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Trip from Minneota, MN to Blaine, MN

Data updated 2 hours ago

Drive Time

3h 50m

Distance

178 mi

286 km

Drive Score

8/10

Great drive

Same Day?

Yes, doable

Fuel Cost

$26

one way

EV Charging

None

0 DC fast

Best Time to Leave

Save up to 39 min
4 AM
3h 37m ★
6 AM
3h 50m
8 AM
4h 16m
10 AM
3h 59m
12 PM
3h 56m
3 PM
4h 0m
5 PM
4h 14m
8 PM
3h 42m

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

Downtown Minneota, MN, MN

Minneota, MN

Tom Fisk

city in Anoka County, Minnesota, United States

Blaine, MN

Wikimedia Commons

Trip Overview

The drive from Minneota, MN to Blaine, MN covers 178 miles and takes about 3h 50m 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 23, MN 100 for much of the mileage, and the overall profile is highway-focused drive. The longest uninterrupted segment is about 112.8 miles on US 212. At current regular gas prices, budget about $26.49 one way before food or hotel costs.

Trip Pace

Same-day drive is realistic

A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.

Break Rhythm

1 planned break

A short stop every 2 to 3 hours is enough for this drive.

Midpoint

89 miles from Minneota, MN

A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h 57m into the drive .

Loading map...

Drive Character

This is a 3h 50m highway drive covering 178 miles, with most of the trip on US 212 and State Highway 23. The longest continuous stretch is about 112.8 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 22 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 112.8 miles.

How Hard Is This Drive?

This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on US 212 and State Highway 23. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 122.1 miles in near US 212.

Route Complexity 7/10

Demanding - plan breaks and stay ahead of the key maneuvers

This is a demanding drive. With 8 significant decision points across 178 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 122.1 miles (US 212): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 154.9 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here; at 155.2 miles (MN 100): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here.

Critical Maneuvers

5 of 8 key points

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

6
122.1 mi into trip | ~2h 40m in | US 212

Keep slight right at fork onto US 212

Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here

Use the straight lane.
7
154.9 mi into trip | ~3h 19m in

Take the exit toward MN 100 North

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

Use the right lane. Exit 108B Toward MN 100 North
5
155.2 mi into trip | ~3h 19m in | MN 100

Merge onto MN 100

Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here

Use the straight / slight right lanes.
5
168.4 mi into trip | ~3h 36m in

Keep slight left at fork toward I 694 East

Highway fork - watch signs carefully

Toward I 694 East
7
171 mi into trip | ~3h 39m in

Take the exit toward MN 65: Central Avenue

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

Use the straight / slight right lanes. Exit 38 Toward MN 65: Central Avenue

Main Roads

Road Distance Duration
US 212 112.8 mi 2h 23m
State Highway 23 26.7 mi 33m
MN 100 13.2 mi 16m
State Highway 68 8.7 mi 10m
Highway 65 Northeast 6.3 mi 8m
290th Street 2 mi 2m
Crosstown Highway 1.9 mi 2m
I 694 1.9 mi 2m
Longest stretch: US 212 — 112.8 mi, about 2h 23m

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between Minneota, MN and Blaine, MN.

1

Start on CR 10

53 ft · 6 sec · North Monroe Street
2

Turn left onto MN 68

0.5 mi · 1 min · East 1st Street
3

Continue on MN 68

4.7 mi · 5 min · State Highway 68
4

Continue on MN 68; CR 5; CR 8

0.7 mi · 1 min · West Burlingame Street
5

Continue on MN 68

3.9 mi · 4 min · State Highway 68
6

Turn left onto CR 33

1.0 mi · 1 min · 290th Street
7

Continue on CR 33

1.5 mi · 3 min · Erie Road
8

Continue on CR 33

1.0 mi · 1 min · 290th Street
9

Turn left onto MN 23

27 mi · 33 min · State Highway 23
10

Turn right onto US 212; MN 23

72 mi · 1 hr 34 min · US 212; MN 23
11

Enter roundabout onto US 212

156 ft · 2 sec · US 212
12

Continue on US 212

10 mi · 11 min · US 212
13

Keep slight right at fork onto US 212

31 mi · 36 min · US 212
Use the straight lane.
14

Continue on MN 62

1.9 mi · 2 min · Crosstown Highway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
15

