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

The driving distance from Cross Lake, MN to Bloomington, MN is about 153.1 miles (246.4 km), with a travel time of about 02h 40m by car.

  • The straight-line flight distance is about 131.7 miles (211.9 km).
  • For a round trip, plan for roughly 05h 20m 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
153.11 mi
02h 40m
Flight
131.66 mi
211.89 km direct

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

Learn Distance

Choose another destination from Cross Lake.

Flight Distance

Direct air line
131.66 mi
Kilometers
211.89 km
Flight Time
00h 15m

Driving Distance

Road route
153.11 mi
Kilometers
246.41 km
Drive Time
02h 40m

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 40m.

Arrival Snapshot
Arrive in Bloomington
Mon, May 4, 11:05 PM CDT
Return by in Cross Lake
Tue, May 5, 1:45 AM CDT
Useful when you're deciding between a quick errand, a day trip, or a longer stop.
Leave Cross Lake
2026-05-04T20:25
Arrive Bloomington
Mon, May 4, 11:05 PM CDT
Route Timing
02h 40m
One way by road
Best Departure Window
8:00 AM to 10:00 AM CDT
Aim for a morning departure
Arrive between
10:40 AM to 12:40 PM CDT

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

Leave by
1:10 PM CDT
Keeps a same-day return open with about 03h 00m at the destination.
Back in Cross Lake
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
Milaca
MN

City in Mille Lacs County, Minnesota

From Cross Lake
76.6 mi
01h 20m
To Bloomington
76.6 mi
01h 20m

Route Weather Snapshot

Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.

