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Trip from Cross Lake, MN to Bloomington, MN

Compiled and reviewed by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Apr 19, 2026 · Editorial standards

Drive Time

3h 13m

Distance

153.1 mi

246 km

Drive Score

8/10

Great drive

Same Day?

Yes, doable

Fuel Cost

$23

one way

EV Charging

Unknown

Best Time to Leave

Save up to 35 min
4 AM
3h 2m ★
6 AM
3h 13m
8 AM
3h 37m
10 AM
3h 22m
12 PM
3h 19m
3 PM
3h 23m
5 PM
3h 36m
8 PM
3h 6m

Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.

Best Time Drive vs Fly
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Downtown Cross Lake, MN, MN

Cross Lake, MN

Tom Fisk

Downtown Bloomington, MN, MN

Bloomington, MN

Wikimedia Commons

Trip Overview

This 153.1-mile drive from Cross Lake to Bloomington, Minnesota, is easily manageable as a single-day trip, taking approximately 3 hours and 13 minutes. The majority of your journey, about 85% highway, will be on US Highway 169 and I-494, with a brief section on County Road 11. With an estimated fuel cost of $23, this is an economical option for a quick getaway or transition. The route stays within the Midwest region, offering a straightforward drive with minimal complexity. It’s a good choice if you’re looking for an efficient way to get from point A to point B without extensive planning.

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

76.6 miles from Cross Lake, MN

A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h 42m into the drive .

Main Roads

Road Distance Duration
US Highway 169 73.3 mi 1h 23m
I 494 21.9 mi 27m
County Road 11 14.5 mi 19m
MN 6 14.1 mi 24m
I 94 8.3 mi 9m
MN 101 6.9 mi 8m
State Highway 18 4.3 mi 7m
Central Avenue 2.3 mi 2m
Longest stretch: US Highway 169 — 73.3 mi, about 1h 23m

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between Cross Lake, MN and Bloomington, MN.

1

Start on CH 3; IC C

3.2 mi · 4 min · County Road 11
2

Keep slight right at fork onto CH 3; IC C

341 ft · 5 sec · County Road 3
3

Enter roundabout onto CR 11

213 ft · 4 sec · County Road 11
4

Continue on CR 11

3.6 mi · 4 min · County Road 11
5

Continue on CR 11

7.7 mi · 10 min · County Road 11
6

Turn right onto MN 6

4.7 mi · 8 min · MN 6
7

Turn left onto MN 6; MN 210

1.1 mi · 1 min · West Main Street
8

Enter roundabout onto MN 6; MN 210

110 ft · 1 sec · Voyageur Highway
9

Continue on MN 6; MN 210

2.3 mi · 2 min · Voyageur Highway
10

Continue on MN 6; MN 210

0.7 mi · 50 sec · Archibald Road
11

At end of road, turn left onto MN 6; MN 210

0.4 mi · 29 sec · East Front Street
12

Turn right onto MN 6

9.4 mi · 16 min · MN 6
13

Turn left onto MN 18

4.3 mi · 7 min · State Highway 18
14

Turn straight onto US 169; MN 18

37 mi · 42 min · US Highway 169
15

Continue on US 169

2.3 mi · 2 min · Central Avenue
16

Continue on US 169

9.5 mi · 10 min · US Highway 169
17

Keep slight right at fork onto US 169

26 mi · 30 min · US Highway 169
18

Continue on US 169

383 ft · 4 sec · POW/MIA Memorial Highway
19

Continue on MN 101

6.9 mi · 8 min · MN 101
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
20

Take the exit

0.7 mi · 1 min
Toward I 94 East: Minneapolis, Saint Paul
21

Merge onto I 94

8.3 mi · 9 min · I 94
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
22

Take the exit

0.4 mi · 31 sec
Exit 216 Toward I 494 South Use the straight / slight right lanes.
23

Continue on I 494

22 mi · 27 min · I 494
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
24

Take the exit

0.2 mi · 25 sec
Exit 5B Toward I 35W South: Albert Lea Use the slight right lane.
25

Continue on this road

0.4 mi · 50 sec · this road
Exit 5B Toward I 35W South: Albert Lea
26

Merge onto I 35W

1.0 mi · 1 min · I 35W
27

Take the exit

0.2 mi · 34 sec
Exit 7B Toward 90th Street Use the straight / slight right lanes.
28

