Origin
Big Lake, MN
Late night in Big Lake on Wednesday
Local time
5:32 AM
CDT
Current temp
44°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Big Lake, MN to Saint Paul, MN
Data updated 0 seconds ago
Drive Time
1h
Distance
48 mi
77 km
Drive Score
7/10
Good drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$7
one way
EV Charging
Loading...
station data
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
0h 56m
★
6 AM
1h 0m
8 AM
1h 10m
10 AM
1h 4m
12 PM
1h 3m
3 PM
1h 4m
5 PM
1h 10m
8 PM
0h 58m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Big Lake, MN
Wikimedia Commons
Saint Paul, MN
Wikimedia Commons
Trip Overview
This 48-mile drive from Big Lake, MN to Saint Paul, MN takes about 1 hour to complete, making it an ideal day trip. You'll primarily travel on Voyageur Highway and US 10, with a portion on Jefferson Boulevard. Given its short distance and manageable duration, this route is best suited for a single-day excursion rather than an overnight stay. With an estimated fuel cost of just $7, this trip is quite budget-friendly. The drive offers a local feel, connecting two points within the Midwest region of Minnesota.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.
Break Rhythm
0 planned breaks
A short stop every 2 to 3 hours is enough for this drive.
Midpoint
24 miles from Big Lake, MN
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 30m into the drive .
Loading map...
Drive Character
The character of this drive is best described as a turn-heavy local exploration. Only 29% of the journey is on highways, meaning you'll encounter more local roads and traffic signals. Your longest uninterrupted stretch covers 32.3 miles on Voyageur Highway, offering a brief period of steady travel before transitioning to more varied road conditions. Expect a mix of faster highway segments and more deliberate local driving as you navigate from Big Lake to Saint Paul.
This route has more turning and local-road decision points than a simple highway run.
There are about 15 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.
Voyageur Highway is the longest continuous segment at about 32.3 miles.
How Hard Is This Drive?
Expect a hands-on drive with frequent turns and local roads rather than long highway stretches. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 27.4 miles in near US 10.
Route Complexity
9/10
High effort - long or complex enough to need steady focus all day
This is a demanding drive. With 10 significant decision points across 48 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 27.4 miles (US 10): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 34.8 miles (US 10): Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here; at 41.2 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 10 key pointsThese are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
6
27.4 mi into trip
|
~34m in
|
US 10
Keep slight left at fork onto US 10
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
7
34.8 mi into trip
|
~42m in
|
US 10
Take the exit onto US 10 toward US 10 East: Saint Paul
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight right lane.
Exit 28A
Toward US 10 East: Saint Paul
9
41.2 mi into trip
|
~49m 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
46.7 mi into trip
|
~56m 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
47.1 mi into trip
|
~57m 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 |
|---|---|---|
| Voyageur Highway | 32.3 mi | 39m |
| US 10 | 13.9 mi | 15m |
| Jefferson Boulevard | 0.7 mi | 1m |
| Robert Street North | 0.5 mi | 1m |
| Kellogg Boulevard East | 0.2 mi | <1m |
| 10th Street East | 0.2 mi | <1m |
| Wabasha Street North | <0.1 mi | <1m |
Longest stretch:
Voyageur Highway
— 32.3 mi, about 39m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Big Lake, MN and Saint Paul, MN.
1
Start on US 10; MN 25
0.7 mi
·
1 min
·
Jefferson Boulevard
2
Continue on US 10
27 mi
·
32 min
·
Voyageur Highway
Use the left lane.
3
Keep slight left at fork onto US 10
7.3 mi
·
8 min
·
US 10
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
4
Take the exit onto US 10
0.6 mi
·
55 sec
·
US 10
Exit 28A
Toward US 10 East: Saint Paul
Use the slight right lane.
5
Continue on US 10
1.9 mi
·
2 min
·
US 10
6
Keep slight left at fork onto US 10
3.9 mi
·
4 min
·
US 10
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
7
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.
8
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.
9
Take the exit
0.2 mi
·
27 sec
Toward 10th Street, Wacouta Street
10
Keep slight right at fork
409 ft
·
10 sec
Toward 10th Street
Use the slight right lane.
11
Continue on 10th Street East
0.2 mi
·
43 sec
·
10th Street East
12
Turn left onto Robert Street North
0.5 mi
·
1 min
·
Robert Street North
13
Turn right onto Kellogg Boulevard East
0.2 mi
·
44 sec
·
Kellogg Boulevard East
14
Turn right onto Wabasha Street North
162 ft
·
5 sec
·
Wabasha Street North
15
Arrive at destination
Wabasha Street North
Trip Plan
Since this is a quick 1-hour trip covering 48 miles, you have plenty of flexibility for departure and stop times. With no designated stops and a low fuel cost of $7, you can easily complete this drive in one go. Pay attention to local traffic patterns, especially as you approach Saint Paul. A good tip for this route is to ensure you have enough gas before starting, as the longest stretch without significant turns is just over 32 miles, and you won't want to be searching for a station in unfamiliar local areas.
Morning Departure
Leave by 9 AM and you'll arrive before lunch.
Evening Departure
Even a 4 PM departure gets you there before dark in summer.
You can normally do this drive in one day.
You may only need one short stretch break if traffic stays light.
The halfway point lands around 24 miles from Big Lake, MN, or about 30m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 32.3 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 48 miles or 1h in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 24 miles or 30m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 49m
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 Big Lake, 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 Big Lake, MN
This is one driving day of about 48 miles and 1h.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 80 miles from Big Lake, MN.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
You may only need one short stretch stop if conditions stay smooth.
The longest stretch is on Voyageur Highway for about 32.3 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 24 mi from Big Lake, MN · 30m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
24 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
Fuel and coffee
A short stop after about 48 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 24 miles from Big Lake, MN, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
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
$7.14 one way
$14.29 round trip
$3.78/gal
25.4 MPG avg
17 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.07 | $7.70 | $15.39 |
| premium | $4.53 | $8.56 | $17.13 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $10.60 | $21.20 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$7
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$32–$57
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 16.8 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $5 in charging · 0 stops · 65% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 14.4 | 0 | $5.04 | $2.30 |
| Efficient EV | 12 | 0 | $4.20 | $1.92 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 19.2 | 0 | $6.72 | $3.07 |
Gas CO2
17 kg
EV CO2
6 kg (65% 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
Late night in Saint Paul on Wednesday
Local time
5:32 AM
CDT
Current temp
67°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
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
23 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
1h 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 Big Lake, MN to Saint Paul, MN covers 48 miles and takes about 1h without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are Voyageur Highway, US 10, Jefferson Boulevard. Expect a mix of highway and local road driving.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 24 miles from Big Lake, MN. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $7.14 one way. This estimate uses 25.4 MPG — your actual cost will vary with your vehicle's fuel efficiency and current gas prices.
Leave by 9 AM and you'll arrive before lunch. Even a 4 PM departure gets you there before dark in summer.
This is a demanding drive. With 10 significant decision points across 48 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 27.4 miles (US 10): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 34.8 miles (US 10): Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here; at 41.2 miles (US 10 / Voyageur Highway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
The route from Big Lake, MN to Saint Paul, MN does not surface many named destination signs beyond the main corridor.
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