Compiled and reviewed by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Apr 21, 2026 · Editorial standards
Drive Time
1h 2m
Distance
49.4 mi
80 km
Drive Score
6/10
Good drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$7
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Cologne, MN
Miguel Andres Parra
Blaine, MN
Wikimedia Commons
This straightforward 49.4-mile drive from Cologne, MN to Blaine, MN is easily manageable as a day trip, taking approximately 1 hour and 2 minutes. Primarily utilizing US 212, MN 100, and Highway 65 Northeast, this route offers a highway-focused experience with a 92% highway share. With an estimated fuel cost of $7, it's an economical option for a quick journey within the Midwest. You won't need to plan for overnight stops on this relatively short distance. This drive is ideal when you need to get from point A to point B efficiently within Minnesota.
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| US 212 | 23.9 mi | 28m |
| MN 100 | 13.2 mi | 16m |
| Highway 65 Northeast | 6.3 mi | 8m |
| Crosstown Highway | 1.9 mi | 2m |
| I 694 | 1.9 mi | 2m |
| Central Avenue Northeast | 0.4 mi | <1m |
| South Paul Street | 0.3 mi | <1m |
| Paul Avenue North | 0.1 mi | <1m |
Step-by-step road directions between Cologne, MN and Blaine, MN.
Start on CR 36
Turn left onto MN 284
Continue on MN 284
Merge onto US 212
Take the exit
Turn left onto US 212
Continue on MN 62
Take the exit
Merge onto MN 100
Keep slight left at fork
Merge onto I 694
Take the exit
Continue on MN 65
Continue on MN 65
Arrive at destination
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Mid-route town
Meal stop
25 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.
A short stop after about 11 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
The midpoint is around 24.7 miles from Cologne, MN, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.
5 decision points cluster between mile 0 and 42.4 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
Turn left onto MN 284 / Paul Avenue North
Navigation decision point
Take the exit toward US 212 East
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Turn left onto US 212
Lane positioning matters here
Take the exit toward MN 100 North
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Take the exit toward MN 65: Central Avenue
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Regular Gas
$7.35 one way
$14.70 round trip
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.07 | $7.92 | $15.84 |
| premium | $4.53 | $8.81 | $17.63 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $10.91 | $21.81 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Drive Cost (one way)
Fuel
$7
Estimated CO2 emission: 17.3 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $5 in charging · 0 stops · 65% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 14.8 | 0 | $5.19 | $2.37 |
| Efficient EV | 12.4 | 0 | $4.32 | $1.98 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 19.8 | 0 | $6.92 | $3.16 |
Gas CO2
17 kg
EV CO2
6 kg (65% 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.
Current conditions at both ends of the drive.
Origin
Morning in Cologne on Tuesday
Local time
10:04 AM
CDT
Current temp
29°F
Mostly Clear
Destination
Morning in Blaine on Tuesday
Local time
10:04 AM
CDT
Current temp
29°F
Partly Cloudy
Time zone
Origin and destination are on the same clock, so arrival timing is easier to judge at a glance.
Temperature spread
Both ends of the route are sitting at about the same temperature right now.
Road read
The weather snapshot is not static. If you are leaving later, give both cities one more quick forecast check before departure.
Weather data from the National Weather Service. Conditions may change; check closer to your travel date.
Expect a predominantly highway-focused drive on this 49.4-mile route. With 92% of the journey on highways, you'll encounter mostly higher-speed travel. The longest uninterrupted stretch you'll experience is 23.9 miles on US 212, offering a good period of consistent driving. The character of the road transitions as you move from US 212 to MN 100 and finally Highway 65 Northeast, suggesting a shift in the surrounding environment and potentially traffic patterns as you approach your destination.
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on US 212 and MN 100. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes early in the drive near MN 284 / Paul Avenue North.
Demanding - plan breaks and stay ahead of the key maneuvers
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This drive requires moderate attention. Across 49.4 miles you will encounter 9 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 (MN 284 / Paul Avenue North): Navigation decision point; at 0.6 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here; at 0.6 miles (US 212): Lane positioning matters here.
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 1h 2m. Total distance: 49.4 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 0 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
1h 2m drive, comfortable solo distance.
EV Driver
0 DC fast chargers along the route. Coverage: unknown.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (92%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
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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