Traveling from Cloquet to Blaine is a straightforward 125.1-mile journey that typically takes about 2 hours and 19 minutes. Because this is a compact drive within Minnesota, it is perfectly suited for a single-day trip, requiring no overnight stays. You will primarily navigate via I-35 and I-35W, making for a consistent and efficient route through the Midwest. Budgeting around $18 for fuel should comfortably cover your needs for the trip. Whether you are heading south for business or a visit, the simplicity of this path allows you to focus on the road ahead rather than complex navigation.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.
Midpoint
62.6 miles from Cloquet, MN
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 1h 9m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
I 35
109.7 mi
1h 57m
I 35W
7.8 mi
8m
109th Avenue Northeast
3.5 mi
5m
MN 33
2.7 mi
4m
Central Avenue Northeast
0.6 mi
1m
Lexington Avenue Northeast
0.5 mi
<1m
Cloquet Avenue
<0.1 mi
<1m
4th Street
<0.1 mi
<1m
Longest stretch:
I 35
— 109.7 mi, about 1h 57m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Cloquet, MN and Blaine, MN.
1
Start on 4th Street
26 ft·1 sec·4th Street
2
Turn left onto CR 45
519 ft·22 sec·Cloquet Avenue
3
Turn left onto MN 33
2.1 mi·3 min·MN 33
4
Enter roundabout onto MN 33
77 ft·1 sec·MN 33
Toward I 35 South
5
Continue on MN 33
0.5 mi·40 sec·MN 33
Toward I 35 South
6
Merge onto I 35
110 mi·1 hr 57 min·I 35
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
7
Keep slight right at fork onto I 35W
7.8 mi·8 min·I 35W
Toward I 35W: MinneapolisUse the straight / right lanes.
8
Take the exit
0.3 mi·40 sec
Exit 33Toward CR 17: Lexington AvenueUse the straight / slight right lanes.
9
Turn right onto CR 17
0.5 mi·58 sec·Lexington Avenue Northeast
Use the right lane.
10
Turn left onto 109th Avenue Northeast
3.5 mi·5 min·109th Avenue Northeast
11
Turn left onto MN 65
0.5 mi·1 min·Central Avenue Northeast
12
Turn left onto MN 65
103 ft·10 sec·Central Avenue Northeast
13
Arrive at destination
MN 65
Trip Plan
With a total duration of just over two hours, this route offers significant flexibility, allowing you to depart at a time that best suits your schedule. Since there are no mandatory stops required by the length of the trip, you have the freedom to drive straight through or break up the journey as you see fit. Keep in mind that the heavy reliance on I-35 means you should monitor traffic reports before leaving, especially as you approach the busier corridors near your destination in Blaine. Since the longest stretch is nearly 110 miles, ensure you are fueled up before leaving Cloquet to avoid unnecessary stops along the interstate. Taking advantage of the route's short duration makes it easy to plan your day without worrying about fatigue or complex logistics.
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 62.6 miles from Cloquet, MN, or about 1h 9m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 109.7 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 28 miles or 31m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 62.6 miles or 1h 9m 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 51m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Blaine, MN than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving Cloquet, 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 Cloquet, MN
This is one driving day of about 125.1 miles and 2h 19m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 28 miles from Cloquet, MN.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
The longest stretch is on I 35 for about 109.7 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 7
5 decision points cluster between mile 2.2 and 120.5 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
5
2.2 mi into trip|~4m in|MN 33
Enter roundabout onto MN 33 toward I 35 South
Roundabout - know your exit number before entering
Toward I 35 South
5
2.8 mi into trip|~4m in|I 35
Merge onto I 35
Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
7
112.5 mi into trip|~2h 2m in|I 35W
Keep slight right at fork onto I 35W toward I 35W: Minneapolis
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / right lanes.
Toward I 35W: Minneapolis
7
120.3 mi into trip|~2h 10m in
Take the exit toward CR 17: Lexington Avenue
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Exit 33
Toward CR 17: Lexington Avenue
6
120.5 mi into trip|~2h 11m in|CR 17 / Lexington Avenue Northeast
Turn right onto CR 17 / Lexington Avenue Northeast
Lane positioning matters here
Use the right lane.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$18.62 one way
$37.23 round trip
$3.78/gal25.4 MPG avg44 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.07
$20.06
$40.12
premium
$4.53
$22.32
$44.64
diesel
$5.61
$27.62
$55.24
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$19
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$44–$69
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 43.8 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $13 in charging
· 0 stops
· 66% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
37.5
0
$13.14
$6.00
Efficient EV
31.3
0
$10.95
$5.00
EV Truck/SUV
50
0
$17.51
$8.01
Gas CO2
44 kg
EV CO2
15 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
Cloquet, MN
Late night
in Cloquet on Tuesday
Local time
3:52 AM
CDT
Current temp
53°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
Blaine, MN
Late night
in Blaine on Tuesday
Local time
3:52 AM
CDT
Current temp
59°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
6 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 19m 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 highly efficient, highway-focused experience, as 96% of your travel occurs on major thoroughfares. You will spend the vast majority of your time on I-35, which accounts for a 109.7-mile stretch of uninterrupted interstate driving. The character of the road is functional and steady, designed for those who prioritize speed and reliability over winding backroads. As you transition onto I-35W and eventually reach 109th Avenue Northeast in Blaine, the pace remains consistent. It is a predictable drive that minimizes technical maneuvers, allowing you to settle into a steady rhythm behind the wheel.
96% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
13 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 109.7 mi on I 35.
How Hard Is This Drive?
3/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 35 and I 35W. There are only a few real navigation decisions along the way. The trickiest moment comes around 2.2 miles in near MN 33.
Driving Effort3/10
Easy - simple navigation with a manageable amount of wheel time
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This is a straightforward 2h 19m drive. You will face about 7 decision points, but nothing that requires special attention if you follow navigation.
Where does it get tricky?
The main spots that need attention: at 2.2 miles (MN 33): Roundabout - know your exit number before entering; at 2.8 miles (I 35): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here; at 112.5 miles (I 35W): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
The longest stretch is about 109.7 miles on I 35. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Yes, with realistic expectations. Build in a stop roughly every 2 hours, have snacks and activities ready, and check the Nearby Places tabs for kid-friendly stops along the way.
The main spots that need attention: at 2.2 miles (MN 33): Roundabout - know your exit number before entering; at 2.8 miles (I 35): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here; at 112.5 miles (I 35W): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
Yes. A round trip is manageable in a single day if you plan a break at Blaine, MN before heading back.
