Origin
Pine City, MN
Afternoon in Pine City on Sunday
Local time
4:29 PM
CDT
Current temp
68°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Pine City, MN to Rock Creek, MN
Drive Time
11m
Distance
7.2 mi
12 km
Drive Score
8/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$1
one way
EV Charging
Loading...
station data
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
0h 10m
★
6 AM
0h 11m
8 AM
0h 13m
10 AM
0h 12m
12 PM
0h 12m
3 PM
0h 12m
5 PM
0h 13m
8 PM
0h 11m
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 transition between Pine City and Rock Creek, Minnesota, this 7.2-mile jaunt is as straightforward as it gets. Expect to spend only 11 minutes behind the wheel, making this a perfect candidate for a single-day outing that requires minimal planning. With a budget of just $1 for fuel, this is an incredibly economical trip through the Midwest. You will not need an overnight stay for such a brief distance, allowing for maximum flexibility in your schedule. Whether you are running errands or simply moving between these two locations, the route is efficient and uncomplicated. It serves as a practical connection for travelers who value speed and simplicity over a long-distance excursion.
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
3.6 miles from Pine City, MN
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 5m into the drive .
Drive Character
This drive is heavily highway-focused, with 63% of your journey spent on high-speed infrastructure. You will spend the bulk of your time navigating I-35, which accounts for the longest uninterrupted stretch of 3.4 miles. After exiting the interstate, the character of the road shifts as you transition onto Highway 70 and eventually Hillside Avenue Southwest to reach your destination. The experience is primarily functional, prioritizing direct movement over winding backroads or technical turns. Expect a consistent pace that minimizes the time spent in the driver's seat while you navigate these primary thoroughfares.
Most of the miles stay on highways, which makes pacing and fuel planning easier than turn-by-turn city driving.
There are about 11 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 3.4 miles.
How Hard Is This Drive?
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 35 and Highway 70. 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 11m 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 0.1 miles (I 35 BUS; CR 61 / Main Street South): Navigation decision point; at 1.4 miles: Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
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
4
0.1 mi into trip
|
~0m in
|
I 35 BUS; CR 61 / Main Street South
Turn left onto I 35 BUS; CR 61 / Main Street South
Navigation decision point
6
1.4 mi into trip
|
~2m in
Take the ramp toward I 35 South: Saint Paul, Minneapolis
Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Toward I 35 South: Saint Paul, Minneapolis
5
5 mi into trip
|
~7m in
Take the exit toward MN 70: Rock Creek, Grantsburg
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Toward MN 70: Rock Creek, Grantsburg
4
5.3 mi into trip
|
~7m in
|
MN 70 / Highway 70
Turn left onto MN 70 / Highway 70
Navigation decision point
Towns Along This Route
Between Pine City, MN and Rock Creek, MN, road signs point toward Minneapolis and Grantsburg.
Minneapolis
1.4 mi in
|
~2m
Grantsburg
5 mi in
|
~7m
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| I 35 | 3.4 mi | 3m |
| Highway 70 | 1.1 mi | 1m |
| Hillside Avenue Southwest | 0.7 mi | 1m |
| Forest Boulevard | 0.7 mi | 1m |
| Main Street South | 0.5 mi | <1m |
| 558 Street | <0.1 mi | <1m |
| 3rd Avenue Southeast | <0.1 mi | <1m |
| Railroad Street Southeast | <0.1 mi | <1m |
Longest stretch:
I 35
— 3.4 mi, about 3m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Pine City, MN and Rock Creek, MN.
1
Start on Railroad Street Southeast
212 ft
·
14 sec
·
Railroad Street Southeast
2
Turn left onto CR 8
414 ft
·
18 sec
·
3rd Avenue Southeast
3
Turn left onto I 35 BUS; CR 61
0.5 mi
·
58 sec
·
Main Street South
4
Turn right onto I 35 BUS; CR 7
0.7 mi
·
1 min
·
Hillside Avenue Southwest
5
Take the ramp
0.2 mi
·
27 sec
Toward I 35 South: Saint Paul, Minneapolis
6
Merge onto I 35
3.4 mi
·
3 min
·
I 35
7
Take the exit
0.3 mi
·
40 sec
Toward MN 70: Rock Creek, Grantsburg
8
Turn left onto MN 70
1.1 mi
·
1 min
·
Highway 70
9
Turn right onto CR 61
0.7 mi
·
1 min
·
Forest Boulevard
10
Turn right onto 558 Street
482 ft
·
21 sec
·
558 Street
11
Arrive at destination
558 Street
Trip Plan
Because this route takes only 11 minutes to complete, you have total freedom regarding your departure time. You do not need to worry about planning formal rest stops, as the 7.2-mile distance is easily manageable in a single, short burst of driving. Keep your eyes on the transition points between I-35 and the local roads, as changing speed from interstate traffic to surface streets is the most significant adjustment you will make. Since fuel costs are estimated at just $1, you can easily top off your tank before leaving Pine City without breaking your travel budget. Enjoy the convenience of such a short transit that allows you to reach Rock Creek with almost no preparation required.
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 3.6 miles from Pine City, MN, or about 5m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 3.4 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 7.2 miles or 11m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 3.6 miles or 5m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 8m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Rock Creek, 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 7.2 miles and 11m.
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 3.4 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 3.6 mi from Pine City, MN · 5m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
4 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 7.2 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 3.6 miles from Pine City, MN, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Arriving in Rock Creek, MN
The final approach into Rock Creek, 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 Rock Creek, 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
$1.03 one way
$2.06 round trip
$3.63/gal
25.4 MPG avg
3 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $3.92 | $1.11 | $2.22 |
| premium | $4.39 | $1.24 | $2.49 |
| diesel | $5.64 | $1.60 | $3.20 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$1
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$26–$51
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 2.5 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-06.
Driving Electric?
About $1 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 2.2 | 0 | $0.76 | $0.35 |
| Efficient EV | 1.8 | 0 | $0.63 | $0.29 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 2.9 | 0 | $1.01 | $0.46 |
Gas CO2
3 kg
EV CO2
1 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.
Destination
Rock Creek, MN
Afternoon in Rock Creek on Sunday
Local time
4:29 PM
CDT
Current temp
42°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
26 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
11m 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 Rock Creek, MN covers 7.2 miles and takes about 11m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are I 35, Highway 70, Hillside Avenue Southwest. Most of the drive stays on highways, so watch for ramps and exits.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 3.6 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 $1.03 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 11m 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 0.1 miles (I 35 BUS; CR 61 / Main Street South): Navigation decision point; at 1.4 miles: Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Between Pine City, MN and Rock Creek, MN, road signs point toward Minneapolis and Grantsburg.
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