Blaine, MN to Cormorant, MN is 208.3 miles and takes about 3h 57m via I 94 and US 59, with a fuel budget near $34 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This Midwest trip stays within Minnesota, largely following interstate highways before transitioning to state and US routes. Given its relatively short duration and high percentage of highway driving, it’s a straightforward trip for a single day. It's a practical route for getting from one point to another without extensive detours.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.
Break Rhythm
1 planned break
A short stop every 2 to 3 hours is enough for this drive.
Midpoint
104.1 miles from Blaine, MN
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 1h 53m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
I 94
149.7 mi
2h 40m
US 59
16.7 mi
19m
MN-610
12.8 mi
14m
I-94 W
12.6 mi
13m
Head Lake Road
4.7 mi
5m
South Shore Drive
2.5 mi
6m
Central Avenue Northeast
1.8 mi
2m
County Road 9
1.7 mi
4m
Longest stretch:
I 94
— 149.7 mi, about 2h 40m
Traffic on I-94
Hour-of-day weekday pattern from 20 FHWA count stations on your route.
Peak
4 PM
~2,736 veh/hr typical
· worst 3,292
Quietest
2 AM
~166 veh/hr
Peak-to-quiet ratio
16.5×
busier at peak than in the quiet hours
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Averaged across 47 weeks of 2023 FHWA Travel Monitoring Analysis System data. Weekday hours only (Mon–Fri).
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Blaine, MN and Cormorant, MN.
1
Start on MN 65
26 ft·8 sec·Central Avenue Northeast
2
Continue on MN 65
1.8 mi·2 min·Central Avenue Northeast
Use the left lane.
3
Take the exit
0.3 mi·42 sec
Toward US 10 WestUse the right lane.
4
Merge onto US 10
0.8 mi·49 sec·US 10
5
Keep slight right at fork onto MN 610
13 mi·14 min·MN-610
Use the slight right lane.
6
Merge onto I 94
13 mi·13 min·I-94 W
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
7
Keep slight left at fork onto I 94
150 mi·2 hr 40 min·I 94
8
Take the exit onto US 59
17 mi·19 min·US 59
Toward US 59 North, CH 88: Pelican Rapids, Detroit Lakes
9
Continue on US 59; MN 108
1.2 mi·1 min·North Broadway
10
Continue on US 59
4.7 mi·5 min·Head Lake Road
11
Turn left onto 215th Avenue
0.4 mi·1 min·215th Avenue
12
Continue on South Shore Drive
2.5 mi·6 min·South Shore Drive
13
Turn left onto South Pelican Drive
1.0 mi·2 min·South Pelican Drive
14
At end of road, turn right onto South Pelican Drive
0.6 mi·1 min·South Pelican Drive
15
At end of road, turn right onto CH 9
1.7 mi·4 min·County Road 9
16
Turn left onto CH 9
0.6 mi·1 min·County Highway 9
17
Continue on CR 5
0.9 mi·2 min·County Highway 5
18
Arrive at destination
CR 5
Trip Plan
To make the most of this 3h 57m drive, consider leaving in the morning to allow ample time for any unscheduled stops. With a drive of under 4 hours, you can easily complete it in one day, but if you prefer a more relaxed pace, a brief stop around the halfway point would be easy to manage. Keep an eye on your fuel gauge, especially as you transition off I 94, as services might be more spread out on the US and state highways. The estimated fuel cost is $34, so plan accordingly.
Morning Departure
An early start around 7-8 AM gets you there with plenty of daylight left.
Evening Departure
A late afternoon start means arriving after dark. Morning is better.
You can normally do this drive in one day.
Plan roughly 1 meaningful break for fuel, food, and rest.
The halfway point lands around 104.1 miles from Blaine, MN, or about 1h 53m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 149.7 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 46 miles or 51m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 104.1 miles or 1h 53m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 3h 5m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Cormorant, MN than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving Blaine, 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 Blaine, MN
This is one driving day of about 208.3 miles and 3h 57m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 46 miles from Blaine, 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 I 94 for about 149.7 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 13
5 decision points cluster between mile 1.8 and 194.6 — 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|~2m in
Take the exit toward US 10 West
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the right lane.
Toward US 10 West
6
2.9 mi into trip|~4m in|MN 610 / MN-610
Keep slight right at fork onto MN 610 / MN-610
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight right lane.
5
15.7 mi into trip|~19m in|I 94 / I-94 W
Merge onto I 94 / I-94 W
Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
5
177.9 mi into trip|~3h 12m in|US 59
Take the exit onto US 59 toward US 59 North, CH 88: Pelican Rapids, Detroit Lakes
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Toward US 59 North, CH 88: Pelican Rapids, Detr...
5
194.6 mi into trip|~3h 32m in|US 59; MN 108 / North Broadway
Enter roundabout onto US 59; MN 108 / North Broadway
Roundabout - know your exit number before entering
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$35.04 one way
$70.08 round trip
$4.27/gal25.4 MPG avg73 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.60
$37.74
$75.48
premium
$5.04
$41.30
$82.60
diesel
$5.64
$46.24
$92.49
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$35
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$60–$85
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 72.9 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-05-11.
Driving Electric?
About $22 in charging
· 0 stops
· 67% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
62.5
0
$21.87
$10.00
Efficient EV
52.1
0
$18.23
$8.33
EV Truck/SUV
83.3
1
$29.16
$13.33
Gas CO2
73 kg
EV CO2
24 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.
Forecast as of May 15, 2026
Origin
Blaine, MN
Afternoon
in Blaine on Friday
Local time
3:06 PM
CDT
Current temp
68°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
Cormorant, MN
Afternoon
in Cormorant on Friday
Local time
3:06 PM
CDT
Current temp
64°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
47°F
Avon, MN
104 mi in
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
4 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
3h 57m 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.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
You'll spend 93% of this 208.3-mile drive on highways, meaning the majority of your time will be on faster, limited-access roads. The longest continuous stretch on a single highway is 149.7 miles, all on I 94. After this, you'll transition to US 59 and MN-610. Expect a more rural feel once you leave the interstate system, with fewer exits and more open cruising.
93% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
18 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 149.7 mi on I 94.
How Hard Is This Drive?
6/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 94 and US 59. You will hit about 13 points where you need to pay attention to lane position or signs. The trickiest moment comes around 1.8 miles in.
Driving Effort6/10
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 208.3 miles you will encounter 13 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: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here; at 2.9 miles (MN 610 / MN-610): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 15.7 miles (I 94 / I-94 W): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here.
Elevation Profile
Mostly flat terrain
1,384 ft903 ft
Total Climb
603 ft
Total Descent
135 ft
Highest Point
1,384 ft
~133.9 mi in
Elevation Range
480 ft
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
Between Blaine, MN and Cormorant, MN, road signs point toward Ch 88: Pelican Rapids and Detroit Lakes.
Doable as a same-day drive at 3h 57m. Total distance: 208.3 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
3h 57m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (93%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 149.7 miles on I 94. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Yes — we found about 16 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 route has a higher-than-average number of complex decision points, which get harder in the dark. If the last hour of the trip is on surface roads or mountain grades, aim to arrive at Cormorant, 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 16 rest areas along the route for bathroom stops.
The main spots that need attention: at 1.8 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here; at 2.9 miles (MN 610 / MN-610): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 15.7 miles (I 94 / I-94 W): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here.
Possible but tiring. At 4.0 hours each way, an in-and-out day trip would put you behind the wheel for 7.9 hours — manageable with a long break at Cormorant, MN, but most travelers stay overnight.