Take the exit

0.2 mi · 31 sec
Exit 108B Toward MN 100 North Use the right lane.
16

Merge onto MN 100

13 mi · 16 min · MN 100
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
17

Keep slight left at fork

0.7 mi · 1 min
Toward I 694 East
18

Merge onto I 694

1.9 mi · 2 min · I 694
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
19

Take the exit

0.4 mi · 47 sec
Exit 38 Toward MN 65: Central Avenue Use the straight / slight right lanes.
20

Continue on MN 65

0.4 mi · 25 sec · Central Avenue Northeast
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
21

Continue on MN 65

6.3 mi · 8 min · Highway 65 Northeast
Use the left lane.
22

Arrive at destination

MN 65

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 89 miles from Minneota, MN, or about 1h 57m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 112.8 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 46m in

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

Halfway reset

Around 89 miles or 1h 57m 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 8m

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

Before You Leave

+

Open the route before leaving Minneota, 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 Minneota, MN

This is one driving day of about 178 miles and 3h 50m.

Your first comfortable stop window is around 80 miles from Minneota, 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 US 212 for about 112.8 miles.

Where to Stop

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

Halfway Point

Midpoint

About 89 mi from Minneota, MN · 1h 57m into the drive

city in Devon, England

Mid-route town

Meal stop

Plymouth, MN

89 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

Avon, MN

Fuel and coffee

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

Albertville, MN

Meal break

The midpoint is around 89 miles from Minneota, MN, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.

Before the longest stretch

Fuel check

Top up before US 212 if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 112.8 miles.

Arriving in Blaine, MN

The final approach into Blaine, 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 Blaine, 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

$26.49 one way

$52.98 round trip

$3.78/gal 25.4 MPG avg 62 kg CO2
Fuel Type $/gal One Way Round Trip
midgrade $4.07 $28.54 $57.09
premium $4.53 $31.76 $63.52
diesel $5.61 $39.30 $78.60

No toll roads detected on this route.

Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)

Fuel

$26

Meals

$25–$50

Total

$51–$76

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

Estimated CO2 emission: 62.3 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.

Driving Electric?

About $19 in charging · 0 stops · 66% less CO2

Vehicle Type kWh Stops DC Fast Home Charge
Average EV 53.4 0 $18.69 $8.54
Efficient EV 44.5 0 $15.58 $7.12
EV Truck/SUV 71.2 0 $24.92 $11.39

Gas CO2

62 kg

EV CO2

21 kg (66% 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.

Forecast data refreshed 2 hours ago

Origin

Minneota, MN

Evening in Minneota on Tuesday

Local time

7:55 PM

CDT

Current temp

70°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

Destination

Blaine, MN

Evening in Blaine on Tuesday

Local time

7:55 PM

CDT

Current temp

67°F

Mostly Cloudy

NNW 5 mph 10% chance Live forecast

39°F

Plymouth, MN

89 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

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 cooler at arrival

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

Road read

3h 50m on the road

The weather snapshot is not static. If you are leaving later, give both cities one more quick forecast check before departure.

Weather data from the National Weather Service. Conditions may change; check closer to your travel date.

Frequently Asked Questions

The drive from Minneota, MN to Blaine, MN covers 178 miles and takes about 3h 50m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are US 212, State Highway 23, MN 100. Most of the drive stays on highways, so watch for ramps and exits.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 89 miles from Minneota, MN. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $26.49 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. A short stop every 2 to 3 hours is enough for this drive.
This is a demanding drive. With 8 significant decision points across 178 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 122.1 miles (US 212): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 154.9 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here; at 155.2 miles (MN 100): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here.
The route from Minneota, MN to Blaine, MN does not surface many named destination signs beyond the main corridor.

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