Origin
Rockford, MN
Afternoon in Rockford on Thursday
Local time
12:59 PM
CDT
Current temp
69°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Rockford, MN to Bloomington, MN
Last recalculated Apr 16, 2026
Drive Time
46m
Distance
33.6 mi
54 km
Drive Score
5/10
Practical drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$5
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
0h 43m
★
6 AM
0h 47m
8 AM
0h 55m
10 AM
0h 50m
12 PM
0h 49m
3 PM
0h 50m
5 PM
0h 54m
8 PM
0h 45m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Rockford, MN
Tom Fisk
Bloomington, MN
Wikimedia Commons
Trip Overview
If you are traveling from Rockford to Bloomington, you are looking at a straightforward 33.6-mile commute across Minnesota. Expect to spend about 46 minutes behind the wheel, making this a perfect candidate for a single-day trip. Since the drive is entirely within the Midwest, you will experience a consistent regional feel throughout the journey. With a fuel cost estimate of just $5, it is a very budget-friendly excursion. Because the duration is under an hour, there is no need to plan for overnight stays or complex logistics. This route is purely functional, designed to get you from point A to point B efficiently.
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 46m. Total distance: 33.6 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 0 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
46m drive, comfortable solo distance.
EV Driver
0 DC fast chargers along the route. Coverage: unknown.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (0%). Straightforward navigation.
Scenic Drive
Turn-heavy local drive route profile.
Drive Character
This is a highway-focused drive, with 96% of the journey spent on major roads like MN 55, I 494, and I 35W. You will spend the vast majority of your time cruising at higher speeds rather than navigating local streets. The road’s personality is defined by its efficiency, featuring a longest uninterrupted stretch of 16.2 miles on I 494. Expect a standard interstate experience where you can maintain a steady pace for most of the 46-minute duration. It is a utilitarian trip that prioritizes speed and direct access over winding, scenic detours.
This route has more turning and local-road decision points than a simple highway run.
There are about 10 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.
I 494 South is one of the defining roads on this drive.
How Hard Is This Drive?
Expect a hands-on drive with frequent turns and local roads rather than long highway stretches. Navigation is very simple - set it and forget it for most of the drive.
Driving Effort
1/10
Very easy - short and simple to drive
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
The drive from Rockford, MN to Bloomington, MN is easy. At 46m with 0% highway, most drivers will find it relaxed and low-stress.
Where does it get tricky?
This route does not have any notably tricky sections. Most of the drive from Rockford, MN to Bloomington, MN is straightforward, with well-signed roads and simple exits.
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| I 494 South | — | — |
| I 35W South | — | — |
| 90th Street | — | — |
| West 90th Street | — | — |
Some road-level metrics are being recalculated.
Longest stretch:
I 494 South
— detailed segment metrics are refreshing.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Rockford, MN and Bloomington, MN.
1
Start on Main Street
0.1 mi
·
20 sec
·
Main Street
2
Turn left
15 mi
·
22 min
3
Take the ramp right toward I 494 South
0.3 mi
·
37 sec
·
I 494 South
4
Merge slight left
16 mi
·
20 min
5
Take the exit slight right toward I 35W South: Albert Lea
0.2 mi
·
25 sec
·
I 35W South: Albert Lea
6
Continue on I 35W South: Albert Lea
0.4 mi
·
50 sec
·
I 35W South: Albert Lea
7
Merge slight left
1.0 mi
·
1 min
8
Take the exit slight right toward 90th Street
0.2 mi
·
35 sec
·
90th Street
9
Turn left onto West 90th Street
207 ft
·
6 sec
·
West 90th Street
10
Arrive at your destination
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 16.8 mi from Rockford, MN · 23m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
17 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 33.6 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 16.8 miles from Rockford, MN, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Arriving in Bloomington, MN
Allow a few extra minutes for the final approach into Bloomington, MN if you are unfamiliar with the area.
These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$5.00 one way
$10.00 round trip
$3.78/gal
25.4 MPG avg
12 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.07 | $5.39 | $10.78 |
| premium | $4.53 | $6.00 | $11.99 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $7.42 | $14.84 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Drive Cost (one way)
Fuel
$5
Estimated CO2 emission: 11.8 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $4 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 10.1 | 0 | $3.53 | $1.61 |
| Efficient EV | 8.4 | 0 | $2.94 | $1.34 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 13.4 | 0 | $4.70 | $2.15 |
Gas CO2
12 kg
EV CO2
4 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
Bloomington, MN
Afternoon in Bloomington on Thursday
Local time
12:59 PM
CDT
Current temp
48°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
47°F
Plymouth, MN
17 mi in
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
21 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
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 Rockford, MN to Bloomington, MN covers 33.6 miles and takes about 46m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are I 494 South, I 35W South, 90th Street. Expect a mix of highway and local road driving.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 16.8 miles from Rockford, MN. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $5.00 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.
The drive from Rockford, MN to Bloomington, MN is easy. At 46m with 0% highway, most drivers will find it relaxed and low-stress.
This route does not have any notably tricky sections. Most of the drive from Rockford, MN to Bloomington, MN is straightforward, with well-signed roads and simple exits.
The route from Rockford, MN to Bloomington, MN does not surface many named destination signs beyond the main corridor.
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