If you are planning to travel from Cloquet to Coon Rapids, you are looking at a straightforward 131.4-mile journey across Minnesota. Expect to spend about 2 hours and 27 minutes behind the wheel, making this a very manageable single-day trip that requires no overnight stops. Your route primarily utilizes I-35, I-35W, and US-10 to bridge these two Midwestern locations. With an estimated fuel cost of $19, the drive is quite budget-friendly for a solo traveler or a small group. Because the route is so efficient, you have plenty of flexibility to plan your departure time based on your personal schedule. It is a practical, no-nonsense path that gets you from point A to point B without any unnecessary detours.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.
Midpoint
65.7 miles from Cloquet, MN
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 1h 12m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
I 35
109.7 mi
1h 57m
I 35W
11.3 mi
12m
US 10
3.5 mi
3m
MN 33
2.7 mi
4m
University Avenue Northeast
1.5 mi
3m
85th Avenue Northwest
1.1 mi
2m
East River Road
0.3 mi
<1m
MN-610
0.3 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 Co on Rapids, 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
11 mi·12 min·I 35W
Toward I 35W: MinneapolisUse the straight / right lanes.
8
Take the exit
0.5 mi·59 sec
Exit 30Toward US 10 WestUse the slight right lane.
9
Merge onto US 10
3.5 mi·3 min·US 10
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
10
Keep slight right at fork onto MN 610
0.3 mi·16 sec·MN-610
Use the slight right lane.
11
Take the exit
0.4 mi·50 sec
Toward CR 51: University AvenueUse the straight / slight right lanes.
12
Turn left onto CR 51
1.5 mi·3 min·University Avenue Northeast
Use the left lane.
13
Turn right onto CR 132
0.5 mi·1 min·85th Avenue Northwest
Use the right lane.
14
Turn slight right onto CR 132
0.6 mi·1 min·85th Avenue Northwest
15
Turn left onto CR 1
0.3 mi·44 sec·East River Road
Use the straight / left lanes.
16
Turn right onto Mississippi Boulevard Northwest
0.1 mi·30 sec·Mississippi Boulevard Northwest
17
Arrive at destination
Mississippi Boulevard Northwest
Trip Plan
Since the total trip duration is under two and a half hours, you do not need to worry about complex pacing or overnight logistics. I recommend checking local traffic reports before departing, especially as you transition from the interstate system toward the Coon Rapids area, where congestion can fluctuate. Because the fuel cost is a modest $19, filling up your tank in Cloquet before you head out is a simple way to avoid mid-trip stops. If you prefer a relaxed pace, consider leaving mid-morning to avoid the busiest commuting hours on the I-35 corridor. Take advantage of the route's simplicity by keeping your itinerary flexible, as you can easily make the entire 131.4-mile trip in one comfortable stretch.
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 65.7 miles from Cloquet, MN, or about 1h 12m 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 29 miles or 33m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 65.7 miles or 1h 12m 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 57m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Co on Rapids, 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 131.4 miles and 2h 27m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 29 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 12
5 decision points cluster between mile 2.2 and 128 — 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
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
123.8 mi into trip|~2h 14m in
Take the exit toward US 10 West
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight right lane.
Exit 30
Toward US 10 West
6
127.7 mi into trip|~2h 19m in|MN 610 / MN-610
Keep slight right at fork onto MN 610 / MN-610
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight right lane.
6
128 mi into trip|~2h 19m in
Take the exit toward CR 51: University Avenue
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Toward CR 51: University Avenue
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$19.55 one way
$39.11 round trip
$3.78/gal25.4 MPG avg46 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.07
$21.07
$42.14
premium
$4.53
$23.45
$46.89
diesel
$5.61
$29.01
$58.02
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$20
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$45–$70
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 46 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $14 in charging
· 0 stops
· 67% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
39.4
0
$13.80
$6.31
Efficient EV
32.9
0
$11.50
$5.26
EV Truck/SUV
52.6
0
$18.40
$8.41
Gas CO2
46 kg
EV CO2
15 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.
Forecast as of Apr 15, 2026
Origin
Cloquet, MN
Late night
in Cloquet on Sunday
Local time
2:59 AM
CDT
Current temp
38°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
Co on Rapids, MN
Late night
in Co on Rapids on Sunday
Local time
2:59 AM
CDT
Current temp
67°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
29 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 27m 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?
This trip is a quintessential highway-focused drive, with a massive 97% of your time spent on high-speed thoroughfares. You will quickly settle into a rhythm on I-35, which accounts for a substantial 109.7-mile stretch of the journey. Because the infrastructure is dominated by interstates, you can expect a consistent pace throughout the entire 2-hour and 27-minute duration. The road personality here is functional and direct, lacking the technical turns or slow-moving local roads found on back-country routes. It is a steady, predictable experience that allows you to cover the distance efficiently while staying on major transit corridors.
97% 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: 109.7 mi on I 35.
How Hard Is This Drive?
7/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 35 and I 35W. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 2.2 miles in near MN 33.
Driving Effort7/10
Demanding - plan breaks and stay ahead of the key maneuvers
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This is a demanding drive. With 12 significant decision points across 131.4 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: at 2.2 miles (MN 33): Roundabout - know your exit number before entering; at 112.5 miles (I 35W): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 123.8 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here.
Doable as a same-day drive at 2h 27m. Total distance: 131.4 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 0 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
2h 27m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (97%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 109.7 miles on I 35. 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 Co on Rapids, 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 2.2 miles (MN 33): Roundabout - know your exit number before entering; at 112.5 miles (I 35W): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 123.8 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 Co on Rapids, MN before heading back.
