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Trip from Bloomington, MN to Albany, MN

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Compiled and reviewed by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Apr 21, 2026 · Editorial standards

Drive Time

1h 48m

Distance

95.2 mi

153 km

Drive Score

7/10

Good drive

Same Day?

Yes, doable

Fuel Cost

$14

one way

EV Charging

Unknown

Best Time to Leave

Save up to 24 min
4 AM
1h 41m ★
6 AM
1h 49m
8 AM
2h 5m
10 AM
1h 54m
12 PM
1h 53m
3 PM
1h 55m
5 PM
2h 4m
8 PM
1h 44m

Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.

Best Time Drive vs Fly
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Downtown Bloomington, MN, MN

Bloomington, MN

Wikimedia Commons

Downtown Albany, MN, MN

Albany, MN

Tom Fisk

Trip Overview

Bloomington, MN to Albany, MN is 95.2 miles and takes about 1h 48m via I-94, I-494, and I-35W, with a fuel budget near $14 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This is a straightforward drive through the Midwest, entirely within Minnesota, making it a convenient option for a quick trip. You'll be on highways for nearly the entire journey, so expect a consistent pace. With a drive time under two hours, this route is perfectly suited for a same-day excursion, allowing you to reach your destination without an overnight stay.

Trip Pace

Same-day drive is realistic

A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.

Midpoint

47.6 miles from Bloomington, MN

A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 56m into the drive .

Main Roads

Road Distance Duration
I 94 70 mi 1h 15m
I 494 21.7 mi 27m
I 35W 0.8 mi 1m
Railroad Avenue 0.2 mi <1m
8th Street South 0.2 mi <1m
West 90th Street <0.1 mi <1m
Longest stretch: I 94 — 70 mi, about 1h 15m

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between Bloomington, MN and Albany, MN.

1

Start on West 90th Street

163 ft · 10 sec · West 90th Street
2

Take the ramp

0.2 mi · 22 sec
Toward I 35W North
3

Merge onto I 35W

0.8 mi · 1 min · I 35W
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
4

Take the exit

0.3 mi · 37 sec
Exit 8B-C Toward I 494 East, MN 5 East Use the straight / slight right lanes.
5

Keep slight left at fork

0.8 mi · 1 min
Toward I 494 West, MN 5 West
6

Merge onto I 494; MN 5

5.8 mi · 7 min · I 494; MN 5
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
7

Keep slight left at fork onto I 494; MN 5

16 mi · 19 min · I 494; MN 5
Use the straight / right lanes.
8

Keep slight left at fork

0.6 mi · 49 sec
Exit 27 Toward I 94 West: Saint Cloud Use the slight left / slight right lanes.
9

Continue on I 94

17 mi · 18 min · I 94
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
10

Keep slight left at fork onto I 94

53 mi · 57 min · I 94
11

Take the exit

0.3 mi · 38 sec
Toward MN 238, CR 10: Albany
12

Turn right onto MN 238

0.2 mi · 21 sec · 8th Street South
13

Turn right onto MN 238

0.2 mi · 21 sec · Railroad Avenue
14

Arrive at destination

MN 238

Trip Plan

Given the short duration of just under two hours, you have a lot of flexibility with departure times. Leaving Bloomington, MN in the morning or early afternoon should easily get you to Albany, MN before evening. You won't need to worry about extensive fuel stops, as the estimated cost is only $14 and the longest stretch is manageable. Keep an eye on traffic conditions around the Minneapolis-St. Paul metro area, especially if departing during peak hours, as this can add unexpected delays to your 1h 48m estimate.

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 47.6 miles from Bloomington, MN, or about 56m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 70 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 27m in

Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.

Halfway reset

Around 47.6 miles or 56m 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 29m

Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Albany, MN than in the middle of the route.

Before You Leave

+

Open the route before leaving Bloomington, MN so your first major turns are already loaded.

Day 1

Settle into the route from Bloomington, MN

This is one driving day of about 95.2 miles and 1h 48m.

