If you are planning a trip from Coon Rapids to Cloquet, you are looking at a straightforward 132.3-mile journey that typically takes about 2 hours and 27 minutes. This route is designed for efficiency, relying heavily on I-35, I-35W, and US-10 to get you between these two Minnesota hubs. Because the total duration is quite manageable, you can easily complete this drive in a single day without needing an overnight stay. Expect to spend approximately $19 on fuel for the trip, making it a budget-friendly option for travelers. Both cities are located within the Midwest, so you can expect familiar terrain as you navigate through this region.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.
Midpoint
66.1 miles from Co on Rapids, MN
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 1h 14m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
I 35
105 mi
1h 52m
I 35W
16.5 mi
17m
US 10
4.2 mi
4m
MN 33
2.7 mi
4m
East River Road
1.4 mi
2m
Foley Boulevard
1.2 mi
2m
Mississippi Boulevard Northwest
0.1 mi
<1m
Cloquet Avenue
<0.1 mi
<1m
Longest stretch:
I 35
— 105 mi, about 1h 52m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Co on Rapids, MN and Cloquet, MN.
1
Start on Mississippi Boulevard Northwest
0.1 mi·30 sec·Mississippi Boulevard Northwest
2
Turn left onto CR 1
1.4 mi·2 min·East River Road
Use the right lane.
3
Turn right onto Foley Boulevard
1.2 mi·2 min·Foley Boulevard
4
Take the ramp
154 ft·3 sec
Toward US 10 East
5
Keep slight left at fork
0.3 mi·35 sec
Toward US 10 EastUse the straight / slight right lanes.
6
Merge onto US 10
4.2 mi·4 min·US 10
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
7
Take the exit
0.8 mi·1 min
Exit 236Toward I 35W North: DuluthUse the straight / slight left lanes.
8
Merge onto I 35W
16 mi·17 min·I 35W
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
9
Keep slight left at fork onto I 35
105 mi·1 hr 52 min·I 35
10
Take the exit onto MN 33
0.6 mi·58 sec·MN 33
Toward MN 33: Cloquet, Iron Range
11
Enter roundabout onto MN 33
127 ft·1 sec·MN 33
12
Continue on MN 33
2.1 mi·3 min·MN 33
13
Turn right onto CR 45
465 ft·14 sec·Cloquet Avenue
14
Turn right onto 4th Street
26 ft·1 sec·4th Street
15
Arrive at destination
4th Street
Trip Plan
Since this is a relatively short trip, you have plenty of flexibility regarding your departure time, though hitting the road early helps avoid potential congestion on the interstate segments. While the 132.3-mile distance is easily manageable in one sitting, remember to account for the $19 fuel cost when budgeting for your travel expenses. Because you will be spending nearly the entire time on highways, ensure your vehicle is ready for sustained speeds. A helpful tip for this specific route is to check traffic reports for I-35 before you leave Coon Rapids, as the heavy reliance on this single artery means any delays can significantly impact your arrival time in Cloquet.
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 66.1 miles from Co on Rapids, MN, or about 1h 14m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 105 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 35m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 66.1 miles or 1h 14m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 2h
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Cloquet, MN than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving Co on Rapids, 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 Co on Rapids, MN
This is one driving day of about 132.3 miles and 2h 27m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 29 miles from Co on Rapids, MN.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
The longest stretch is on I 35 for about 105 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 2.7 and 8.1 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
5
2.7 mi into trip|~5m in
Take the ramp toward US 10 East
Navigation decision point
Toward US 10 East
8
2.8 mi into trip|~5m in
Keep slight left at fork toward US 10 East
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Toward US 10 East
5
3 mi into trip|~6m in|US 10
Merge onto US 10
Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
7
7.3 mi into trip|~10m in
Take the exit toward I 35W North: Duluth
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight left lanes.
Exit 236
Toward I 35W North: Duluth
5
8.1 mi into trip|~12m in|I 35W
Merge onto I 35W
Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$19.69 one way
$39.38 round trip
$3.78/gal25.4 MPG avg46 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.07
$21.21
$42.43
premium
$4.53
$23.61
$47.21
diesel
$5.61
$29.21
$58.42
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: 46.3 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
39.7
0
$13.89
$6.35
Efficient EV
33.1
0
$11.58
$5.29
EV Truck/SUV
52.9
0
$18.52
$8.47
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 13, 2026
Origin
Co on Rapids, MN
Night
in Co on Rapids on Saturday
Local time
11:36 PM
CDT
Current temp
72°F
Partly Sunny then Showers And Thunderstorms Likely
ENE 5 to 10 mph57% chanceLive forecast
Flood Warning
Flood Warning issued April 12 at 9:44PM CDT by NWS Grand Forks ND
Flood Warning
Flood Warning issued April 12 at 9:44PM CDT by NWS Grand Forks ND
Destination
Cloquet, MN
Night
in Cloquet on Saturday
Local time
11:36 PM
CDT
Current temp
52°F
Mostly Cloudy then Chance Showers And Thunderstorms
NE 0 to 10 mph31% chanceLive forecast
Flood Warning
Flood Warning issued April 12 at 9:44PM CDT by NWS Grand Forks ND
Flood Warning
Flood Warning issued April 12 at 9:44PM CDT by NWS Grand Forks ND
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
20 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 27m on the road
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.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
This is a highway-focused drive, with 97% of your travel time spent on major thoroughfares. You will experience a consistent interstate pace, highlighted by a significant 105-mile stretch on I-35 that allows for steady, uninterrupted driving. The personality of this route is utilitarian rather than winding, prioritizing speed and connectivity over technical backroads. Because the vast majority of your time is spent on high-capacity roads, you should prepare for a predictable, efficient experience behind the wheel. It is a no-nonsense path that prioritizes getting you to your destination as quickly as possible.
97% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
15 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 105 mi on I 35.
How Hard Is This Drive?
6/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 35 and I 35W. You will hit about 12 points where you need to pay attention to lane position or signs. The trickiest moment comes around 2.7 miles in.
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 132.3 miles you will encounter 12 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 2.7 miles: Navigation decision point; at 2.8 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 3 miles (US 10): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here.
Doable as a same-day drive at 2h 27m. Total distance: 132.3 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 105 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 Cloquet, 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 2.7 miles: Navigation decision point; at 2.8 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 3 miles (US 10): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here.
Yes. A round trip is manageable in a single day if you plan a break at Cloquet, MN before heading back.
