How long to get Up North Friday?

[PaulB]

First time deer hunting, how long is it going to take me to get up to the Iron Range if I can't leave the TC until 3:30 or 4 on Friday? Are there routes besides I-35 - 53 - 169 that make sense? Thanks.

[Guest]

For the area of the iron range your heading to.. I think that is about the only direct way.

Traffic will be moving, it wont take much longer than it usually does to get up there.

There will be extra traffic... but people like to drive really fast when overloaded for the deer opener.

Drive Safe.. you will get there.

[FL SNIPER]

I work in roseville and live in Forest Lake and I also go up north on Friday before deer opener...but don't go until after work Friday. Traffic is not as bad as you think...it's heavy but usually moving. The key is for there to be no accidents...that is what causes major delays (of course). So I'm guessing if there are no accidents it shouldn't take you much longer than usual for you to get where you're going.

[Johnny_Namakan]

You mentioned the 35-53-169 route, but are you taking the Cloquet cut-off? Hwy 33 in Cloquet will cut 30 minutes off your time instead of going through Duluth. I'm sure you're taking it, but I thought I'd mention it just in case!

[colonel42]

I lived in the cities for six years and drove up many a weekends for hunting and fishing. I don't know what part of the range you are going to but I used to take Hyw 65 through Mora and McGregor. This will take you all the way to Pengilly just south of Nashwalk. Or you can turn east about 6 miles north of Jacobson and hit Hwy 73 which comes out next to WalMart in Hibbing. Good Highways and no construction. Posted speed limit is 55. With no traffic 64 is cool. Depending where you are leaving from 3 hours from Blaine.

[PaulB]

Thanks all. I'm headed for Chisholm. 65 to 73 to 169 would work well. I do know about the 33 cut-off thru Cloquet, but thanks for mentioning it. I know sometimes the roads just back up and there's nothing to be done about it but be patient. I'll probably still take the I, but coming back Sunday it might be nicer to take the roads less travelled.

[fishwidow]

Consider I-35 to Moose Lake then 73 all the way up to 169 at Hibbing. It's a pretty direct straightline shot.

[Guest]

I'll second fishwidow.. I used to live in Floodwood(73 & 2 junction).

Watch out for the curves on 73 before you get to hwy 2... if it says 35 mph.. do 35 mph.