How far is Blaine, MN from Elbow Lake, MN?

The driving distance from Blaine, MN to Elbow Lake, MN is about 158.1 miles (254.5 km), with a travel time of about 02h 56m by car.

  • The straight-line flight distance is about 144.5 miles (232.6 km).
  • For a round trip, plan for roughly 05h 53m 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
158.16 mi
02h 56m
Flight
144.55 mi
232.63 km direct

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

Learn Distance

Choose another destination from Blaine.

Flight Distance

Direct air line
144.55 mi
Kilometers
232.63 km
Flight Time
00h 17m

Driving Distance

Road route
158.16 mi
Kilometers
254.54 km
Drive Time
02h 56m

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 56m.

Arrival Snapshot
Arrive in Elbow Lake
Thu, Apr 23, 5:43 AM CDT
Return by in Blaine
Thu, Apr 23, 8:40 AM CDT
Useful when you're deciding between a quick errand, a day trip, or a longer stop.
Leave Blaine
2026-04-23T02:46
Arrive Elbow Lake
Thu, Apr 23, 5:43 AM CDT
Route Timing
02h 56m
One way by road
Best Departure Window
8:00 AM to 10:00 AM CDT
Aim for a morning departure
Arrive between
10:57 AM to 12:57 PM CDT

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

Leave by
12:36 PM CDT
Keeps a same-day return open with about 03h 00m at the destination.
Back in Blaine
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
Albany
MN

City in Stearns County, Minnesota, United States

From Blaine
78.9 mi
01h 28m
To Elbow Lake
79.2 mi
01h 28m

Route Weather Snapshot

Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.

Origin
77°F
Thursday

Showers And Thunderstorms Likely

Starts
Thu, Apr 23 6:00 AM CDT
Wind
15 to 20 mph S
Destination
77°F
Thursday

Chance Light Rain

Starts
Thu, Apr 23 6:00 AM CDT
Wind
24 to 30 mph S

Driving Route Map

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

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between Blaine and Elbow Lake.

  1. 1

    Start on Central Avenue Northeast

    8 m · 9 sec · Central Avenue Northeast

  2. 2

    Continue on Central Avenue Northeast

    1.8 mi · 3 min · Central Avenue Northeast

  3. 3

    Take the exit slight right toward US 10 West

    1673 ft · 43 sec

  4. 4

    Merge slight left

    1.2 km · 50 sec

  5. 5

    Keep slight right to continue on MN-610

    12.8 mi · 15 min · MN-610

  6. 6

    Merge slight left onto I-94 W

    12.6 mi · 13 min · I-94 W

  7. 7

    Keep slight left

    117.5 mi · 2 hr 6 min

  8. 8

    Take the exit slight right toward MN 79, CR 41: Elbow Lake, Evansville

    1030 ft · 29 sec

  9. 9

    Turn left onto State Hwy 79

    696 ft · 14 sec · State Hwy 79

  10. 10

    Continue on State Highway 79

    8.5 mi · 12 min · State Highway 79

  11. 11

    Continue on Viking Trail

    3.1 mi · 5 min · Viking Trail

  12. 12

    Continue on 2nd Street Northeast

    1055 ft · 21 sec · 2nd Street Northeast

  13. 13

    Continue on State Highway 79

    1328 ft · 32 sec · State Highway 79

  14. 14

    Turn left onto Central Avenue

    27 m · 2 sec · Central Avenue

  15. 15

    Arrive at your destination

    0 m · 1 sec · Central Avenue

Car Route Details

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

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
15 steps
2 turns on the saved route
Ramps & Exits
4
2 merges, 2 ramps or exits
Navigation Density
9.5 / 100 mi
Decision points by distance
Main Roads
I-94 W
130 mi · 82%
MN-610
12.8 mi · 8%
State Highway 79
8.72 mi · 6%
Viking Trail
3.08 mi · 2%
Central Avenue Northeast
1.78 mi · 1%
US 10 West
1.09 mi · 1%
Longest Stretch

I-94 W

Keep slight left

118 mi · 02h 06m

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 56m
Day trip friendly
Same-Day Return
05h 54m
Round-trip wheel time
Road vs Air
+13.6 mi
144.5 mi direct line
Halfway Stop
Albany
01h 28m from Blaine
Leave By
12:36 PM CDT
Morning start is best
Weather Watch

Showers And Thunderstorms Likely leaving Blaine and Chance Light Rain near Elbow Lake.

Trip Questions

Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.

How long does it take to drive from Blaine to Elbow Lake?

The road trip is about 158.1 miles (254.5 km) and usually takes 02h 56m 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?

Albany is a useful midpoint, sitting about 78.9 miles from Blaine and 79.2 miles from Elbow Lake.

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

The direct path is about 144.5 miles (232.6 km), while the road route adds roughly 13.6 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 8:00 AM to 10:00 AM CDT. If you want a more comfortable same-day return, try to leave by 12:36 PM CDT.

How much will gas cost for this route?

Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $19.92 one way or $39.83 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 49.6 kg one way.

What should you check before leaving?

Before you leave, expect Showers And Thunderstorms Likely around Blaine and Chance Light Rain near Elbow Lake.

Stop Ideas Near Albany

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

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

RAIL

St. Cloud

34 mi away
555 East St. Germain Street
RAIL

Staples

82 mi away
First & Fourth Aves

Flight Path Map

This map shows the direct air route between Blaine and Elbow Lake. Straight-line distance: 144.55 mi (232.63 km).

Blaine

#1 Blaine

A city in Anoka County, Minnesota.

Population66,697
Coordinates45.1608000, -93.2349500
Altitude276
CountryUnited States
Elbow Lake

#2 Elbow Lake

City in and county seat of Grant County, Minnesota, United Statesn

Population1,144
Coordinates45.9941300, -95.9767200
Altitude372
CountryUnited States
Start: Blaine (-93.23495, 45.1608)
End: Elbow Lake (-95.97672, 45.99413)

Estimated Travel Time

Distance: 255 km by road

SpeedTime
30 mph (48.3 km/h)05h 16m
40 mph (64.37 km/h)03h 57m
50 mph (80.47 km/h)03h 09m
60 mph (96.56 km/h)02h 38m
70 mph (112.65 km/h)02h 15m
80 mph (129 km/h)01h 58m

Fuel, Round Trip and CO2

Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.

One-way fuel
5.58 gal
21.13 L · about $19.92
Round trip
$39.83
11.16 gal · 42.26 L
Estimated CO2
49.6 kg one way
Round trip: 99.2 kg / 219 lb CO2, using regular gasoline.
Fuel$/galOne wayRound trip
Regular gas $3.57 $19.92 $39.83
Mid-grade $3.92 $21.88 $43.76
Premium $4.39 $24.51 $49.01
Diesel $4.86 $27.14 $54.28

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 23, 2026

There is no time difference between Blaine and Elbow Lake. The current time is 02:46:27.

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.