Bloomington, MN to Baudette, MN is 328.2 miles and takes about 6h 48m via US 10 and Highway 72 Northeast, with a fuel budget near $49 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This drive stays within Minnesota, traversing the Midwest region. Expect a mostly highway experience for the majority of the trip. With only one recommended stop and a duration under seven hours, this route is well-suited for a single-day excursion, allowing you to reach your destination without needing to break up the drive overnight.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is possible, but it will make for a full day on the road.
Break Rhythm
1 planned break
Plan on a short reset every 3 to 4 hours to stay fresh behind the wheel.
Midpoint
164.1 miles from Bloomington, MN
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 3h 17m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
US 10
85.9 mi
1h 39m
Highway 72 Northeast
43.2 mi
56m
State Highway 64 Southwest
33.7 mi
42m
State 64
28.6 mi
35m
Voyageur Highway
25 mi
31m
I 94
22.6 mi
24m
I 494
21.7 mi
27m
US 71
14.2 mi
18m
Longest stretch:
US 10
— 85.9 mi, about 1h 39m
Traffic on I-94
Hour-of-day weekday pattern from 15 FHWA count stations on your route.
Peak
4 PM
~4,045 veh/hr typical
· worst 4,756
Quietest
2 AM
~185 veh/hr
Peak-to-quiet ratio
21.9×
busier at peak than in the quiet hours
12a6anoon6p11p
Averaged across 47 weeks of 2023 FHWA Travel Monitoring Analysis System data. Weekday hours only (Mon–Fri).
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Bloomington, MN and Baudette, 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-CToward I 494 East, MN 5 EastUse 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 27Toward I 94 West: Saint CloudUse 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
6.0 mi·6 min·I 94
11
Take the exit
0.4 mi·52 sec
12
Turn right onto MN 25
0.8 mi·2 min·Pine Street
13
Continue on MN 25
0.1 mi·19 sec·State Highway 25
14
Turn left onto County Road 11
0.7 mi·53 sec·County Road 11
15
Continue on Park Boulevard Southeast
1.4 mi·1 min·Park Boulevard Southeast
16
Continue on 165th Avenue Southeast
1.8 mi·2 min·165th Avenue Southeast
17
Turn left onto US 10
54 mi·1 hr 3 min·US 10
18
Keep slight left at fork onto US 10
32 mi·35 min·US 10
19
Turn right onto MN 210
0.3 mi·35 sec·State Highway 210
20
Turn left onto MN 64
34 mi·42 min·State Highway 64 Southwest
21
At end of road, turn left onto MN 64; MN 87
0.9 mi·1 min·State Highway 87 Southwest / State 64
Toward US 71 North, MN 197: Interinational Falls, Bemidji
31
Enter roundabout onto US 71
120 ft·1 sec·Voyageur Highway
32
Continue on US 71
24 mi·29 min·Voyageur Highway
33
Continue on US 71
0.3 mi·17 sec·Bemidji Rd Northeast
34
Continue on State Highway 72
0.9 mi·1 min·State Highway 72
35
Continue on MN 72
8.8 mi·12 min·Highway 72 Northeast
36
Keep slight right at fork
0.2 mi·21 sec
37
Turn straight onto MN 1; MN 72
4.9 mi·6 min·MN 1; MN 72
38
Turn left onto MN 72
4.1 mi·5 min·Highway 72 Northeast
39
Continue on MN 72
0.6 mi·1 min·State Highway 72; Clark Avenue South
40
Continue on MN 72
1.0 mi·1 min·Clark Avenue North
41
Continue on MN 72
30 mi·39 min·Highway 72 Northeast
42
Continue on MN 72
12 mi·15 min·State Highway 72
43
Continue on MN 72
12 mi·14 min·51st Street Southwest
44
At end of road, turn left onto MN 11; MN 72
1.8 mi·3 min·East Main Street
45
Arrive at destination
MN 11
Trip Plan
Given the 6h 48m estimated drive time, starting in the morning will give you plenty of daylight to reach Baudette. The route is manageable in one day, so you can be flexible with your departure time. Plan for one stop along the way to stretch your legs and refuel; consider doing this before the longest stretch on US 10. Keep an eye on your fuel levels, especially as you get further north, as services may become less frequent. The transition from US 10 to Highway 72 Northeast marks a significant change in road type, so be prepared for a different driving experience on the latter half of the trip.
