Origin
Pine City, MN
Afternoon in Pine City on Sunday
Local time
4:28 PM
CDT
Current temp
68°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Pine City, MN to Finlayson, MN
Drive Time
38m
Distance
30.5 mi
49 km
Drive Score
6/10
Good drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$4
one way
EV Charging
Loading...
station data
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
0h 35m
★
6 AM
0h 38m
8 AM
0h 45m
10 AM
0h 40m
12 PM
0h 40m
3 PM
0h 41m
5 PM
0h 44m
8 PM
0h 36m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Pine City, MN
Tom Fisk
Trip Overview
If you are looking for a quick excursion through the heart of the Midwest, the 30.5-mile journey from Pine City to Finlayson is a straightforward option. You can expect to spend about 31 minutes behind the wheel, making this an ideal choice for a simple day trip that requires no overnight stay. Navigating the route is uncomplicated, relying on local roads like 3rd Avenue Southeast, Main Street South, and Highway 61 rather than major interstates. With a fuel budget of just $4, this trip is highly economical for those wanting a short, low-stress drive. Whether you are running errands or just exploring Minnesota, this connection provides a reliable path between these two points.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.
Break Rhythm
0 planned breaks
A short stop every 2 to 3 hours is enough for this drive.
Midpoint
15.2 miles from Pine City, MN
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 18m into the drive .
Drive Character
Expect a turn-heavy local drive that keeps you engaged throughout the entire 30.5-mile stretch. Unlike a monotonous interstate slog, this route features zero highway miles, meaning you will stay on surface roads the whole time. You will not find any long, uninterrupted highway stretches here, as the longest segment occurs on 3rd Avenue Southeast. The road demands your attention as you transition through various local roads, offering a tactile driving experience. It is a practical, functional drive that favors local navigation over high-speed transit.
Most of the miles stay on highways, which makes pacing and fuel planning easier than turn-by-turn city driving.
There are about 14 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 23.8 miles.
How Hard Is This Drive?
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 35 and State Highway 18. There are only a few real navigation decisions along the way. The trickiest moment comes early in the drive near CR 8 / 3rd Avenue Southeast.
Route Complexity
4/10
Easy - simple navigation with a manageable amount of wheel time
This is a straightforward 38m drive. You will face about 9 decision points, but nothing that requires special attention if you follow navigation.
Where does it get tricky?
The main spots that need attention: near the start (CR 8 / 3rd Avenue Southeast): Navigation decision point; at 1.5 miles (I 35 BUS; CR 11 / Henriette Road Northwest): Navigation decision point; at 1.8 miles: Navigation decision point.
Critical Maneuvers
5 of 9 key pointsThese are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
5
0 mi into trip
|
~0m in
|
CR 8 / 3rd Avenue Southeast
Turn left onto CR 8 / 3rd Avenue Southeast
Navigation decision point
5
1.5 mi into trip
|
~3m in
|
I 35 BUS; CR 11 / Henriette Road Northwest
Turn left onto I 35 BUS; CR 11 / Henriette Road Northwest
Navigation decision point
5
1.8 mi into trip
|
~3m in
Take the ramp toward I 35 North: Duluth
Navigation decision point
Toward I 35 North: Duluth
5
25.8 mi into trip
|
~29m in
Take the exit toward MN 18, MN 23 East: Finlayson, Askov
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Toward MN 18, MN 23 East: Finlayson, Askov
5
26.6 mi into trip
|
~31m in
|
MN 18; CR 61 / County Highway 61
At end of road, turn right onto MN 18; CR 61 / County Highway 61
Navigation decision point
Towns Along This Route
On the drive from Pine City, MN to Finlayson, MN, road signs begin pointing toward Askov along the way.
Askov
25.8 mi in
|
~29m
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| I 35 | 23.8 mi | 25m |
| State Highway 18 | 3.8 mi | 6m |
| Main Street South | 1.1 mi | 2m |
| Veterans' Evergreen Memorial Drive | 0.5 mi | <1m |
| Henriette Road Northwest | 0.3 mi | <1m |
| County Highway 61 | 0.3 mi | <1m |
| 3rd Avenue Southeast | <0.1 mi | <1m |
| Railroad Street Southeast | <0.1 mi | <1m |
Longest stretch:
I 35
— 23.8 mi, about 25m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Pine City, MN and Finlayson, MN.
