Forest Lake Rest Area
0.1 mi from route
Trip from Co on Rapids, MN to Eveleth, MN
Pin this tripCompiled and reviewed by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Sep 4, 2026 · Editorial standards
Drive Time
3h 34m
Distance
186.5 mi
300 km
Drive Score
8/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$30
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
3h 22m
★
6 AM
3h 34m
8 AM
3h 59m
10 AM
3h 43m
12 PM
3h 41m
3 PM
3h 44m
5 PM
3h 58m
8 PM
3h 27m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Co on Rapids, MN
Tom Fisk
Eveleth, MN
Danila Perevoshchikov
Trip Overview
The drive from Co on Rapids, MN to Eveleth, MN covers 186.5 miles and takes about 3h 34m behind the wheel. This route is realistic as a one-day drive if you keep your stops efficient.
The route leans on I 35, US 53, MN 33 for much of the mileage, and the overall profile is mostly highway. The longest uninterrupted segment is about 105 miles on I 35. At current regular gas prices, budget about $29.53 one way before food or hotel costs.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.
Break Rhythm
1 planned break
A short stop every 2 to 3 hours is enough for this drive.
Midpoint
93.2 miles from Co on Rapids, MN
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h 43m into the drive .
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| I 35 | 105 mi | 1h 52m |
| US 53 | 35.9 mi | 41m |
| MN 33 | 19.8 mi | 26m |
| I 35W | 16.5 mi | 17m |
| US 10 | 4.2 mi | 4m |
| East River Road | 1.4 mi | 2m |
| Foley Boulevard | 1.2 mi | 2m |
| Fayal Road | 0.8 mi | 2m |
Longest stretch:
I 35
— 105 mi, about 1h 52m
Traffic on I-35
Hour-of-day weekday pattern from 16 FHWA count stations on your route.
Peak
3 PM
~2,068 veh/hr typical · worst 2,574
Quietest
1 AM
~82 veh/hr
Peak-to-quiet ratio
25.2×
busier at peak than in the quiet hours
12a
6a
noon
6p
11p
Averaged across 86 weeks of 2023 FHWA Travel Monitoring Analysis System data. Weekday hours only (Mon–Fri).
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Co on Rapids, MN and Eveleth, 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 East
Use 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 236
Toward I 35W North: Duluth
Use 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
19 mi
·
25 min
·
MN 33
Use the straight lane.
13
Take the exit onto MN 33
0.4 mi
·
29 sec
·
MN 33
14
Merge onto US 53
36 mi
·
41 min
·
US 53
Use the straight / right lanes.
15
Take the exit onto MN 37
0.2 mi
·
41 sec
·
MN 37
Toward MN 37 East: Gilbert, Biwabik
16
Turn left onto MN 37
469 ft
·
13 sec
·
State Highway 37
17
Continue on CR 101
0.8 mi
·
2 min
·
Fayal Road
Use the straight lane.
18
Turn right onto Grant Avenue
0.1 mi
·
19 sec
·
Grant Avenue
19
Arrive at destination
Grant Avenue
Trip Plan
Morning Departure
An early start around 7-8 AM gets you there with plenty of daylight left.
Evening Departure
A late afternoon start means arriving after dark. Morning is better.
You can normally do this drive in one day.
Plan roughly 1 meaningful break for fuel, food, and rest.
The halfway point lands around 93.2 miles from Co on Rapids, MN, or about 1h 43m 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 41 miles or 47m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 93.2 miles or 1h 43m 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 53m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Eveleth, 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 186.5 miles and 3h 34m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 41 miles from Co on Rapids, MN.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
Plan about 1 real break rather than only quick fuel stops.
The longest stretch is on I 35 for about 105 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Mid-route town
Meal stop
93 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.
Pacing Suggestions
Fuel and coffee
A short stop after about 41 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 93.2 miles from Co on Rapids, MN, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Before the longest stretch
Fuel checkTop up before I 35 if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 105 miles.
