Compiled and reviewed by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Oct 25, 2026 · Editorial standards
Drive Time
1h 4m
Distance
46.8 mi
75 km
Drive Score
7/10
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.
Balsam, MN
Tom Fisk
McGrath, MN
Tom Fisk
Balsam, MN to McGrath, MN is 46.8 miles and takes about 1h 4m via State Highway 65, with a fuel budget near $7 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This short trip stays within the Midwest region, specifically connecting two points in Minnesota. It's a straightforward drive, mostly on a main highway, making it a simple transit rather than an involved excursion. Consider this route for an easy connection between these two areas if you're looking for efficiency and minimal time commitment.
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| State Highway 65 | 33.3 mi | 42m |
| Lake Avenue | 9.4 mi | 12m |
| Kestrel Avenue | 3 mi | 7m |
| West Highway 210 | 1.1 mi | 1m |
| South 1st Street | <0.1 mi | <1m |
Step-by-step road directions between Balsam, MN and McGrath, MN.
Start on CR 64
Turn left onto CR 14
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
23 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 10 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
The midpoint is around 23.4 miles from Balsam, 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.
5 decision points cluster between mile 3 and 46.7 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
Turn left onto CR 14 / Lake Avenue
Navigation decision point
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
$7.83 one way
$15.66 round trip
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.53 | $8.34 | $16.68 |
| premium | $5.11 | $9.41 | $18.83 |
| diesel | $6.28 | $11.56 | $23.13 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Drive Cost (one way)
Fuel
$8
Estimated CO2 emission: 16.4 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-10-19.
Driving Electric?
About $5 in charging · 0 stops · 69% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 14 | 0 | $4.91 | $2.25 |
| Efficient EV | 11.7 | 0 | $4.10 | $1.87 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 18.7 | 0 | $6.55 | $3.00 |
Gas CO2
16 kg
EV CO2
5 kg (69% 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
Night in Balsam on Saturday
Local time
9:05 PM
CDT
Current temp
32°F
Partly Cloudy
Destination
Night in McGrath on Saturday
Local time
9:05 PM
CDT
Current temp
33°F
Mostly Clear
42°F
Kimberly, MN
23 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 route is primarily highway driving, with 74% of the 46.8 miles on State Highway 65. You'll experience a stretch of 33.3 miles on State Highway 65 before transitioning to more local roads like Lake Avenue and Kestrel Avenue. Expect a more rural cruising feel for the majority of your time behind the wheel.
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on State Highway 65 and Lake Avenue. Navigation is very simple - set it and forget it for most of the drive. The trickiest moment comes around 3 miles in near CR 14 / Lake Avenue.
Very easy - short and simple to drive
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
The drive from Balsam, MN to McGrath, MN is easy. At 1h 4m with 74% highway, most drivers will find it relaxed and low-stress.
Where does it get tricky?
The main spots that need attention: at 3 miles (CR 14 / Lake Avenue): Navigation decision point; at 12.4 miles (MN 65 / State Highway 65): Navigation decision point; at 19.4 miles (MN 210; MN 65 / West Highway 210): Navigation decision point.
Mostly flat terrain
Total Climb
105 ft
Total Descent
94 ft
Highest Point
1,297 ft
~6.7 mi in
Elevation Range
65 ft
City content from Wikivoyage (CC BY-SA 4.0) and Wikidata (CC0).
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 1h 4m. Total distance: 46.8 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 0 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
1h 4m drive, comfortable solo distance.
EV Driver
0 DC fast chargers along the route. Coverage: unknown.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (74%). 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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