Trip from Minnetonka Mills, MN to Cloquet, MN

Last recalculated Apr 16, 2026

Drive Time

2h 46m

Distance

147.3 mi

237 km

Drive Score

8/10

Great drive

Same Day?

Yes, doable

Fuel Cost

$22

one way

EV Charging

Unknown

Best Time to Leave

Save up to 32 min

4 AM

2h 36m ★

6 AM

2h 47m

8 AM

3h 8m

10 AM

2h 54m

12 PM

2h 52m

3 PM

2h 55m

5 PM

3h 7m

8 PM

2h 40m

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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Minnetonka Mills, MN

Tom Fisk

Cloquet, MN

Joel Santos

Trip Overview

The drive from Minnetonka Mills, MN to Cloquet, MN covers 147.3 miles and takes about 2h 46m behind the wheel. This route is realistic as a one-day drive if you keep your stops efficient.

The route leans on I 35, I 35W, MN 100 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 $21.92 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

73.7 miles from Minnetonka Mills, MN

A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h 25m into the drive .

Who Is This Route For?

Weekend Trip

Doable as a same-day drive at 2h 46m. Total distance: 147.3 miles.

Family Friendly

Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.

Solo Traveler

2h 46m drive, comfortable solo distance.

First-Time Driver

Mostly highway driving (96%). Some complex stretches to watch for.

Drive Character

This is a 2h 46m highway drive covering 147.3 miles, with most of the trip on I 35 and I 35W. 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 20 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 I 35W. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 0.1 miles in near CR 5 / Minnetonka Boulevard.

Driving Effort 10/10

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 17 significant decision points across 147.3 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 0.1 miles (CR 5 / Minnetonka Boulevard): Lane positioning matters here; at 2.2 miles: Lane positioning matters here; at 4.5 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here.

Critical Maneuvers

5 of 17 key points

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

0.1 mi into trip | ~0m in | CR 5 / Minnetonka Boulevard

Turn right onto CR 5 / Minnetonka Boulevard

Lane positioning matters here

Use the straight lane.

2.2 mi into trip | ~4m in

Turn left toward US 169 North

Lane positioning matters here

Use the straight / right lanes. Toward US 169 North

4.5 mi into trip | ~7m in

Take the exit toward MN 55 East

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

Use the straight / slight right lanes. Toward MN 55 East

19.6 mi into trip | ~27m 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

22.8 mi into trip | ~31m 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.

Main Roads

Road	Distance	Duration
I 35	105 mi	1h 52m
I 35W	19.8 mi	21m
MN 100	6.1 mi	7m
I 694	5.3 mi	5m
MN 33	2.7 mi	4m
Olson Memorial Highway	2.2 mi	3m
US 169	2.2 mi	2m
Minnetonka Boulevard	2.1 mi	4m

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

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between Minnetonka Mills, MN and Cloquet, MN.

Start on CR 61

320 ft · 12 sec · Shady Oak Road

Turn right onto CR 5

2.1 mi · 4 min · Minnetonka Boulevard

Use the straight lane.

Turn left

0.2 mi · 29 sec

Toward US 169 North Use the straight / right lanes.

Merge onto US 169

2.2 mi · 2 min · US 169

Use the straight / slight right lanes.

Take the exit

0.4 mi · 50 sec

Toward MN 55 East Use the straight / slight right lanes.

Merge onto MN 55

2.2 mi · 3 min · Olson Memorial Highway

Use the left lane.

Take the exit

0.4 mi · 47 sec

Use the left lane.

Merge onto MN 100

6.1 mi · 7 min · MN 100

Use the straight / slight right lanes.

Keep slight left at fork

0.7 mi · 1 min

Toward I 694 East

Merge onto I 694

5.3 mi · 5 min · I 694

Use the straight / slight right lanes.

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 straight / slight right lanes.

Keep slight left at fork onto I 35W

17 mi · 18 min · I 35W

Use the straight / slight right lanes.

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

2.1 mi · 3 min · MN 33

Turn right onto CR 45

465 ft · 14 sec · Cloquet Avenue

Turn right onto 4th Street

26 ft · 1 sec · 4th Street

Arrive at destination

4th Street

Trip Plan

Morning Departure

Leave by 9 AM and you'll arrive before lunch.

Evening Departure

Even a 4 PM departure gets you there before dark in summer.

You can normally do this drive in one day.

Plan roughly 1 meaningful break for fuel, food, and rest.

