Blaine to Jackson is 170 miles and takes about 3h 32m via US 169, with a fuel budget near $28 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This trip stays within Minnesota, traversing the Midwest region. It's a straightforward drive, mostly on well-established highways, making it a convenient option for a single-day excursion. You'll find the route practical for getting from point A to point B without extensive planning.
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
85 miles from Blaine, MN
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 1h 48m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
US 169
103 mi
2h 3m
State Highway 4
17.8 mi
22m
MN 100
15.3 mi
19m
I 90
13.3 mi
14m
Central Avenue Northeast
6.3 mi
9m
70th Avenue
3 mi
3m
Louisville Road
2 mi
3m
I 694
1.8 mi
2m
Longest stretch:
US 169
— 103 mi, about 2h 3m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Blaine, MN and Jackson, 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
15 mi·19 min·MN 100
Use the straight / right lanes.
8
Take the exit
0.4 mi·49 sec
Toward I 494 West, MN 5 WestUse the slight right lane.
9
Merge onto I 494; MN 5
1.5 mi·1 min·I 494; MN 5
10
Take the exit
0.3 mi·35 sec
Exit 10AToward US 169 South, US 169 NorthUse the straight / slight right lanes.
11
Keep slight left at fork
0.5 mi·57 sec
Toward US 169 SouthUse the slight left lane.
12
Merge onto US 169
13 mi·15 min·US 169
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
13
Take the exit
0.3 mi·35 sec
Exit 106Toward MN 41, CR 78: Chestnut BoulevardUse the straight / slight right lanes.
14
Keep slight left at fork
226 ft·7 sec
Toward CR 78: Chestnut BoulevardUse the left lane.
15
Continue on CR 78
0.2 mi·25 sec·County Road 78
16
Turn right onto Louisville Road
2.0 mi·3 min·Louisville Road
17
Turn right onto 147th Street
0.3 mi·43 sec·147th Street
18
Turn left onto Red Rock Drive
0.3 mi·34 sec·Red Rock Drive
19
Take the ramp
261 ft·7 sec
Toward US 169 South
20
Merge onto US 169
11 mi·12 min·US 169
Use the straight lane.
21
Continue on US 169
3.8 mi·4 min·US 169
Use the straight lane.
22
Continue on US 169
24 mi·29 min·US 169
Use the straight lane.
23
Continue on US 169; MN 99
14 mi·18 min·US 169; MN 99
Use the straight lane.
24
Continue on US 169; MN 60
37 mi·42 min·US 169; MN 60
Use the straight lane.
25
Take the exit
0.3 mi·41 sec
Toward MN 4 South, CR 57: Sherburn
26
Turn left onto MN 4
14 mi·18 min·State Highway 4
Use the straight lane.
27
Continue on MN 4
0.1 mi·20 sec·Broadway Avenue South
28
Continue on MN 4
3.7 mi·4 min·State Highway 4
29
Continue on MN 4
3.0 mi·3 min·70th Avenue
30
Take the ramp
0.3 mi·35 sec
Toward I 90 West: Jackson
31
Merge onto I 90
13 mi·14 min·I 90
32
Take the exit
0.2 mi·29 sec
Toward US 71: Jackson, Windom
33
Turn left onto US 71
1.5 mi·3 min·US 71
34
Arrive at destination
US 71; CR 34
Trip Plan
Given the 3h 32m estimated drive time, departing in the morning from Blaine, MN, is ideal to maximize daylight. With only one recommended stop and a highway-dominant profile, you have flexibility in when and where you choose to pause. The longest stretch without a significant change in road type is 103 miles on US 169, so plan your fuel and rest breaks accordingly before hitting that segment. The estimated fuel cost of $28 should help with budgeting for gas.
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 85 miles from Blaine, MN, or about 1h 48m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 103 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 37 miles or 48m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 85 miles or 1h 48m 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 54m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Jackson, 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 170 miles and 3h 32m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 37 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 169 for about 103 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 21
5 decision points cluster between mile 8.7 and 40.8 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
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
7
24.5 mi into trip|~32m in
Take the exit toward I 494 West, MN 5 West
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the slight right lane.
Toward I 494 West, MN 5 West
8
26.4 mi into trip|~35m in
Take the exit toward US 169 South, US 169 North
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Exit 10A
Toward US 169 South, US 169 North
8
40.5 mi into trip|~52m in
Take the exit toward MN 41, CR 78: Chestnut Boulevard
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Exit 106
Toward MN 41, CR 78: Chestnut Boulevard
8
40.8 mi into trip|~52m in
Keep slight left at fork toward CR 78: Chestnut Boulevard
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the left lane.
Toward CR 78: Chestnut Boulevard
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$28.60 one way
$57.20 round trip
$4.27/gal25.4 MPG avg60 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.60
$30.80
$61.60
premium
$5.04
$33.71
$67.41
diesel
$5.64
$37.74
$75.48
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$29
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$54–$79
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 59.5 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-05-11.
Driving Electric?
About $18 in charging
· 0 stops
· 66% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
51
0
$17.85
$8.16
Efficient EV
42.5
0
$14.88
$6.80
EV Truck/SUV
68
0
$23.80
$10.88
Gas CO2
59 kg
EV CO2
20 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 May 15, 2026
Origin
Blaine, MN
Afternoon
in Blaine on Friday
Local time
3:11 PM
CDT
Current temp
68°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
Jackson, MN
Afternoon
in Jackson on Friday
Local time
3:11 PM
CDT
Current temp
69°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
68°F
Jordan, MN
85 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
1 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 32m 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?
This drive is primarily on highways, with 91% of the 170 miles on high-speed roads like US 169. You'll experience a 103-mile stretch on US 169 before transitioning to State Highway 4 and MN 100. Expect a good amount of highway cruising with frequent exits in the initial sections.
91% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
34 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 103 mi on US 169.
How Hard Is This Drive?
10/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on US 169 and State Highway 4. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 8.7 miles in.
Driving Effort10/10
High effort - long or complex enough to need steady focus all day
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This is a demanding drive. With 21 significant decision points across 170 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 8.7 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here; at 24.5 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 26.4 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
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 Blaine, MN to Jackson, MN, road signs begin pointing toward Cr 57: Sherburn along the way.
Doable as a same-day drive at 3h 32m. Total distance: 170 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
3h 32m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (91%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 103 miles on US 169. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Yes — we found about 4 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 Jackson, 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 4 rest areas along the route for bathroom stops.
The main spots that need attention: at 8.7 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here; at 24.5 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 26.4 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Possible but tiring. At 3.5 hours each way, an in-and-out day trip would put you behind the wheel for 7.1 hours — manageable with a long break at Jackson, MN, but most travelers stay overnight.
