If you are planning a trip from Blaine to Cottonwood, you are looking at a straightforward 152.9-mile journey across Minnesota. Expect to spend about 3 hours and 17 minutes behind the wheel, making this a perfect candidate for a single-day excursion. With a modest fuel budget of approximately $22, the drive is highly economical for those moving between these two Midwest locations. Because the route is compact, you won't need to worry about booking an overnight stay unless you prefer a slower pace. The trip is primarily highway-focused, ensuring a consistent experience as you transition from the metro area toward the southwestern part of the state.
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
76.4 miles from Blaine, MN
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 1h 36m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
US Highway 212
71.8 mi
1h 34m
US 212
41 mi
48m
State Highway 23/67
14.9 mi
18m
MN 100
13 mi
16m
Central Avenue Northeast
6.3 mi
9m
I 694
1.8 mi
2m
Crosstown Highway
1.7 mi
2m
Barstad Road
0.6 mi
1m
Longest stretch:
US Highway 212
— 71.8 mi, about 1h 34m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Blaine, MN and Cottonwood, MN.
1
Start on MN 65
26 ft·8 sec·Central Avenue Northeast
2
Continue on MN 65
6.3 mi·8 min·Central Avenue Northeast
Use the left lane.
3
Continue on MN 65
300 ft·5 sec·Central Avenue Northeast
Use the left lane.
4
Take the exit
0.5 mi·1 min
Toward I 694 WestUse the straight / slight right lanes.
5
Merge onto I 694
1.8 mi·2 min·I 694
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
6
Take the exit
0.6 mi·1 min
Exit 35AToward MN 100Use the straight / slight right lanes.
7
Continue on MN 100
13 mi·16 min·MN 100
Use the straight / right lanes.
8
Take the exit
0.5 mi·1 min
Toward MN 62 WestUse the straight / slight right lanes.
9
Merge onto MN 62
1.7 mi·2 min·Crosstown Highway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
10
Take the exit onto US 212
4.6 mi·5 min·US 212
Exit 106AToward US 212Use the slight right lane.
11
Keep slight left at fork onto US 212
36 mi·43 min·US 212
Use the slight left lane.
12
Enter roundabout onto US 212
145 ft·2 sec·US Highway 212
13
Continue on US 212
72 mi·1 hr 34 min·US Highway 212
14
Turn left onto MN 23; MN 67
15 mi·18 min·State Highway 23/67
15
Turn right onto CR 10
0.1 mi·20 sec·390th Street
16
At end of road, turn left onto CR 32
0.6 mi·1 min·Barstad Road
17
Turn right onto CR 10
455 ft·12 sec·Main Street
18
Arrive at destination
CR 10
Trip Plan
Since this is a manageable 3-hour and 17-minute drive, you have plenty of flexibility regarding your departure time. Aim to leave during off-peak hours to ensure your trek remains stress-free and consistent. You only need to plan for one major stop, which is ideal for refueling or grabbing a quick snack to stay sharp. Given the $22 fuel estimate, it is wise to check your levels before heading out to avoid unnecessary stops in more rural stretches. Keep an eye on the transition between US Highway 212 and State Highway 23/67, as navigating these shifts will be the most important part of your route planning.
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 76.4 miles from Blaine, MN, or about 1h 36m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 71.8 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 34 miles or 44m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 76.4 miles or 1h 36m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 2h 40m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Cottonwood, 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 152.9 miles and 3h 17m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 34 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 US Highway 212 for about 71.8 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 6.3 and 29 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
6
6.3 mi into trip|~9m in
Take the exit toward I 694 West
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Toward I 694 West
7
8.7 mi into trip|~12m in
Take the exit toward MN 100
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Exit 35A
Toward MN 100
6
22.3 mi into trip|~29m in
Take the exit toward MN 62 West
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Toward MN 62 West
7
24.4 mi into trip|~32m in|US 212
Take the exit onto US 212 toward US 212
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight right lane.
Exit 106A
Toward US 212
6
29 mi into trip|~38m in|US 212
Keep slight left at fork onto US 212
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight left lane.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$22.75 one way
$45.51 round trip
$3.78/gal25.4 MPG avg54 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.07
$24.52
$49.04
premium
$4.53
$27.28
$54.56
diesel
$5.61
$33.76
$67.52
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$23
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$48–$73
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 53.5 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $16 in charging
· 0 stops
· 66% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
45.9
0
$16.05
$7.34
Efficient EV
38.2
0
$13.38
$6.12
EV Truck/SUV
61.2
0
$21.41
$9.79
Gas CO2
53 kg
EV CO2
18 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.
Forecast as of Apr 18, 2026
Origin
Blaine, MN
Night
in Blaine on Saturday
Local time
11:41 PM
CDT
Current temp
29°F
Partly Cloudy
WNW 15 mph0% chanceLive forecast
Destination
Cottonwood, MN
Night
in Cottonwood on Saturday
Local time
11:41 PM
CDT
Current temp
46°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
47°F
Jordan, MN
76 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
17 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
3h 17m on the road
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.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
This 152.9-mile route is heavily centered on highway travel, with 93% of your time spent on major thoroughfares. You will navigate via US Highway 212 and State Highway 23/67, which provide a steady, reliable pace for the duration of your trip. The longest uninterrupted section covers 71.8 miles on US Highway 212, allowing you to settle into a comfortable rhythm on the open road. While the drive is efficient, you should be prepared for the transition from faster highways to the specific state road segments near your destination. Overall, it offers a functional and predictable driving experience that avoids the complexity of winding local backroads.
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: 71.8 mi on US Highway 212.
How Hard Is This Drive?
7/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on US Highway 212 and US 212. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 6.3 miles in.
Driving Effort7/10
Demanding - plan breaks and stay ahead of the key maneuvers
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This is a demanding drive. With 13 significant decision points across 152.9 miles, you will need to stay alert - especially through interchange areas and urban stretches. Consider splitting it into segments if you are not comfortable with fast highway navigation.
Where does it get tricky?
The main spots that need attention: at 6.3 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here; at 8.7 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here; at 22.3 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here.
Elevation Profile
Mostly flat terrain
1,090 ft858 ft
Total Climb
273 ft
Total Descent
96 ft
Highest Point
1,090 ft
~98.3 mi in
Elevation Range
231 ft
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 3h 17m. Total distance: 152.9 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
3h 17m 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 71.8 miles on US Highway 212. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
We did not find dedicated rest areas on this route. For a drive this long, plan bathroom and stretch breaks around gas stations, fast-food stops, or small-town downtowns — check the Nearby Places section for options.
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 Cottonwood, 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. Dedicated rest areas are limited, so plan gas or food stops as your bathroom breaks.
The main spots that need attention: at 6.3 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here; at 8.7 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here; at 22.3 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here.
Possible but tiring. At 3.3 hours each way, an in-and-out day trip would put you behind the wheel for 6.6 hours — manageable with a long break at Cottonwood, MN, but most travelers stay overnight.