These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.
Stops Along Your Drive
Picked by where they fit in your drive — first break, midpoint reset, final stretch.
Goose Creek Rest Area
0.1 mi from route
Culkin Rest Area
0.1 mi from route
Anchor Lake Rest Area
0.1 mi from route
Love's Travel Stop
0.1 mi from route
US-53: Independence Rest Area
0.1 mi from route
General Andrews Rest Area
0.2 mi from route
Kettle River Rest Area
0.2 mi from route
Service Plaza
0.2 mi from route
Place data sourced from public business listings. Hours and availability may vary.
Heads-up: tricky spots
5 of 165 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
$29.53 one way
$59.06 round trip
$4.02/gal
25.4 MPG avg
65 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.28 | $31.45 | $62.90 |
| premium | $4.85 | $35.60 | $71.19 |
| diesel | $5.60 | $41.11 | $82.22 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$30
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$55–$80
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 65.3 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-08-31.
Driving Electric?
About $20 in charging · 0 stops · 66% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 56 | 0 | $19.58 | $8.95 |
| Efficient EV | 46.6 | 0 | $16.32 | $7.46 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 74.6 | 0 | $26.11 | $11.94 |
Gas CO2
65 kg
EV CO2
22 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.
Origin
Co on Rapids, MN
Late night in Co on Rapids on Friday
Local time
2:49 AM
CDT
Current temp
64°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
Eveleth, MN
Late night in Eveleth on Friday
Local time
2:49 AM
CDT
Current temp
70°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
3h 34m 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.
What kind of drive is this?
186.5 mi in 3h 34m, mostly highway — 105 mi of that is on I 35.
97% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
19 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?
8/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 35 and US 53. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 2.7 miles in.
Driving Effort
8/10
Demanding - plan breaks and stay ahead of the key maneuvers
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This is a demanding drive. With 16 significant decision points across 186.5 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 2.7 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.
Elevation Profile
Mostly flat terrain
1,590 ft
862 ft
Total Climb
759 ft
Total Descent
31 ft
Highest Point
1,590 ft
~186.5 mi in
Elevation Range
728 ft
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
On the drive from Co on Rapids, MN to Eveleth, MN, road signs begin pointing toward Iron Range along the way.
Iron Range
129.5 mi in
|
~2h 22m
|
via MN 33
About the Cities
Arriving in Eveleth, MN
Full guide →Founded 1893
Top landmarks
- • Church of the Holy Family — church building in Eveleth, United States of America
- • Eveleth Recreation Building — historic building in Eveleth, Minnesota, United States
City content from Wikivoyage (CC BY-SA 4.0) and Wikidata (CC0).
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 3h 34m. Total distance: 186.5 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
3h 34m 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.
Yes — we found about 9 rest areas or service plazas within a short detour of the route (from OpenStreetMap). See the Rest Stops tab under Nearby Places for locations and mile markers. Plan to stretch, use the bathroom, and top off fluids every 2–3 hours on longer drives.
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 Eveleth, 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. Plan at least 1 meaningful breaks. There are 9 rest areas along the route for bathroom stops.
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.
Possible but tiring. At 3.6 hours each way, an in-and-out day trip would put you behind the wheel for 7.1 hours — manageable with a long break at Eveleth, MN, but most travelers stay overnight.
How this page is built
Compiled by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy from open government datasets — OSRM over OpenStreetMap for geometry, EIA for fuel prices, USGS 3DEP for elevation, and FHWA TMAS for hourly traffic volumes. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.
Was this helpful?
Thanks for your feedback!
Your tip has been submitted. Thanks!
/500
Recent Tips
·
Explore More
Continue From Eveleth, MN
More trips to Eveleth, MN
Explore more options from Co on Rapids, MN or browse trips ending in Eveleth, MN.
Looking for more statewide routes? Browse MN road trips.