Your first comfortable stop window is around 21 miles from Bloomington, MN.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
The longest stretch is on I 94 for about 70 miles.

Where to Stop

Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.

city in Sherburne County, Minnesota, United States

Mid-route town

Meal stop

Big Lake, MN

48 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

Plymouth, MN

Fuel and coffee

A short stop after about 21 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.

Big Lake, MN

Meal break

The midpoint is around 47.6 miles from Bloomington, MN, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.

Before the longest stretch

Fuel check

Top up before I 94 if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 70 miles.

These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.

Stops Along Your Drive

Picked by where they fit in your drive — first break, midpoint reset, final stretch.

Best meal stop · early in the drive

Maynard's Restaurant of Rogers

4.5 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Rogers, Minnesota

Around the midpoint, right off the route

Early stretch · 39min in 0.6 mi from route ~2 min detour $20 to $30

Hours: 11 am–11 pm

+17634280700

Visit website

Best coffee break · home stretch

The Mill

4.8 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Albany, Minnesota

Near the end, right off the route

Home stretch · 0min to go 0.2 mi from route $10 to $20

Hours: 6 am–3 pm

+13208456455

Visit website

Munkabeans Coffeehouse

4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Hopkins, Minnesota

2.2 mi

Maynard's Restaurant of Rogers

4.5 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Around the midpoint, right off the route

Early stretch 0.6 mi from route ~2 min detour $20 to $30

Rogers, Minnesota

Hours: 11 am–11 pm

+17634280700

Visit website

Patrick's Bakery & Cafe

4.4 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Near the start, short detour

3.2 mi from route ~8 min detour $20 to $30

Richfield, Minnesota

Hours: 7 am–10 pm

+16128617570

Visit website

Lynde’s Restaurant & Catering

4.5 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Early in the drive, ~10 min detour

Early stretch 4.1 mi from route ~10 min detour $10 to $20

Osseo, Minnesota

Hours: 6 am–2 pm

+17634243696

Visit website

Nawal Restaurant

4.4 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Near the start, ~11 min detour

4.4 mi from route ~11 min detour $10 to $20

Burnsville, Minnesota

Hours: 6 am–9 pm

+19524566701

The Mill

4.8 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, right off the route

Home stretch 0.2 mi from route $10 to $20

Albany, Minnesota

Hours: 6 am–3 pm

+13208456455

Visit website

Munkabeans Coffeehouse

4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, short detour

First break 2.2 mi from route ~6 min detour $10 to $20

Hopkins, Minnesota

Hours: 6:30 am–5 pm

+19529389056

Visit website

District Coffee

4.9 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Later in the drive, ~10 min detour

Final third 4 mi from route ~10 min detour $10 to $20

St Cloud, Minnesota

Hours: 6:30 am–2:30 pm

+13203422040

Visit website

Missing Pieces Escape Games

4.9 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, short detour

First break 2.2 mi from route ~6 min detour

Edina, Minnesota

Hours: 12–7:30 pm

+19526588974

Visit website

Playground Plaza

4.3 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Early in the drive, short detour

Early stretch 2.6 mi from route ~7 min detour

Maple Grove, Minnesota

Hours: 7 am–9 pm

+17632283833

Visit website

Granite City Jump

4.4 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Later in the drive, ~11 min detour

Final third 4.5 mi from route ~11 min detour

St Cloud, Minnesota

Hours: 10 am–8 pm

+13203422148

Visit website

Place data sourced from public business listings. Hours and availability may vary.

Heads-up: tricky spots

5 of 11

5 decision points cluster between mile 0 and 23.9 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.

