Origin
Benson, MN
Afternoon in Benson on Wednesday
Local time
1:41 PM
CDT
Current temp
45°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Benson, MN to Saint Paul, MN
Data updated 1 hour ago
Drive Time
3h 4m
Distance
153.6 mi
247 km
Drive Score
9/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$23
one way
EV Charging
Loading...
station data
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
2h 53m
★
6 AM
3h 4m
8 AM
3h 27m
10 AM
3h 12m
12 PM
3h 10m
3 PM
3h 14m
5 PM
3h 26m
8 PM
2h 57m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Saint Paul, MN
Wikimedia Commons
Trip Overview
The drive from Benson, MN to Saint Paul, MN covers 153.6 miles and takes about 3h 4m behind the wheel. This route is realistic as a one-day drive if you keep your stops efficient.
The route leans on I 94, MN 23, 13th Street North for much of the mileage, and the overall profile is highway-focused drive. The longest uninterrupted segment is about 59 miles on I 94. At current regular gas prices, budget about $22.86 one way before food or hotel costs.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.
Break Rhythm
1 planned break
A short stop every 2 to 3 hours is enough for this drive.
Midpoint
76.8 miles from Benson, MN
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h 37m into the drive .
Loading map...
Drive Character
This is a 3h 4m highway drive covering 153.6 miles, with most of the trip on I 94 and MN 23. The longest continuous stretch is about 59 miles on I 94.
Most of the miles stay on highways, which makes pacing and fuel planning easier than turn-by-turn city driving.
There are about 16 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.
I 94 is the longest continuous segment at about 59 miles.
How Hard Is This Drive?
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 94 and MN 23. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 75.8 miles in.
Route Complexity
7/10
Demanding - plan breaks and stay ahead of the key maneuvers
This is a demanding drive. With 13 significant decision points across 153.6 miles, you will need to stay alert — especially through interchange areas and urban stretches. Consider splitting it into segments if you are not comfortable with fast highway navigation.
Where does it get tricky?
The main spots that need attention: at 75.8 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here; at 135.2 miles (I 694): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 146.8 miles (US 10 / Voyageur Highway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Critical Maneuvers
5 of 13 key pointsThese are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
7
75.8 mi into trip
|
~1h 35m in
Take the exit toward Interstate 94 East
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the right lane.
Toward Interstate 94 East
6
135.2 mi into trip
|
~2h 41m in
|
I 694
Keep slight left at fork onto I 694
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
9
146.8 mi into trip
|
~2h 53m in
|
US 10 / Voyageur Highway
Keep slight right at fork onto US 10 / Voyageur Highway toward US 10 East, I 35 South: St Paul
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the slight right lane.
Exit 46
Toward US 10 East, I 35 South: St Paul
9
152.3 mi into trip
|
~3h in
|
US 10
Keep slight left at fork onto US 10 toward US 10 East, I 94 East, US 52 South: 10th Street, Wacouta Street
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the slight left / straight lanes.
Exit 107A
Toward US 10 East, I 94 East, US 52 South: 10th...
8
152.7 mi into trip
|
~3h 1m in
Keep slight right at fork toward 10th Street
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight right lane.
Toward 10th Street
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| I 94 | 59 mi | 1h 4m |
| MN 23 | 39.8 mi | 47m |
| 13th Street North | 35.8 mi | 47m |
| I 694 | 11.7 mi | 12m |
| Voyageur Highway | 5.5 mi | 6m |
| Robert Street North | 0.5 mi | 1m |
| Kellogg Boulevard East | 0.2 mi | <1m |
| 10th Street East | 0.2 mi | <1m |
Longest stretch:
I 94
— 59 mi, about 1h 4m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Benson, MN and Saint Paul, MN.
1
Start on this road
132 ft
·
12 sec
·
this road
2
Turn right onto MN 9
0.1 mi
·
26 sec
·
Atlantic Avenue
3
Turn left onto MN 9
36 mi
·
47 min
·
13th Street North
4
At end of road, turn left onto MN 23
40 mi
·
47 min
·
MN 23
5
Take the exit
0.4 mi
·
49 sec
Toward Interstate 94 East
Use the right lane.
6
Merge onto I 94
59 mi
·
1 hr 4 min
·
I 94
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
7
Keep slight left at fork onto I 694
12 mi
·
12 min
·
I 694
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
8
Keep slight right at fork onto US 10
5.5 mi
·
6 min
·
Voyageur Highway
Exit 46
Toward US 10 East, I 35 South: St Paul
Use the slight right lane.
9
Keep slight left at fork onto US 10
0.1 mi
·
7 sec
·
US 10
Exit 107A
Toward US 10 East, I 94 East, US 52 South: 10th Street, Wacouta Street
Use the slight left / straight lanes.
10
Take the exit
0.2 mi
·
27 sec
Toward 10th Street, Wacouta Street
11
Keep slight right at fork
409 ft
·
10 sec
Toward 10th Street
Use the slight right lane.
