This 94.8-mile drive from Wabasha, MN to Blaine, MN will take approximately 2 hours and 10 minutes, making it a very manageable day trip. You'll primarily travel on Route 61, the Hiawatha Pioneer Trail/Disabled American Veterans Highway/Voyageur Highway, and US 10. With a projected fuel cost of around $14, this highway-focused route offers a straightforward journey through the Midwest region of Minnesota. It's an efficient way to get from point A to point B without requiring an overnight stop.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.
Midpoint
47.4 miles from Wabasha, MN
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 1h 7m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
Route 61
22.6 mi
30m
Hiawatha Pioneer Trail/Disabled American Veterans Highway/Voyageur Highway
17.7 mi
21m
US 10
16.9 mi
21m
Route 61/Route 63
14.8 mi
19m
Red Wing Boulevard
5.9 mi
8m
South Lakeshore Drive
2.8 mi
5m
I 94
2.1 mi
2m
Highway 316 Boulevard
2 mi
2m
Longest stretch:
Route 61
— 22.6 mi, about 30m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Wabasha, MN and Blaine, MN.
1
Start on Alleghany Avenue
0.2 mi·50 sec·Alleghany Avenue
2
Turn right onto MN 60
0.3 mi·26 sec·4th Grant Boulevard West
3
Continue on CR 59
0.3 mi·25 sec·Grant Boulevard West
4
Continue on CR 59
1.4 mi·2 min·5th Grant Boulevard West
5
Turn right onto US 61
1.3 mi·1 min·Route 61
6
Continue on US 61
0.2 mi·17 sec·2nd Street
7
Continue on US 61
9.5 mi·13 min·Route 61
8
Continue on US 61
2.8 mi·5 min·South Lakeshore Drive
9
Continue on US 61; US 63
15 mi·19 min·Route 61/Route 63
10
Continue on US 61; US 63
1.8 mi·3 min·East Main Street
Use the left / straight lanes.
11
Continue on US 61
6.5 mi·9 min·Route 61
Use the left / straight lanes.
12
Keep slight right at fork onto US 61
5.2 mi·6 min·Route 61
Use the straight lane.
13
Enter roundabout onto MN 316
23 ft·0 sec·Highway 316 Boulevard
14
Continue on MN 316
2.0 mi·2 min·Highway 316 Boulevard
15
Continue on MN 316
1.8 mi·2 min·Polk Avenue
16
Continue on MN 316
4.9 mi·7 min·Red Wing Boulevard
17
Enter roundabout onto MN 316
73 ft·1 sec·Red Wing Boulevard
18
Continue on MN 316
0.5 mi·43 sec·Red Wing Boulevard
19
Enter roundabout onto MN 316
64 ft·1 sec·Red Wing Boulevard
20
Continue on MN 316
0.4 mi·32 sec·Red Wing Boulevard
21
Enter roundabout onto MN 316
70 ft·1 sec·Red Wing Boulevard
22
Continue on MN 316
0.1 mi·9 sec·Red Wing Boulevard
23
Turn right onto US 61
1.8 mi·3 min·Vermillion Street
24
Continue on US 61
0.7 mi·1 min·Hiawatha Pioneer Trail/Disabled American Veterans Highway/Voyageur Highway
25
Continue on US 61
0.2 mi·14 sec·Hastings Road South
26
Continue on US 61
17 mi·20 min·Hiawatha Pioneer Trail/Disabled American Veterans Highway/Voyageur Highway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
27
Take the exit onto US 10; US 61
0.6 mi·56 sec·US 10; US 61
28
Merge onto I 94
2.1 mi·2 min·I 94
Use the straight / slight left lanes.
29
Take the exit onto US 10
5.1 mi·6 min·US 10
Exit 242BToward I 35E North, US 10 WestUse the slight right lane.
30
Keep slight right at fork onto US 10
0.3 mi·19 sec·US 10
Exit 113-114Toward US 10 West, I 694 West, I 694 EastUse the straight / slight right lanes.
31
Continue on US 10
3.9 mi·4 min·US 10
Exit 113Toward I 694 West, US 10 WestUse the straight / slight right lanes.
32
Take the exit onto US 10
2.8 mi·3 min·US 10
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
33
Keep slight right at fork onto US 10
1.4 mi·1 min·US 10
Toward I 35W North, US 10 WestUse the straight / slight left lanes.
34
Keep slight right at fork onto US 10
2.8 mi·3 min·US 10
Toward US 10 WestUse the slight right lane.
35
Take the exit
0.3 mi·34 sec
Toward MN 65: Central AvenueUse the straight / slight right lanes.