Turn left onto West 90th Street

207 ft · 5 sec · West 90th Street
Use the left / straight lanes.
29

Arrive at destination

West 90th Street

Trip Plan

Given the 3-hour and 13-minute duration, this trip is perfectly suited for a single day, offering flexibility in your departure time. Leaving in the morning should allow you to avoid the bulk of any potential traffic. With only one suggested stop and a fuel cost around $23, you won't need to worry much about extensive planning for refueling or lengthy breaks. A practical tip for this route is to stay aware of your surroundings as you transition from US Highway 169 to I-494 and then County Road 11, as these changes can sometimes be less intuitive than a simple interstate merge.

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 76.6 miles from Cross Lake, MN, or about 1h 42m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 73.3 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 34 miles or 51m in

Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.

Halfway reset

Around 76.6 miles or 1h 42m 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 38m

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 Cross Lake, 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 Cross Lake, MN

This is one driving day of about 153.1 miles and 3h 13m.

Your first comfortable stop window is around 34 miles from Cross Lake, 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 Highway 169 for about 73.3 miles.

Where to Stop

Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.

city in Sherburne County, Minnesota, United States

Mid-route town

Meal stop

Big Lake, MN

77 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

Brainerd, MN

Fuel and coffee

A short stop after about 34 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.

Milaca, MN

Meal break

The midpoint is around 76.6 miles from Cross Lake, MN, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.

Before the longest stretch

Fuel check

Top up before US Highway 169 if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 73.3 miles.

These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.

Nearby Places

Restaurants, cafes, gas stations and more along your route.

Top Restaurant

Maynard's Restaurant of Rogers

4.5 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Rogers, Minnesota

Later in the drive, right off the route

0.6 mi from route ~1 min detour $20 to $30 mile 120.3

Hours: 11 am–11 pm

+17634280700

Visit website

Dark Horse Brew & Bistro

4.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Crosslake, Minnesota

1 mi

Top Coffee Stop

Crosslake Coffee

4.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Crosslake, Minnesota

Near the start, right off the route

0.7 mi from route ~2 min detour $1 to $10

Hours: 7 am–12 pm

+12186923994

Munkabeans Coffeehouse

4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Hopkins, Minnesota

2.1 mi

Mixed Company - A Kava House

4.8 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Crosby, Minnesota

2.3 mi

Maynard's Restaurant of Rogers

4.5 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Later in the drive, right off the route

0.6 mi from route ~1 min detour $20 to $30 mile 120.3

Rogers, Minnesota

Hours: 11 am–11 pm

+17634280700

Visit website

Dark Horse Brew & Bistro

4.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, short detour

1 mi from route ~3 min detour $10 to $20

Crosslake, Minnesota

Hours: 8 am–4 pm

+12186926900

Visit website

Lynde’s Restaurant & Catering

4.5 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, ~11 min detour

4.3 mi from route ~11 min detour $10 to $20 mile 131.3

Osseo, Minnesota

Hours: 6 am–2 pm

+17634243696

Visit website

Nawal Restaurant

4.4 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Near the end, ~11 min detour

4.4 mi from route ~11 min detour $10 to $20 mile 153.1

Burnsville, Minnesota

Hours: 6 am–9 pm

+19524566701

Crosslake Coffee

4.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, right off the route

0.7 mi from route ~2 min detour $1 to $10

Crosslake, Minnesota

Hours: 7 am–12 pm

+12186923994

Munkabeans Coffeehouse

4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, short detour

2.1 mi from route ~5 min detour $10 to $20 mile 142.2

Hopkins, Minnesota

Hours: 6:30 am–5 pm

+19529389056

Visit website

Mixed Company - A Kava House

4.8 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, short detour

2.3 mi from route ~6 min detour $1 to $10 mile 21.9

Crosby, Minnesota

Hours: 7 am–2 pm

+12185451010

Visit website

Woodland Trails Regional Park

4.8 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Later in the drive, short detour

2 mi from route ~5 min detour mile 109.4

Elk River, Minnesota

Hours: 6 am–10 pm

+17636351150

Visit website

Missing Pieces Escape Games

4.9 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, short detour

3.3 mi from route ~8 min detour mile 153.1

Edina, Minnesota

Hours: 12–7:30 pm

+19526588974

Visit website

Playground Plaza

4.3 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Near the end, ~12 min detour

4.6 mi from route ~12 min detour mile 131.3

Maple Grove, Minnesota

Hours: 7 am–9 pm

+17632283833

Visit website

Place data sourced from public business listings. Hours and availability may vary.