Origin
55°F
Monday

Chance Rain Showers

Starts
Mon, May 4 6:00 AM CDT
Wind
15 to 20 mph NW
Destination
68°F
Monday

Partly Sunny

Starts
Mon, May 4 6:00 AM CDT
Wind
15 mph W

Driving Route Map

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

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

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

  1. 1

    Start on County Road 11

    3.2 mi · 4 min · County Road 11

  2. 2

    Keep slight right to continue on County Road 3

    104 m · 6 sec · County Road 3

  3. 3

    Enter the roundabout and take exit 3 toward County Road 11

    65 m · 5 sec · County Road 11

  4. 4

    Exit the roundabout onto County Road 11

    3.6 mi · 5 min · County Road 11

  5. 5

    Continue on County Road 11

    7.7 mi · 11 min · County Road 11

  6. 6

    Turn right

    4.7 mi · 8 min

  7. 7

    Turn left onto West Main Street

    1.1 mi · 1 min · West Main Street

  8. 8

    Enter the roundabout and take exit 2 toward Voyageur Highway

    33 m · 1 sec · Voyageur Highway

  9. 9

    Exit the roundabout onto Voyageur Highway

    2.3 mi · 3 min · Voyageur Highway

  10. 10

    Continue on Archibald Road

    1.1 km · 51 sec · Archibald Road

  11. 11

    At the end of the road, turn left onto East Front Street

    2129 ft · 29 sec · East Front Street

  12. 12

    Turn right

    9.4 mi · 16 min

  13. 13

    Turn left onto State Highway 18

    4.3 mi · 8 min · State Highway 18

  14. 14

    Turn straight onto US Highway 169

    37.3 mi · 42 min · US Highway 169

  15. 15

    Continue on Central Avenue

    2.3 mi · 3 min · Central Avenue

  16. 16

    Continue on US Highway 169

    9.5 mi · 11 min · US Highway 169

  17. 17

    Keep slight right to continue on US Highway 169

    26.5 mi · 30 min · US Highway 169

  18. 18

    Continue on POW/MIA Memorial Highway

    117 m · 5 sec · POW/MIA Memorial Highway

  19. 19

    Continue straight

    6.9 mi · 8 min

  20. 20

    Take the exit slight right toward I 94 East: Minneapolis, Saint Paul

    1.1 km · 1 min

  21. 21

    Merge slight left

    8.3 mi · 9 min

  22. 22

    Take the exit slight right toward I 494 South

    2227 ft · 32 sec

  23. 23

    Continue straight

    21.9 mi · 27 min

  24. 24

    Take the exit slight right toward I 35W South: Albert Lea

    1038 ft · 25 sec

  25. 25

    Continue on I 35W South: Albert Lea

    2054 ft · 50 sec

  26. 26

    Merge slight left

    1 mi · 1 min

  27. 27

    Take the exit slight right toward 90th Street

    1145 ft · 35 sec

  28. 28

    Turn left onto West 90th Street

    63 m · 6 sec · West 90th Street

  29. 29

    Arrive at your destination

    0 m · 1 sec · West 90th Street

Car Route Details

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

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
29 steps
11 turns on the saved route
Ramps & Exits
10
2 merges, 8 ramps or exits
Navigation Density
18.9 / 100 mi
Decision points by distance
Main Roads
US Highway 169
73.3 mi · 48%
I 494 South
22.3 mi · 15%
County Road 11
14.5 mi · 9%
I 94 East
8.96 mi · 6%
POW/MIA Memorial Highway
6.94 mi · 5%
State Highway 18
4.33 mi · 3%
Longest Stretch

US Highway 169

Turn straight onto US Highway 169

37.3 mi · 00h 42m

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 40m
Day trip friendly
Same-Day Return
05h 20m
Round-trip wheel time
Road vs Air
+21.4 mi
131.7 mi direct line
Halfway Stop
Milaca
01h 20m from Cross Lake
Leave By
1:10 PM CDT
Morning start is best
Weather Watch

Chance Rain Showers leaving Cross Lake and Partly Sunny near Bloomington.

Trip Questions

Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.

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

The road trip is about 153.1 miles (246.4 km) and usually takes 02h 40m 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?

Milaca is a useful midpoint, sitting about 76.6 miles from Cross Lake and 76.6 miles from Bloomington.

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

The direct path is about 131.7 miles (211.9 km), while the road route adds roughly 21.4 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 1:10 PM CDT.

How much will gas cost for this route?

Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $19.27 one way or $38.55 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 48 kg one way.

What should you check before leaving?

Before you leave, expect Chance Rain Showers around Cross Lake and Partly Sunny near Bloomington.

Stop Ideas Near Milaca

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

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

RAIL

St. Cloud

44 mi away
555 East St. Germain Street
RAIL

Saint Paul Union Depot

95 mi away
Midway Station
RAIL

Staples

110 mi away
First & Fourth Aves

Flight Path Map

This map shows the direct air route between Cross Lake and Bloomington. Straight-line distance: 131.66 mi (211.89 km).

Cross Lake

#1 Cross Lake

City in Crow Wing County, Minnesota, United States of America

Population2,141
Coordinates46.6594100, -94.1138700
Altitude378
CountryUnited States
Bloomington

#2 Bloomington

The most populous city in Hennepin County, Minnesota.

Population84,583
Coordinates44.8408000, -93.2982800
Altitude252
CountryUnited States
Start: County Road 3 (-94.114046, 46.65944)
End: West 90th Street (-93.29828, 44.84075)

Estimated Travel Time

Distance: 246 km by road

SpeedTime
30 mph (48.3 km/h)05h 06m
40 mph (64.37 km/h)03h 49m
50 mph (80.47 km/h)03h 03m
60 mph (96.56 km/h)02h 33m
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
5.4 gal
20.45 L · about $19.27
Round trip
$38.55
10.8 gal · 40.9 L
Estimated CO2
48 kg one way
Round trip: 96 kg / 212 lb CO2, using regular gasoline.
Fuel$/galOne wayRound trip
Regular gas $3.57 $19.27 $38.55
Mid-grade $3.92 $21.17 $42.35
Premium $4.39 $23.72 $47.43
Diesel $4.86 $26.27 $52.53

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 Cross Lake and Bloomington. The current time is 20:25:07.

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.