Blaine, MN to Cross Lake, MN is 138.9 miles and takes about 2 hours 59 minutes via US Highway 169, with a fuel budget near $21 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This trip stays within Minnesota, traversing the Midwest region. It's a straightforward, highway-focused journey that's ideal for a single-day excursion. Given the relatively short distance and time commitment, this route offers a convenient way to get from point A to point B without significant hassle.
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
69.5 miles from Blaine, MN
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 1h 20m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
US Highway 169
46.6 mi
52m
US 169
26.9 mi
30m
US 10
19.4 mi
22m
CR 11
11.3 mi
15m
State Highway 6
9.4 mi
16m
MN 6
4.7 mi
8m
State Highway 18
4.3 mi
7m
County Road 11
4.1 mi
5m
Longest stretch:
US Highway 169
— 46.6 mi, about 52m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Blaine, MN and Cross Lake, 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 left at fork onto US 10
19 mi·21 min·US 10
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
6
Take the exit onto US 169
27 mi·30 min·US 169
7
Keep slight right at fork onto US 169
9.3 mi·10 min·US Highway 169
8
Continue on US 169
2.4 mi·2 min·Central Avenue
9
Continue on US 169
37 mi·42 min·US Highway 169
10
Turn left onto MN 18
4.3 mi·7 min·State Highway 18
11
Turn right onto MN 6
9.4 mi·16 min·State Highway 6
12
At end of road, turn left onto MN 6; MN 210
0.4 mi·29 sec·East Front Street
13
Turn right onto MN 6; MN 210
0.7 mi·45 sec·Archibald Road
14
Continue on MN 6; MN 210
2.3 mi·2 min·Voyageur Highway
15
Enter roundabout onto MN 6; MN 210
109 ft·1 sec·East Main Street
16
Continue on MN 6; MN 210
1.1 mi·1 min·East Main Street
17
Turn right onto MN 6
4.7 mi·8 min·MN 6
18
Turn left onto CR 11
11 mi·15 min·CR 11
19
Enter roundabout onto CR 11
121 ft·2 sec·County Road 11
20
Continue on CR 11
2.0 mi·2 min·County Road 11
21
Turn right onto CR 39
1.3 mi·3 min·County Road 39
22
Turn right onto CR 120
1.9 mi·4 min·Fawn Lake Road
23
Turn left onto CH 3; IC C
2.1 mi·2 min·County Road 11
24
Arrive at destination
CH 3; IC C
Trip Plan
With a drive of under 3 hours, this trip is easily completed in a single day, giving you flexibility on when to depart. Aim to leave in the morning to maximize daylight, especially if you prefer to avoid driving after dark. The fuel cost is estimated at $21, so ensure your tank is full before you leave Blaine, as major services can be sparse between towns. There is one recommended stop, which can be a good opportunity to stretch your legs or refuel if needed, but don't feel rushed to make it.
Morning Departure
Leave by 9 AM and you'll arrive before lunch.
Evening Departure
Even a 4 PM departure gets you there before dark in summer.
You can normally do this drive in one day.
Plan roughly 1 meaningful break for fuel, food, and rest.
The halfway point lands around 69.5 miles from Blaine, MN, or about 1h 20m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 46.6 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 31 miles or 36m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 69.5 miles or 1h 20m 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 19m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Cross Lake, 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 138.9 miles and 2h 59m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 31 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 169 for about 46.6 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 16
5 decision points cluster between mile 0 and 114.5 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
4
0 mi into trip|~0m in|MN 65 / Central Avenue Northeast
Continue onto MN 65 / Central Avenue Northeast
Lane positioning matters here
Use the left lane.
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|US 10
Keep slight left at fork onto US 10
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
4
48.4 mi into trip|~56m in|US 169 / US Highway 169
Keep slight right at fork onto US 169 / US Highway 169
Highway fork - watch signs carefully
5
114.5 mi into trip|~2h 20m in|MN 6; MN 210 / East Main Street
Enter roundabout onto MN 6; MN 210 / East Main Street
Roundabout - know your exit number before entering
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$20.67 one way
$41.34 round trip
$3.78/gal25.4 MPG avg49 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.07
$22.27
$44.55
premium
$4.53
$24.78
$49.57
diesel
$5.61
$30.67
$61.33
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$21
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$46–$71
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 48.6 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $15 in charging
· 0 stops
· 67% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
41.7
0
$14.58
$6.67
Efficient EV
34.7
0
$12.15
$5.56
EV Truck/SUV
55.6
0
$19.45
$8.89
Gas CO2
49 kg
EV CO2
16 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 Apr 18, 2026
Origin
Blaine, MN
Late night
in Blaine on Sunday
Local time
4:57 AM
CDT
Current temp
29°F
Partly Cloudy
WNW 15 mph0% chanceLive forecast
Destination
Cross Lake, MN
Late night
in Cross Lake on Sunday
Local time
4:57 AM
CDT
Current temp
37°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
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
8 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
2h 59m 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 route is an 88% highway drive, meaning you'll spend most of your time on higher-speed roads. The longest stretch without a significant change in road type is 46.6 miles, primarily on US Highway 169. You'll encounter US Highway 169 and US 10 as your main arteries. Expect a consistent, efficient drive rather than a winding, scenic tour. The profile suggests a focus on covering distance effectively.
88% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
24 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 46.6 mi on US Highway 169.
How Hard Is This Drive?
6/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on US Highway 169 and US 169. You will hit about 16 points where you need to pay attention to lane position or signs. The trickiest moment comes early in the drive near MN 65 / Central Avenue Northeast.
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 138.9 miles you will encounter 16 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: near the start (MN 65 / Central Avenue Northeast): Lane positioning matters here; at 1.8 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here; at 2.9 miles (US 10): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 2h 59m. Total distance: 138.9 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
2h 59m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (88%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 46.6 miles on US Highway 169. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
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 Cross Lake, 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: near the start (MN 65 / Central Avenue Northeast): Lane positioning matters here; at 1.8 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here; at 2.9 miles (US 10): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
Yes. A round trip is manageable in a single day if you plan a break at Cross Lake, MN before heading back.