Heads-up: tricky spots

5 of 15

5 decision points cluster between mile 3.2 and 153.1 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.

6
3.2 mi into trip | ~4m in | CR 11 / County Road 11

Enter roundabout onto CR 11 / County Road 11

Roundabout - know your exit number before entering

7
128.9 mi into trip | ~2h 42m in

Take the exit toward I 494 South

Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here

Use the straight / slight right lanes. Exit 216 Toward I 494 South
7
151.3 mi into trip | ~3h 10m 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
152.9 mi into trip | ~3h 12m 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
153.1 mi into trip | ~3h 13m in | West 90th Street

Turn left onto West 90th Street

Lane positioning matters here

Use the left / straight lanes.

Fuel & Cost

Regular Gas

$22.78 one way

$45.57 round trip

$3.78/gal 25.4 MPG avg 54 kg CO2
Fuel Type $/gal One Way Round Trip
midgrade $4.07 $24.55 $49.10
premium $4.53 $27.32 $54.63
diesel $5.61 $33.80 $67.61

No toll roads detected on this route.

Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)

Fuel

$23

Meals

$25–$50

Total

$48–$73

Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.

Estimated CO2 emission: 53.6 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.

Driving Electric?

About $16 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO2

Vehicle Type kWh Stops DC Fast Home Charge
Average EV 45.9 0 $16.08 $7.35
Efficient EV 38.3 0 $13.40 $6.12
EV Truck/SUV 61.2 0 $21.43 $9.80

Gas CO2

54 kg

EV CO2

18 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 18, 2026

Origin

Cross Lake, MN

Late night in Cross Lake on Sunday

Local time

3:01 AM

CDT

Current temp

25°F

Mostly Cloudy

NW 15 mph 0% chance Live forecast

Destination

Bloomington, MN

Late night in Bloomington on Sunday

Local time

3:01 AM

CDT

Current temp

48°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

23 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 13m 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.

What kind of drive is this?

Expect a predominantly highway-focused experience on this route, with 85% of the drive utilizing major roadways. You'll encounter a significant stretch of 73.3 miles along US Highway 169, offering a consistent pace. The character of the drive is largely dictated by these main arteries, providing a predictable and efficient journey. While primarily highway, the inclusion of County Road 11 adds a slight variation as you approach your destination. This isn't a winding scenic byway, but rather a direct and functional path.

85% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
29 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 73.3 mi on US Highway 169.

How Hard Is This Drive?

8/10

This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on US Highway 169 and I 494. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 3.2 miles in near CR 11 / County Road 11.

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 15 significant decision points across 153.1 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 3.2 miles (CR 11 / County Road 11): Roundabout - know your exit number before entering; at 128.9 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here; at 151.3 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here.

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 Cross Lake, MN to Bloomington, MN, road signs begin pointing toward Saint Paul along the way.

Saint Paul

120 mi in | ~2h 31m

About the Cities

Arriving in Bloomington, MN

Full guide →

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.

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 13m. Total distance: 153.1 miles.

Family Friendly

Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.

Solo Traveler

3h 13m drive, comfortable solo distance.

First-Time Driver

Mostly highway driving (85%). Some complex stretches to watch for.

Frequently Asked Questions

The longest stretch is about 73.3 miles on US Highway 169. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.

We did not find dedicated rest areas on this route. For a drive this long, plan bathroom and stretch breaks around gas stations, fast-food stops, or small-town downtowns — check the Nearby Places section for options.

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 3.2 miles (CR 11 / County Road 11): Roundabout - know your exit number before entering; at 128.9 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here; at 151.3 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here.

Possible but tiring. At 3.2 hours each way, an in-and-out day trip would put you behind the wheel for 6.4 hours — manageable with a long break at Bloomington, 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, and EIA for fuel prices. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.

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