MN 210 serves as an east–west route in west-central, central, and northeast Minnesota between Breckenridge, Fergus Falls, Staples, Baxter, Brainerd, Carlton, and Duluth.

For part of its route (7 mi or 11 km), MN 210 is concurrent with US Highway 10 (US 10) between Motley and Staples in central Minnesota.

Cuyuna Country State Recreation Area is located on the highway in Crow Wing County near Crosby and Ironton; northeast of Brainerd.

Intercity bus service is provided along the eastern half of MN 210 from Staples to Duluth by Jefferson Lines.

Circa 1955, the highway was expanded on the west end of US 210, replacing former MN 3 from Staples to the North Dakota state line at Breckenridge.

[9][10] MN 210 runs along the original mainline of the Northern Pacific Railway as built westward from Carlton to Staples.