Morning Departure
Start early — leave by 6-7 AM to arrive at a reasonable hour.
Evening Departure
This is a long drive — plan for a morning departure or consider splitting it into two days.
You can normally do this drive in one day.
Plan roughly 1 meaningful break for fuel, food, and rest.
The halfway point lands around 164.1 miles from Bloomington, MN, or about 3h 17m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 85.9 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 72 miles or 1h 28m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 164.1 miles or 3h 17m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 5h 31m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Baudette, 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.
+
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 Bloomington, MN
This is one driving day of about 328.2 miles and 6h 48m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 72 miles from Bloomington, 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 10 for about 85.9 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 24
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
$49.29 one way
$98.59 round trip
$3.82/gal25.4 MPG avg115 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.12
$53.22
$106.45
premium
$4.60
$59.45
$118.90
diesel
$4.80
$61.97
$123.94
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$49
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$74–$99
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 114.8 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-07-13.
Driving Electric?
About $34 in charging
· 1 stop
· 67% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
98.5
1
$34.46
$15.75
Efficient EV
82.1
0
$28.72
$13.13
EV Truck/SUV
131.3
1
$45.95
$21.00
Gas CO2
115 kg
EV CO2
38 kg (67% less)
Plan for 1 charging stop. A 30-minute DC fast charge mid-route should be enough to complete the trip comfortably.
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 Jul 17, 2026
Origin
Bloomington, MN
Evening
in Bloomington on Saturday
Local time
8:26 PM
CDT
Current temp
96°F
Sunny
SW 5 to 10 mph0% chanceLive forecast
Heat Advisory
Heat Advisory issued July 17 at 1:31AM CDT until July 17 at 9:00PM CDT by NWS Sioux Falls SD
Extreme Heat Warning
Extreme Heat Warning issued July 17 at 1:04AM CDT until July 17 at 9:00PM CDT by NWS Twin Cities/Chanhassen MN
Destination
Baudette, MN
Evening
in Baudette on Saturday
Local time
8:26 PM
CDT
Current temp
83°F
Patchy Smoke then Partly Sunny
WNW 8 to 14 mph5% chanceLive forecast
Heat Advisory
Heat Advisory issued July 17 at 1:31AM CDT until July 17 at 9:00PM CDT by NWS Sioux Falls SD
Extreme Heat Warning
Extreme Heat Warning issued July 17 at 1:04AM CDT until July 17 at 9:00PM CDT by NWS Twin Cities/Chanhassen MN
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
13 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
6h 48m on the road
Start early — leave by 6-7 AM to arrive at a reasonable hour.
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 trip is predominantly highway driving, with 77% of the route on major roads. You'll experience a longest stretch of 85.9 miles on US 10 before transitioning to surface roads. Expect a more rural cruising feel as you move away from the initial highway segments. The transition from highway to state roads will likely present fewer exits and a more open feel.
77% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
45 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 85.9 mi on US 10.
How Hard Is This Drive?
9/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on US 10 and Highway 72 Northeast. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes early in the drive.
Driving Effort9/10
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 24 significant decision points across 328.2 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: 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.
Elevation Profile
Mostly flat terrain
1,441 ft826 ft
Total Climb
615 ft
Total Descent
352 ft
Highest Point
1,441 ft
~211 mi in
Elevation Range
615 ft
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 Bloomington, MN to Baudette, MN, road signs begin pointing toward Bemidji along the way.
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
Baudette is a small city in Northwestern Minnesota, on Rainy River south of the Lake of the Woods. It is a county seat of Lake of the Woods County and is known as the Walleye Capital of the World.
Doable as a same-day drive at 6h 48m. Total distance: 328.2 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
6h 48m drive, plan rest stops for pacing.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 85.9 miles on US 10. 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 Baudette, 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: 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.
Not recommended in a single day. At 6.8 hours each way, a round trip means 13.6 hours of driving — that is an unsafe level of fatigue for most drivers. Plan at least one night at Baudette, MN before the return drive.
