Origin
Blaine, MN
Morning in Blaine on Tuesday
Local time
7:02 AM
CDT
Current temp
59°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Blaine, MN to Marion, MN
Pin this tripCompiled and reviewed by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Apr 21, 2026 · Editorial standards
Drive Time
2h 13m
Distance
108.2 mi
174 km
Drive Score
8/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$16
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
2h 4m
★
6 AM
2h 13m
8 AM
2h 32m
10 AM
2h 20m
12 PM
2h 18m
3 PM
2h 21m
5 PM
2h 31m
8 PM
2h 8m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Blaine, MN
Wikimedia Commons
Marion, MN
Semih Başaran
Trip Overview
Blaine to Marion is 108.2 miles and takes about 2h 13m via US 52, with a fuel budget near $16 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This trip stays within Minnesota, traversing the Midwest region. Given its relatively short distance and mostly highway profile, it's a straightforward drive suitable for a single day. You'll spend most of your time on major highways, making it an efficient option for getting between these two points. Plan for a smooth and uncomplicated transit.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.
Midpoint
54.1 miles from Blaine, MN
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h 5m into the drive .
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| US 52 | 65.3 mi | 1h 16m |
| Lafayette Freeway | 13.3 mi | 16m |
| US 10 | 11.1 mi | 12m |
| County 14 Boulevard | 5.8 mi | 9m |
| Voyageur Highway | 5.5 mi | 6m |
| County 9 Boulevard | 4.1 mi | 5m |
| Central Avenue Northeast | 1.9 mi | 2m |
| County 24 Boulevard | 0.1 mi | <1m |
Longest stretch:
US 52
— 65.3 mi, about 1h 16m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Blaine, MN and Marion, MN.
1
Start on MN 65
26 ft
·
8 sec
·
Central Avenue Northeast
2
Continue on MN 65
1.9 mi
·
2 min
·
Central Avenue Northeast
Use the left lane.
3
Take the exit
0.3 mi
·
44 sec
Toward US 10 East
Use the straight / right lanes.
4
Merge onto US 10
4.1 mi
·
4 min
·
US 10
Use the straight / slight left lanes.
5
Take the exit onto US 10
0.6 mi
·
55 sec
·
US 10
Exit 28A
Toward US 10 East: Saint Paul
Use the slight right lane.
6
Continue on US 10
1.9 mi
·
2 min
·
US 10
7
Keep slight left at fork onto US 10
3.9 mi
·
4 min
·
US 10
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
8
Keep slight right at fork onto US 10
5.5 mi
·
6 min
·
Voyageur Highway
Exit 46
Toward US 10 East, I 35 South: St Paul
Use the slight right lane.
9
Keep slight left at fork onto US 10
0.6 mi
·
36 sec
·
US 10
Exit 107A
Toward US 10 East, I 94 East, US 52 South: 10th Street, Wacouta Street
Use the slight left / straight lanes.
10
Take the exit onto US 52
0.3 mi
·
38 sec
·
US 52
Exit 242D
Toward US 52
Use the slight right lane.
11
Merge onto US 52
13 mi
·
16 min
·
Lafayette Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
12
Keep slight right at fork onto US 52
21 mi
·
24 min
·
US 52
Toward Rochester
Use the straight lane.
13
Take the exit
0.3 mi
·
40 sec
Exit 96
Toward CR 24: Cannon Falls
14
Enter roundabout onto CR 24
26 ft
·
0 sec
·
County 24 Boulevard
15
Continue on CR 24
0.1 mi
·
19 sec
·
County 24 Boulevard
16
Enter roundabout onto CR 14
221 ft
·
6 sec
·
County 14 Boulevard
17
Continue on CR 14
5.8 mi
·
9 min
·
County 14 Boulevard
18
Turn left onto CR 9
4.1 mi
·
5 min
·
County 9 Boulevard
19
Take the ramp
0.2 mi
·
42 sec
Toward US 52 South
20
Merge onto US 52
17 mi
·
19 min
·
US 52
Use the straight lane.
21
Continue on US 52
27 mi
·
32 min
·
US 52
Use the straight lane.
22
Turn left onto 54th Street Southeast
0.1 mi
·
31 sec
·
54th Street Southeast
23
Turn left onto 65th Avenue Southeast
58 ft
·
4 sec
·
65th Avenue Southeast
24
Turn right
68 ft
·
5 sec
25
Arrive at destination
Trip Plan
For this 2h 13m drive, leaving in the morning allows you to arrive with plenty of daylight. Since it's a single-day trip of just over 100 miles, you have flexibility with stops; however, consider a quick break around the halfway point to stay fresh. The $16 fuel cost is a good estimate, so ensure your tank is adequately filled before departing Blaine. Keep an eye out for the transition from highway to surface roads as you get closer to Marion, as this will likely involve more local traffic and slower speeds.
