Origin
Rochester, MN
Afternoon in Rochester on Sunday
Local time
3:29 PM
CDT
Current temp
46°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Rochester, MN to Bloomington, MN
Drive Time
1h 40m
Distance
80.7 mi
130 km
Drive Score
7/10
Good drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$12
one way
EV Charging
Loading...
station data
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
1h 33m
★
6 AM
1h 41m
8 AM
1h 56m
10 AM
1h 46m
12 PM
1h 44m
3 PM
1h 47m
5 PM
1h 55m
8 PM
1h 36m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Rochester, MN
Tom Fisk
Bloomington, MN
Tom Fisk
Trip Overview
If you are planning a trip from Rochester to Bloomington, you are looking at a straightforward 80.7-mile journey that typically takes about 1 hour and 40 minutes. This route is perfectly suited for a single-day excursion, as it is short enough to handle in one go without needing an overnight stay. You can expect to spend approximately $12 on fuel, making it a budget-friendly option for travelers moving through the Minnesota Midwest. By sticking primarily to US 52 and I-35W, you will find the navigation simple and efficient. Whether you are heading toward the Twin Cities area for business or leisure, this drive offers a reliable connection between the two hubs.
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
40.3 miles from Rochester, MN
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 49m into the drive .
Drive Character
This trip is a highway-focused drive, with 82% of your time spent on major thoroughfares. You will start with a significant 57.5-mile stretch on US 52, which serves as the longest uninterrupted portion of your transit. The experience is defined by these fast-paced highway segments, transitioning into 160th Street East and eventually I-35W as you approach your destination. Because the majority of the route is interstate or high-speed highway, you can expect a consistent, steady pace behind the wheel. It is a functional, efficient drive that prioritizes speed and direct access rather than winding, technical local roads.
Most of the miles stay on highways, which makes pacing and fuel planning easier than turn-by-turn city driving.
There are about 23 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.
US 52 is the longest continuous segment at about 57.5 miles.
How Hard Is This Drive?
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on US 52 and 160th Street East. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 1.1 miles in.
Route Complexity
9/10
High effort - long or complex enough to need steady focus all day
This is a demanding drive. With 14 significant decision points across 80.7 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 1.1 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 71.8 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully; at 73.3 miles (I 35W): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
Critical Maneuvers
5 of 14 key pointsThese are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
9
1.1 mi into trip
|
~3m in
Keep slight left at fork toward US 52 North, US 63 North, US 14 West
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the slight left lane.
Toward US 52 North, US 63 North, US 14 West
6
71.8 mi into trip
|
~1h 29m in
Keep slight left at fork toward I 35 North
Highway fork - watch signs carefully
Toward I 35 North
6
73.3 mi into trip
|
~1h 31m in
|
I 35W
Keep slight left at fork onto I 35W
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight left / slight right lanes.
7
80.4 mi into trip
|
~1h 39m in
Take the exit toward 90th Street
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight right lane.
Exit 7B
Toward 90th Street
7
80.6 mi into trip
|
~1h 40m in
|
West 90th Street
Turn left onto West 90th Street
Lane positioning matters here
Use the left / straight lanes.
Towns Along This Route
On the drive from Rochester, MN to Bloomington, MN, road signs begin pointing toward Cr 46 along the way.
Cr 46
58.8 mi in
|
~1h 10m
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| US 52 | 57.5 mi | 1h 6m |
| 160th Street East | 9.5 mi | 13m |
| I 35W | 7.1 mi | 8m |
| Brandel Drive | 1.4 mi | 2m |
| I 35 | 1.2 mi | 1m |
| 162nd Street West | 1 mi | 1m |
| 2nd Street Southwest | 0.7 mi | 2m |
| Isleton Way | 0.6 mi | <1m |
Longest stretch:
US 52
— 57.5 mi, about 1h 6m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Rochester, MN and Bloomington, MN.
1
Start on 5th Avenue Southwest
403 ft
·
15 sec
·
5th Avenue Southwest
2
Turn right onto 3rd Street Southwest
0.2 mi
·
26 sec
·
3rd Street Southwest
3
Turn right onto 7th Avenue Southwest
404 ft
·
15 sec
·
7th Avenue Southwest
4
Turn left onto 2nd Street Southwest
0.7 mi
·
2 min
·
2nd Street Southwest
Use the none lane.
