Traveling from Cottonwood to Bloomington covers 133.1 miles through the heart of the Minnesota Midwest. You should plan for a drive time of approximately 2 hours and 20 minutes, making this an easy day trip that does not require an overnight stay. Your journey will take you across local connectors like Barstad Road, 390th Street, and Highway 23. With an estimated fuel cost of $19, the trip is quite budget-friendly for a solo driver or a small group. Since this route avoids major interstates entirely, it serves as a direct, efficient link between these two regional points.
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
66.6 miles from Cottonwood, MN
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 1h 27m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
US 212
109.3 mi
2h 18m
State Highway 23
14.9 mi
18m
MN 5
6.4 mi
8m
I 35W
1 mi
1m
Barstad Road
0.6 mi
1m
390th Street
0.1 mi
<1m
Main Street
<0.1 mi
<1m
West 90th Street
<0.1 mi
<1m
Longest stretch:
US 212
— 109.3 mi, about 2h 18m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Cottonwood, MN and Bloomington, MN.
1
Start on CR 10
455 ft·13 sec·Main Street
2
Turn left onto CR 32
0.6 mi·1 min·Barstad Road
3
Turn right onto CR 10
0.1 mi·22 sec·390th Street
4
Turn left onto MN 23
15 mi·18 min·State Highway 23
5
Turn right onto US 212; MN 23
72 mi·1 hr 34 min·US 212; MN 23
6
Enter roundabout onto US 212
156 ft·2 sec·US 212
7
Continue on US 212
10 mi·11 min·US 212
8
Keep slight right at fork onto US 212
27 mi·32 min·US 212
Use the straight lane.
9
Take the exit onto MN 5
0.2 mi·17 sec·MN 5
Toward I 494 East, MN 5 EastUse the straight / slight right lanes.
10
Keep slight left at fork onto MN 5
6.2 mi·7 min·MN 5
Toward I 494 East, MN 5 EastUse the straight / slight right lanes.
11
Take the exit
0.2 mi·25 sec
Exit 5BToward I 35W South: Albert LeaUse the slight right lane.
12
Continue on this road
0.4 mi·50 sec·this road
Exit 5BToward I 35W South: Albert Lea
13
Merge onto I 35W
1.0 mi·1 min·I 35W
14
Take the exit
0.2 mi·34 sec
Exit 7BToward 90th StreetUse the straight / slight right lanes.
15
Turn left onto West 90th Street
207 ft·5 sec·West 90th Street
Use the left / straight lanes.
16
Arrive at destination
West 90th Street
Trip Plan
Since this is a straightforward 2-hour and 20-minute journey, you have plenty of flexibility regarding your departure time. Because you are navigating local roads rather than major highways, keep a close eye on your GPS to ensure you stay on track through the various turns along Barstad Road and 390th Street. Plan to fill your tank before leaving Cottonwood, as the $19 fuel estimate assumes a steady pace without the frequent idling found on busier thoroughfares. Use the lack of required stops to your advantage by heading out early to beat any localized traffic, allowing you to arrive in Bloomington refreshed and ready for your destination.
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.
Plan roughly 1 meaningful break for fuel, food, and rest.
The halfway point lands around 66.6 miles from Cottonwood, MN, or about 1h 27m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 109.3 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 38m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 66.6 miles or 1h 27m 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 21m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Bloomington, MN than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving Cottonwood, 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 Cottonwood, MN
This is one driving day of about 133.3 miles and 2h 50m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 29 miles from Cottonwood, 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 US 212 for about 109.3 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 11
5 decision points cluster between mile 125 and 133.2 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
7
125 mi into trip|~2h 39m in|MN 5
Take the exit onto MN 5 toward I 494 East, MN 5 East
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Toward I 494 East, MN 5 East
8
125.2 mi into trip|~2h 40m in|MN 5
Keep slight left at fork onto MN 5 toward I 494 East, MN 5 East
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Toward I 494 East, MN 5 East
7
131.4 mi into trip|~2h 47m in
Take the exit toward I 35W South: Albert Lea
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight right lane.
Exit 5B
Toward I 35W South: Albert Lea
7
133 mi into trip|~2h 50m in
Take the exit toward 90th Street
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Exit 7B
Toward 90th Street
7
133.2 mi into trip|~2h 50m in|West 90th Street
Turn left onto West 90th Street
Lane positioning matters here
Use the left / straight lanes.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$19.84 one way
$39.68 round trip
$3.78/gal25.4 MPG avg47 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.07
$21.38
$42.75
premium
$4.53
$23.78
$47.57
diesel
$5.61
$29.43
$58.86
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: 46.6 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $14 in charging
· 0 stops
· 66% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
40
0
$14.00
$6.40
Efficient EV
33.3
0
$11.66
$5.33
EV Truck/SUV
53.3
0
$18.66
$8.53
Gas CO2
47 kg
EV CO2
16 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 19, 2026
Origin
Cottonwood, MN
Late night
in Cottonwood on Tuesday
Local time
4:22 AM
CDT
Current temp
30°F
Partly Cloudy then Chance Rain And Snow Showers
WNW 10 to 15 mph24% chanceLive forecast
Destination
Bloomington, MN
Late night
in Bloomington on Tuesday
Local time
4:22 AM
CDT
Current temp
33°F
Partly Cloudy then Chance Snow Showers
WNW 5 to 15 mph30% chanceLive forecast
56°F
Hutchinson, MN
67 mi in
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
3 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 50m 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?
Expect a turn-heavy local drive that keeps you alert behind the wheel. Unlike a monotonous interstate slog, this route features a 0% highway share, meaning you will navigate surface roads for the entirety of the 133.1-mile journey. The road's personality is defined by its frequent transitions between local streets and rural thoroughfares. Because there are no designated long, uninterrupted stretches, the drive requires consistent focus as you adjust to the changing road geometry. It is a practical, hands-on experience that stays off the primary high-speed corridors.
99% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
16 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 109.3 mi on US 212.
How Hard Is This Drive?
7/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on US 212 and State Highway 23. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 125 miles in near MN 5.
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 11 significant decision points across 133.3 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 125 miles (MN 5): Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 125.2 miles (MN 5): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 131.4 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here.
Bloomington, Minnesota is a suburb of Minneapolis. It is near the Minneapolis-St. Paul International Airport (MSP IATA) and home to the Mall of America, the United States' largest shopping mall. Bloomington has a population of 89,000 people (as of 2021).
Bloomington was established as a post–World War II housing boom suburb connected to Minneapolis's urban street grid, and is served by two major freeways: Interstate 35W and Interstate 494.
Top landmarks
•Nickelodeon Universe — amusement park inside Mall of America
•SpongeBob SquarePants Rock Bottom Plunge — amusement ride
Doable as a same-day drive at 2h 50m. Total distance: 133.3 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
2h 50m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (99%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 109.3 miles on US 212. 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 Bloomington, 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. Dedicated rest areas are limited, so plan gas or food stops as your bathroom breaks.
The main spots that need attention: at 125 miles (MN 5): Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 125.2 miles (MN 5): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 131.4 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 Bloomington, MN before heading back.
