How far is Blaine, MN from Cottonwood, MN?

The driving distance from Blaine, MN to Cottonwood, MN is about 152.9 miles (246.1 km), with a travel time of about 03h 17m by car.

  • The straight-line flight distance is about 125.3 miles (201.7 km).
  • For a round trip, plan for roughly 06h 34m of driving time before adding stops, traffic, or weather delays.
  • A comfortable departure window is usually 6:00 AM to 8:00 AM CDT.
Trip Tools

Reverse, save, or send this route

This drive is better planned with a longer stop or an overnight stay. Copy the route link, send it to another device, or print a clean version before you head out.

Reverse Route
Quick Snapshot
Road
152.9 mi
03h 17m
Flight
125.35 mi
201.73 km direct

This drive is better planned with a longer stop or an overnight stay.

Learn Distance

Choose another destination from Blaine.

Flight Distance

Direct air line
125.35 mi
Kilometers
201.73 km
Flight Time
00h 15m

Driving Distance

Road route
152.9 mi
Kilometers
246.07 km
Drive Time
03h 17m

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 03h 17m.

Arrival Snapshot
Arrive in Cottonwood
Sun, Apr 19, 2:47 AM CDT
Return by in Blaine
Sun, Apr 19, 6:04 AM CDT
Useful when you're deciding between a quick errand, a day trip, or a longer stop.
Leave Blaine
2026-04-18T23:30
Arrive Cottonwood
Sun, Apr 19, 2:47 AM CDT
Route Timing
03h 17m
One way by road
Best Departure Window
6:00 AM to 8:00 AM CDT
Leave early for more breathing room
Arrive between
9:17 AM to 11:17 AM CDT

An early departure helps you fit a real stop into the day without turning the return into a late-night drive.

Leave by
10:26 AM CDT
Keeps a same-day return open with about 04h 00m at the destination.
Back in Blaine
9:00 PM CDT
Early departure recommended

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
Brownton
MN

Human settlement in McLeod County, Minnesota, United States of America

From Blaine
76.3 mi
01h 38m
To Cottonwood
76.6 mi
01h 38m

Route Weather Snapshot

Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.

Origin
42°F
Saturday

Chance Rain And Snow Showers

Starts
Sat, Apr 18 6:00 AM CDT
Wind
15 to 20 mph NW
Destination
46°F
Saturday

Mostly Sunny

Starts
Sat, Apr 18 6:00 AM CDT
Wind
15 to 25 mph NW

Driving Route Map

The map below follows the saved road route between Blaine and Cottonwood.

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between Blaine and Cottonwood.

  1. 1

    Start on Central Avenue Northeast

    8 m · 9 sec · Central Avenue Northeast

  2. 2

    Continue on Central Avenue Northeast

    6.3 mi · 9 min · Central Avenue Northeast

  3. 3

    Continue on Central Avenue Northeast

    91 m · 5 sec · Central Avenue Northeast

  4. 4

    Take the exit slight right toward I 694 West

    2521 ft · 1 min

  5. 5

    Merge slight left

    1.8 mi · 2 min

  6. 6

    Take the exit slight right toward MN 100

    3218 ft · 1 min

  7. 7

    Continue straight

    13 mi · 16 min

  8. 8

    Take the exit slight right toward MN 62 West

    2471 ft · 1 min

  9. 9

    Merge slight left onto Crosstown Highway

    1.7 mi · 2 min · Crosstown Highway

  10. 10

    Take the exit slight left toward US 212

    4.6 mi · 6 min

  11. 11

    Keep slight left

    36.4 mi · 43 min

  12. 12

    Enter the roundabout and take exit 2 toward US Highway 212

    44 m · 2 sec · US Highway 212

  13. 13

    Exit the roundabout onto US Highway 212

    71.8 mi · 1 hr 34 min · US Highway 212

  14. 14

    Turn left onto State Highway 23/67

    14.9 mi · 19 min · State Highway 23/67

  15. 15

    Turn right onto 390th Street

    627 ft · 20 sec · 390th Street

  16. 16

    At the end of the road, turn left onto Barstad Road

    3150 ft · 1 min · Barstad Road

  17. 17

    Turn right onto Main Street

    139 m · 12 sec · Main Street

  18. 18

    Arrive at your destination

    0 m · 1 sec · Main Street

Car Route Details

A richer read on the saved driving route between Blaine and Cottonwood.

