This 223.9-mile drive from Lake Eunice, MN to Bloomington, MN is a straightforward, highway-focused journey that can easily be completed in a single day. Expect to spend about 4 hours and 16 minutes on the road, primarily utilizing I-94, US-59, and I-494. With a fuel cost estimated at around $33, this trip is budget-friendly for a one-day excursion. The route stays within the Midwest region, offering a consistent travel experience. Given its manageable distance and duration, this route is ideal for a day trip, allowing for flexibility in departure and arrival times.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is possible, but it will make for a full day on the road.
Break Rhythm
1 planned break
Plan on a short reset every 3 to 4 hours to stay fresh behind the wheel.
Midpoint
111.9 miles from Lake Eunice, MN
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 2h 11m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
I 94
114.9 mi
2h 3m
US 59
62.1 mi
1h 7m
I 494
21.9 mi
27m
South Broadway
13.7 mi
15m
County Road 31
2.9 mi
7m
West Prairie Avenue
2.7 mi
3m
County Highway 22
2.4 mi
5m
I 35W
1 mi
1m
Longest stretch:
I 94
— 114.9 mi, about 2h 3m
Traffic on I-94
Hour-of-day weekday pattern from 21 FHWA count stations on your route.
Peak
4 PM
~3,094 veh/hr typical
· worst 3,644
Quietest
2 AM
~163 veh/hr
Peak-to-quiet ratio
19×
busier at peak than in the quiet hours
12a6anoon6p11p
Averaged across 47 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 Lake Eunice, MN and Bloomington, MN.
1
Start on this road
41 ft·8 sec·this road
2
Turn left onto CR 22
2.4 mi·5 min·County Highway 22
3
Turn left onto CH 20
0.3 mi·49 sec·County Highway 20
4
Continue on CR 20
0.7 mi·1 min·Pike Drive
5
Turn right onto CH 31
2.9 mi·7 min·County Road 31
6
Turn right onto US 59; MN 34
10 mi·11 min·US 59; MN 34
7
Continue on US 59
14 mi·15 min·South Broadway
8
Continue on US 59
2.7 mi·3 min·West Prairie Avenue
9
Take the exit onto US 59
52 mi·55 min·US 59
10
Continue on I 94; MN 27
115 mi·2 hr 3 min·I 94; MN 27
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
11
Take the exit
0.4 mi·31 sec
Exit 216Toward I 494 SouthUse the straight / slight right lanes.
12
Continue on I 494
22 mi·27 min·I 494
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
13
Take the exit
0.2 mi·25 sec
Exit 5BToward I 35W South: Albert LeaUse the slight right lane.
14
Continue on this road
0.4 mi·50 sec·this road
Exit 5BToward I 35W South: Albert Lea
15
Merge onto I 35W
1.0 mi·1 min·I 35W
16
Take the exit
0.2 mi·34 sec
Exit 7BToward 90th StreetUse the straight / slight right lanes.
17
Turn left onto West 90th Street
207 ft·5 sec·West 90th Street
Use the left / straight lanes.
18
Arrive at destination
West 90th Street
Trip Plan
For this 4-hour, 16-minute drive, consider an early morning departure to maximize your day and potentially avoid any midday traffic, especially as you approach Bloomington. While the route has a recommended single day for completion, you can plan for one stop along the way, perhaps midway through the 114.9-mile stretch on I-94, to stretch your legs. Keep an eye on your fuel gauge; with a projected cost of $33, it's wise to top off before embarking on the longest 114.9-mile segment on I-94 to ensure uninterrupted progress.
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 111.9 miles from Lake Eunice, MN, or about 2h 11m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 114.9 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 49 miles or 1h 3m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 111.9 miles or 2h 11m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 3h 27m
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 Lake Eunice, 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 Lake Eunice, MN
This is one driving day of about 223.9 miles and 4h 16m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 49 miles from Lake Eunice, 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 94 for about 114.9 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 16.8 and 223.8 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
5
16.8 mi into trip|~27m in|US 59 / South Broadway
Enter roundabout onto US 59 / South Broadway
Roundabout - know your exit number before entering
7
199.7 mi into trip|~3h 45m 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
222 mi into trip|~4h 13m 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
223.6 mi into trip|~4h 15m 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
223.8 mi into trip|~4h 16m in|West 90th Street
Turn left onto West 90th Street
Lane positioning matters here
Use the left / straight lanes.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$33.63 one way
$67.26 round trip
$3.82/gal25.4 MPG avg78 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.12
$36.31
$72.62
premium
$4.60
$40.56
$81.12
diesel
$4.80
$42.28
$84.55
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$34
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$59–$84
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 78.3 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-07-13.
