Bloomington, MN to Dilworth, MN is 240.4 miles and takes about 4h 26m via I 94, with a fuel budget near $38 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This trip stays within the Midwest region and entirely within Minnesota. Expect a straightforward drive with minimal complexity, making it a practical choice for a single-day excursion. Given its relatively short duration and highway focus, it's a good option if you want to reach your destination efficiently without extensive planning.
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
120.2 miles from Bloomington, MN
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 2h 14m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
I 94
210.8 mi
3h 46m
I 494
21.7 mi
27m
70th Street South
2.2 mi
2m
US 10
2.1 mi
3m
I 35W
0.8 mi
1m
West 90th Street
<0.1 mi
<1m
Longest stretch:
I 94
— 210.8 mi, about 3h 46m
Traffic on I-94
Hour-of-day weekday pattern from 60 FHWA count stations on your route.
Peak
4 PM
~2,278 veh/hr typical
· worst 2,945
Quietest
2 AM
~130 veh/hr
Peak-to-quiet ratio
17.5×
busier at peak than in the quiet hours
12a6anoon6p11p
Averaged across 99 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 Dilworth, 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
194 mi·3 hr 28 min·I 94
11
Take the exit
0.3 mi·35 sec
Toward MN 336
12
Turn right onto MN 336
2.2 mi·2 min·70th Street South
13
Turn left
0.4 mi·1 min
Toward Dilworth
14
Turn straight onto US 10
2.1 mi·3 min·US 10
15
Turn right
72 ft·7 sec
16
Turn right
90 ft·6 sec
17
Arrive at destination
Trip Plan
To make the most of this 4h 26m drive, consider leaving Bloomington in the morning to take advantage of daylight and avoid rush hour traffic. With only one recommended stop and a manageable distance, you can easily complete this trip in a single day. The fuel cost is estimated at $38, so ensure your tank is full before departing or plan a stop around the halfway point. The longest continuous stretch on I 94 is over 210 miles, so be sure to take breaks before you feel fatigued.
Morning Departure
An early start around 7-8 AM gets you there with plenty of daylight left.
Evening Departure
A late afternoon start means arriving after dark. Morning is better.
You can normally do this drive in one day.
Plan roughly 1 meaningful break for fuel, food, and rest.
The halfway point lands around 120.2 miles from Bloomington, MN, or about 2h 14m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 210.8 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 53 miles or 1h 2m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 120.2 miles or 2h 14m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 3h 37m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Dilworth, 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 240.4 miles and 4h 26m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 53 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 I 94 for about 210.8 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 13
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
$40.60 one way
$81.21 round trip
$4.29/gal25.4 MPG avg84 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.77
$45.14
$90.27
premium
$5.31
$50.22
$100.44
diesel
$6.18
$58.53
$117.06
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$41
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$66–$91
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 84.1 kg one way.
Driving Electric?
About $25 in charging
· 0 stops
· 67% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
72.1
0
$25.24
$11.54
Efficient EV
60.1
0
$21.04
$9.62
EV Truck/SUV
96.2
1
$33.66
$15.39
Gas CO2
84 kg
EV CO2
28 kg (67% less)
Plan for 0 charging stops, roughly every 270 miles. Allow 25-40 minutes per stop at a DC fast charger.
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 Oct 17, 2026
Origin
Bloomington, MN
Morning
in Bloomington on Sunday
Local time
7:26 AM
CDT
Current temp
60°F
Areas Of Frost then Sunny
SSW 5 to 15 mph0% chanceLive forecast
Freeze Warning
Freeze Warning issued October 17 at 3:49AM CDT until October 17 at 9:00AM CDT by NWS Aberdeen SD
Freeze Warning
Freeze Warning issued October 17 at 3:24AM CDT until October 17 at 9:00AM CDT by NWS Twin Cities/Chanhassen MN
Destination
Dilworth, MN
Morning
in Dilworth on Sunday
Local time
7:26 AM
CDT
Current temp
65°F
Sunny
S 15 to 20 mph0% chanceLive forecast
Freeze Warning
Freeze Warning issued October 17 at 3:49AM CDT until October 17 at 9:00AM CDT by NWS Aberdeen SD
Freeze Warning
Freeze Warning issued October 17 at 3:24AM CDT until October 17 at 9:00AM 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
5 degrees warmer at arrival
A meaningful temperature swing is a good cue to rethink layers, water, and how soon you want to arrive.
Road read
4h 26m on the road
An early start around 7-8 AM gets you there with plenty of daylight left.
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 route is almost entirely highway, with 98% of the 240.4 miles on major roads like I 94. You'll experience a long stretch of 210.8 miles on I 94, indicating extended periods of cruising. Surface roads will only be encountered for a small portion, likely near the beginning and end of your trip, totaling just over 4 miles. Be prepared for consistent highway speeds and potentially numerous exits as you approach and leave urban areas.
98% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
17 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 210.8 mi on I 94.
How Hard Is This Drive?
8/10
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 Effort8/10
Demanding - plan breaks and stay ahead of the key maneuvers
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This is a demanding drive. With 13 significant decision points across 240.4 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.
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 four freeways: Interstate 35W, Interstate 494, US 169, and Minnesota 77.
Top landmarks
•Nickelodeon Universe — amusement park inside Mall of America
•SpongeBob SquarePants Rock Bottom Plunge — amusement ride
Dilworth is in Minnesota. It began as a somewhat industrial railroad town, and has developed into a quaint small suburb to the east of Moorhead, MN and Fargo, ND.
Doable as a same-day drive at 4h 26m. Total distance: 240.4 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
4h 26m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (98%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 210.8 miles on I 94. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
We did not find dedicated rest areas on this route. For a drive this long, plan bathroom and stretch breaks around gas stations, fast-food stops, or small-town downtowns — check the Nearby Places section for options.
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 Dilworth, 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. Dedicated rest areas are limited, so plan gas or food stops as your bathroom breaks.
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.
Possible but tiring. At 4.4 hours each way, an in-and-out day trip would put you behind the wheel for 8.9 hours — manageable with a long break at Dilworth, MN, but most travelers stay overnight.
