How far is Bloomington, MN from Detroit Lakes, MN?

The driving distance from Bloomington, MN to Detroit Lakes, MN is about 208.6 miles (335.7 km), with a travel time of about 04h 05m by car.

  • The straight-line flight distance is about 183.5 miles (295.3 km).
  • For a round trip, plan for roughly 08h 11m 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
208.61 mi
04h 05m
Flight
183.51 mi
295.33 km direct

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

Learn Distance

Choose another destination from Bloomington.

Flight Distance

Direct air line
183.51 mi
Kilometers
295.33 km
Flight Time
00h 22m

Driving Distance

Road route
208.61 mi
Kilometers
335.72 km
Drive Time
04h 05m

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 04h 05m.

Arrival Snapshot
Arrive in Detroit Lakes
Tue, May 5, 9:17 AM CDT
Return by in Bloomington
Tue, May 5, 1:23 PM CDT
Useful when you're deciding between a quick errand, a day trip, or a longer stop.
Leave Bloomington
2026-05-05T05:12
Arrive Detroit Lakes
Tue, May 5, 9:17 AM CDT
Route Timing
04h 05m
One way by road
Best Departure Window
6:00 AM to 8:00 AM CDT
Leave early for more breathing room
Arrive between
10:06 AM to 12:06 PM CDT

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

Leave by
8:48 AM CDT
Keeps a same-day return open with about 04h 00m at the destination.
Back in Bloomington
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
Little Falls
MN

Township in Morrison County, Minnesota

From Bloomington
104.2 mi
02h 02m
To Detroit Lakes
104.4 mi
02h 02m

Route Weather Snapshot

Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.

Origin
54°F
Tuesday

Mostly Sunny

Starts
Tue, May 5 6:00 AM CDT
Wind
5 to 10 mph NW
Destination
45°F
Tuesday

Partly Sunny

Starts
Tue, May 5 6:00 AM CDT
Wind
6 to 14 mph NW

Driving Route Map

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

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between Bloomington and Detroit Lakes.

  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 left

    38 mi · 43 min

  19. 19

    Turn straight

    8.5 mi · 10 min

  20. 20

    Continue straight

    10.9 mi · 12 min

  21. 21

    Turn slight right

    20 m · 2 sec

  22. 22

    Enter the roundabout and take exit 2 toward the route

    30 m · 2 sec

  23. 23

    Exit the roundabout

    29 m · 1 sec

  24. 24

    Turn straight

    44.3 mi · 51 min

  25. 25

    Turn left onto Washington Avenue

    781 ft · 27 sec · Washington Avenue

  26. 26

    Arrive at your destination

    0 m · 1 sec · Washington Avenue

Car Route Details

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

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
26 steps
9 turns on the saved route
Ramps & Exits
7
2 merges, 5 ramps or exits
Navigation Density
12.5 / 100 mi
Decision points by distance
Main Roads
165th Avenue Southeast
50.7 mi · 24%
I 94 West
23.6 mi · 11%
I 494 West
22.6 mi · 11%
Park Boulevard Southeast
1.38 mi · 1%
I 35W North
1.02 mi
Pine Street
0.8 mi
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 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
04h 05m
Long day trip
Same-Day Return
08h 12m
Round-trip wheel time
Road vs Air
+25.1 mi
183.5 mi direct line
Halfway Stop
Little Falls
02h 02m from Bloomington
Leave By
8:48 AM CDT
Early departure recommended
Weather Watch

Mostly Sunny leaving Bloomington and Partly Sunny near Detroit Lakes.

Trip Questions

Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.

How long does it take to drive from Bloomington to Detroit Lakes?

The road trip is about 208.6 miles (335.7 km) and usually takes 04h 05m 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?

Little Falls is a useful midpoint, sitting about 104.2 miles from Bloomington and 104.4 miles from Detroit Lakes.

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

The direct path is about 183.5 miles (295.3 km), while the road route adds roughly 25.1 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 8:48 AM CDT.

How much will gas cost for this route?

Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $26.27 one way or $52.54 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 65.4 kg one way.

What should you check before leaving?

Before you leave, expect Mostly Sunny around Bloomington and Partly Sunny near Detroit Lakes.

Stop Ideas Near Little Falls

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

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

RAIL

St. Cloud

48 mi away
555 East St. Germain Street
RAIL

Staples

54 mi away
First & Fourth Aves

Flight Path Map

This map shows the direct air route between Bloomington and Detroit Lakes. Straight-line distance: 183.51 mi (295.33 km).

Bloomington

#1 Bloomington

The most populous city in Hennepin County, Minnesota.

Population84,583
Coordinates44.8408000, -93.2982800
Altitude252
CountryUnited States
Detroit Lakes

#2 Detroit Lakes

City in Minnesota, United States

Population9,255
Coordinates46.8171800, -95.8453300
Altitude418
CountryUnited States
Start: Bloomington (-93.29828, 44.8408)
End: Detroit Lakes (-95.84533, 46.81718)

Estimated Travel Time

Distance: 336 km by road

SpeedTime
30 mph (48.3 km/h)06h 57m
40 mph (64.37 km/h)05h 12m
50 mph (80.47 km/h)04h 10m
60 mph (96.56 km/h)03h 28m
70 mph (112.65 km/h)02h 58m
80 mph (129 km/h)02h 36m

Fuel, Round Trip and CO2

Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.

One-way fuel
7.36 gal
27.86 L · about $26.27
Round trip
$52.54
14.72 gal · 55.72 L
Estimated CO2
65.4 kg one way
Round trip: 130.8 kg / 288 lb CO2, using regular gasoline.
Fuel$/galOne wayRound trip
Regular gas $3.57 $26.27 $52.54
Mid-grade $3.92 $28.86 $57.72
Premium $4.39 $32.33 $64.65
Diesel $4.86 $35.80 $71.60

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 · May 05, 2026

There is no time difference between Bloomington and Detroit Lakes. The current time is 05:12:14.

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.