Origin
Thomson, MN
Evening in Thomson on Thursday
Local time
6:46 PM
CDT
Current temp
38°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Thomson, MN to Blaine, MN
Last recalculated Apr 16, 2026
Drive Time
2h 19m
Distance
124.5 mi
200 km
Drive Score
8/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$19
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
2h 10m
★
6 AM
2h 19m
8 AM
2h 39m
10 AM
2h 26m
12 PM
2h 24m
3 PM
2h 27m
5 PM
2h 38m
8 PM
2h 14m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Blaine, MN
Wikimedia Commons
Trip Overview
The drive from Thomson, MN to Blaine, MN covers 124.5 miles and takes about 2h 19m 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 210 for much of the mileage, and the overall profile is highway-focused drive. The longest uninterrupted segment is about 107.8 miles on I 35. At current regular gas prices, budget about $18.53 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.
Midpoint
62.3 miles from Thomson, MN
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h 9m into the drive .
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 2h 19m. Total distance: 124.5 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 0 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
2h 19m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (96%). Straightforward navigation.
Drive Character
This is a 2h 19m highway drive covering 124.5 miles, with most of the trip on I 35 and I 35W. The longest continuous stretch is about 107.8 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 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 107.8 miles.
How Hard Is This Drive?
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 35 and I 35W. There are only a few real navigation decisions along the way. The trickiest moment comes around 3.9 miles in.
Driving Effort
3/10
Easy - simple navigation with a manageable amount of wheel time
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This is a straightforward 2h 19m drive. You will face about 7 decision points, but nothing that requires special attention if you follow navigation.
Where does it get tricky?
The main spots that need attention: at 3.9 miles: Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 4.1 miles (I 35): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here; at 111.8 miles (I 35W): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
Critical Maneuvers
5 of 7 key pointsThese are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
7
3.9 mi into trip
|
~6m in
Turn left toward I 35 South: Saint Paul, Minneapolis
Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the left lane.
Toward I 35 South: Saint Paul, Minneapolis
5
4.1 mi into trip
|
~6m in
|
I 35
Merge onto I 35
Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
7
111.8 mi into trip
|
~2h 2m in
|
I 35W
Keep slight right at fork onto I 35W toward I 35W: Minneapolis
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / right lanes.
Toward I 35W: Minneapolis
7
119.7 mi into trip
|
~2h 10m in
Take the exit toward CR 17: Lexington Avenue
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Exit 33
Toward CR 17: Lexington Avenue
6
119.9 mi into trip
|
~2h 11m in
|
CR 17 / Lexington Avenue Northeast
Turn right onto CR 17 / Lexington Avenue Northeast
Lane positioning matters here
Use the right lane.
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| I 35 | 107.8 mi | 1h 55m |
| I 35W | 7.8 mi | 8m |
| MN 210 | 3.9 mi | 6m |
| 109th Avenue Northeast | 3.5 mi | 5m |
| Central Avenue Northeast | 0.6 mi | 1m |
| Lexington Avenue Northeast | 0.5 mi | <1m |
| Dalles Avenue | <0.1 mi | <1m |
Longest stretch:
I 35
— 107.8 mi, about 1h 55m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Thomson, MN and Blaine, MN.
1
Start on Dalles Avenue
292 ft
·
10 sec
·
Dalles Avenue
2
Turn right onto MN 210
3.9 mi
·
6 min
·
MN 210
3
Turn left
0.2 mi
·
22 sec
Toward I 35 South: Saint Paul, Minneapolis
Use the left lane.
4
Merge onto I 35
108 mi
·
1 hr 55 min
·
I 35
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
5
Keep slight right at fork onto I 35W
7.8 mi
·
8 min
·
I 35W
Toward I 35W: Minneapolis
Use the straight / right lanes.
6
Take the exit
0.3 mi
·
40 sec
Exit 33
Toward CR 17: Lexington Avenue
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
7
Turn right onto CR 17
0.5 mi
·
58 sec
·
Lexington Avenue Northeast
Use the right lane.
8
Turn left onto 109th Avenue Northeast
3.5 mi
·
5 min
·
109th Avenue Northeast
9
Turn left onto MN 65
0.5 mi
·
1 min
·
Central Avenue Northeast
10
Turn left onto MN 65
103 ft
·
10 sec
·
Central Avenue Northeast
11
Arrive at destination
MN 65
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.
You may only need one short stretch break if traffic stays light.
The halfway point lands around 62.3 miles from Thomson, MN, or about 1h 9m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 107.8 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 27 miles or 31m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 62.3 miles or 1h 9m 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 51m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Blaine, MN than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving Thomson, 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 Thomson, MN
This is one driving day of about 124.5 miles and 2h 19m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 27 miles from Thomson, MN.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
The longest stretch is on I 35 for about 107.8 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 62.3 mi from Thomson, MN · 1h 9m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
62 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 27 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 62.3 miles from Thomson, MN, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Before the longest stretch
Fuel checkTop up before I 35 if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 107.8 miles.
Arriving in Blaine, MN
The final approach into Blaine, 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 Blaine, 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.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$18.53 one way
$37.06 round trip
$3.78/gal
25.4 MPG avg
44 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.07 | $19.96 | $39.93 |
| premium | $4.53 | $22.21 | $44.43 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $27.49 | $54.98 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$19
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$44–$69
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 43.6 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $13 in charging · 0 stops · 66% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 37.4 | 0 | $13.07 | $5.98 |
| Efficient EV | 31.1 | 0 | $10.89 | $4.98 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 49.8 | 0 | $17.43 | $7.97 |
Gas CO2
44 kg
EV CO2
15 kg (66% 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
Blaine, MN
Evening in Blaine on Thursday
Local time
6:46 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
28 degrees warmer at arrival
A meaningful temperature swing is a good cue to rethink layers, water, and how soon you want to arrive.
Road read
2h 19m 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 Thomson, MN to Blaine, MN covers 124.5 miles and takes about 2h 19m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are I 35, I 35W, MN 210. Most of the drive stays on highways, so watch for ramps and exits.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 62.3 miles from Thomson, MN. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $18.53 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 2h 19m drive. You will face about 7 decision points, but nothing that requires special attention if you follow navigation.
The main spots that need attention: at 3.9 miles: Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 4.1 miles (I 35): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here; at 111.8 miles (I 35W): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
The route from Thomson, MN to Blaine, MN does not surface many named destination signs beyond the main corridor.
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