Trip from Maple Grove, MN to Babbitt, MN

Drive Time

4h 44m

Distance

240.8 mi

387 km

Drive Score

8/10

Great drive

Same Day?

Yes, doable

Fuel Cost

$34

one way

EV Charging

station data

Best Time to Leave

Save up to 40 min

4 AM

4h 31m ★

6 AM

4h 44m

8 AM

5h 11m

10 AM

4h 54m

12 PM

4h 51m

3 PM

4h 55m

5 PM

5h 10m

8 PM

4h 36m

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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Maple Grove, MN

Tom Fisk

Babbitt, MN

Tom Fisk

Trip Overview

Traveling from Maple Grove to Babbitt covers 240.8 miles of Minnesota landscape, typically requiring about 4 hours and 44 minutes of drive time. Because this route is a straightforward highway-focused trip, you can easily complete the journey in a single day. Budgeting approximately $34 for fuel makes this an accessible excursion for a weekend getaway or a direct commute between these two Midwest locations. While the drive is manageable in one stint, consider your comfort level with nearly five hours behind the wheel. The route is highly practical for those looking to reach the northern reaches of the state without complex detours.

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

120.4 miles from Maple Grove, MN

A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 2h 12m into the drive .

Drive Character

Expect a trip dominated by high-speed travel, as 98% of your journey stays on major highways. You will spend a significant portion of the trip on I-35, which features the route’s longest uninterrupted stretch of 105 miles. Once you transition from the interstate onto US-53 and Highway 21, the character of the drive shifts toward a more focused highway experience. The road remains consistent and efficient, allowing you to maintain steady momentum throughout the trek. Navigating these primary arteries ensures a predictable drive, though you should be prepared for the sustained pace required by such a highway-heavy itinerary.

Most of the miles stay on highways, which makes pacing and fuel planning easier than turn-by-turn city driving.

There are about 28 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 105 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 0.6 miles in.

Route Complexity 10/10

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

This is a demanding drive. With 22 significant decision points across 240.8 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 0.6 miles: Lane positioning matters here; at 2 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 8.8 miles (I 694): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.

Critical Maneuvers

5 of 22 key points

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

0.6 mi into trip | ~1m in

Turn left toward I 494 North

Lane positioning matters here

Use the left lane. Toward I 494 North

2 mi into trip | ~3m in

Keep slight right at fork toward I 94 East, I 694 East

Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one

Use the slight left / slight right lanes. Toward I 94 East, I 694 East

8.8 mi into trip | ~11m in | I 694

Keep slight left at fork onto I 694

Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here

Use the none lane.

15.3 mi into trip | ~19m in

Take the exit toward I 35W North

Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here

Use the straight / right lanes. Exit 41B Toward I 35W North

18.5 mi into trip | ~23m in | I 35W

Keep slight left at fork onto I 35W

Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here

Use the none lane.

Towns Along This Route

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

Iron Range

140.2 mi in | ~2h 33m | via MN 33

Main Roads

Road	Distance	Duration
I 35	105 mi	1h 52m
US 53	47.7 mi	57m
Highway 21	24.5 mi	33m
MN 33	19.8 mi	26m
I 35W	19.8 mi	21m
I 694	6.5 mi	7m
I 94	6.3 mi	7m
State Highway 169	6.1 mi	8m

Longest stretch: I 35 — 105 mi, about 1h 52m

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

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

Start on CR 10

0.6 mi · 1 min · Bass Lake Road

Use the none lane.

Turn left

316 ft · 9 sec

Toward I 494 North Use the left lane.

Keep slight left at fork

0.3 mi · 45 sec

Toward I 494 North

Merge onto I 494

1.0 mi · 1 min · I 494

Keep slight right at fork

0.5 mi · 35 sec

Toward I 94 East, I 694 East Use the slight left / slight right lanes.

Merge onto I 94; I 694

6.3 mi · 7 min · I 94; I 694

Use the none / straight / slight right lanes.

Keep slight left at fork onto I 694

6.5 mi · 7 min · I 694

Use the none lane.

Take the exit

0.2 mi · 27 sec

Exit 41B Toward I 35W North Use the straight / right lanes.

Merge onto I 35W

3.0 mi · 3 min · I 35W

Use the none lane.

Keep slight left at fork onto I 35W

17 mi · 18 min · I 35W

Use the none 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 none lane.

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 none lane.

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

To maximize your efficiency, aim to leave early in the morning to bypass peak traffic near your starting point. You only need one dedicated stop to stretch your legs and refuel, which fits perfectly within the 4-hour and 44-minute duration. Since the trip is relatively short, you have the flexibility to adjust your departure time based on your personal preference for daylight or evening driving. Keep a close eye on your fuel gauge during the final stretch on Highway 21, as service options may become less frequent compared to the initial interstate portions. Planning for that single stop strategically will keep you refreshed and ready for the final miles into Babbitt.

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 120.4 miles from Maple Grove, MN, or about 2h 12m into the drive.

The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 105 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 29m in

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

Halfway reset

Around 120.4 miles or 2h 12m 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 43m

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 Maple Grove, 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 Maple Grove, MN

This is one driving day of about 240.8 miles and 4h 44m.

Your first comfortable stop window is around 80 miles from Maple Grove, 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 105 miles.

Where to Stop

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

Halfway Point

Midpoint

About 120.4 mi from Maple Grove, MN · 2h 12m into the drive

Mid-route town

Meal stop

Cloquet, MN

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

Mission Creek, MN

Fuel and coffee

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

Cloquet, MN

Meal break

The midpoint is around 120.4 miles from Maple Grove, 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 105 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

$34.44 one way

$68.88 round trip

$3.63/gal 25.4 MPG avg 84 kg CO₂

Fuel Type	$/gal	One Way	Round Trip
midgrade	$3.92	$37.17	$74.34
premium	$4.39	$41.64	$83.28
diesel	$5.64	$53.50	$106.99

No toll roads detected on this route.

Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)

Fuel

$34

Meals

$25–$50

Total

$59–$84

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

Estimated CO2 emission: 84.3 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-06.

Driving Electric?

About $25 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO₂

Vehicle Type	kWh	Stops	DC Fast	Home Charge
Average EV	72.2	0	$25.28	$11.56
Efficient EV	60.2	0	$21.07	$9.63
EV Truck/SUV	96.3	1	$33.71	$15.41

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.

Forecast data refreshed 3 days ago

Origin

Maple Grove, MN

Afternoon in Maple Grove on Sunday

Local time

3:28 PM

CDT

Current temp

39°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

Destination

Babbitt, MN

Afternoon in Babbitt on Sunday

Local time

3:28 PM

CDT

Current temp

33°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

6 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

4h 44m 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 Maple Grove, MN to Babbitt, MN covers 240.8 miles and takes about 4h 44m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.

The main roads are I 35, US 53, Highway 21. Most of the drive stays on highways, so watch for ramps and exits.

This is a comfortable same-day trip.

The midpoint is about 120.4 miles from Maple Grove, MN. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.

At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $34.44 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 Maple Grove, MN to Babbitt, MN, road signs begin pointing toward Iron Range along the way.

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