How far is Bloomington, MN from Grand Lake, MN?

The driving distance from Bloomington, MN to Grand Lake, MN is about 158 miles (254.3 km), with a travel time of about 02h 59m by car.

  • The straight-line flight distance is about 145.6 miles (234.3 km).
  • For a round trip, plan for roughly 05h 59m 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
157.99 mi
02h 59m
Flight
145.56 mi
234.25 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
145.56 mi
Kilometers
234.25 km
Flight Time
00h 17m

Driving Distance

Road route
157.99 mi
Kilometers
254.26 km
Drive Time
02h 59m

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 59m.

Arrival Snapshot
Arrive in Grand Lake
Sun, May 31, 7:52 AM CDT
Return by in Bloomington
Sun, May 31, 10:52 AM CDT
Useful when you're deciding between a quick errand, a day trip, or a longer stop.
Leave Bloomington
2026-05-31T04:52
Arrive Grand Lake
Sun, May 31, 7:52 AM CDT
Route Timing
02h 59m
One way by road
Best Departure Window
8:00 AM to 10:00 AM CDT
Aim for a morning departure
Arrive between
11:00 AM to 1:00 PM CDT

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

Leave by
12:30 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
Pine City
MN

City in Pine County, Minnesota, United States of America

From Bloomington
79 mi
01h 29m
To Grand Lake
79 mi
01h 29m

Route Weather Snapshot

Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.

Origin
81°F
Sunday

Mostly Cloudy then Slight Chance Rain Showers

Starts
Sun, May 31 6:00 AM CDT
Wind
10 mph SE
Destination
76°F
Sunday

Mostly Sunny

Starts
Sun, May 31 6:00 AM CDT
Wind
5 mph SE

Driving Route Map

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

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between Bloomington and Grand Lake.

  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

    9 mi · 12 min

  4. 4

    Keep slight right

    5.6 mi · 7 min

  5. 5

    Take the exit slight right toward MN 36

    1758 ft · 25 sec

  6. 6

    Merge slight left

    1359 ft · 19 sec

  7. 7

    Keep slight left

    7.1 mi · 9 min

  8. 8

    Keep slight left

    16.7 mi · 18 min

  9. 9

    Keep slight left

    105 mi · 1 hr 52 min

  10. 10

    Take the exit slight right toward MN 33: Cloquet, Iron Range

    2915 ft · 58 sec

  11. 11

    Enter the roundabout and take exit 2 toward the route

    39 m · 2 sec

  12. 12

    Exit the roundabout

    12.6 mi · 17 min

  13. 13

    Take the exit right

    1165 ft · 35 sec

  14. 14

    Turn right onto Saginaw Road

    2185 ft · 60 sec · Saginaw Road

  15. 15

    Arrive at your destination

    0 m · 1 sec · Saginaw Road

Car Route Details

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

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
15 steps
3 turns on the saved route
Ramps & Exits
8
2 merges, 6 ramps or exits
Navigation Density
9.5 / 100 mi
Decision points by distance
Main Roads
MN 36
129 mi · 82%
I 35W North
14.7 mi · 9%
MN 33
13.4 mi · 8%
Saginaw Road
0.41 mi
West 90th Street
0.03 mi
Longest Stretch

MN 36

Keep slight left

105 mi · 01h 52m

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 59m
Day trip friendly
Same-Day Return
06h 00m
Round-trip wheel time
Road vs Air
+12.4 mi
145.6 mi direct line
Halfway Stop
Pine City
01h 29m from Bloomington
Leave By
12:30 PM CDT
Morning start is best
Weather Watch

Mostly Cloudy then Slight Chance Rain Showers leaving Bloomington and Mostly Sunny near Grand Lake.

Trip Questions

Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.

How long does it take to drive from Bloomington to Grand Lake?

The road trip is about 158 miles (254.3 km) and usually takes 02h 59m 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?

Pine City is a useful midpoint, sitting about 79 miles from Bloomington and 79 miles from Grand Lake.

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

The direct path is about 145.6 miles (234.3 km), while the road route adds roughly 12.4 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 12:30 PM CDT.

How much will gas cost for this route?

Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $19.88 one way or $39.76 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 49.5 kg one way.

What should you check before leaving?

Before you leave, expect Mostly Cloudy then Slight Chance Rain Showers around Bloomington and Mostly Sunny near Grand Lake.

Stop Ideas Near Pine City

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

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

RAIL

St. Cloud

96 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 Bloomington and Grand Lake. Straight-line distance: 145.56 mi (234.25 km).

Bloomington

#1 Bloomington

The most populous city in Hennepin County, Minnesota.

Population84,583
Coordinates44.8408000, -93.2982800
Altitude252
CountryUnited States
Photo coming soon

#2 Grand Lake

Township in St.

Population2,790
Coordinates46.8666100, -92.4679700
Altitude408
CountryUnited States
Start: Bloomington (-93.29828, 44.8408)
End: Grand Lake (-92.46797, 46.86661)

Estimated Travel Time

Distance: 254 km by road

SpeedTime
30 mph (48.3 km/h)05h 15m
40 mph (64.37 km/h)03h 56m
50 mph (80.47 km/h)03h 09m
60 mph (96.56 km/h)02h 37m
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
5.57 gal
21.1 L · about $19.88
Round trip
$39.76
11.14 gal · 42.2 L
Estimated CO2
49.5 kg one way
Round trip: 99 kg / 218 lb CO2, using regular gasoline.
Fuel$/galOne wayRound trip
Regular gas $3.57 $19.88 $39.76
Mid-grade $3.92 $21.84 $43.68
Premium $4.39 $24.46 $48.93
Diesel $4.86 $27.09 $54.18

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 31, 2026

There is no time difference between Bloomington and Grand Lake. The current time is 04:52:20.

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.