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

The driving distance from Elbow Lake, MN to Blaine, MN is about 158.2 miles (254.6 km), with a travel time of about 02h 26m by car.

  • The straight-line flight distance is about 144.5 miles (232.6 km).
  • For a round trip, plan for roughly 04h 52m 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
158.18 mi
02h 26m
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 Elbow Lake.

Flight Distance

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

Driving Distance

Road route
158.18 mi
Kilometers
254.56 km
Drive Time
02h 26m

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 26m.

Arrival Snapshot
Arrive in Blaine
Thu, Apr 23, 1:50 AM CDT
Return by in Elbow Lake
Thu, Apr 23, 4:16 AM CDT
Useful when you're deciding between a quick errand, a day trip, or a longer stop.
Leave Elbow Lake
2026-04-22T23:23
Arrive Blaine
Thu, Apr 23, 1:50 AM CDT
Route Timing
02h 26m
One way by road
Best Departure Window
8:00 AM to 10:00 AM CDT
Aim for a morning departure
Arrive between
10:26 AM to 12:26 PM CDT

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

Leave by
1:38 PM CDT
Keeps a same-day return open with about 03h 00m at the destination.
Back in Elbow 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
Albany
MN

City in Stearns County, Minnesota, United States

From Elbow Lake
79 mi
01h 13m
To Blaine
79.2 mi
01h 13m

Route Weather Snapshot

Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.

Origin
85°F
Wednesday

Mostly Sunny

Starts
Wed, Apr 22 6:00 AM CDT
Wind
15 to 23 mph SSE
Destination
82°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 Elbow Lake and Blaine.

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

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

  1. 1

    Start on Central Avenue

    10 m · 3 sec · Central Avenue

  2. 2

    Turn right onto State Highway 79

    1327 ft · 27 sec · State Highway 79

  3. 3

    Continue on 2nd Street Northeast

    1055 ft · 21 sec · 2nd Street Northeast

  4. 4

    Continue on Viking Trail

    3.1 mi · 5 min · Viking Trail

  5. 5

    Turn straight onto State Highway 79

    8.5 mi · 12 min · State Highway 79

  6. 6

    Take the ramp right

    1245 ft · 30 sec

  7. 7

    Merge slight left

    129.9 mi · 2 hr 19 min

  8. 8

    Take the exit slight right toward MN 610 East

    12.9 mi · 15 min

  9. 9

    Merge slight left

    1.5 km · 59 sec

  10. 10

    Take the exit slight right toward MN 65: Central Avenue

    2242 ft · 1 min

  11. 11

    Turn left onto Central Avenue Northeast

    1.9 mi · 3 min · Central Avenue Northeast

  12. 12

    Arrive at your destination

    0 m · 1 sec · Central Avenue Northeast

Car Route Details

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

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
12 steps
3 turns on the saved route
Ramps & Exits
5
2 merges, 3 ramps or exits
Navigation Density
7.6 / 100 mi
Decision points by distance
Main Roads
State Highway 79
139 mi · 88%
MN 610 East
13.8 mi · 9%
Viking Trail
3.08 mi · 2%
Central Avenue Northeast
1.94 mi · 1%
MN 65
0.42 mi
2nd Street Northeast
0.2 mi
Longest Stretch

State Highway 79

Merge slight left

130 mi · 02h 19m

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 26m
Day trip friendly
Same-Day Return
04h 52m
Round-trip wheel time
Road vs Air
+13.7 mi
144.5 mi direct line
Halfway Stop
Albany
01h 13m from Elbow Lake
Leave By
1:38 PM CDT
Morning start is best
Weather Watch

Mostly Sunny leaving Elbow Lake and Sunny near Blaine.

Trip Questions

Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.

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

The road trip is about 158.2 miles (254.6 km) and usually takes 02h 26m 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 79 miles from Elbow Lake and 79.2 miles from Blaine.

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 13.7 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 1:38 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 Mostly Sunny around Elbow Lake and Sunny near Blaine.

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 Elbow Lake and Blaine. Straight-line distance: 144.55 mi (232.63 km).

Elbow Lake

#1 Elbow Lake

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

Population1,144
Coordinates45.9941300, -95.9767200
Altitude372
CountryUnited States
Blaine

#2 Blaine

A city in Anoka County, Minnesota.

Population66,697
Coordinates45.1608000, -93.2349500
Altitude276
CountryUnited States
Start: Central Avenue (-95.97675, 45.99413)
End: MN 65 (-93.234938, 45.160786)

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 Elbow Lake and Blaine. The current time is 23:23:55.

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.