Origin
Minneapolis, MN
Evening in Minneapolis on Thursday
Local time
5:57 PM
CDT
Current temp
67°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Minneapolis, MN to Babbitt, MN
Last recalculated Apr 16, 2026
Drive Time
4h 39m
Distance
234.8 mi
378 km
Drive Score
8/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$35
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
4h 26m
★
6 AM
4h 39m
8 AM
5h 6m
10 AM
4h 48m
12 PM
4h 46m
3 PM
4h 50m
5 PM
5h 5m
8 PM
4h 31m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Babbitt, MN
Wikimedia Commons
Trip Overview
The drive from Minneapolis, MN to Babbitt, MN covers 234.8 miles and takes about 4h 39m 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 35W for much of the mileage, and the overall profile is highway-focused drive. The longest uninterrupted segment is about 105 miles on I 35. At current regular gas prices, budget about $34.94 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
117.4 miles from Minneapolis, MN
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 2h 10m into the drive .
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 4h 39m. Total distance: 234.8 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
4h 39m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (99%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Drive Character
This is a 4h 39m highway drive covering 234.8 miles, with most of the trip on I 35 and US 53. The longest continuous stretch is about 105 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 26 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 0.9 miles in.
Driving Effort
9/10
High effort - long or complex enough to need steady focus all day
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This is a demanding drive. With 19 significant decision points across 234.8 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 0.9 miles: Navigation decision point; at 1.1 miles (I 35W): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here; at 4.8 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here.
Critical Maneuvers
5 of 19 key pointsThese are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
5
0.9 mi into trip
|
~2m in
Take the ramp toward I 35W North
Navigation decision point
Toward I 35W North
5
1.1 mi into trip
|
~3m in
|
I 35W
Merge onto I 35W
Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
7
4.8 mi into trip
|
~8m in
Take the exit toward MN 36
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight right lane.
Exit 22B
Toward MN 36
6
5.4 mi into trip
|
~8m in
|
I 35W
Keep slight left at fork onto I 35W
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
6
12.5 mi into trip
|
~17m in
|
I 35W
Keep slight left at fork onto I 35W
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
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 Minneapolis, MN to Babbitt, MN, road signs begin pointing toward Iron Range along the way.
Iron Range
134.2 mi in
|
~2h 28m
|
via MN 33
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| I 35 | 105 mi | 1h 52m |
| US 53 | 47.7 mi | 57m |
| I 35W | 27.8 mi | 31m |
| Highway 21 | 24.5 mi | 33m |
| MN 33 | 19.8 mi | 26m |
| State Highway 169 | 6.1 mi | 8m |
| Washington Avenue South | 0.9 mi | 2m |
| Ely-Babbitt Road | 0.7 mi | 1m |
Longest stretch:
I 35
— 105 mi, about 1h 52m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Minneapolis, MN and Babbitt, MN.
1
Start on CR 152
63 ft
·
9 sec
·
Washington Avenue South
2
Continue on CR 152
0.9 mi
·
2 min
·
Washington Avenue South
Use the left lane.
3
Take the ramp
0.2 mi
·
28 sec
Toward I 35W North
4
Merge onto I 35W
3.7 mi
·
4 min
·
I 35W
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
5
Take the exit
0.3 mi
·
25 sec
Exit 22B
Toward MN 36
Use the slight right lane.
6
Merge onto I 35W
0.3 mi
·
19 sec
·
I 35W
7
Keep slight left at fork onto I 35W
7.1 mi
·
8 min
·
I 35W
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
8
Keep slight left at fork onto I 35W
17 mi
·
18 min
·
I 35W
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
9
Keep slight left at fork onto I 35
105 mi
·
1 hr 52 min
·
I 35
10
Take the exit onto MN 33
0.6 mi
·
58 sec
·
MN 33
Toward MN 33: Cloquet, Iron Range
11
Enter roundabout onto MN 33
127 ft
·
1 sec
·
MN 33
12
Continue on MN 33
19 mi
·
25 min
·
MN 33
Use the straight lane.
13
Take the exit onto MN 33
0.4 mi
·
29 sec
·
MN 33
14
Merge onto US 53
37 mi
·
43 min
·
US 53
Use the straight / right lanes.
15
Enter roundabout onto US 53
113 ft
·
1 sec
·
US 53
16
Continue on US 53
10 mi
·
13 min
·
US 53
Use the straight lane.
17
Take the exit
0.5 mi
·
43 sec
Toward MN 169: Ely
18
Continue on MN 169
6.1 mi
·
8 min
·
State Highway 169
Use the straight / left / right lanes.
19
Turn right onto CH 21
11 mi
·
15 min
·
Highway 21
Use the right lane.
20
Continue on CH 21
0.4 mi
·
54 sec
·
County Highway 21
21
Continue on CH 21
13 mi
·
18 min
·
Highway 21
22
Continue on CH 70
0.7 mi
·
1 min
·
Ely-Babbitt Road
23
Continue on CH 70
0.2 mi
·
18 sec
·
County Highway 70
24
Turn right onto Babbitt Road
0.4 mi
·
1 min
·
Babbitt Road
25
Turn left onto South Drive
0.3 mi
·
45 sec
·
South Drive
26
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 117.4 miles from Minneapolis, MN, or about 2h 10m 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 52 miles or 1h in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 117.4 miles or 2h 10m 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 40m
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 Minneapolis, 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 Minneapolis, MN
This is one driving day of about 234.8 miles and 4h 39m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 52 miles from Minneapolis, 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 117.4 mi from Minneapolis, MN · 2h 10m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
117 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 52 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 117.4 miles from Minneapolis, MN, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Before the longest stretch
Fuel checkTop 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
$34.94 one way
$69.89 round trip
$3.78/gal
25.4 MPG avg
82 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.07 | $37.65 | $75.30 |
| premium | $4.53 | $41.89 | $83.79 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $51.84 | $103.68 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$35
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$60–$85
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 82.2 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $25 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 70.4 | 0 | $24.65 | $11.27 |
| Efficient EV | 58.7 | 0 | $20.54 | $9.39 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 93.9 | 1 | $32.87 | $15.03 |
Gas CO2
82 kg
EV CO2
27 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.
Destination
Babbitt, MN
Evening in Babbitt on Thursday
Local time
5:57 PM
CDT
Current temp
61°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 39m 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 Minneapolis, MN to Babbitt, MN covers 234.8 miles and takes about 4h 39m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are I 35, US 53, I 35W. Most of the drive stays on highways, so watch for ramps and exits.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 117.4 miles from Minneapolis, MN. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $34.94 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.
This is a demanding drive. With 19 significant decision points across 234.8 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.
The main spots that need attention: at 0.9 miles: Navigation decision point; at 1.1 miles (I 35W): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here; at 4.8 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here.
On the drive from Minneapolis, MN to Babbitt, MN, road signs begin pointing toward Iron Range along the way.
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