Traveling from Baudette to Blaine covers 297.1 miles of Minnesota terrain, typically requiring about 5 hours and 14 minutes of driving time. Because this route relies on turn-heavy local roads rather than high-speed interstates, it functions best as a focused, single-day trip. Budget approximately $42 for fuel to cover the distance between these two Midwestern locations. While the journey is manageable in one go, the navigation requires your full attention due to the winding nature of the roads. Choosing to complete this drive in a single day provides the most flexibility, though you should plan for at least one necessary stop along the way to break up the drive.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is possible, but it will make for a full day on the road.
Break Rhythm
1 planned break
Plan on a short reset every 3 to 4 hours to stay fresh behind the wheel.
Midpoint
156.4 miles from Baudette, MN
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 3h 22m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
US 10
120.4 mi
2h 22m
Highway 72 Northeast
43.2 mi
56m
State Highway 64 Southwest
33.7 mi
42m
State 64
28.6 mi
35m
Voyageur Highway
25.3 mi
32m
Washington Avenue South
13.7 mi
17m
State Highway 72
13.5 mi
17m
51st Street Southwest
11.8 mi
14m
Longest stretch:
US 10
— 120.4 mi, about 2h 22m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Baudette, MN and Blaine, MN.
0.9 mi·1 min·State Highway 87 Southwest / State 64
25
Turn right onto MN 64
34 mi·42 min·State Highway 64 Southwest
26
At end of road, turn right onto MN 210
0.3 mi·20 sec·State Highway 210
27
At end of road, turn left onto US 10
60 mi·1 hr 8 min·US 10
Use the right lane.
28
Keep slight left at fork onto US 10
58 mi·1 hr 10 min·US 10
Use the left lane.
29
Keep slight left at fork onto US 10
2.8 mi·3 min·US 10
30
Take the exit
0.4 mi·1 min
Toward MN 65: Central AvenueUse the straight / slight right lanes.
31
Turn left onto MN 65
1.9 mi·2 min·Central Avenue Northeast
Use the left lane.
32
Arrive at destination
MN 65
Trip Plan
For the smoothest experience, plan your departure early in the morning to account for the 5-hour and 14-minute duration. Since this route is entirely local, factor in extra time for the frequent turns required by the road network. You should prioritize at least one planned stop to stretch your legs, as the technical nature of the drive is more demanding than standard highway cruising. Keep your $42 fuel budget in mind when selecting your refueling points, as local roads may offer different station availability compared to major interstates. A helpful tip for this specific trip is to double-check your GPS frequently, as the reliance on local roads like Clark Avenue North and 51st Street Southwest makes missed turns more likely than on a simple highway route.
Morning Departure
Start early — leave by 6-7 AM to arrive at a reasonable hour.
Evening Departure
This is a long drive — plan for a morning departure or consider splitting it into two days.
You can normally do this drive in one day.
Plan roughly 1 meaningful break for fuel, food, and rest.
The halfway point lands around 156.4 miles from Baudette, MN, or about 3h 22m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 120.4 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 69 miles or 1h 30m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 156.4 miles or 3h 22m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 5h 21m
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 Baudette, 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 Baudette, MN
This is one driving day of about 312.8 miles and 6h 30m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 69 miles from Baudette, MN.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
Plan about 1 real break rather than only quick fuel stops.
The longest stretch is on US 10 for about 120.4 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Place data sourced from public business listings. Hours and availability may vary.
Heads-up: tricky spots
5 of 17
5 decision points cluster between mile 1.8 and 310.8 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
6
1.8 mi into trip|~3m in|MN 72 / 51st Street Southwest
Turn right onto MN 72 / 51st Street Southwest
Lane positioning matters here
Use the right lane.
5
100.2 mi into trip|~2h 10m in|US 71 / Voyageur Highway
Enter roundabout onto US 71 / Voyageur Highway
Roundabout - know your exit number before entering
6
249.9 mi into trip|~5h 13m in|US 10
Keep slight left at fork onto US 10
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the left lane.
6
310.4 mi into trip|~6h 26m in
Take the exit toward MN 65: Central Avenue
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Toward MN 65: Central Avenue
6
310.8 mi into trip|~6h 27m in|MN 65 / Central Avenue Northeast
Turn left onto MN 65 / Central Avenue Northeast
Lane positioning matters here
Use the left lane.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$46.98 one way
$93.96 round trip
$3.82/gal25.4 MPG avg109 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.12
$50.73
$101.45
premium
$4.60
$56.66
$113.32
diesel
$4.80
$59.06
$118.13
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$47
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$72–$97
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 109.4 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-07-13.
Driving Electric?