12
Continue on 10th Street East
0.2 mi
·
43 sec
·
10th Street East
13
Turn left onto Robert Street North
0.5 mi
·
1 min
·
Robert Street North
14
Turn right onto Kellogg Boulevard East
0.2 mi
·
44 sec
·
Kellogg Boulevard East
15
Turn right onto Wabasha Street North
162 ft
·
5 sec
·
Wabasha Street North
16
Arrive at destination
Wabasha Street North
Trip Plan
Morning Departure
An early start around 7-8 AM gets you there with plenty of daylight left.
Evening Departure
A late afternoon start means arriving after dark. Morning is better.
You can normally do this drive in one day.
Plan roughly 1 meaningful break for fuel, food, and rest.
The halfway point lands around 76.8 miles from Benson, MN, or about 1h 37m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 59 miles.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
Departure
Before you leave
Start with fuel, water, and navigation already sorted so the first hour feels easy.
First stop
Around 80 miles or 1h 40m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 76.8 miles or 1h 37m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 2h 30m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Saint Paul, MN than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving Benson, MN so your first major turns are already loaded.
+
Leave with enough water and a charging cable within reach, not packed away.
+
Check your fuel range against the first long segment, especially if you are starting outside city service areas.
Day 1
Settle into the route from Benson, MN
This is one driving day of about 153.6 miles and 3h 4m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 80 miles from Benson, MN.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
Plan about 1 real break rather than only quick fuel stops.
The longest stretch is on I 94 for about 59 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 76.8 mi from Benson, MN · 1h 37m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
77 mi into the route
Best for: Lunch, fuel, and a longer reset
This sits close to the middle of the route, so it works well for the longest stop of the day.
Pacing Suggestions
Arriving in Saint Paul, MN
The final approach into Saint Paul, MN usually feels slower than the middle of the drive, so avoid planning your tightest schedule at the very end.
Try to arrive with enough fuel left to skip an immediate station stop unless you already know the area around Saint Paul, MN.
These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$22.86 one way
$45.72 round trip
$3.78/gal
25.4 MPG avg
54 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.07 | $24.63 | $49.26 |
| premium | $4.53 | $27.41 | $54.81 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $33.91 | $67.83 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$23
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$48–$73
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 53.7 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $16 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 46.1 | 0 | $16.13 | $7.37 |
| Efficient EV | 38.4 | 0 | $13.44 | $6.14 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 61.4 | 0 | $21.50 | $9.83 |
Gas CO2
54 kg
EV CO2
18 kg (67% less)
This trip is well within single-charge range for most EVs. No charging stops needed if you start fully charged.
DC fast charging avg $0.35/kWh. Home charging avg $0.16/kWh. US grid CO2: 0.39 kg/kWh.
Travel Intel
Current conditions at both ends of the drive.
Destination
Saint Paul, MN
Afternoon in Saint Paul on Wednesday
Local time
1:41 PM
CDT
Current temp
67°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
37°F
Avon, MN
77 mi in
Seasonal Notes
Summer travel usually means heavier construction, hotter rest stops, and busier weekend traffic around major cities.
Winter travel shortens daylight, so a route that looks manageable on paper can feel much longer after dark.
Holiday weekends tend to make both departure and arrival windows slower than the raw route time suggests.
Time zone
Same local time
Origin and destination are on the same clock, so arrival timing is easier to judge at a glance.
Temperature spread
22 degrees warmer at arrival
A meaningful temperature swing is a good cue to rethink layers, water, and how soon you want to arrive.
Road read
3h 4m on the road
Use the two city cards together: check the sky where you start, then compare it with the local time and temperature at arrival.
Weather data from the National Weather Service. Conditions may change; check closer to your travel date.
Frequently Asked Questions
The drive from Benson, MN to Saint Paul, MN covers 153.6 miles and takes about 3h 4m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are I 94, MN 23, 13th Street North. Most of the drive stays on highways, so watch for ramps and exits.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 76.8 miles from Benson, MN. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $22.86 one way. This estimate uses 25.4 MPG — your actual cost will vary with your vehicle's fuel efficiency and current gas prices.
An early start around 7-8 AM gets you there with plenty of daylight left. A late afternoon start means arriving after dark. Morning is better.
Plan about 1 meaningful break for fuel, food, or rest. A short stop every 2 to 3 hours is enough for this drive.
This is a demanding drive. With 13 significant decision points across 153.6 miles, you will need to stay alert — especially through interchange areas and urban stretches. Consider splitting it into segments if you are not comfortable with fast highway navigation.
The main spots that need attention: at 75.8 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here; at 135.2 miles (I 694): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 146.8 miles (US 10 / Voyageur Highway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
The route from Benson, MN to Saint Paul, MN does not surface many named destination signs beyond the main corridor.
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