Origin
Bloomington, MN
Late night in Bloomington on Tuesday
Local time
4:09 AM
CDT
Current temp
58°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Bloomington, MN to Crystal, 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
24m
Distance
17.1 mi
27 km
Drive Score
6/10
Good drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$3
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
0h 22m
★
6 AM
0h 24m
8 AM
0h 28m
10 AM
0h 26m
12 PM
0h 25m
3 PM
0h 26m
5 PM
0h 28m
8 PM
0h 23m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Bloomington, MN
Wikimedia Commons
Crystal, MN
Wikimedia Commons
Trip Overview
If you are looking for a quick transition between Bloomington and Crystal, this 17.1-mile journey is an efficient way to navigate the Twin Cities area. You can easily complete the entire trip in about 24 minutes, making it a perfect candidate for a single-day excursion. Budgeting is straightforward, as your fuel costs will likely hover around $2 for the duration of the drive. Since both cities are located within the Midwest, the transition between these two Minnesota hubs is seamless and familiar. You won't need to worry about overnight lodging or complex itineraries for this short distance. It is a practical, no-fuss route that gets you from point A to point B with minimal logistical planning.
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| MN 100 | 11.7 mi | 14m |
| I 494 | 2 mi | 2m |
| I 35W | 0.8 mi | 1m |
| 42nd Avenue North | 0.8 mi | 1m |
| West 90th Street | <0.1 mi | <1m |
Longest stretch:
MN 100
— 11.7 mi, about 14m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Bloomington, MN and Crystal, 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
2.0 mi
·
2 min
·
I 494; MN 5
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
7
Take the exit
0.3 mi
·
39 sec
Exit 7A
Toward MN 100
Use the slight right lane.
8
Merge onto MN 100
12 mi
·
14 min
·
MN 100
Use the straight / right lanes.
9
Take the exit
0.2 mi
·
28 sec
Toward CR 9, CR 81 South: 42nd Avenue
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
10
Turn left onto CR 9
0.7 mi
·
1 min
·
42nd Avenue North
Use the left / straight lanes.
11
Turn uturn onto CR 9
144 ft
·
2 sec
·
42nd Avenue North
12
Arrive at destination
CR 9
Heads-up: tricky spots
5 of 105 decision points cluster between mile 0 and 17 — 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
7
4.1 mi into trip
|
~6m in
Take the exit toward MN 100
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight right lane.
Exit 7A
Toward MN 100
7
16.1 mi into trip
|
~21m in
Take the exit toward CR 9, CR 81 South: 42nd Avenue
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.
Toward CR 9, CR 81 South: 42nd Avenue
7
17 mi into trip
|
~24m in
|
CR 9 / 42nd Avenue North
Turn uturn onto CR 9 / 42nd Avenue North
Sharp turn - reduce speed on approach
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$2.54 one way
$5.09 round trip
$3.78/gal
25.4 MPG avg
6 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.07 | $2.74 | $5.48 |
| premium | $4.53 | $3.05 | $6.10 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $3.78 | $7.55 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Drive Cost (one way)
Fuel
$3
Estimated CO2 emission: 6 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $2 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 5.1 | 0 | $1.80 | $0.82 |
| Efficient EV | 4.3 | 0 | $1.50 | $0.68 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 6.8 | 0 | $2.39 | $1.09 |
Gas CO2
6 kg
EV CO2
2 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.
Destination
Crystal, MN
Late night in Crystal on Tuesday
Local time
4:09 AM
CDT
Current temp
58°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
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
Very similar conditions
Both ends of the route are sitting at about the same temperature right now.
Road read
24m 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?
Expect a turn-heavy local drive rather than a long-distance interstate haul. While your path utilizes I-35W North and segments of I-494, the route maintains a 0% highway share according to travel metrics, emphasizing the localized nature of the transit. You will spend your time navigating through urban infrastructure, which requires more attention to turns than a standard highway cruise. Because the drive is relatively short, there isn't a long, uninterrupted stretch of road to settle into. Instead, anticipate a dynamic environment that keeps you engaged behind the wheel as you shift between local roadways to reach your destination.
85% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
12 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 11.7 mi on MN 100.
How Hard Is This Drive?
9/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on MN 100 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
Focused - lots of decisions in a short distance, but it is over quickly
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This is a short but busy drive. With 10 decision points packed into just 17.1 miles, you will need to pay attention to lane changes and exits — but the whole thing is over in 24m.
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 4.1 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here.
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.
On the drive from Bloomington, MN to Crystal, MN, road signs begin pointing toward Cr 9 along the way.
Cr 9
16.1 mi in
|
~21m
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 24m. Total distance: 17.1 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 0 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
24m drive, comfortable solo distance.
EV Driver
0 DC fast chargers along the route. Coverage: unknown.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (85%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 11.7 miles on MN 100. 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 Crystal, 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 4.1 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 Crystal, 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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