36
Keep slight left at fork
222 ft·6 sec
37
Turn right onto MN 65
1.8 mi·2 min·Central Avenue Northeast
Use the left lane.
38
Arrive at destination
MN 65
Trip Plan
Given the relatively short duration of 2 hours and 10 minutes, you have the flexibility to leave whenever is most convenient. There are no mandated stops, but consider taking a short break during the 22.6-mile stretch on Route 61 if needed. The estimated fuel cost of $14 is quite economical, so you shouldn't have any budget concerns there. Keep an eye on the road conditions, especially if traveling during peak seasons, to ensure a smooth journey to Blaine.
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 47.4 miles from Wabasha, MN, or about 1h 7m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 22.6 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 21 miles or 31m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 47.4 miles or 1h 7m 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 48m
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 Wabasha, 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 Wabasha, MN
This is one driving day of about 94.8 miles and 2h 10m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 21 miles from Wabasha, MN.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
The longest stretch is on Route 61 for about 22.6 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 18
5 decision points cluster between mile 39.1 and 89.9 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
6
39.1 mi into trip|~57m in|US 61 / Route 61
Keep slight right at fork onto US 61 / Route 61
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight lane.
8
76.4 mi into trip|~1h 46m in|US 10
Take the exit onto US 10 toward I 35E North, US 10 West
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the slight right lane.
Exit 242B
Toward I 35E North, US 10 West
9
81.5 mi into trip|~1h 53m in|US 10
Keep slight right at fork onto US 10 toward US 10 West, I 694 West, I 694 East
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Exit 113-114
Toward US 10 West, I 694 West, I 694 East
8
88.5 mi into trip|~2h 2m in|US 10
Keep slight right at fork onto US 10 toward I 35W North, US 10 West
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the straight / slight left lanes.
Toward I 35W North, US 10 West
7
89.9 mi into trip|~2h 4m in|US 10
Keep slight right at fork onto US 10 toward US 10 West
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight right lane.
Toward US 10 West
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$14.11 one way
$28.22 round trip
$3.78/gal25.4 MPG avg33 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.07
$15.20
$30.40
premium
$4.53
$16.91
$33.83
diesel
$5.61
$20.93
$41.86
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: 33.2 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $10 in charging
· 0 stops
· 67% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
28.4
0
$9.95
$4.55
Efficient EV
23.7
0
$8.30
$3.79
EV Truck/SUV
37.9
0
$13.27
$6.07
Gas CO2
33 kg
EV CO2
11 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 20, 2026
Origin
Wabasha, MN
Morning
in Wabasha on Tuesday
Local time
10:51 AM
CDT
Current temp
60°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
Blaine, MN
Morning
in Blaine on Tuesday
Local time
10:51 AM
CDT
Current temp
59°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
40°F
Vermillion, MN
47 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
1 degrees cooler at arrival
A meaningful temperature swing is a good cue to rethink layers, water, and how soon you want to arrive.
Road read
2h 10m 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 drive that is 61% highway, offering a mix of faster travel and more scenic stretches. The longest uninterrupted stretch you'll encounter is 22.6 miles on Route 61, which might provide a good opportunity to settle in and enjoy the road. While largely highway-focused, the progression may include shifts in scenery as you move through different parts of Minnesota. The overall feel is one of steady progress, designed for efficient travel.
61% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
38 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 22.6 mi on Route 61.
How Hard Is This Drive?
9/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on Route 61 and Hiawatha Pioneer Trail/Disabled American Veterans Highway/Voyageur Highway. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 39.1 miles in near US 61 / Route 61.
Driving Effort9/10
High effort - long or complex enough to need steady focus all day
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This is a demanding drive. With 18 significant decision points across 94.8 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 39.1 miles (US 61 / Route 61): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 76.4 miles (US 10): Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 81.5 miles (US 10): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Elevation Profile
Mostly flat terrain
1,044 ft685 ft
Total Climb
535 ft
Total Descent
320 ft
Highest Point
1,044 ft
~40.6 mi in
Elevation Range
358 ft
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 2h 10m. Total distance: 94.8 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 0 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
2h 10m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (61%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 22.6 miles on Route 61. 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.
Only with planning. This is a long drive for kids — consider splitting it into two days rather than pushing through. Dedicated rest areas are limited, so plan gas or food stops as your bathroom breaks.
The main spots that need attention: at 39.1 miles (US 61 / Route 61): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 76.4 miles (US 10): Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 81.5 miles (US 10): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Yes. A round trip is manageable in a single day if you plan a break at Blaine, MN before heading back.
