This 110-mile drive from Clara City, MN to Bloomington, MN takes approximately 1 hour and 57 minutes, making it a straightforward day trip. You'll navigate primarily local roads, with no highway driving, and the estimated fuel cost is around $16. Given its relatively short duration and turn-heavy profile, this route is best tackled in a single day. The journey stays within the Midwest region, offering a consistent feel throughout. It’s a practical option when you need to get from point A to point B without extensive travel time.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.
Midpoint
53.6 miles from Clara City, MN
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 1h 10m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
MN 7
53 mi
1h 7m
highway 7 West
16.1 mi
20m
195th Avenue
10.3 mi
13m
MN 5
6.4 mi
8m
Prince Rogers Nelson Memorial Highway
5.6 mi
7m
State Highway 7 East
4.5 mi
6m
West 78th Street
3.8 mi
4m
Main Street
3.2 mi
4m
Longest stretch:
MN 7
— 53 mi, about 1h 7m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Clara City, MN and Bloomington, MN.
1
Start on MN 23
54 ft·3 sec·1st Avenue Southwest
2
Turn right onto CR 2
3.2 mi·4 min·Main Street
3
Continue on MN 7
13 mi·16 min·MN 7
4
Enter roundabout onto MN 7
156 ft·2 sec·195th Avenue
5
Continue on MN 7
0.1 mi·8 sec·195th Avenue
6
Continue on MN 7
7.9 mi·9 min·MN 7
7
Continue on MN 7
10 mi·13 min·195th Avenue
Use the straight / left lanes.
8
Continue on MN 7
16 mi·20 min·highway 7 West
9
Continue on MN 7; MN 22
0.6 mi·1 min·4th Avenue Northwest
10
Continue on MN 7; MN 22
4.5 mi·6 min·State Highway 7 East
11
Continue on MN 7; CR 4
11 mi·14 min·MN 7; CR 4
12
Enter roundabout onto MN 7
130 ft·2 sec·MN 7
13
Continue on MN 7
9.0 mi·11 min·MN 7
14
Enter roundabout onto MN 7
125 ft·2 sec·MN 7
15
Continue on MN 7
2.5 mi·3 min·MN 7
16
Enter roundabout onto MN 7
185 ft·3 sec·MN 7
17
Continue on MN 7
5.8 mi·7 min·MN 7
18
Enter roundabout onto MN 7
139 ft·2 sec·MN 7
19
Continue on MN 7
3.2 mi·4 min·MN 7
Use the straight lane.
20
Turn right onto CR 13
1.2 mi·2 min·Rolling Acres Road
21
Turn left onto MN 5
0.7 mi·58 sec·Arboretum Boulevard
22
Continue on MN 5
5.6 mi·7 min·Prince Rogers Nelson Memorial Highway
Use the straight lane.
23
Continue on MN 5
3.8 mi·4 min·West 78th Street
Use the straight lane.
24
Take the exit onto MN 5
0.2 mi·17 sec·MN 5
Toward I 494 East, MN 5 EastUse the straight / slight right lanes.
25
Keep slight left at fork onto MN 5
6.2 mi·7 min·MN 5
Toward I 494 East, MN 5 EastUse the straight / slight right lanes.
26
Take the exit
0.2 mi·25 sec
Exit 5BToward I 35W South: Albert LeaUse the slight right lane.
27
Continue on this road
0.4 mi·50 sec·this road
Exit 5BToward I 35W South: Albert Lea
28
Merge onto I 35W
1.0 mi·1 min·I 35W
29
Take the exit
0.2 mi·34 sec
Exit 7BToward 90th StreetUse the straight / slight right lanes.
30
Turn left onto West 90th Street
207 ft·5 sec·West 90th Street
Use the left / straight lanes.
31
Arrive at destination
West 90th Street
Trip Plan
Since this is a manageable 110-mile trip taking under two hours, flexibility is your best asset. You can easily depart at your convenience. With no significant highway stretches, you won't need to worry about long stretches without services, and the $16 fuel cost is quite modest. Keep an eye on your navigation, especially as you transition between Main Street, 195th Avenue, and MN 7, to ensure you don't miss any turns. Plan for a brief stop if needed, but the drive is short enough to complete without extensive breaks.
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 53.6 miles from Clara City, MN, or about 1h 10m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 53 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 24 miles or 30m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 53.6 miles or 1h 10m 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 55m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Bloomington, MN than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving Clara City, 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 Clara City, MN
This is one driving day of about 107.2 miles and 2h 21m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 24 miles from Clara City, MN.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
The longest stretch is on MN 7 for about 53 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 15
5 decision points cluster between mile 98.9 and 107.2 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
7
98.9 mi into trip|~2h 10m in|MN 5
Take the exit onto MN 5 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.
Toward I 494 East, MN 5 East
8
99.2 mi into trip|~2h 10m in|MN 5
Keep slight left at fork onto MN 5 toward I 494 East, MN 5 East
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Toward I 494 East, MN 5 East
7
105.4 mi into trip|~2h 18m in
Take the exit toward I 35W South: Albert Lea
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight right lane.
Exit 5B
Toward I 35W South: Albert Lea
7
107 mi into trip|~2h 21m in
Take the exit toward 90th Street
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Exit 7B
Toward 90th Street
7
107.2 mi into trip|~2h 21m in|West 90th Street
Turn left onto West 90th Street
Lane positioning matters here
Use the left / straight lanes.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$15.95 one way
$31.91 round trip
$3.78/gal25.4 MPG avg38 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.07
$17.19
$34.38
premium
$4.53
$19.13
$38.25
diesel
$5.61
$23.67
$47.34
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$16
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$41–$66
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 37.5 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $11 in charging
· 0 stops
· 66% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
32.2
0
$11.26
$5.15
Efficient EV
26.8
0
$9.38
$4.29
EV Truck/SUV
42.9
0
$15.01
$6.86
Gas CO2
38 kg
EV CO2
13 kg (66% 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
Clara City, MN
Late night
in Clara City on Tuesday
Local time
4:23 AM
CDT
Current temp
55°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
Bloomington, MN
Late night
in Bloomington on Tuesday
Local time
4:23 AM
CDT
Current temp
58°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
3 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
2h 21m 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.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
Expect a turn-heavy local drive on this route, as indicated by the 0% highway share. The journey progresses through a series of local roads, including Main Street and 195th Avenue, before merging onto MN 7. There isn't a 'longest stretch' of uninterrupted driving noted, suggesting frequent turns and intersections. This means you'll be actively engaged with the navigation for the entire 110 miles, rather than cruising on a high-speed highway. The character of the drive is consistent throughout, focusing on local connectivity.
76% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
31 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 53 mi on MN 7.
How Hard Is This Drive?
6/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on MN 7 and highway 7 West. You will hit about 15 points where you need to pay attention to lane position or signs. The trickiest moment comes around 98.9 miles in near MN 5.
Driving Effort6/10
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 107.2 miles you will encounter 15 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: at 98.9 miles (MN 5): Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 99.2 miles (MN 5): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 105.4 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here.
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
Doable as a same-day drive at 2h 21m. Total distance: 107.2 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 0 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
2h 21m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (76%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 53 miles on MN 7. 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 Bloomington, 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. Dedicated rest areas are limited, so plan gas or food stops as your bathroom breaks.
The main spots that need attention: at 98.9 miles (MN 5): Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 99.2 miles (MN 5): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 105.4 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 Bloomington, MN before heading back.
