Blaine to Mankato is 94.8 miles and takes about 2 hours and 2 minutes via US 169, with a fuel budget near $14 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This trip stays within Minnesota, taking you south from the Midwest region. It's a straightforward drive, mostly on highways, making it a convenient option for a quick trip. You'll find it's a practical route for getting between these two points without much fuss.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.
Midpoint
47.4 miles from Blaine, MN
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 1h 2m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
US 169
63.1 mi
1h 15m
MN 100
15.3 mi
19m
Central Avenue Northeast
6.3 mi
9m
Louisville Road
2 mi
3m
I 694
1.8 mi
2m
I 494
1.5 mi
1m
South 2nd Street
0.6 mi
1m
147th Street
0.3 mi
<1m
Longest stretch:
US 169
— 63.1 mi, about 1h 15m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Blaine, MN and Mankato, 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
11 mi·13 min·US 169; MN 99
Use the straight lane.
24
Take the exit
0.2 mi·28 sec
25
Keep slight left at fork
176 ft·6 sec
26
Turn left onto Belgrade Avenue
0.1 mi·32 sec·Belgrade Avenue
27
Continue on West Mulberry Street
0.1 mi·21 sec·West Mulberry Street
28
Turn right onto North 2nd Street
497 ft·16 sec·North 2nd Street
29
Continue on South 2nd Street
0.6 mi·1 min·South 2nd Street
30
Turn right onto Van Brunt Street
134 ft·6 sec·Van Brunt Street
31
Arrive at destination
Van Brunt Street
Trip Plan
Given the 2-hour drive time, you can easily complete this trip in a single day. Leaving in the morning or early afternoon will give you plenty of daylight. With only 94.8 miles, you have flexibility with stops; consider a brief break around the halfway point if needed, though it's not strictly necessary. Keep an eye on your fuel, especially before you start, as the estimated cost is $14. Since US 169 is your primary road for a significant portion, be aware of its traffic patterns as you approach your destination.
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.
You may only need one short stretch break if traffic stays light.
The halfway point lands around 47.4 miles from Blaine, MN, or about 1h 2m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 63.1 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 21 miles or 28m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 47.4 miles or 1h 2m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 1h 39m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Mankato, 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 94.8 miles and 2h 2m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 21 miles from Blaine, MN.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
The longest stretch is on US 169 for about 63.1 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
$15.95 one way
$31.90 round trip
$4.27/gal25.4 MPG avg33 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.60
$17.18
$34.35
premium
$5.04
$18.80
$37.59
diesel
$5.64
$21.05
$42.09
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$16
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$41–$66
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 33.2 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-05-11.
EV Charging Along Route
32 DC fast chargers
· Coverage: excellent
Target - Tesla Supercharger
Minneapolis, MN
Tesla
10 DCFC
Brooklyn Park, MN Rechargery Relay @ Hy-Vee - Zane Ave North
Station data from NREL Alternative Fuel Stations database.
Driving Electric?
About $10 in charging
· 0 stops
· 67% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
28.4
0
$9.95
$4.55
Efficient EV
23.7
0
$8.30
$3.79
EV Truck/SUV
37.9
0
$13.27
$6.07
Gas CO2
33 kg
EV CO2
11 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 10, 2026
Origin
Blaine, MN
Afternoon
in Blaine on Friday
Local time
4:12 PM
CDT
Current temp
60°F
Mostly Sunny
NW 15 mph0% chanceLive forecast
Freeze Warning
Freeze Warning issued May 10 at 11:32AM CDT until May 11 at 9:00AM CDT by NWS Grand Forks ND
Destination
Mankato, MN
Afternoon
in Mankato on Friday
Local time
4:12 PM
CDT
Current temp
64°F
Sunny
NNW 10 to 15 mph0% chanceLive forecast
Freeze Warning
Freeze Warning issued May 10 at 11:32AM CDT until May 11 at 9:00AM CDT by NWS Grand Forks ND
69°F
Carver, MN
47 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 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 2m 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?
You'll be on the highway for about 86% of this 94.8-mile trip. The longest continuous stretch on a main road is 63.1 miles, all on US 169. Expect a mostly highway feel for the majority of your drive, with fewer surface road sections. You'll transition to Central Avenue Northeast at some point, indicating a shift from highway speeds to more local traffic and potential intersections.
86% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
31 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 63.1 mi on US 169.
How Hard Is This Drive?
10/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on US 169 and MN 100. 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 94.8 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.
Mankato (pronounced man-KAY-toh) is a city in Minnesota, USA, that exudes a college presence with several centers of higher learning, including Minnesota State University.
Top landmarks
•Blue Earth County Courthouse
•Federal Courthouse and Post Office — courthouse in Mankato, Minnesota, United States
•First National Bank of Mankato — building in Mankato, Minnesota, United States
Doable as a same-day drive at 2h 2m. Total distance: 94.8 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 0 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
2h 2m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (86%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 63.1 miles on US 169. 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 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 Mankato, 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. There are 2 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.
Yes. A round trip is manageable in a single day if you plan a break at Mankato, MN before heading back.
