN 22
7.1 mi
·
8 min
·
State Highway 22
4
Continue on MN 22
0.5 mi
·
1 min
·
7th Avenue
5
Continue on MN 22
0.5 mi
·
55 sec
·
7th Avenue
6
Continue on MN 22
4.3 mi
·
5 min
·
State Highway 22
7
Take the ramp onto MN 22
0.2 mi
·
14 sec
·
State Highway 22
8
Merge onto US 212; MN 22
4.5 mi
·
5 min
·
US Highway 212
9
Enter roundabout onto US 212
156 ft
·
2 sec
·
US 212
10
Continue on US 212
10 mi
·
11 min
·
US 212
11
Keep slight right at fork onto US 212
27 mi
·
32 min
·
US 212
Use the straight lane.
12
Take the exit onto MN 5
0.2 mi
·
17 sec
·
MN 5
Toward I 494 East, MN 5 East
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
13
Keep slight left at fork onto MN 5
6.2 mi
·
7 min
·
MN 5
Toward I 494 East, MN 5 East
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
14
Take the exit
0.2 mi
·
25 sec
Exit 5B
Toward I 35W South: Albert Lea
Use the slight right lane.
15
Continue on this road
0.4 mi
·
50 sec
·
this road
Exit 5B
Toward I 35W South: Albert Lea
16
Merge onto I 35W
1.0 mi
·
1 min
·
I 35W
17
Take the exit
0.2 mi
·
34 sec
Exit 7B
Toward 90th Street
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
18
Turn left onto West 90th Street
207 ft
·
5 sec
·
West 90th Street
Use the left / straight lanes.
19
Arrive at destination
West 90th Street
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 31.9 mi from Gaylord, MN · 41m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
32 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 14 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Young America (historical), MN
Meal breakThe midpoint is around 31.9 miles from Gaylord, MN, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Arriving in Bloomington, MN
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.
These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$9.51 one way
$19.02 round trip
$3.78/gal
25.4 MPG avg
22 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.07 | $10.25 | $20.49 |
| premium | $4.53 | $11.40 | $22.80 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $14.11 | $28.22 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Drive Cost (one way)
Fuel
$10
Estimated CO2 emission: 22.4 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $7 in charging · 0 stops · 68% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 19.2 | 0 | $6.71 | $3.07 |
| Efficient EV | 16 | 0 | $5.59 | $2.56 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 25.6 | 0 | $8.95 | $4.09 |
Gas CO2
22 kg
EV CO2
7 kg (68% 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
Bloomington, MN
Afternoon in Bloomington on Friday
Local time
3:20 PM
CDT
Current temp
48°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
3 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
1h 20m 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 Gaylord, MN to Bloomington, MN covers 63.9 miles and takes about 1h 20m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are US 212, State Highway 22, MN 5. Most of the drive stays on highways, so watch for ramps and exits.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 31.9 miles from Gaylord, MN. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $9.51 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 drive requires moderate attention. Across 63.9 miles you will encounter 10 spots where lane choice or exit timing matters. Not difficult for experienced highway drivers, but worth previewing the tricky sections before you go.
The main spots that need attention: at 55.6 miles (MN 5): Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 55.8 miles (MN 5): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 62 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here.
The route from Gaylord, MN to Bloomington, 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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