Rest Area
0.1 mi from route
Trip from Blue Earth, MN to Lakeville, MN
Compiled and reviewed by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Apr 19, 2026 · Editorial standards
Drive Time
2h 8m
Distance
112.9 mi
182 km
Drive Score
8/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$17
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
1h 59m
★
6 AM
2h 8m
8 AM
2h 26m
10 AM
2h 14m
12 PM
2h 13m
3 PM
2h 15m
5 PM
2h 25m
8 PM
2h 3m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Blue Earth, MN
Wikimedia Commons
Lakeville, MN
Wikimedia Commons
Trip Overview
Blue Earth to Lakeville is 112.9 miles and takes about 2h 8m via I 35, with a fuel budget near $17 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This drive stays within Minnesota, traveling from the Midwest region to another part of the Midwest. It's a straightforward highway-focused trip, ideal for when you need to get from point A to point B efficiently. Expect a high percentage of highway driving, making it a quick option for a single-day excursion.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.
Midpoint
56.5 miles from Blue Earth, MN
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h 3m into the drive .
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| I 35 | 63.4 mi | 1h 7m |
| I 90 | 39.6 mi | 42m |
| Dodd Boulevard | 5 mi | 6m |
| South Main Street | 1 mi | 2m |
| Holyoke Avenue | 0.8 mi | 2m |
| Deuce Road | 0.7 mi | 1m |
| 215th Street West | 0.5 mi | <1m |
| US Highway 169 | 0.5 mi | <1m |
Longest stretch:
I 35
— 63.4 mi, about 1h 7m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Blue Earth, MN and Lakeville, MN.
1
Start on this road
58 ft
·
9 sec
·
this road
2
Turn left
53 ft
·
9 sec
3
Turn left onto East 7th Street
150 ft
·
8 sec
·
East 7th Street
4
Turn right onto CR 6
1.0 mi
·
2 min
·
South Main Street
5
Turn right onto CR 44
0.4 mi
·
55 sec
·
Fairgrounds Road
6
Enter roundabout onto US 169
293 ft
·
12 sec
·
US Highway 169
7
Continue on US 169
0.5 mi
·
40 sec
·
US Highway 169
8
Take the ramp
0.2 mi
·
31 sec
Toward I 90 East: Albert Lea
9
Merge onto I 90
40 mi
·
42 min
·
I 90
Use the straight / right lanes.
10
Take the exit
0.2 mi
·
30 sec
Toward I 35 North: Minneapolis, Saint Paul
Use the right lane.
11
Merge onto I 35
63 mi
·
1 hr 7 min
·
I 35
Use the straight / right lanes.
12
Take the exit
0.2 mi
·
32 sec
Exit 76
Toward CR 2: Elko New Market
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
13
Turn right onto CR 2; I 35 ALT
0.7 mi
·
1 min
·
Deuce Road
14
Enter roundabout onto CR 2
106 ft
·
6 sec
·
263rd Street East
15
Continue on CR 2
0.1 mi
·
15 sec
·
263rd Street East
16
Continue on CR 2
5.0 mi
·
6 min
·
Dodd Boulevard
17
Turn right onto CR 70
0.5 mi
·
44 sec
·
215th Street West
18
Turn slight left
334 ft
·
12 sec
19
Continue on Holyoke Avenue
0.8 mi
·
2 min
·
Holyoke Avenue
20
Turn right onto 207th Street West
22 ft
·
0 sec
·
207th Street West
21
Arrive at destination
207th Street West
Trip Plan
Given the relatively short duration of about 2 hours, this drive is best tackled in a single day, allowing for flexibility in your departure time. Consider leaving mid-morning to avoid peak rush hour traffic in the southern Minnesota area and as you near Lakeville. With the fuel cost estimated at $17, you'll likely only need one fuel stop, if any, along the way. Keep an eye on your fuel gauge before departing Blue Earth, as the longest stretch on I 35 is over 60 miles.
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 56.5 miles from Blue Earth, MN, or about 1h 3m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 63.4 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 25 miles or 29m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 56.5 miles or 1h 3m 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 42m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Lakeville, MN than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving Blue Earth, 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 Blue Earth, MN
This is one driving day of about 112.9 miles and 2h 8m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 25 miles from Blue Earth, MN.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
The longest stretch is on I 35 for about 63.4 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Mid-route town
Meal stop
56 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
Fuel and coffee
A short stop after about 25 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 56.5 miles from Blue Earth, MN, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Before the longest stretch
Fuel checkTop up before I 35 if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 63.4 miles.
