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

The driving distance from Howard Lake, MN to Bloomington, MN is about 49.3 miles (79.4 km), with a travel time of about 00h 57m by car.

  • The straight-line flight distance is about 40.8 miles (65.7 km).
  • For a round trip, plan for roughly 01h 54m 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
49.36 mi
00h 57m
Flight
40.83 mi
65.71 km direct

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

Learn Distance

Choose another destination from Howard Lake.

Flight Distance

Direct air line
40.83 mi
Kilometers
65.71 km
Flight Time
00h 04m

Driving Distance

Road route
49.36 mi
Kilometers
79.44 km
Drive Time
00h 57m

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 00h 57m.

Arrival Snapshot
Arrive in Bloomington
Tue, May 12, 8:58 PM CDT
Return by in Howard Lake
Tue, May 12, 9:55 PM CDT
Useful when you're deciding between a quick errand, a day trip, or a longer stop.
Leave Howard Lake
2026-05-12T20:01
Arrive Bloomington
Tue, May 12, 8:58 PM CDT
Route Timing
00h 57m
One way by road
Best Departure Window
8:00 AM to 10:00 AM CDT
Aim for a morning departure
Arrive between
8:57 AM to 10:57 AM CDT

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

Leave by
4:36 PM CDT
Keeps a same-day return open with about 03h 00m at the destination.
Back in Howard 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
Maple Plain
MN

City in Hennepin County, Minnesota

From Howard Lake
24.1 mi
00h 28m
To Bloomington
25.3 mi
00h 28m

Route Weather Snapshot

Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.

Origin
71°F
Tuesday

Mostly Sunny

Starts
Tue, May 12 6:00 AM CDT
Wind
15 to 25 mph WNW
Destination
74°F
Tuesday

Mostly Sunny

Starts
Tue, May 12 6:00 AM CDT
Wind
10 to 20 mph W

Driving Route Map

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

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

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

  1. 1

    Start on 6th Street

    1.1 km · 1 min · 6th Street

  2. 2

    Continue on US 12

    4.1 mi · 6 min · US 12

  3. 3

    Continue on Pacific Avenue

    1.1 km · 1 min · Pacific Avenue

  4. 4

    Continue on US 12

    1.9 mi · 3 min · US 12

  5. 5

    Continue on Nelson Boulevard

    1.1 mi · 2 min · Nelson Boulevard

  6. 6

    Continue on US 12

    2.4 mi · 3 min · US 12

  7. 7

    Continue on 60th Street Southeast

    1234 ft · 19 sec · 60th Street Southeast

  8. 8

    Continue on US 12

    3.6 mi · 5 min · US 12

  9. 9

    Continue on Babcock Boulevard West

    3.9 mi · 6 min · Babcock Boulevard West

  10. 10

    Enter the roundabout and take exit 2 toward Babcock Boulevard

    43 m · 2 sec · Babcock Boulevard

  11. 11

    Exit the roundabout onto Babcock Boulevard

    2.1 mi · 3 min · Babcock Boulevard

  12. 12

    Enter the roundabout and take exit 2 toward Babcock Boulevard;County Road 90

    43 m · 2 sec · Babcock Boulevard

  13. 13

    Exit the rotary onto Babcock Boulevard

    11 mi · 15 min · Babcock Boulevard

  14. 14

    Take the exit slight right toward I 494: Carlson Parkway, Linner Road

    1504 ft · 37 sec

  15. 15

    Keep slight left to continue on I 494

    2061 ft · 50 sec

  16. 16

    Keep slight right to continue on I 494 South

    3022 ft · 1 min

  17. 17

    Merge slight left

    13.3 mi · 17 min

  18. 18

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

    1038 ft · 25 sec

  19. 19

    Continue on I 35W South: Albert Lea

    2054 ft · 50 sec

  20. 20

    Merge slight left

    1 mi · 1 min

  21. 21

    Take the exit slight right toward 90th Street

    1145 ft · 35 sec

  22. 22

    Turn left onto West 90th Street

    63 m · 6 sec · West 90th Street

  23. 23

    Arrive at your destination

    0 m · 1 sec · West 90th Street

Car Route Details

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

OSRM road route
Drive Character

Turn-heavy local drive

The route has frequent decision points for its length, so lane choice and turn timing will matter more than cruising speed.

Directions
23 steps
5 turns on the saved route
Ramps & Exits
9
2 merges, 7 ramps or exits
Navigation Density
46.6 / 100 mi
Decision points by distance
Main Roads
I 494 South
13.9 mi · 28%
Babcock Boulevard
13.2 mi · 27%
US 12
12 mi · 24%
Babcock Boulevard West
3.93 mi · 8%
I 35W South
1.62 mi · 3%
Nelson Boulevard
1.09 mi · 2%
Longest Stretch

I 494 South

Merge slight left

13.3 mi · 00h 17m

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
00h 57m
Day trip friendly
Same-Day Return
01h 54m
Round-trip wheel time
Road vs Air
+8.5 mi
40.8 mi direct line
Halfway Stop
Maple Plain
00h 28m from Howard Lake
Leave By
4:36 PM CDT
Morning start is best
Weather Watch

Mostly Sunny leaving Howard Lake and Mostly Sunny near Bloomington.

Trip Questions

Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.

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

The road trip is about 49.3 miles (79.4 km) and usually takes 00h 57m 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?

Maple Plain is a useful midpoint, sitting about 24.1 miles from Howard Lake and 25.3 miles from Bloomington.

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

The direct path is about 40.8 miles (65.7 km), while the road route adds roughly 8.5 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 4:36 PM CDT.

How much will gas cost for this route?

Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $6.21 one way or $12.42 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 15.5 kg one way.

What should you check before leaving?

Before you leave, expect Mostly Sunny around Howard Lake and Mostly Sunny near Bloomington.

Stop Ideas Near Maple Plain

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

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

RAIL

Saint Paul Union Depot

37 mi away
Midway Station
RAIL

St. Cloud

73 mi away
555 East St. Germain Street
RAIL

Red Wing station

101 mi away
420 Levee Street

Flight Path Map

This map shows the direct air route between Howard Lake and Bloomington. Straight-line distance: 40.83 mi (65.71 km).

Howard Lake

#1 Howard Lake

City in Wright County, Minnesota, United States of America

Population2,162
Coordinates45.0608000, -94.0733100
Altitude310
CountryUnited States
Bloomington

#2 Bloomington

The most populous city in Hennepin County, Minnesota.

Population84,583
Coordinates44.8408000, -93.2982800
Altitude252
CountryUnited States
Start: 6th Street (-94.073309, 45.060749)
End: West 90th Street (-93.29828, 44.84075)

Estimated Travel Time

Distance: 79 km by road

SpeedTime
30 mph (48.3 km/h)01h 38m
40 mph (64.37 km/h)01h 14m
50 mph (80.47 km/h)00h 59m
60 mph (96.56 km/h)00h 49m
70 mph (112.65 km/h)00h 42m
80 mph (129 km/h)00h 36m

Fuel, Round Trip and CO2

Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.

One-way fuel
1.74 gal
6.59 L · about $6.21
Round trip
$12.42
3.48 gal · 13.18 L
Estimated CO2
15.5 kg one way
Round trip: 30.9 kg / 68 lb CO2, using regular gasoline.
Fuel$/galOne wayRound trip
Regular gas $3.57 $6.21 $12.42
Mid-grade $3.92 $6.82 $13.65
Premium $4.39 $7.64 $15.28
Diesel $4.86 $8.46 $16.93

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 13, 2026

There is no time difference between Howard Lake and Bloomington. The current time is 20:01:03.

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.