How far is Bloomington, MN from Brainerd, MN?

The driving distance from Bloomington, MN to Brainerd, MN is about 136.3 miles (219.4 km), with a travel time of about 02h 45m by car.

  • The straight-line flight distance is about 113.5 miles (182.7 km).
  • For a round trip, plan for roughly 05h 30m 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
136.3 mi
02h 45m
Flight
113.54 mi
182.73 km direct

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

Learn Distance

Choose another destination from Bloomington.

Flight Distance

Direct air line
113.54 mi
Kilometers
182.73 km
Flight Time
00h 13m

Driving Distance

Road route
136.3 mi
Kilometers
219.36 km
Drive Time
02h 45m

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 45m.

Arrival Snapshot
Arrive in Brainerd
Thu, Apr 23, 1:08 AM CDT
Return by in Bloomington
Thu, Apr 23, 3:53 AM CDT
Useful when you're deciding between a quick errand, a day trip, or a longer stop.
Leave Bloomington
2026-04-22T22:23
Arrive Brainerd
Thu, Apr 23, 1:08 AM CDT
Route Timing
02h 45m
One way by road
Best Departure Window
8:00 AM to 10:00 AM CDT
Aim for a morning departure
Arrive between
10:45 AM to 12:45 PM CDT

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

Leave by
1:00 PM CDT
Keeps a same-day return open with about 03h 00m at the destination.
Back in Bloomington
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
Saint Augusta
MN

City in Minnesota, United States

From Bloomington
68.1 mi
01h 22m
To Brainerd
68.2 mi
01h 22m

Route Weather Snapshot

Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.

Origin
82°F
Wednesday

Sunny

Starts
Wed, Apr 22 6:00 AM CDT
Wind
5 to 15 mph SE
Destination
80°F
Wednesday

Sunny

Starts
Wed, Apr 22 6:00 AM CDT
Wind
5 to 15 mph SE

Driving Route Map

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

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

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

  1. 1

    Start on West 90th Street

    50 m · 10 sec · West 90th Street

  2. 2

    Take the ramp left toward I 35W North

    931 ft · 23 sec

  3. 3

    Merge slight left

    1.4 km · 1 min

  4. 4

    Take the exit slight right toward I 494 East, MN 5 East

    1527 ft · 37 sec

  5. 5

    Keep slight left to continue on I 494 West, MN 5 West

    1.3 km · 2 min

  6. 6

    Merge slight left

    5.8 mi · 7 min

  7. 7

    Keep slight left

    15.9 mi · 20 min

  8. 8

    Keep slight left to continue on I 94 West: Saint Cloud

    3250 ft · 50 sec

  9. 9

    Continue straight

    16.6 mi · 18 min

  10. 10

    Keep slight left

    6 mi · 6 min

  11. 11

    Take the exit slight right

    2016 ft · 53 sec

  12. 12

    Turn right onto Pine Street

    1.3 km · 2 min · Pine Street

  13. 13

    Continue on State Highway 25

    540 ft · 19 sec · State Highway 25

  14. 14

    Turn left onto County Road 11

    1.1 km · 54 sec · County Road 11

  15. 15

    Continue on Park Boulevard Southeast

    1.4 mi · 2 min · Park Boulevard Southeast

  16. 16

    Continue on 165th Avenue Southeast

    1.8 mi · 2 min · 165th Avenue Southeast

  17. 17

    Turn left

    54.4 mi · 1 hr 4 min

  18. 18

    Keep slight right

    27.4 mi · 32 min

  19. 19

    Turn right onto State Highway 210

    1.6 km · 2 min · State Highway 210

  20. 20

    Continue on West Washington Street

    1.2 mi · 3 min · West Washington Street

  21. 21

    Turn right onto South 6th Street

    7 m · 1 sec · South 6th Street

  22. 22

    Arrive at your destination

    0 m · 1 sec · South 6th Street

Car Route Details

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

OSRM road route
Drive Character

Interchange-aware route

The drive includes several ramps, exits, or merges, so checking the next few maneuvers before busy interchanges is useful.

Directions
22 steps
5 turns on the saved route
Ramps & Exits
5
2 merges, 3 ramps or exits
Navigation Density
16.1 / 100 mi
Decision points by distance
Main Roads
165th Avenue Southeast
29.2 mi · 21%
I 94 West
23.6 mi · 17%
I 494 West
22.6 mi · 17%
Park Boulevard Southeast
1.38 mi · 1%
West Washington Street
1.2 mi · 1%
I 35W North
1.02 mi · 1%
Longest Stretch

Longest stretch

Turn left

54.4 mi · 01h 04m

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 45m
Day trip friendly
Same-Day Return
05h 30m
Round-trip wheel time
Road vs Air
+22.8 mi
113.5 mi direct line
Halfway Stop
Saint Augusta
01h 22m from Bloomington
Leave By
1:00 PM CDT
Morning start is best
Weather Watch

Sunny leaving Bloomington and Sunny near Brainerd.

Trip Questions

Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.

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

The road trip is about 136.3 miles (219.4 km) and usually takes 02h 45m 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?

Saint Augusta is a useful midpoint, sitting about 68.1 miles from Bloomington and 68.2 miles from Brainerd.

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

The direct path is about 113.5 miles (182.7 km), while the road route adds roughly 22.8 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 1:00 PM CDT.

How much will gas cost for this route?

Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $17.17 one way or $34.33 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 42.7 kg one way.

What should you check before leaving?

Before you leave, expect Sunny around Bloomington and Sunny near Brainerd.

Stop Ideas Near Saint Augusta

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

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

RAIL

St. Cloud

10 mi away
555 East St. Germain Street
RAIL

Saint Paul Union Depot

95 mi away
Midway Station
RAIL

Staples

109 mi away
First & Fourth Aves

Flight Path Map

This map shows the direct air route between Bloomington and Brainerd. Straight-line distance: 113.54 mi (182.73 km).

Bloomington

#1 Bloomington

The most populous city in Hennepin County, Minnesota.

Population84,583
Coordinates44.8408000, -93.2982800
Altitude252
CountryUnited States
Brainerd

#2 Brainerd

City in Minnesota

Population13,449
Coordinates46.3580200, -94.2008300
Altitude371
CountryUnited States
Start: Bloomington (-93.29828, 44.8408)
End: Brainerd (-94.20083, 46.35802)

Estimated Travel Time

Distance: 219 km by road

SpeedTime
30 mph (48.3 km/h)04h 32m
40 mph (64.37 km/h)03h 24m
50 mph (80.47 km/h)02h 43m
60 mph (96.56 km/h)02h 16m
70 mph (112.65 km/h)01h 56m
80 mph (129 km/h)01h 42m

Fuel, Round Trip and CO2

Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.

One-way fuel
4.81 gal
18.21 L · about $17.17
Round trip
$34.33
9.62 gal · 36.42 L
Estimated CO2
42.7 kg one way
Round trip: 85.5 kg / 188 lb CO2, using regular gasoline.
Fuel$/galOne wayRound trip
Regular gas $3.57 $17.17 $34.33
Mid-grade $3.92 $18.86 $37.72
Premium $4.39 $21.13 $42.25
Diesel $4.86 $23.40 $46.79

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 Bloomington and Brainerd. The current time is 22:23:15.

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.