MN 33 is a bypass of Duluth for travelers headed to the Iron Range of northern Minnesota and International Falls.

The southern terminus of the route is at an interchange with Interstate 35 at Exit 237 on the south side of Cloquet.

Heading northbound, Highway 33 has a signal-controlled intersection with Big Lake Road / Doddridge Avenue (County 7) in Cloquet.

Highway 33 then travels through the center of Cloquet's downtown area on a four-lane surface street.

As it leaves Cloquet heading due north, a 65 MPH speed limit begins and the roadway widens out into a four-lane expressway.

To access southbound U.S. 53 at this point, traffic must take a U-turn at an at-grade crossover past the Y-interchange.

[7] The roadway was paved from the St. Louis River to a point just south of Industrial Road in 1937, and the remainder north to U.S. 53 in 1939.