Road Trippin’ from Blandinsville, Illinois to Thief River Falls, Minnesota

Are you looking for an exciting and adventurous road trip from Blandinsville, Illinois to Thief River Falls, Minnesota? With numerous routes to choose from, you will have the chance to experience the beauty of nature in Midwestern America while enjoying some interesting tourist attractions along the way. Here are our recommendations for the best routes to take, their distances, time estimations and some must-visit places.

Route 1: Blandinsville to Thief River Falls via US-52 N

One of the more popular routes is traveling via US-52 N. This 880-mile journey will take approximately 14 hours and five minutes in good traffic conditions. Starting from Blandinsville, you will follow US-52 N through Iowa, Minnesota, and North Dakota all the way to Thief River Falls.

To break up the drive, we recommend stopping at the Field of Dreams movie site in Dyersville, Iowa. This serene location, with its well-maintained baseball field, is a popular destination for baseball enthusiasts and movie aficionados alike. Another must-visit location is the Mall of America in Bloomington, Minnesota. This shopping mall has over 520 stores and is an ideal location for a quick snack break.

Route 2: Blandinsville to Thief River Falls via I-35 N

If you prefer the faster route, we recommend traveling via I-35 N, which is a total of 965 miles and will take approximately 14 hours and 24 minutes. Starting from Blandinsville, you will follow I-35 N through Iowa and Minnesota all the way to the northern border of Minnesota.

To rest and relax on the road trip, we recommend stopping at the Spam Museum in Austin, Minnesota. The American Spam museum is a quirky attraction, shows off the history of the once infamous Spam canned meat through shadow boxes, interactive games, and even videos with Monty Python members. Another must-visit location is the Cedar Creek Golf Course in Albert Lea, Minnesota, which is a perfect place to stretch your legs.

Route 3: Blandinsville to Thief River Falls via MN-60 W

A third option we recommend is taking the MN-60 W route, which will take you through Minnesota and is a total of 902 miles and will take approximately 15 hours and 50 minutes. To follow this route, you’ll drive west on Illinois Route 9 to I-155 to I-74 E in McLean County.

To break up the drive, we recommend stopping at the Spam Museum, in Austin, Minnesota, and the renowned waterpark, Great Plains Zoo in Sioux Falls, South Dakota, which has a wide range of recreational activities, including a carousel, mini-golf, and a fantastic butterfly house.

No matter which route you choose, don’t forget to take plenty of breaks during your journey, and enjoy the scenery along the route. Road trips are always more fun with some music playing in the background, so grab your favorite playlist and hit the road!