6
0 mi into trip | ~0m in

Take the ramp toward I 35W North

Complex interchange - multiple decisions in a short stretch

Toward I 35W North
8
1.1 mi into trip | ~1m in

Take the exit toward I 494 East, MN 5 East

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 8B-C Toward I 494 East, MN 5 East
6
1.3 mi into trip | ~2m in

Keep slight left at fork toward I 494 West, MN 5 West

Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one

Toward I 494 West, MN 5 West
6
8 mi into trip | ~11m in | I 494; MN 5

Keep slight left at fork onto I 494; MN 5

Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here

Use the straight / right lanes.
8
23.9 mi into trip | ~31m in

Keep slight left at fork toward I 94 West: Saint Cloud

Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here

Use the slight left / slight right lanes. Exit 27 Toward I 94 West: Saint Cloud

Fuel & Cost

Regular Gas

$14.17 one way

$28.34 round trip

$3.78/gal 25.4 MPG avg 33 kg CO2
Fuel Type $/gal One Way Round Trip
midgrade $4.07 $15.27 $30.53
premium $4.53 $16.99 $33.97
diesel $5.61 $21.02 $42.04

No toll roads detected on this route.

Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)

Fuel

$14

Meals

$25–$50

Total

$39–$64

Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.

Estimated CO2 emission: 33.3 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.

Driving Electric?

About $10 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO2

Vehicle Type kWh Stops DC Fast Home Charge
Average EV 28.6 0 $10.00 $4.57
Efficient EV 23.8 0 $8.33 $3.81
EV Truck/SUV 38.1 0 $13.33 $6.09

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 Apr 20, 2026

Origin

Bloomington, MN

Late night in Bloomington on Tuesday

Local time

5:49 AM

CDT

Current temp

58°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

Destination

Albany, MN

Late night in Albany on Tuesday

Local time

5:49 AM

CDT

Current temp

54°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

4 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

1h 48m 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-focused, with 97% of the drive utilizing major interstates like I-94, I-494, and I-35W. You'll experience a continuous stretch of up to 70 miles on I-94, allowing for a steady and efficient journey. The character of the drive is consistently that of a high-speed corridor, minimizing any need to navigate local roads or slower traffic. Expect a predictable driving experience from start to finish, with ample opportunities for passing and maintaining speed.

97% 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: 70 mi on I 94.

How Hard Is This Drive?

9/10

This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 94 and I 494. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes early in the drive.

Driving Effort 9/10

Demanding - stay alert through the decision-heavy sections

Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.

This drive requires moderate attention. Across 95.2 miles you will encounter 11 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: Complex interchange - multiple decisions in a short stretch; at 1.1 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 1.3 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.

About the Cities

Starting in Bloomington, MN

Full guide →

Founded 1843

Bloomington, Minnesota is a suburb of Minneapolis. It is near the Minneapolis-St. Paul International Airport (MSP IATA) and home to the Mall of America, the United States' largest shopping mall. Bloomington has a population of 89,000 people (as of 2021). Bloomington was established as a post–World War II housing boom suburb connected to Minneapolis's urban street grid, and is served by two major freeways: Interstate 35W and Interstate 494.

Top landmarks

  • • Nickelodeon Universe — amusement park inside Mall of America
  • • SpongeBob SquarePants Rock Bottom Plunge — amusement ride
  • • SEA LIFE Minnesota Aquarium

City content from Wikivoyage (CC BY-SA 4.0) and Wikidata (CC0).

Who Is This Route For?

Weekend Trip

Doable as a same-day drive at 1h 48m. Total distance: 95.2 miles.

Family Friendly

Moderate complexity with 0 natural rest stops along the way.

Solo Traveler

1h 48m drive, comfortable solo distance.

First-Time Driver

Mostly highway driving (97%). Some complex stretches to watch for.

Frequently Asked Questions

The longest stretch is about 70 miles on I 94. 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 Albany, MN before sunset when you can. Check the Trip Plan for departure windows that land you in daylight.

Yes. At under 2 hours behind the wheel, this works well for families — plan one quick stop if you have younger kids.

The main spots that need attention: near the start: Complex interchange - multiple decisions in a short stretch; at 1.1 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 1.3 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.

Yes. A round trip is manageable in a single day if you plan a break at Albany, 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, and EIA for fuel prices. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.

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