The halfway point lands around 73.7 miles from Minnetonka Mills, MN, or about 1h 25m 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 32 miles or 41m in

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

Halfway reset

Around 73.7 miles or 1h 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 2h 16m

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

Before You Leave

Open the route before leaving Minnetonka Mills, 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 Minnetonka Mills, MN

This is one driving day of about 147.3 miles and 2h 46m.

Your first comfortable stop window is around 32 miles from Minnetonka Mills, 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 73.7 mi from Minnetonka Mills, MN · 1h 25m into the drive

Mid-route town

Meal stop

Circle Pines, MN

74 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

Circle Pines, MN

Fuel and coffee

A short stop after about 32 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.

Pine City, MN

Meal break

The midpoint is around 73.7 miles from Minnetonka Mills, 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 Cloquet, MN

The final approach into Cloquet, 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 Cloquet, 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.

Nearby Places

Restaurants, cafes, gas stations and more along your route.

Top Restaurant

Bearaboo Coffee Escape

4.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Cloquet, Minnesota

Near the end, short detour

1.2 mi from route ~3 min detour $1 to $10 mile 147.3

Hours: 6:30 am–3 pm

+12188795051

Adagio's Pizza Factory

4.2 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

New Brighton, Minnesota

1.6 mi

Kaffe Stuga Restaurant

4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Harris, Minnesota

2.8 mi

Top Coffee Stop

Munkabeans Coffeehouse

4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Hopkins, Minnesota

Near the start, short detour

1.7 mi from route ~4 min detour $10 to $20

Hours: 6:30 am–5 pm

+19529389056

Visit website

Coffeesmith

4.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Forest Lake, Minnesota

2.8 mi

Bearaboo Coffee Escape

4.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, short detour

1.2 mi from route ~3 min detour $1 to $10 mile 147.3

Cloquet, Minnesota

Hours: 6:30 am–3 pm

+12188795051

Adagio's Pizza Factory

4.2 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Near the start, short detour

1.6 mi from route ~4 min detour $20 to $30 mile 21

New Brighton, Minnesota

Hours: 11 am–9 pm

+16512373486

Visit website

Kaffe Stuga Restaurant

4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Around the midpoint, short detour

2.8 mi from route ~7 min detour $10 to $20 mile 63.1

Harris, Minnesota

Hours: 7:30 am–7 pm

+16516749958

Cabina Coffee

4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Around the midpoint, ~9 min detour

3.5 mi from route ~9 min detour $10 to $20 mile 73.7

Pine City, Minnesota

Hours: 7 am–5 pm

+13206295982

Visit website

Don Goyo Restaurant Columbia Heights

4.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, ~10 min detour

3.9 mi from route ~10 min detour $10 to $20 mile 21

Columbia Heights, Minnesota

Hours: 11 am–10 pm

+17637880299

Visit website

Phoever ❤️ Vietnamese Cuisine & Coffee

4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, ~11 min detour

4.2 mi from route ~11 min detour $10 to $20 mile 21

Columbia Heights, Minnesota

Hours: 11 am–12 pm

+17632088754

Visit website

Munkabeans Coffeehouse

4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, short detour

1.7 mi from route ~4 min detour $10 to $20

Hopkins, Minnesota

Hours: 6:30 am–5 pm

+19529389056

Visit website

Coffeesmith

4.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Early in the drive, short detour

2.8 mi from route ~7 min detour $1 to $10 mile 42.1

Forest Lake, Minnesota

Hours: 6 am–7 pm

+16513009039

Visit website

Miigwitches Brew

5.0 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, ~9 min detour

3.6 mi from route ~9 min detour $1 to $10 mile 147.3

Cloquet, Minnesota

Hours: 6 am–2 pm

+12189007959

Mojo Coffee Gallery

4.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, ~10 min detour

4.1 mi from route ~10 min detour $10 to $20 mile 10.5

Minneapolis, Minnesota

Hours: 7 am–6 pm

+16123614949

Visit website

Walden Coffee

4.8 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, ~11 min detour

4.5 mi from route ~11 min detour $1 to $10 mile 10.5

Minneapolis, Minnesota

Hours: 7 am–4 pm

Visit website

Makwa Coffee

4.8 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, ~11 min detour

4.3 mi from route ~11 min detour $1 to $10 mile 21

Roseville, Minnesota

Hours: 7 am–6 pm

+16513007946

Visit website

Heights Coffee Bar

5.0 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, ~11 min detour

4.3 mi from route ~11 min detour $1 to $10 mile 21

Columbia Heights, Minnesota

Hours: 7 am–4 pm

+16123149027

Visit website

Cairo Cafe

5.0 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, ~11 min detour

4.2 mi from route ~11 min detour mile 21

Blaine, Minnesota

Gas station designed by Frank Lloyd Wright

4.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, right off the route

0.1 mi from route mile 147.3

Cloquet, Minnesota

Hours: 8 am–5 pm

+12188792279

Joyer Adventure Farm at Waldoch Farm

4.8 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Early in the drive, short detour

