How far is Benson, MN from Bloomington, MN?

The driving distance from Benson, MN to Bloomington, MN is about 137.9 miles (221.9 km), with a travel time of about 02h 34m by car.

  • The straight-line flight distance is about 117.1 miles (188.4 km).
  • For a round trip, plan for roughly 05h 08m of driving time before adding stops, traffic, or weather delays.
  • A comfortable departure window is usually 8:00 AM to 10:00 AM CDT.
Trip Tools

Reverse, save, or send this route

This route works well as a day trip with time at the destination. Copy the route link, send it to another device, or print a clean version before you head out.

Reverse Route
Quick Snapshot
Road
137.86 mi
02h 34m
Flight
117.1 mi
188.45 km direct

This route works well as a day trip with time at the destination.

Learn Distance

Choose another destination from Benson.

Flight Distance

Direct air line
117.1 mi
Kilometers
188.45 km
Flight Time
00h 14m

Driving Distance

Road route
137.86 mi
Kilometers
221.86 km
Drive Time
02h 34m

Gas Cost Calculator

Leave and Arrive Planner

Pick a departure time to see your estimated arrival and same-day return window.

Drive time stays fixed at 02h 34m.

Arrival Snapshot
Arrive in Bloomington
Wed, Apr 15, 1:17 PM CDT
Return by in Benson
Wed, Apr 15, 3:51 PM CDT
Useful when you're deciding between a quick errand, a day trip, or a longer stop.
Leave Benson
2026-04-15T10:43
Arrive Bloomington
Wed, Apr 15, 1:17 PM CDT
Route Timing
02h 34m
One way by road
Best Departure Window
8:00 AM to 10:00 AM CDT
Aim for a morning departure
Arrive between
10:34 AM to 12:34 PM CDT

A morning start gives you useful time at the destination and keeps the return out of the late evening.

Leave by
1:22 PM CDT
Keeps a same-day return open with about 03h 00m at the destination.
Back in Benson
9:30 PM CDT
Morning start is best

You are leaving earlier than the recommended window, which gives you extra margin for breaks and traffic.

Halfway Point

A useful midpoint for breaks, coffee, or meeting in the middle.

Mid-route stop
Darwin
MN

City in Minnesota, United States

From Benson
64.9 mi
01h 17m
To Bloomington
72.9 mi
01h 17m

Route Weather Snapshot

Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.

Origin
60°F
Wednesday

Chance Rain Showers

Starts
Wed, Apr 15 6:00 AM CDT
Wind
10 mph NNW
Destination
68°F
Today

Mostly Sunny

Starts
Wed, Apr 15 7:00 AM CDT
Wind
0 to 5 mph NE

Driving Route Map

The map below follows the saved road route between Benson and Bloomington.

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between Benson and Bloomington.

