Blaine to Olivia is 109.3 miles and takes about 2h 17m via US Highway 212, with a fuel budget near $18 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This trip stays within Minnesota, moving from the Midwest region to another part of the Midwest. It's a straightforward drive, mostly on a single main highway, making it a simple transit between two points. You'll likely find it a practical choice for getting from one town to the other without much fuss or complication.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.
Midpoint
54.7 miles from Blaine, MN
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 1h 9m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
US Highway 212
43.9 mi
55m
US 212
41 mi
48m
MN 100
13 mi
16m
Central Avenue Northeast
6.3 mi
9m
I 694
1.8 mi
2m
Crosstown Highway
1.7 mi
2m
West Lincoln Avenue
—
—
Some road-level metrics are being recalculated.
Longest stretch:
US Highway 212
— 43.9 mi, about 55m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Blaine, MN and Olivia, 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
44 mi·55 min·US Highway 212
14
Arrive at destination
US 212
Trip Plan
Given this is a shorter drive of under 2.5 hours, you can easily complete it in a single day. Leaving in the morning or early afternoon will give you plenty of daylight. You won't need many stops, but it's always wise to take a break every couple of hours. Consider filling up your fuel tank before you leave Blaine, as the estimated $18 fuel cost is based on the entire trip, and prices can vary. Since the drive is relatively brief, you have the flexibility to depart at your convenience.
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 54.7 miles from Blaine, MN, or about 1h 9m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 43.9 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 32m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 54.7 miles or 1h 9m 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 52m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Olivia, 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 109.3 miles and 2h 17m.
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 Highway 212 for about 43.9 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 9
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
$17.31 one way
$34.61 round trip
$4.02/gal25.4 MPG avg38 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.28
$18.43
$36.86
premium
$4.85
$20.86
$41.72
diesel
$5.60
$24.09
$48.19
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$17
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$42–$67
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 38.2 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-08-31.
Driving Electric?
About $11 in charging
· 0 stops
· 66% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
32.8
0
$11.48
$5.25
Efficient EV
27.3
0
$9.56
$4.37
EV Truck/SUV
43.7
0
$15.30
$7.00
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.
Forecast as of Sep 1, 2026
Origin
Blaine, MN
Night
in Blaine on Tuesday
Local time
11:22 PM
CDT
Current temp
63°F
Mostly Clear
0 mph0% chanceLive forecast
Destination
Olivia, MN
Night
in Olivia on Tuesday
Local time
11:22 PM
CDT
Current temp
61°F
Mostly Clear
0 mph0% chanceLive 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
2 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 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 drive is 91% highway, meaning you'll spend most of your time on major roadways. The longest stretch without a significant change in road type is 43.9 miles on US Highway 212. You'll transition from highway driving to surface roads as you approach Olivia, which will feel different after cruising at higher speeds for an extended period. Expect the majority of your travel to be on US Highway 212.
91% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
14 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 43.9 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 9 significant decision points across 109.3 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.
Doable as a same-day drive at 2h 17m. Total distance: 109.3 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 0 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
2h 17m 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 43.9 miles on US Highway 212. 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 Olivia, 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 6.3 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.
Yes. A round trip is manageable in a single day if you plan a break at Olivia, MN before heading back.