1
Start on Railroad Street Southeast
212 ft
·
14 sec
·
Railroad Street Southeast
2
Turn left onto CR 8
414 ft
·
15 sec
·
3rd Avenue Southeast
3
Turn right onto I 35 BUS; CR 61
1.1 mi
·
2 min
·
Main Street South
4
Continue on I 35 BUS; CR 61
0.2 mi
·
32 sec
·
County Highway 61
5
Turn left onto I 35 BUS; CR 11
0.3 mi
·
32 sec
·
Henriette Road Northwest
6
Take the ramp
0.2 mi
·
30 sec
Toward I 35 North: Duluth
7
Merge onto I 35
24 mi
·
25 min
·
I 35
8
Take the exit
0.2 mi
·
34 sec
Toward MN 18, MN 23 East: Finlayson, Askov
9
Turn left onto MN 23
0.5 mi
·
56 sec
·
Veterans' Evergreen Memorial Drive
10
At end of road, turn right onto MN 18; CR 61
209 ft
·
4 sec
·
County Highway 61
11
Continue on MN 18; CR 61
1.5 mi
·
2 min
·
State Highway 18
12
Continue on MN 18
2.4 mi
·
4 min
·
State Highway 18
13
Turn left onto CR 60
83 ft
·
2 sec
·
Front Street
14
Arrive at destination
CR 60
Trip Plan
Since this is a short 31-minute trip, you have the luxury of total flexibility regarding your departure time. You will not need to plan for any stops along the way, as the journey is quick enough to complete in one go. Be prepared for a high frequency of turns, so keep your eyes on the road and stay alert to the changing street names. Given the minimal fuel cost of $4, you can easily budget for a round trip without any concerns. A helpful tip for this specific drive is to familiarize yourself with your turn sequence before leaving Pine City, as the reliance on local roads like Main Street South makes navigation the most important part of your journey.
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.
You may only need one short stretch break if traffic stays light.
The halfway point lands around 15.2 miles from Pine City, MN, or about 18m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 23.8 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 30.5 miles or 38m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 15.2 miles or 18m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 29m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Finlayson, MN than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving Pine City, 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 Pine City, MN
This is one driving day of about 30.5 miles and 38m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 80 miles from Pine City, MN.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
You may only need one short stretch stop if conditions stay smooth.
The longest stretch is on I 35 for about 23.8 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 15.2 mi from Pine City, MN · 18m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
15 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 30.5 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 15.2 miles from Pine City, MN, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Arriving in Finlayson, MN
The final approach into Finlayson, 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 Finlayson, MN.
These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$4.36 one way
$8.72 round trip
$3.63/gal
25.4 MPG avg
11 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $3.92 | $4.71 | $9.42 |
| premium | $4.39 | $5.27 | $10.55 |
| diesel | $5.64 | $6.78 | $13.55 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$4
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$29–$54
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 10.7 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-06.
Driving Electric?
About $3 in charging · 0 stops · 64% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 9.2 | 0 | $3.20 | $1.46 |
| Efficient EV | 7.6 | 0 | $2.67 | $1.22 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 12.2 | 0 | $4.27 | $1.95 |
Gas CO2
11 kg
EV CO2
4 kg (64% 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.
Destination
Finlayson, MN
Afternoon in Finlayson on Sunday
Local time
4:28 PM
CDT
Current temp
66°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
2 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
38m 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 Pine City, MN to Finlayson, MN covers 30.5 miles and takes about 38m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are I 35, State Highway 18, Main Street South. Most of the drive stays on highways, so watch for ramps and exits.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 15.2 miles from Pine City, MN. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $4.36 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.
This is a straightforward 38m drive. You will face about 9 decision points, but nothing that requires special attention if you follow navigation.
The main spots that need attention: near the start (CR 8 / 3rd Avenue Southeast): Navigation decision point; at 1.5 miles (I 35 BUS; CR 11 / Henriette Road Northwest): Navigation decision point; at 1.8 miles: Navigation decision point.
On the drive from Pine City, MN to Finlayson, MN, road signs begin pointing toward Askov along the way.
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