  1. 1

    Start on the route

    40 m · 12 sec

  2. 2

    Turn right onto Atlantic Avenue

    1.5 km · 2 min · Atlantic Avenue

  3. 3

    Continue straight

    28 mi · 39 min

  4. 4

    Enter the roundabout and take exit 1 toward US 12

    23 m · 1 sec · US 12

  5. 5

    Exit the roundabout onto US 12

    2677 ft · 46 sec · US 12

  6. 6

    Enter the roundabout and take exit 2 toward US 12

    34 m · 2 sec · US 12

  7. 7

    Exit the roundabout onto US 12

    1.3 mi · 2 min · US 12

  8. 8

    Continue on Litchfield Avenue Southwest

    1725 ft · 53 sec · Litchfield Avenue Southwest

  9. 9

    Continue on Highway 12 Bypass Southwest

    113 m · 11 sec · Highway 12 Bypass Southwest

  10. 10

    Turn right onto Benson Avenue Southwest

    2070 ft · 1 min · Benson Avenue Southwest

  11. 11

    Take the ramp slight right

    38 m · 5 sec

  12. 12

    Merge slight left onto Pacific Avenue Southeast

    123 m · 12 sec · Pacific Avenue Southeast

  13. 13

    Continue on Litchfield Avenue Southeast

    2319 ft · 1 min · Litchfield Avenue Southeast

  14. 14

    Continue on US 12

    4.6 mi · 7 min · US 12

  15. 15

    Continue on Pacific Avenue

    1.2 km · 1 min · Pacific Avenue

  16. 16

    Continue on 15th Ave Northeast

    6.8 mi · 9 min · 15th Ave Northeast

  17. 17

    Continue on Pleasant Avenue West

    13.3 mi · 18 min · Pleasant Avenue West

  18. 18

    Continue on North Sibley Avenue

    1.4 km · 2 min · North Sibley Avenue

  19. 19

    Turn left onto East Depot Street

    11.8 mi · 13 min · East Depot Street

  20. 20

    Continue on US 12

    2 mi · 2 min · US 12

  21. 21

    Continue on 50th Street Southwest

    2.7 mi · 3 min · 50th Street Southwest

  22. 22

    Continue on Cokato Street West

    1.1 mi · 1 min · Cokato Street West

  23. 23

    Continue on US 12

    1.9 mi · 3 min · US 12

  24. 24

    Continue on 60th Street Southwest

    3.5 mi · 5 min · 60th Street Southwest

  25. 25

    Continue on 6th Street

    1.5 km · 2 min · 6th Street

  26. 26

    Continue on US 12

    4.1 mi · 6 min · US 12

  27. 27

    Continue on Pacific Avenue

    1.1 km · 1 min · Pacific Avenue

  28. 28

    Continue on US 12

    1.9 mi · 3 min · US 12

  29. 29

    Continue on Nelson Boulevard

    1.1 mi · 2 min · Nelson Boulevard

  30. 30

    Continue on US 12

    2.4 mi · 3 min · US 12

  31. 31

    Continue on 60th Street Southeast

    1234 ft · 19 sec · 60th Street Southeast

  32. 32

    Continue on US 12

    3.6 mi · 5 min · US 12

  33. 33

    Continue on Babcock Boulevard West

    3.9 mi · 6 min · Babcock Boulevard West

  34. 34

    Enter the roundabout and take exit 2 toward Babcock Boulevard

    43 m · 2 sec · Babcock Boulevard

  35. 35

    Exit the roundabout onto Babcock Boulevard

    2.1 mi · 3 min · Babcock Boulevard

  36. 36

    Enter the roundabout and take exit 2 toward Babcock Boulevard;County Road 90

    43 m · 2 sec · Babcock Boulevard

  37. 37

    Exit the rotary onto Babcock Boulevard

    11 mi · 15 min · Babcock Boulevard

  38. 38

    Take the exit slight right toward I 494: Carlson Parkway, Linner Road

    1504 ft · 37 sec

  39. 39

    Keep slight left to continue on I 494

    2061 ft · 50 sec

  40. 40

    Keep slight right to continue on I 494 South

    3022 ft · 1 min

  41. 41

    Merge slight left

    13.3 mi · 17 min

  42. 42

    Take the exit slight right toward I 35W South: Albert Lea

    1038 ft · 25 sec

  43. 43

    Continue on I 35W South: Albert Lea

    2054 ft · 50 sec

  44. 44

    Merge slight left

    1 mi · 1 min

  45. 45

    Take the exit slight right toward 90th Street

    1145 ft · 35 sec

  46. 46

    Turn left onto West 90th Street

    63 m · 6 sec · West 90th Street

  47. 47

    Arrive at your destination

    0 m · 1 sec · West 90th Street

Car Route Details

A richer read on the saved driving route between Benson and Bloomington.

OSRM road route
Drive Character

Turn-heavy local drive

The route has frequent decision points for its length, so lane choice and turn timing will matter more than cruising speed.

Directions
47 steps
12 turns on the saved route
Ramps & Exits
15
3 merges, 12 ramps or exits
Navigation Density
34.1 / 100 mi
Decision points by distance
Main Roads
Atlantic Avenue
28.9 mi · 21%
US 12
22.4 mi · 16%
I 494 South
13.9 mi · 10%
Pleasant Avenue West
13.3 mi · 10%
Babcock Boulevard
13.2 mi · 10%
East Depot Street
11.8 mi · 9%
Longest Stretch

Atlantic Avenue

Continue straight

28 mi · 00h 39m

Route Summary

A quick read on whether this route feels easy, ambitious, or worth planning around.

