The route up to Two Harbors and then north is the shortest and may or may not be the quickest. I'd probably prefer the drive up Hwy 53 to just north of Virginia an then on Hwy 169 to Ely. Going up from Two Harbors will put you in a pretty wild area and the route northwest on Hwy 1 is pretty crooked. Fun drive if you are well rested and into driving in the woods and not in a hurry.

The quickest route is to take Highway 53 North out of Duluth then take Hwy 169 to Ely. Highway 1 is pretty scenic but not a good road. There are very many crazy curves and its best not to even deal with it. Its the type of road that makes kids carsick. My kids never get carsick, unless they are on Hwy 1.