Compiled and reviewed by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Sep 6, 2026 · Editorial standards
Drive Time
1h 7m
Distance
53 mi
85 km
Drive Score
6/10
Good drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$8
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Ball Bluff, MN
Tom Fisk
McGrath, MN
Tom Fisk
Ball Bluff to McGrath is 53 miles and takes about 1 hour 7 minutes via State Highway 65, with a fuel budget near $8 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This trip stays within Minnesota, moving from the Midwest region to another part of the Midwest. It's a straightforward drive, mostly on a main highway, making it a good option if you're looking for a quick connection between these two points. You won't encounter much in the way of major changes in scenery or terrain, so plan accordingly if you're seeking a dramatic visual experience. Consider this route for its efficiency and ease of navigation.
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| State Highway 65 | 51.9 mi | 1h 5m |
| West Highway 210 | 1.1 mi | 1m |
| 650th Lane | <0.1 mi | <1m |
| South 1st Street | <0.1 mi | <1m |
Step-by-step road directions between Ball Bluff, MN and McGrath, MN.
Start on 650th Lane
Turn left onto MN 65
Turn left onto MN 210; MN 65
Take the exit onto MN 65
Turn left onto South 1st Street
Arrive at destination
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Mid-route town
Meal stop
27 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.
A short stop after about 12 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
The midpoint is around 26.5 miles from Ball Bluff, MN, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.
4 decision points cluster between mile 0 and 53 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
Turn left onto MN 65 / State Highway 65
Navigation decision point
Turn left onto MN 210; MN 65 / West Highway 210
Navigation decision point
Take the exit onto MN 65 / State Highway 65
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early
Turn left onto South 1st Street
Navigation decision point
Regular Gas
$8.39 one way
$16.78 round trip
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.28 | $8.94 | $17.87 |
| premium | $4.85 | $10.12 | $20.23 |
| diesel | $5.60 | $11.68 | $23.37 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Drive Cost (one way)
Fuel
$8
Estimated CO2 emission: 18.5 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-08-31.
Driving Electric?
About $6 in charging · 0 stops · 68% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 15.9 | 0 | $5.57 | $2.54 |
| Efficient EV | 13.3 | 0 | $4.64 | $2.12 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 21.2 | 0 | $7.42 | $3.39 |
Gas CO2
19 kg
EV CO2
6 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.
Current conditions at both ends of the drive.
Origin
Evening in Ball Bluff on Sunday
Local time
6:25 PM
CDT
Current temp
50°F
Patchy Fog
Destination
Evening in McGrath on Sunday
Local time
6:25 PM
CDT
Current temp
51°F
Areas Of Fog
46°F
Kimberly, MN
27 mi in
Time zone
Origin and destination are on the same clock, so arrival timing is easier to judge at a glance.
Temperature spread
A meaningful temperature swing is a good cue to rethink layers, water, and how soon you want to arrive.
Road read
The weather snapshot is not static. If you are leaving later, give both cities one more quick forecast check before departure.
Weather data from the National Weather Service. Conditions may change; check closer to your travel date.
This drive is 100% highway, meaning you'll be on paved roads for the entire 53 miles. The longest continuous stretch you'll experience is 51.9 miles, all on State Highway 65. Expect a consistent cruising feel with minimal transitions to surface streets or varying road types. You'll likely notice the lack of frequent exits and the open feel of rural highway travel for the majority of this trip.
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on State Highway 65 and West Highway 210. Navigation is very simple - set it and forget it for most of the drive. The trickiest moment comes early in the drive near MN 65 / State Highway 65.
Very easy - short and simple to drive
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
The drive from Ball Bluff, MN to McGrath, MN is easy. At 1h 7m with 100% highway, most drivers will find it relaxed and low-stress.
Where does it get tricky?
The main spots that need attention: near the start (MN 65 / State Highway 65): Navigation decision point; at 25.7 miles (MN 210; MN 65 / West Highway 210): Navigation decision point; at 26.8 miles (MN 65 / State Highway 65): Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early.
Mostly flat terrain
Total Climb
125 ft
Total Descent
125 ft
Highest Point
1,301 ft
~7.6 mi in
Elevation Range
75 ft
City content from Wikivoyage (CC BY-SA 4.0) and Wikidata (CC0).
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 1h 7m. Total distance: 53 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 0 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
1h 7m drive, comfortable solo distance.
EV Driver
0 DC fast chargers along the route. Coverage: unknown.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (100%). Straightforward navigation.
Compiled by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy from open government datasets — OSRM over OpenStreetMap for geometry, EIA for fuel prices, and USGS 3DEP for elevation. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.
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