Trip Read

A comfortable day-trip route

This route works well as a day trip. You can leave in the morning, spend meaningful time at the destination, and still return the same day.

Drive Time
02h 34m
Day trip friendly
Same-Day Return
05h 08m
Round-trip wheel time
Road vs Air
+20.8 mi
117.1 mi direct line
Halfway Stop
Darwin
01h 17m from Benson
Leave By
1:22 PM CDT
Morning start is best
Weather Watch

Chance Rain Showers leaving Benson and Mostly Sunny near Bloomington.

Trip Questions

Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.

How long does it take to drive from Benson to Bloomington?

The road trip is about 137.9 miles (221.9 km) and usually takes 02h 34m in normal driving conditions.

Is this a same-day trip or an overnight route?

This route works well as a day trip. You can leave in the morning, spend meaningful time at the destination, and still return the same day.

What is the halfway point on this route?

Darwin is a useful midpoint, sitting about 64.9 miles from Benson and 72.9 miles from Bloomington.

How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?

The direct path is about 117.1 miles (188.4 km), while the road route adds roughly 20.8 extra miles because roads do not follow the straight air line.

When is the best time to leave for this route?

A good departure window is usually 8:00 AM to 10:00 AM CDT. If you want a more comfortable same-day return, try to leave by 1:22 PM CDT.

How much will gas cost for this route?

Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $17.35 one way or $34.69 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 43.2 kg one way.

What should you check before leaving?

Before you leave, expect Chance Rain Showers around Benson and Mostly Sunny near Bloomington.

Stop Ideas Near Darwin

Useful break, food, and waypoint ideas within about 15 miles of the route midpoint.

Mid-route Guidance
Local place coverage is thin around Darwin, so nearby transit and meeting points are shown instead.
Reviewed stop coverage is still thin around this midpoint, so practical transit waypoints are shown on the right.

Transit and Meeting Points

Useful pickup, handoff, or rendezvous points close to Darwin.

RAIL

St. Cloud

56 mi away
555 East St. Germain Street
RAIL

Saint Paul Union Depot

97 mi away
Midway Station

Flight Path Map

This map shows the direct air route between Benson and Bloomington. Straight-line distance: 117.1 mi (188.45 km).

Photo coming soon

#1 Benson

Benson is a place in Minnesota, United States.

Population0
Coordinates45.3150000, -95.6025000
Altitude319
CountryUnited States
Bloomington

#2 Bloomington

The most populous city in Hennepin County, Minnesota.

Population84,583
Coordinates44.8408000, -93.2982800
Altitude252
CountryUnited States
Start: Pacific Avenue (-95.602673, 45.314696)
End: West 90th Street (-93.29828, 44.84075)

Estimated Travel Time

Distance: 222 km by road

SpeedTime
30 mph (48.3 km/h)04h 35m
40 mph (64.37 km/h)03h 26m
50 mph (80.47 km/h)02h 45m
60 mph (96.56 km/h)02h 17m
70 mph (112.65 km/h)01h 58m
80 mph (129 km/h)01h 43m

Fuel, Round Trip and CO2

Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.

One-way fuel
4.86 gal
18.41 L · about $17.35
Round trip
$34.69
9.72 gal · 36.82 L
Estimated CO2
43.2 kg one way
Round trip: 86.4 kg / 190 lb CO2, using regular gasoline.
Fuel$/galOne wayRound trip
Regular gas $3.57 $17.35 $34.69
Mid-grade $3.92 $19.06 $38.11
Premium $4.39 $21.35 $42.69
Diesel $4.86 $23.64 $47.28

Assumes 8.3 L/100 km (about 28.3 MPG). CO2 is an estimate and varies by vehicle, fuel blend, traffic, and terrain.

Prices in Minnesota · Apr 15, 2026

There is no time difference between Benson and Bloomington. The current time is 10:43:04.

Distance to Other Cities

Planning a road trip? See the full trip guide on Trip.ovh — stops, fuel costs, weather, and departure timing.

How did we calculate? Place names are translated into coordinates. The Haversine formula calculates straight-line distance; driving distance uses road network data.