OSRM road route
Drive Character

Highway-focused drive

Most of the mileage stays on named highways, so the important moments are ramps, exits, merges, and the final local approach.

Directions
18 steps
6 turns on the saved route
Ramps & Exits
8
2 merges, 6 ramps or exits
Navigation Density
11.8 / 100 mi
Decision points by distance
Main Roads
US Highway 212
71.8 mi · 47%
US 212
41 mi · 27%
State Highway 23/67
14.9 mi · 10%
MN 100
13.6 mi · 9%
Central Avenue Northeast
6.35 mi · 4%
I 694 West
2.31 mi · 2%
Longest Stretch

US Highway 212

Exit the roundabout onto US Highway 212

71.8 mi · 01h 34m

Route Summary

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

Trip Read

A longer out-and-back drive

This is still possible in one day, but it becomes a long driving day. Leaving early and planning your stop window matters more here.

Drive Time
03h 17m
Long day trip
Same-Day Return
06h 34m
Round-trip wheel time
Road vs Air
+27.6 mi
125.3 mi direct line
Halfway Stop
Brownton
01h 38m from Blaine
Leave By
10:26 AM CDT
Early departure recommended
Weather Watch

Chance Rain And Snow Showers leaving Blaine and Mostly Sunny near Cottonwood.

Trip Questions

Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.

How long does it take to drive from Blaine to Cottonwood?

The road trip is about 152.9 miles (246.1 km) and usually takes 03h 17m in normal driving conditions.

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

This is still possible in one day, but it becomes a long driving day. Leaving early and planning your stop window matters more here.

What is the halfway point on this route?

Brownton is a useful midpoint, sitting about 76.3 miles from Blaine and 76.6 miles from Cottonwood.

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

The direct path is about 125.3 miles (201.7 km), while the road route adds roughly 27.6 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 6:00 AM to 8:00 AM CDT. If you want a more comfortable same-day return, try to leave by 10:26 AM CDT.

How much will gas cost for this route?

Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $19.24 one way or $38.47 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 47.9 kg one way.

What should you check before leaving?

Before you leave, expect Chance Rain And Snow Showers around Blaine and Mostly Sunny near Cottonwood.

Stop Ideas Near Brownton

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

Mid-route Guidance
Local place coverage is thin around Brownton, 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 Brownton.

RAIL

St. Cloud

94 mi away
555 East St. Germain Street
RAIL

Saint Paul Union Depot

95 mi away
Midway Station

Flight Path Map

This map shows the direct air route between Blaine and Cottonwood. Straight-line distance: 125.35 mi (201.73 km).

Blaine

#1 Blaine

A city in Anoka County, Minnesota.

Population66,697
Coordinates45.1608000, -93.2349500
Altitude276
CountryUnited States
Cottonwood

#2 Cottonwood

City in Lyon County, Minnesota, United States

Population1,223
Coordinates44.6088500, -95.6741900
Altitude329
CountryUnited States
Start: Blaine (-93.23495, 45.1608)
End: Cottonwood (-95.67419, 44.60885)

Estimated Travel Time

Distance: 246 km by road

SpeedTime
30 mph (48.3 km/h)05h 05m
40 mph (64.37 km/h)03h 49m
50 mph (80.47 km/h)03h 03m
60 mph (96.56 km/h)02h 32m
70 mph (112.65 km/h)02h 11m
80 mph (129 km/h)01h 54m

Fuel, Round Trip and CO2

Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.

One-way fuel
5.39 gal
20.42 L · about $19.24
Round trip
$38.47
10.78 gal · 40.84 L
Estimated CO2
47.9 kg one way
Round trip: 95.8 kg / 211 lb CO2, using regular gasoline.
Fuel$/galOne wayRound trip
Regular gas $3.57 $19.24 $38.47
Mid-grade $3.92 $21.13 $42.27
Premium $4.39 $23.67 $47.35
Diesel $4.86 $26.22 $52.43

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 19, 2026

There is no time difference between Blaine and Cottonwood. The current time is 23:30:02.

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.