EV Charging Along Route
52 DC fast chargers
· Coverage: excellent
Maple Grove, MN - Tesla Supercharger
Maple Grove, MN
Tesla
12 DCFC
Maple Grove, MN
Maple Grove, MN
RIVIAN_ADVENTURE
12 DCFC
Brooklyn Park, MN Rechargery Relay @ Hy-Vee - Zane Ave North
Station data from NREL Alternative Fuel Stations database.
Driving Electric?
About $24 in charging
· 0 stops
· 67% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
67.2
0
$23.51
$10.75
Efficient EV
56
0
$19.59
$8.96
EV Truck/SUV
89.6
1
$31.35
$14.33
Gas CO2
78 kg
EV CO2
26 kg (67% less)
Plan for 0 charging stops, roughly every 270 miles. Allow 25-40 minutes per stop at a DC fast charger.
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 Jul 18, 2026
Origin
Lake Eunice, MN
Evening
in Lake Eunice on Saturday
Local time
8:29 PM
CDT
Current temp
86°F
Mostly Sunny
NW 7 mph0% chanceLive forecast
Special Weather Statement
Special Weather Statement issued July 18 at 11:59AM CDT by NWS Duluth MN
Special Weather Statement
Special Weather Statement issued July 18 at 4:03AM CDT by NWS Grand Forks ND
Destination
Bloomington, MN
Evening
in Bloomington on Saturday
Local time
8:29 PM
CDT
Current temp
90°F
Sunny
N 5 to 10 mph0% chanceLive forecast
Special Weather Statement
Special Weather Statement issued July 18 at 11:59AM CDT by NWS Duluth MN
Special Weather Statement
Special Weather Statement issued July 18 at 4:03AM 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
4 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
4h 16m on the road
An early start around 7-8 AM gets you there with plenty of daylight left.
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 predominantly highway-focused drive, with 91% of the route on major roadways. You'll encounter a significant uninterrupted stretch of 114.9 miles on I-94, meaning long periods of consistent speed. The character of the drive is largely defined by these interstate segments, offering a predictable and efficient travel experience rather than winding backroads or intricate city navigation. Expect a smooth flow for the majority of your journey as you transition between I-94, US-59, and I-494.
91% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
18 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 114.9 mi on I 94.
How Hard Is This Drive?
5/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 94 and US 59. You will hit about 11 points where you need to pay attention to lane position or signs. The trickiest moment comes around 16.8 miles in near US 59 / South Broadway.
Driving Effort5/10
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 223.9 miles you will encounter 11 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 16.8 miles (US 59 / South Broadway): Roundabout - know your exit number before entering; at 199.7 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here; at 222 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here.
Elevation Profile
Mostly flat terrain
1,382 ft826 ft
Total Climb
154 ft
Total Descent
668 ft
Highest Point
1,382 ft
~80 mi in
Elevation Range
557 ft
Detours Along the Way
Tagged by where each one fits in your drive — first break, midpoint, final stretch.
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 4h 16m. Total distance: 223.9 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
4h 16m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (91%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 114.9 miles on I 94. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Yes — we found about 16 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.
Yes, with realistic expectations. Build in a stop roughly every 2 hours, have snacks and activities ready, and check the Nearby Places tabs for kid-friendly stops along the way.
The main spots that need attention: at 16.8 miles (US 59 / South Broadway): Roundabout - know your exit number before entering; at 199.7 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here; at 222 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here.
Possible but tiring. At 4.3 hours each way, an in-and-out day trip would put you behind the wheel for 8.5 hours — manageable with a long break at Bloomington, MN, but most travelers stay overnight.
