Spanning 132.5 miles across Minnesota, this trip from Montevideo to Bloomington takes approximately 2 hours and 23 minutes. It is a straightforward journey that works perfectly as a one-day excursion, meaning you won't need to worry about overnight accommodations. Budgeting about $19 for fuel should keep you covered for the entire distance. Since the route stays entirely within the Midwest, you can expect a familiar landscape as you transition from Montevideo toward the Bloomington area. It is a practical, direct drive that gets you to your destination efficiently without unnecessary detours.
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
62.2 miles from Montevideo, MN
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 1h 21m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
MN 7
72.7 mi
1h 33m
highway 7 West
16.1 mi
20m
195th Avenue
10.3 mi
13m
MN 5
6.4 mi
8m
Prince Rogers Nelson Memorial Highway
5.6 mi
7m
State Highway 7 East
4.5 mi
6m
West 78th Street
3.8 mi
4m
Rolling Acres Road
1.2 mi
2m
Longest stretch:
MN 7
— 72.7 mi, about 1h 33m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Montevideo, MN and Bloomington, MN.
1
Start on Eureka Avenue
59 ft·8 sec·Eureka Avenue
2
Turn left onto North 8th Street
275 ft·13 sec·North 8th Street
3
Turn right onto Black Oak Avenue
0.5 mi·1 min·Black Oak Avenue
4
Turn left onto North 17th Street
426 ft·11 sec·North 17th Street
5
Turn right onto MN 7
33 mi·42 min·MN 7
6
Enter roundabout onto MN 7
156 ft·2 sec·195th Avenue
7
Continue on MN 7
0.1 mi·8 sec·195th Avenue
8
Continue on MN 7
7.9 mi·9 min·MN 7
9
Continue on MN 7
10 mi·13 min·195th Avenue
Use the straight / left lanes.
10
Continue on MN 7
16 mi·20 min·highway 7 West
11
Continue on MN 7; MN 22
0.6 mi·1 min·4th Avenue Northwest
12
Continue on MN 7; MN 22
4.5 mi·6 min·State Highway 7 East
13
Continue on MN 7; CR 4
11 mi·14 min·MN 7; CR 4
14
Enter roundabout onto MN 7
130 ft·2 sec·MN 7
15
Continue on MN 7
9.0 mi·11 min·MN 7
16
Enter roundabout onto MN 7
125 ft·2 sec·MN 7
17
Continue on MN 7
2.5 mi·3 min·MN 7
18
Enter roundabout onto MN 7
185 ft·3 sec·MN 7
19
Continue on MN 7
5.8 mi·7 min·MN 7
20
Enter roundabout onto MN 7
139 ft·2 sec·MN 7
21
Continue on MN 7
3.2 mi·4 min·MN 7
Use the straight lane.
22
Turn right onto CR 13
1.2 mi·2 min·Rolling Acres Road
23
Turn left onto MN 5
0.7 mi·58 sec·Arboretum Boulevard
24
Continue on MN 5
5.6 mi·7 min·Prince Rogers Nelson Memorial Highway
Use the straight lane.
25
Continue on MN 5
3.8 mi·4 min·West 78th Street
Use the straight lane.
26
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.
27
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.
28
Take the exit
0.2 mi·25 sec
Exit 5BToward I 35W South: Albert LeaUse the slight right lane.
29
Continue on this road
0.4 mi·50 sec·this road
Exit 5BToward I 35W South: Albert Lea
30
Merge onto I 35W
1.0 mi·1 min·I 35W
31
Take the exit
0.2 mi·34 sec
Exit 7BToward 90th StreetUse the straight / slight right lanes.
32
Turn left onto West 90th Street
207 ft·5 sec·West 90th Street
Use the left / straight lanes.
33
Arrive at destination
West 90th Street
Trip Plan
Since this is a relatively short trip, you have the flexibility to depart whenever fits your schedule best. Because there are no designated stops on this route, make sure to handle your refueling or rest needs before you head out or once you arrive in Bloomington. Given the turn-heavy nature of the local roads, keep a close eye on your navigation system to ensure you don't miss any of the specific turns on North 8th Street or Black Oak Avenue. Pacing is entirely up to you, but remember that the 2-hour and 23-minute duration is continuous, so plan for a quick stretch break if you prefer to break up the local driving segments.
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 62.2 miles from Montevideo, MN, or about 1h 21m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 72.7 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 27 miles or 35m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 62.2 miles or 1h 21m 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 13m
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 Montevideo, 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 Montevideo, MN
This is one driving day of about 124.4 miles and 2h 44m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 27 miles from Montevideo, 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 MN 7 for about 72.7 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 17
5 decision points cluster between mile 116.1 and 124.3 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
7
116.1 mi into trip|~2h 33m 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
116.3 mi into trip|~2h 33m 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
122.5 mi into trip|~2h 41m 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
124.1 mi into trip|~2h 43m 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
124.3 mi into trip|~2h 44m in|West 90th Street
Turn left onto West 90th Street
Lane positioning matters here
Use the left / straight lanes.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$18.51 one way
$37.03 round trip
$3.78/gal25.4 MPG avg44 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.07
$19.95
$39.90
premium
$4.53
$22.20
$44.39
diesel
$5.61
$27.47
$54.93
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$19
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$44–$69
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 43.5 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $13 in charging
· 0 stops
· 66% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
37.3
0
$13.06
$5.97
Efficient EV
31.1
0
$10.89
$4.98
EV Truck/SUV
49.8
0
$17.42
$7.96
Gas CO2
44 kg
EV CO2
15 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 20, 2026
Origin
Montevideo, MN
Late night
in Montevideo on Tuesday
Local time
4:10 AM
CDT
Current temp
56°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
Bloomington, MN
Late night
in Bloomington on Tuesday
Local time
4:10 AM
CDT
Current temp
58°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
2 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 44m 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.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
Expect a turn-heavy local drive rather than a monotonous interstate sprint. You will navigate through North 8th Street, Black Oak Avenue, and North 17th Street as the primary conduits for your journey. Because this route has a highway share of 0%, you are essentially navigating local roads the entire time. This design requires more active attention behind the wheel compared to a standard highway cruise, making the experience feel more like a series of connected local segments. Be prepared for a steady, hands-on pace that keeps you engaged with the road throughout the duration of the trip.
81% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
33 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 72.7 mi on MN 7.
How Hard Is This Drive?
6/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on MN 7 and highway 7 West. You will hit about 17 points where you need to pay attention to lane position or signs. The trickiest moment comes around 116.1 miles in near MN 5.
Driving Effort6/10
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 124.4 miles you will encounter 17 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 116.1 miles (MN 5): Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 116.3 miles (MN 5): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 122.5 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 44m. Total distance: 124.4 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
2h 44m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (81%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 72.7 miles on MN 7. 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 116.1 miles (MN 5): Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 116.3 miles (MN 5): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 122.5 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.