1.2 mi from route ~3 min detour mile 31.6

Lino Lakes, Minnesota

+16517801207

Visit website

Snake River Fur Post

4.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Around the midpoint, short detour

3.3 mi from route ~8 min detour mile 73.7

Pine City, Minnesota

+13206296356

Visit website

Golden Lake Park

4.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, ~10 min detour

3.9 mi from route ~10 min detour mile 21

Circle Pines, Minnesota

Hours: 6 am–9 pm

+17637845898

Visit website

Black Bear Golf Course

4.0 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Near the end, ~10 min detour

3.9 mi from route ~10 min detour mile 147.3

Cloquet, Minnesota

+12188782485

Visit website

Place data sourced from public business listings. Hours and availability may vary.

Fuel & Cost

Regular Gas

$21.92 one way

$43.84 round trip

$3.78/gal 25.4 MPG avg 52 kg CO₂

Fuel Type	$/gal	One Way	Round Trip
midgrade	$4.07	$23.62	$47.24
premium	$4.53	$26.28	$52.56
diesel	$5.61	$32.52	$65.04

No toll roads detected on this route.

Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)

Fuel

$22

Meals

$25–$50

Total

$47–$72

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

Estimated CO2 emission: 51.5 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.

Driving Electric?

About $15 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO₂

Vehicle Type	kWh	DC Fast	Home Charge
Average EV	44.2	$15.47	$7.07
Efficient EV	36.8	$12.89	$5.89
EV Truck/SUV	58.9	$20.62	$9.43

Gas CO2

52 kg

EV CO2

17 kg (67% 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 as of Apr 15, 2026

Origin

Minnetonka Mills, MN

Evening in Minnetonka Mills on Thursday

Local time

8:35 PM

CDT

Current temp

71°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

Destination

Cloquet, MN

Evening in Cloquet on Thursday

Local time

8:35 PM

CDT

Current temp

38°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

33 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

2h 46m on the road

Use the two city cards together: check the sky where you start, then compare it with the local time and temperature at arrival.

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

Frequently Asked Questions

The drive from Minnetonka Mills, MN to Cloquet, MN covers 147.3 miles and takes about 2h 46m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.

The main roads are I 35, I 35W, 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 73.7 miles from Minnetonka Mills, MN. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.

At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $21.92 one way. This estimate uses 25.4 MPG — your actual cost will vary with your vehicle's fuel efficiency and current gas prices.

Leave by 9 AM and you'll arrive before lunch. Even a 4 PM departure gets you there before dark in summer.

Plan about 1 meaningful break for fuel, food, or rest. A short stop every 2 to 3 hours is enough for this drive.

The route from Minnetonka Mills, MN to Cloquet, MN does not surface many named destination signs beyond the main corridor.

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Trip from Minnetonka Mills, MN to Cloquet, MN

Best Time to Leave

Trip Overview

Who Is This Route For?

Drive Character

How Hard Is This Drive?

Critical Maneuvers

Main Roads

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Trip Plan

Before You Leave

Where to Stop

Pacing Suggestions

Arriving in Cloquet, MN

Nearby Places

Bearaboo Coffee Escape

Munkabeans Coffeehouse

Bearaboo Coffee Escape

Adagio's Pizza Factory

Kaffe Stuga Restaurant

Cabina Coffee

Don Goyo Restaurant Columbia Heights

Phoever ❤️ Vietnamese Cuisine & Coffee

Munkabeans Coffeehouse

Coffeesmith

Miigwitches Brew

Mojo Coffee Gallery

Walden Coffee

Makwa Coffee

Heights Coffee Bar

Cairo Cafe

Gas station designed by Frank Lloyd Wright

Joyer Adventure Farm at Waldoch Farm

Snake River Fur Post

Golden Lake Park

Black Bear Golf Course

Fuel & Cost

Travel Intel

Minnetonka Mills, MN

Cloquet, MN

Same local time

33 degrees cooler at arrival

2h 46m on the road

Frequently Asked Questions

Explore More

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