About $33 in charging
· 1 stop
· 66% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
93.8
1
$32.84
$15.01
Efficient EV
78.2
0
$27.37
$12.51
EV Truck/SUV
125.1
1
$43.79
$20.02
Gas CO2
109 kg
EV CO2
37 kg (66% less)
Plan for 1 charging stop. A 30-minute DC fast charge mid-route should be enough to complete the trip comfortably.
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.
Forecast as of Jul 17, 2026
Origin
Baudette, MN
Evening
in Baudette on Saturday
Local time
8:30 PM
CDT
Current temp
82°F
Areas Of Smoke
NW 15 mph2% chanceLive forecast
Special Weather Statement
Special Weather Statement issued July 17 at 1:17PM CDT by NWS Grand Forks ND
Heat Advisory
Heat Advisory issued July 17 at 1:05PM CDT until July 17 at 9:00PM CDT by NWS Duluth MN
Destination
Blaine, MN
Evening
in Blaine on Saturday
Local time
8:30 PM
CDT
Current temp
97°F
Sunny
WSW 10 mph1% chanceLive forecast
Special Weather Statement
Special Weather Statement issued July 17 at 1:17PM CDT by NWS Grand Forks ND
Heat Advisory
Heat Advisory issued July 17 at 1:05PM CDT until July 17 at 9:00PM CDT by NWS Duluth MN
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
15 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
6h 30m on the road
Start early — leave by 6-7 AM to arrive at a reasonable hour.
Weather data from the National Weather Service. Conditions may change; check closer to your travel date.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
Expect a hands-on experience behind the wheel, as this 297.1-mile journey is defined by a turn-heavy local profile rather than a straight interstate shot. You will navigate via 51st Street Southwest, Highway 72, and Clark Avenue North, meaning your highway share is essentially zero percent. This creates a technical driving environment where you must remain alert to constant road changes. The route moves away from the typical monotonous highway grind, instead favoring a more deliberate pace through local corridors. Since the road lacks long, uninterrupted stretches, you will find that the character of the drive remains consistently engaging from start to finish.
72% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
32 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 120.4 mi on US 10.
How Hard Is This Drive?
5/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on US 10 and Highway 72 Northeast. You will hit about 17 points where you need to pay attention to lane position or signs. The trickiest moment comes around 1.8 miles in near MN 72 / 51st Street Southwest.
Driving Effort5/10
Moderate - straightforward overall, but long enough or busy enough to require pacing
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This drive requires moderate attention. Across 312.8 miles you will encounter 17 spots where lane choice or exit timing matters. Not difficult for experienced highway drivers, but worth previewing the tricky sections before you go.
Where does it get tricky?
The main spots that need attention: at 1.8 miles (MN 72 / 51st Street Southwest): Lane positioning matters here; at 100.2 miles (US 71 / Voyageur Highway): Roundabout - know your exit number before entering; at 249.9 miles (US 10): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
Elevation Profile
Mostly flat terrain
1,624 ft867 ft
Total Climb
582 ft
Total Descent
767 ft
Highest Point
1,624 ft
~134 mi in
Elevation Range
757 ft
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
On the drive from Baudette, MN to Blaine, MN, road signs begin pointing toward Bemidji along the way.
Baudette is a small city in Northwestern Minnesota, on Rainy River south of the Lake of the Woods. It is a county seat of Lake of the Woods County and is known as the Walleye Capital of the World.
Doable as a same-day drive at 6h 30m. Total distance: 312.8 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
6h 30m drive, plan rest stops for pacing.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (72%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 120.4 miles on US 10. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Yes — we found about 2 rest areas or service plazas within a short detour of the route (from OpenStreetMap). See the Rest Stops tab under Nearby Places for locations and mile markers. Plan to stretch, use the bathroom, and top off fluids every 2–3 hours on longer drives.
It helps. This is a long drive, so arriving tired and in the dark compounds. If the last hour of the trip is on surface roads or mountain grades, aim to arrive at Blaine, MN before sunset when you can. Check the Trip Plan for departure windows that land you in daylight.
Only with planning. This is a long drive for kids — consider splitting it into two days rather than pushing through. Plan at least 1 meaningful breaks. There are 2 rest areas along the route for bathroom stops.
The main spots that need attention: at 1.8 miles (MN 72 / 51st Street Southwest): Lane positioning matters here; at 100.2 miles (US 71 / Voyageur Highway): Roundabout - know your exit number before entering; at 249.9 miles (US 10): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
Not recommended in a single day. At 6.5 hours each way, a round trip means 13.0 hours of driving — that is an unsafe level of fatigue for most drivers. Plan at least one night at Blaine, MN before the return drive.
