Origin
Gaylord, MN
Late night in Gaylord on Saturday
Local time
12:48 AM
CDT
Current temp
50°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Gaylord, MN to Blaine, MN
Pin this tripCompiled and reviewed by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Sep 12, 2026 · Editorial standards
Drive Time
1h 46m
Distance
84.1 mi
135 km
Drive Score
7/10
Good drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$14
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
1h 39m
★
6 AM
1h 47m
8 AM
2h 3m
10 AM
1h 52m
12 PM
1h 51m
3 PM
1h 53m
5 PM
2h 2m
8 PM
1h 42m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Gaylord, MN
Ketut Subiyanto
Blaine, MN
Wikimedia Commons
Trip Overview
Gaylord to Blaine is 84.1 miles and takes about 1 hour 46 minutes via US 212, MN 100, and State Highway 22, with a fuel budget near $13 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This trip stays within Minnesota, traversing the Midwest region. Given its relatively short distance and primarily highway profile, it's a straightforward drive. You'll find it's a practical option for a quick trip between these two points, with most of your travel time spent on well-maintained roads.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.
Midpoint
42.1 miles from Gaylord, MN
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 53m into the drive .
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| US 212 | 41.1 mi | 48m |
| MN 100 | 13.2 mi | 16m |
| State Highway 22 | 11.5 mi | 14m |
| Highway 65 Northeast | 6.3 mi | 8m |
| US Highway 212 | 4.5 mi | 5m |
| Crosstown Highway | 1.9 mi | 2m |
| I 694 | 1.9 mi | 2m |
| 7th Avenue | 1.1 mi | 2m |
Longest stretch:
US 212
— 41.1 mi, about 48m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Gaylord, MN and Blaine, MN.
1
Start on MN 5; MN 19
0.1 mi
·
23 sec
·
Main Avenue
2
Turn right onto MN 22
0.8 mi
·
2 min
·
6th Street
3
Continue on MN 22
7.1 mi
·
8 min
·
State Highway 22
4
Continue on MN 22
0.5 mi
·
1 min
·
7th Avenue
5
Continue on MN 22
0.5 mi
·
55 sec
·
7th Avenue
6
Continue on MN 22
4.3 mi
·
5 min
·
State Highway 22
7
Take the ramp onto MN 22
0.2 mi
·
14 sec
·
State Highway 22
8
Merge onto US 212; MN 22
4.5 mi
·
5 min
·
US Highway 212
9
Enter roundabout onto US 212
156 ft
·
2 sec
·
US 212
10
Continue on US 212
10 mi
·
11 min
·
US 212
11
Keep slight right at fork onto US 212
31 mi
·
36 min
·
US 212
Use the straight lane.
12
Continue on MN 62
1.9 mi
·
2 min
·
Crosstown Highway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
13
Take the exit
0.2 mi
·
31 sec
Exit 108B
Toward MN 100 North
Use the right lane.
14
Merge onto MN 100
13 mi
·
16 min
·
MN 100
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
15
Keep slight left at fork
0.7 mi
·
1 min
Toward I 694 East
16
Merge onto I 694
1.9 mi
·
2 min
·
I 694
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
17
Take the exit
0.4 mi
·
47 sec
Exit 38
Toward MN 65: Central Avenue
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
18
Continue on MN 65
0.4 mi
·
25 sec
·
Central Avenue Northeast
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
19
Continue on MN 65
6.3 mi
·
8 min
·
Highway 65 Northeast
Use the left lane.
20
Arrive at destination
MN 65
Trip Plan
Since this drive is just under two hours, you have a lot of flexibility with your departure time. Leaving in the morning or early afternoon will allow you to complete the 84.1-mile trip well before dark. With a fuel cost estimated at $13, you won't need to worry too much about frequent fill-ups, but it's always wise to start with a full tank. The longest stretch without a significant break is about 41 miles on US 212, so consider this when planning any brief stops if needed.
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 42.1 miles from Gaylord, MN, or about 53m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 41.1 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 19 miles or 25m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 42.1 miles or 53m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 1h 29m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Blaine, MN than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving Gaylord, MN so your first major turns are already loaded.
Day 1
Settle into the route from Gaylord, MN
This is one driving day of about 84.1 miles and 1h 46m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 19 miles from Gaylord, MN.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
The longest stretch is on US 212 for about 41.1 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Mid-route town
Meal stop
42 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 19 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 42.1 miles from Gaylord, 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.
Heads-up: tricky spots
5 of 95 decision points cluster between mile 28.2 and 77.1 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
6
28.2 mi into trip
|
~36m in
|
US 212
Keep slight right at fork onto US 212
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight lane.
7
61.1 mi into trip
|
~1h 16m in
Take the exit toward MN 100 North
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the right lane.
Exit 108B
Toward MN 100 North
5
61.3 mi into trip
|
~1h 16m in
|
MN 100
Merge onto MN 100
Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
5
74.5 mi into trip
|
~1h 33m in
Keep slight left at fork toward I 694 East
Highway fork - watch signs carefully
Toward I 694 East
7
77.1 mi into trip
|
~1h 36m in
Take the exit toward MN 65: Central Avenue
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Exit 38
Toward MN 65: Central Avenue
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$13.73 one way
$27.46 round trip
$4.15/gal
25.4 MPG avg
29 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.46 | $14.77 | $29.55 |
| premium | $4.95 | $16.40 | $32.80 |
| diesel | $5.97 | $19.76 | $39.51 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$14
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$39–$64
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 29.4 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-09-07.
Driving Electric?
About $9 in charging · 0 stops · 66% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 25.2 | 0 | $8.83 | $4.04 |
| Efficient EV | 21 | 0 | $7.36 | $3.36 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 33.6 | 0 | $11.77 | $5.38 |
Gas CO2
29 kg
EV CO2
10 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.
Destination
Blaine, MN
Late night in Blaine on Saturday
Local time
12:48 AM
CDT
Current temp
51°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
1 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
1h 46m 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?
This route is predominantly highway driving, with 93% of the 84.1 miles on high-speed roads. You'll encounter your longest uninterrupted stretch of 41.1 miles on US 212. The transition to surface roads is minimal, meaning you'll mostly be navigating at higher speeds with fewer interruptions. Expect a consistent cruising experience for the majority of the trip.
93% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
20 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 41.1 mi on US 212.
How Hard Is This Drive?
7/10
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 around 28.2 miles in near US 212.
Driving Effort
7/10
Demanding - plan breaks and stay ahead of the key maneuvers
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This drive requires moderate attention. Across 84.1 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: at 28.2 miles (US 212): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 61.1 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here; at 61.3 miles (MN 100): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here.
About the Cities
Starting in Gaylord, MN
Full guide →Top landmarks
- • Gaylord City Park — historic park in Minnesota, United States
- • Sibley County Courthouse and Sheriff's Residence and Jail — government buildings in Minnesota, United States
Arriving in Blaine, MN
Full guide →Founded 1877
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 1h 46m. Total distance: 84.1 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 0 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
1h 46m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (93%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 41.1 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 Blaine, MN before sunset when you can. Check the Trip Plan for departure windows that land you in daylight.
Yes. At under 2 hours behind the wheel, this works well for families — plan one quick stop if you have younger kids.
The main spots that need attention: at 28.2 miles (US 212): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 61.1 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here; at 61.3 miles (MN 100): 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 Blaine, MN before heading back.
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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