Trip from Lakeville, MN to Babbitt, MN

Data updated 0 seconds ago

Drive Time

5h 6m

Distance

256.9 mi

413 km

Drive Score

8/10

Great drive

Same Day?

Yes, doable

Fuel Cost

$38

one way

EV Charging

station data

Best Time to Leave

Save up to 41 min

4 AM

4h 53m ★

6 AM

5h 7m

8 AM

5h 34m

10 AM

5h 16m

12 PM

5h 13m

3 PM

5h 17m

5 PM

5h 32m

8 PM

4h 59m

Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.

Best Time Drive vs Fly

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city in Dakota County, Minnesota, United States

Lakeville, MN

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city in St. Louis County, Minnesota, United States

Babbitt, MN

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Trip Overview

The drive from Lakeville, MN to Babbitt, MN covers 256.9 miles and takes about 5h 6m 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, I 35E for much of the mileage, and the overall profile is highway-focused drive. The longest uninterrupted segment is about 107.6 miles on I 35. At current regular gas prices, budget about $38.23 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

128.5 miles from Lakeville, MN

A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 2h 25m into the drive .

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Drive Character

This is a 5h 6m highway drive covering 256.9 miles, with most of the trip on I 35 and US 53. The longest continuous stretch is about 107.6 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 37 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 107.6 miles.

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 4.5 miles in.

Route Complexity 10/10

High effort - long or complex enough to need steady focus all day

This is a demanding drive. With 27 significant decision points across 256.9 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 4.5 miles: Lane positioning matters here; at 26.6 miles (I 35E): Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 31.8 miles (US 10): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.

Critical Maneuvers

5 of 27 key points

These are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.

4.5 mi into trip | ~7m in

Take the ramp toward I 35 North

Lane positioning matters here

Use the right lane. Toward I 35 North

26.6 mi into trip | ~35m in | I 35E

Take the exit onto I 35E 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 straight / slight right lanes. Exit 242B Toward I 35E North, US 10 West

31.8 mi into trip | ~41m 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

32.1 mi into trip | ~42m in

Take the exit toward I 35E North, I 694 East

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 114 Toward I 35E North, I 694 East

33.3 mi into trip | ~43m in | I 35E

Keep slight left at fork onto I 35E toward I 35E North: Duluth

Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here

Use the slight left lane. Toward I 35E North: Duluth

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 Lakeville, MN to Babbitt, MN, road signs begin pointing toward Iron Range along the way.

Iron Range

156.3 mi in | ~2h 55m | via MN 33

Main Roads

Road	Distance	Duration
I 35	107.6 mi	1h 55m
US 53	47.7 mi	57m
I 35E	42.4 mi	50m
Highway 21	24.5 mi	33m
MN 33	19.8 mi	26m
State Highway 169	6.1 mi	8m
Kenwood Trail /Richard J. Ames Memorial Highway	1.6 mi	2m
Kenwood Trail	1.2 mi	2m

Longest stretch: I 35 — 107.6 mi, about 1h 55m

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between Lakeville, MN and Babbitt, MN.

Start on 207th Street West

22 ft · 5 sec · 207th Street West

Turn right onto Holyoke Avenue

0.4 mi · 1 min · Holyoke Avenue

Enter roundabout onto CR 50

198 ft · 3 sec · 202nd Street West / Richard J. Ames Memorial Highway

Continue on CR 50

0.5 mi · 50 sec · 202nd Street West / Richard J. Ames Memorial Highway

Continue on CR 5

0.7 mi · 1 min · Kenwood Trail / Richard J. Ames Memorial Highway

Continue on CR 5

1.6 mi · 2 min · Kenwood Trail /Richard J. Ames Memorial Highway

Enter roundabout onto CR 5

125 ft · 2 sec · Kenwood Trail

Continue on CR 5

1.2 mi · 2 min · Kenwood Trail

Use the right lane.

Take the ramp

0.2 mi · 23 sec

Toward I 35 North Use the right lane.

Merge onto I 35

2.6 mi · 2 min · I 35

Use the straight / slight right lanes.

Keep slight right at fork onto I 35E

16 mi · 18 min · I 35E

Use the slight left / slight right lanes.

Keep slight left at fork onto I 35E

2.7 mi · 4 min · I 35E

Use the straight / slight right lanes.

Keep slight left at fork onto I 35E

0.4 mi · 35 sec · I 35E

Merge onto I 35E; I 94

350 ft · 5 sec · Purple Heart Memorial Highway

Take the exit onto I 35E

5.2 mi · 6 min · I 35E

Exit 242B Toward I 35E North, US 10 West Use the straight / slight right lanes.

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.

Take the exit

0.5 mi · 35 sec

Exit 114 Toward I 35E North, I 694 East Use the slight right lane.

Merge onto I 694

0.8 mi · 59 sec · I 694

Keep slight left at fork onto I 35E

18 mi · 19 min · I 35E

Toward I 35E North: Duluth Use the slight left lane.

Keep slight left at fork onto I 35

105 mi · 1 hr 52 min · I 35

Take the exit onto MN 33

0.6 mi · 58 sec · MN 33

Toward MN 33: Cloquet, Iron Range

Enter roundabout onto MN 33

127 ft · 1 sec · MN 33

Continue on MN 33

19 mi · 25 min · MN 33

Use the straight lane.