5
Turn right onto 17th Avenue Southwest
150 ft
·
3 sec
·
17th Avenue Southwest
Use the right lane.
6
Keep slight left at fork
0.2 mi
·
25 sec
Toward US 52 North, US 63 North, US 14 West
Use the slight left lane.
7
Merge onto US 52; US 14; US 63
0.3 mi
·
24 sec
·
US 52; US 14; US 63
8
Continue on US 52; US 63
17 mi
·
19 min
·
US 52; US 63
Use the none lane.
9
Continue on US 52
9.1 mi
·
10 min
·
US 52
Use the straight lane.
10
Continue on US 52
32 mi
·
36 min
·
US 52
Use the straight lane.
11
Take the exit
0.4 mi
·
57 sec
Toward CR 46
12
Turn left onto CR 46
1.4 mi
·
2 min
·
Brandel Drive
Use the left lane.
13
Continue on CR 46
9.5 mi
·
13 min
·
160th Street East
Use the none lane.
14
Continue on CR 46
0.6 mi
·
55 sec
·
Isleton Way
Use the none lane.
15
Continue on CR 46
1.0 mi
·
1 min
·
162nd Street West
Use the left / none lanes.
16
Take the ramp
405 ft
·
9 sec
Toward I 35 North
17
Keep slight left at fork
0.3 mi
·
39 sec
Toward I 35 North
18
Merge onto I 35
1.2 mi
·
1 min
·
I 35
Use the none / straight / slight right lanes.
19
Keep slight left at fork onto I 35W
7.1 mi
·
8 min
·
I 35W
Use the slight left / slight right lanes.
20
Take the exit
0.2 mi
·
21 sec
Exit 7B
Toward 90th Street
Use the slight right lane.
21
Turn straight onto East Bloomington Freeway
193 ft
·
10 sec
·
East Bloomington Freeway
22
Turn left onto West 90th Street
163 ft
·
4 sec
·
West 90th Street
Use the left / straight lanes.
23
Arrive at destination
West 90th Street
Trip Plan
Since this is a relatively short drive, you have significant flexibility in your departure time, though avoiding peak traffic hours is always a wise strategy. You will not need to plan for any mandatory stops given the 1 hour and 40-minute duration, but keeping your fuel budget around $12 in mind will help you manage your trip expenses. Because the route relies heavily on major highways, monitor local traffic reports for US 52 and I-35W before you head out to ensure a smooth arrival in Bloomington. One concrete tip: since your longest stretch is 57.5 miles on US 52, make sure your vehicle is prepared for high-speed cruising before you leave Rochester to ensure the most comfortable ride possible.
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 40.3 miles from Rochester, MN, or about 49m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 57.5 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 39m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 40.3 miles or 49m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 1h 24m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Bloomington, MN than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving Rochester, 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 Rochester, MN
This is one driving day of about 80.7 miles and 1h 40m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 80 miles from Rochester, 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 US 52 for about 57.5 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 40.3 mi from Rochester, MN · 49m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
40 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 80 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 40.3 miles from Rochester, MN, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Arriving in Bloomington, MN
The final approach into Bloomington, 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 Bloomington, 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
$11.54 one way
$23.09 round trip
$3.63/gal
25.4 MPG avg
28 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $3.92 | $12.46 | $24.92 |
| premium | $4.39 | $13.95 | $27.91 |
| diesel | $5.64 | $17.93 | $35.86 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$12
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$37–$62
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 28.2 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-06.
Driving Electric?
About $8 in charging · 0 stops · 68% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 24.2 | 0 | $8.47 | $3.87 |
| Efficient EV | 20.2 | 0 | $7.06 | $3.23 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 32.3 | 0 | $11.30 | $5.16 |
Gas CO2
28 kg
EV CO2
9 kg (68% 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
Bloomington, MN
Afternoon in Bloomington on Sunday
Local time
3:29 PM
CDT
Current temp
41°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
5 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
1h 40m 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 Rochester, MN to Bloomington, MN covers 80.7 miles and takes about 1h 40m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are US 52, 160th Street East, 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 40.3 miles from Rochester, MN. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $11.54 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 demanding drive. With 14 significant decision points across 80.7 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 1.1 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 71.8 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully; at 73.3 miles (I 35W): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
On the drive from Rochester, MN to Bloomington, MN, road signs begin pointing toward Cr 46 along the way.
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