These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.
Nearby Places
Restaurants, cafes, gas stations and more along your route.
Rest Area
0.1 mi from route
Flying J Travel Center
0.1 mi from route
New Market Rest Area - Southbound
0.1 mi from route
Service Plaza
0.1 mi from route
Service Plaza
0.1 mi from route
Heath Creek Rest Area - Northbound
0.2 mi from route
Rest Area
0.7 mi from route
Rest Area
1 mi from route
Love's Travel Stop
1.6 mi from route
Petro Stopping Centers
1.8 mi from route
Rest Area
2 mi from route
Place data sourced from public business listings. Hours and availability may vary.
Heads-up: tricky spots
5 of 145 decision points cluster between mile 0 and 105.5 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
5
0 mi into trip
|
~0m in
Turn left
Navigation decision point
5
2.2 mi into trip
|
~5m in
|
I 90
Merge onto I 90
Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / right lanes.
7
41.8 mi into trip
|
~47m in
Take the exit toward I 35 North: Minneapolis, Saint Paul
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the right lane.
Toward I 35 North: Minneapolis, Saint Paul
5
42.1 mi into trip
|
~48m in
|
I 35
Merge onto I 35
Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / right lanes.
7
105.5 mi into trip
|
~1h 56m in
Take the exit toward CR 2: Elko New Market
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Exit 76
Toward CR 2: Elko New Market
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$16.80 one way
$33.60 round trip
$3.78/gal
25.4 MPG avg
40 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.07 | $18.10 | $36.21 |
| premium | $4.53 | $20.14 | $40.29 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $24.93 | $49.85 |
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: 39.5 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $12 in charging · 0 stops · 68% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 33.9 | 0 | $11.85 | $5.42 |
| Efficient EV | 28.2 | 0 | $9.88 | $4.52 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 45.2 | 0 | $15.81 | $7.23 |
Gas CO2
40 kg
EV CO2
13 kg (68% 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.
Origin
Blue Earth, MN
Night in Blue Earth on Saturday
Local time
11:41 PM
CDT
Current temp
47°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
Lakeville, MN
Night in Lakeville on Saturday
Local time
11:41 PM
CDT
Current temp
45°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
44°F
Walcott, MN
56 mi in
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 8m 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, with 92% of the 112.9 miles on major roads like I 35. You'll encounter your longest continuous stretch on I 35, covering 63.4 miles without a significant change in road type. The transition to surface streets, like Dodd Boulevard, will occur closer to your destination. Expect a steady flow of traffic and frequent exits as you approach the Minneapolis-St. Paul metropolitan area.
Most of the miles stay on highways, which makes pacing and fuel planning easier than turn-by-turn city driving.
There are about 21 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.
I 35 is the longest continuous segment at about 63.4 miles.
How Hard Is This Drive?
5/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 35 and I 90. You will hit about 14 points where you need to pay attention to lane position or signs. The trickiest moment comes early in the drive.
Driving Effort
5/10
Moderate - straightforward overall, but long enough or busy enough to require pacing
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This drive requires moderate attention. Across 112.9 miles you will encounter 14 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: Navigation decision point; at 2.2 miles (I 90): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here; at 41.8 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
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.
Between Blue Earth, MN and Lakeville, MN, road signs point toward Saint Paul and Cr 2: Elko New Market.
Saint Paul
41.8 mi in
|
~47m
Cr 2: Elko New Market
105.5 mi in
|
~1h 56m
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 2h 8m. Total distance: 112.9 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 0 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
2h 8m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (92%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Frequently Asked Questions
The drive from Blue Earth, MN to Lakeville, MN covers 112.9 miles and takes about 2h 8m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are I 35, I 90, Dodd Boulevard. Most of the drive stays on highways, so watch for ramps and exits.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 56.5 miles from Blue Earth, MN. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $16.80 one way. This estimate uses 25.4 MPG — your actual cost will vary with your vehicle's fuel efficiency and current gas prices.
Leave by 9 AM and you'll arrive before lunch. Even a 4 PM departure gets you there before dark in summer.
This drive requires moderate attention. Across 112.9 miles you will encounter 14 spots where lane choice or exit timing matters. Not difficult for experienced highway drivers, but worth previewing the tricky sections before you go.
The main spots that need attention: near the start: Navigation decision point; at 2.2 miles (I 90): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here; at 41.8 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Between Blue Earth, MN and Lakeville, MN, road signs point toward Saint Paul and Cr 2: Elko New Market.
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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