Take the exit onto MN 33

0.4 mi · 29 sec · MN 33

Merge onto US 53

37 mi · 43 min · US 53

Use the straight / right lanes.

Enter roundabout onto US 53

113 ft · 1 sec · US 53

Continue on US 53

10 mi · 13 min · US 53

Use the straight lane.

Take the exit

0.5 mi · 43 sec

Toward MN 169: Ely

Continue on MN 169

6.1 mi · 8 min · State Highway 169

Use the straight / left / right lanes.

Turn right onto CH 21

11 mi · 15 min · Highway 21

Use the right lane.

Continue on CH 21

0.4 mi · 54 sec · County Highway 21

Continue on CH 21

13 mi · 18 min · Highway 21

Continue on CH 70

0.7 mi · 1 min · Ely-Babbitt Road

Continue on CH 70

0.2 mi · 18 sec · County Highway 70

Turn right onto Babbitt Road

0.4 mi · 1 min · Babbitt Road

Turn left onto South Drive

0.3 mi · 45 sec · South Drive

Arrive at destination

South Drive

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 128.5 miles from Lakeville, MN, or about 2h 25m into the drive.

The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 107.6 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 80 miles or 1h 33m in

Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.

Halfway reset

Around 128.5 miles or 2h 25m in

This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.

Final approach

Final hour starts around 4h 2m

Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Babbitt, MN than in the middle of the route.

Before You Leave

Open the route before leaving Lakeville, 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 Lakeville, MN

This is one driving day of about 256.9 miles and 5h 6m.

Your first comfortable stop window is around 80 miles from Lakeville, 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 107.6 miles.

Where to Stop

Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.

Halfway Point

Midpoint

About 128.5 mi from Lakeville, MN · 2h 25m into the drive

Mid-route town

Meal stop

Cloquet, MN

128 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

Rock Creek, MN

Fuel and coffee

A short stop after about 80 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.

Finlayson, MN

Meal break

The midpoint is around 128.5 miles from Lakeville, MN, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.

Before the longest stretch

Fuel check

Top up before I 35 if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 107.6 miles.

Arriving in Babbitt, MN

The final approach into Babbitt, 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 Babbitt, 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

$38.23 one way

$76.46 round trip

$3.78/gal 25.4 MPG avg 90 kg CO₂

Fuel Type	$/gal	One Way	Round Trip
midgrade	$4.07	$41.20	$82.39
premium	$4.53	$45.84	$91.67
diesel	$5.61	$56.72	$113.44

No toll roads detected on this route.

Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)

Fuel

$38

Meals

$25–$50

Total

$63–$88

Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.

Estimated CO2 emission: 89.9 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.

Driving Electric?

About $27 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO₂

Vehicle Type	kWh	Stops	DC Fast	Home Charge
Average EV	77.1	0	$26.97	$12.33
Efficient EV	64.2	0	$22.48	$10.28
EV Truck/SUV	102.8	1	$35.97	$16.44

Gas CO2

90 kg

EV CO2

30 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.

Forecast data refreshed 2 days ago

Origin

Lakeville, MN

Morning in Lakeville on Wednesday

Local time

10:30 AM

CDT

Current temp

50°F

Mostly Clear

0 mph 0% chance Live forecast

Flood Watch

Flood Watch issued April 12 at 9:45PM CDT by NWS Grand Forks ND

Flood Warning

Flood Warning issued April 12 at 9:44PM CDT by NWS Grand Forks ND

Destination

Babbitt, MN

Morning in Babbitt on Wednesday

Local time

10:30 AM

CDT

Current temp

38°F

Patchy Fog

NW 5 to 10 mph 1% chance Live forecast

Flood Watch

Flood Watch issued April 12 at 9:45PM CDT by NWS Grand Forks ND

Flood Warning

Flood Warning issued April 12 at 9:44PM CDT by NWS Grand Forks ND

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

12 degrees cooler at arrival

A meaningful temperature swing is a good cue to rethink layers, water, and how soon you want to arrive.

Road read

5h 6m 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 Lakeville, MN to Babbitt, MN covers 256.9 miles and takes about 5h 6m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.

The main roads are I 35, US 53, I 35E. Most of the drive stays on highways, so watch for ramps and exits.

This is a comfortable same-day trip.

The midpoint is about 128.5 miles from Lakeville, MN. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.

At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $38.23 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.

On the drive from Lakeville, MN to Babbitt, MN, road signs begin pointing toward Iron Range along the way.

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Return Trip

Babbitt, MN to Lakeville, MN

Plan the drive back the other way.

259.4 mi 5h 10m

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Trip from Lakeville, MN to Babbitt, MN

Best Time to Leave

Trip Overview

Drive Character

How Hard Is This Drive?

Critical Maneuvers

Towns Mentioned on Route Signs

Main Roads

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Trip Plan

Before You Leave

Where to Stop

Pacing Suggestions

Arriving in Babbitt, MN

Fuel & Cost

Travel Intel

Lakeville, MN

Babbitt, MN

Same local time

12 degrees cooler at arrival

5h 6m on the road

Frequently Asked Questions

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