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
The drive from Maple Grove, MN to Babbitt, MN covers 240.8 miles and takes about 4h 44m behind the wheel. This route is realistic as a one-day drive if you keep your stops efficient.
The route leans on I 494 North, I 94 East, I 35W North for much of the mileage, and the overall profile is turn-heavy local drive. At current regular gas prices, budget about $33.84 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
120.4 miles from Maple Grove, MN
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 2h 22m into the drive .
Expect a 4h 44m drive with frequent turns across 240.8 miles of local and secondary roads.
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| I 494 North | Unavailable | Refreshing |
| I 94 East | Unavailable | Refreshing |
| I 35W North | Unavailable | Refreshing |
| MN 33 | Unavailable | Refreshing |
| the route | Unavailable | Refreshing |
| MN 169 | Unavailable | Refreshing |
| Highway 169 | Unavailable | Refreshing |
| Highway 21 | Unavailable | Refreshing |
Per-road distance and duration are being refreshed from OSRM for this route.
Step-by-step road directions between Maple Grove, MN and Babbitt, MN.
Start on Bass Lake Road
Turn left onto I 494 North
Keep slight left to continue on I 494 North
Merge slight left
Keep slight right to continue on I 94 East, I 694 East
Merge slight left
Keep slight left
Take the exit slight right toward I 35W North
Merge slight left
Keep slight left
Keep slight left
Take the exit slight right toward MN 33: Cloquet, Iron Range
Enter the roundabout and take exit 2 toward the route
Exit the roundabout
Take the exit straight
Merge slight right
Enter the roundabout and take exit 2 toward the route
Exit the roundabout
Take the exit slight right toward MN 169: Ely
Continue on State Highway 169
Turn right onto Highway 21
Continue on County Highway 21
Continue on Highway 21
Continue on Ely-Babbitt Road
Continue on County Highway 70
Turn right onto Babbitt Road
Turn left onto South Drive
Arrive at your destination
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.
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 34m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 120.4 miles or 2h 22m 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 53m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Babbitt, MN than in the middle of the route.
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.
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 120.4 mi from Maple Grove, MN · 2h 22m 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.
A short stop after about 80 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
The midpoint is around 120.4 miles from Maple Grove, MN, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
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.
These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.
Regular Gas
$33.84 one way
$67.67 round trip
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $3.92 | $37.17 | $74.34 |
| premium | $4.39 | $41.64 | $83.28 |
| diesel | $4.86 | $46.11 | $92.22 |
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.
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. If you're planning ahead, check the forecast closer to your travel date.
Origin
Morning in Maple Grove on Saturday
Local time
9:17 AM
CDT
Current temp
39°F
Forecast unavailable right now
Destination
Morning in Babbitt on Saturday
Local time
9:17 AM
CDT
Current temp
33°F
Forecast unavailable right now
Along the Route
29°F
Cloquet, MN
120 mi in
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
Origin and destination are on the same clock, so arrival timing is easier to judge at a glance.
Temperature spread
A meaningful temperature swing is a good cue to rethink layers, water, and how soon you want to arrive.
Road read
An early start around 7-8 AM gets you there with plenty of daylight left.
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