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 54.1 miles from Blaine, MN, or about 1h 5m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 65.3 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 24 miles or 29m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 54.1 miles or 1h 5m 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 49m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Marion, 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 108.2 miles and 2h 13m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 24 miles from Blaine, MN.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
The longest stretch is on US 52 for about 65.3 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Mid-route town
Meal stop
54 mi into the route
Best for: Lunch, fuel, and a longer reset
This sits close to the middle of the route, so it works well for the longest stop of the day.
Pacing Suggestions
Fuel and coffee
A short stop after about 24 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 54.1 miles from Blaine, MN, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Before the longest stretch
Fuel checkTop up before US 52 if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 65.3 miles.
These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.
Heads-up: tricky spots
5 of 195 decision points cluster between mile 6.4 and 32.5 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
7
6.4 mi into trip
|
~8m in
|
US 10
Take the exit onto US 10 toward US 10 East: Saint Paul
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight right lane.
Exit 28A
Toward US 10 East: Saint Paul
9
12.8 mi into trip
|
~15m in
|
US 10 / Voyageur Highway
Keep slight right at fork onto US 10 / Voyageur Highway toward US 10 East, I 35 South: St Paul
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the slight right lane.
Exit 46
Toward US 10 East, I 35 South: St Paul
9
18.3 mi into trip
|
~22m in
|
US 10
Keep slight left at fork onto US 10 toward US 10 East, I 94 East, US 52 South: 10th Street, Wacouta Street
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the slight left / straight lanes.
Exit 107A
Toward US 10 East, I 94 East, US 52 South: 10th...
7
18.9 mi into trip
|
~23m in
|
US 52
Take the exit onto US 52 toward US 52
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight right lane.
Exit 242D
Toward US 52
7
32.5 mi into trip
|
~40m in
|
US 52
Keep slight right at fork onto US 52 toward Rochester
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight lane.
Toward Rochester
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$16.10 one way
$32.20 round trip
$3.78/gal
25.4 MPG avg
38 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.07 | $17.35 | $34.70 |
| premium | $4.53 | $19.31 | $38.61 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $23.89 | $47.78 |
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: 37.9 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $11 in charging · 0 stops · 66% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 32.5 | 0 | $11.36 | $5.19 |
| Efficient EV | 27.1 | 0 | $9.47 | $4.33 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 43.3 | 0 | $15.15 | $6.92 |
Gas CO2
38 kg
EV CO2
13 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.
Destination
Marion, MN
Morning in Marion on Tuesday
Local time
7:02 AM
CDT
Current temp
56°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
40°F
Vermillion, MN
54 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
3 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
2h 13m 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.
What kind of drive is this?
This route is predominantly highway driving, with 83% of the 108.2 miles on major roads like US 52 and Lafayette Freeway. You'll encounter your longest continuous stretch on US 52 for 65.3 miles. The remaining 17% of the drive will be on surface roads, likely with more frequent intersections as you approach your destination. Expect urban merging as you navigate through or near populated areas.
83% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
25 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 65.3 mi on US 52.
How Hard Is This Drive?
10/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on US 52 and Lafayette Freeway. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 6.4 miles in near US 10.
Driving Effort
10/10
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 19 significant decision points across 108.2 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 6.4 miles (US 10): Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here; at 12.8 miles (US 10 / Voyageur Highway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 18.3 miles (US 10): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Elevation Profile
Mostly flat terrain
1,226 ft
900 ft
Total Climb
540 ft
Total Descent
309 ft
Highest Point
1,226 ft
~69.5 mi in
Elevation Range
326 ft
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
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 Marion, MN, road signs point toward Rochester and Cr 24: Cannon Falls.
Rochester
32.5 mi in
|
~40m
|
via US 52
Cr 24: Cannon Falls
53.5 mi in
|
~1h 4m
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 2h 13m. Total distance: 108.2 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 0 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
2h 13m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (83%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 65.3 miles on US 52. 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 Marion, 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. Dedicated rest areas are limited, so plan gas or food stops as your bathroom breaks.
The main spots that need attention: at 6.4 miles (US 10): Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here; at 12.8 miles (US 10 / Voyageur Highway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 18.3 miles (US 10): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. 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 Marion, MN before heading back.
How this page is built
Compiled by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy from open government datasets — OSRM over OpenStreetMap for geometry, EIA for fuel prices, and USGS 3DEP for elevation. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.
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