Origin
Brainerd, MN
Afternoon in Brainerd on Sunday
Local time
2:16 PM
CDT
Current temp
39°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Brainerd, MN to Saint Paul, MN
Drive Time
2h 45m
Distance
136.9 mi
220 km
Drive Score
9/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$20
one way
Brainerd, MN
Tom Fisk
Saint Paul, MN
Thomas Parker
Trip Overview
The drive from Brainerd, MN to Saint Paul, MN covers 136.9 miles and takes about 2h 45m behind the wheel. This route is realistic as a one-day drive if you keep your stops efficient.
The route leans on US 10, I 94, C. Elmer Anderson Memorial Highway for much of the mileage, and the overall profile is highway-focused drive. The longest uninterrupted segment is about 54.6 miles on US 10. At current regular gas prices, budget about $19.58 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
68.5 miles from Brainerd, MN
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h 22m into the drive .
Drive Character
This is a 2h 45m highway drive covering 136.9 miles, with most of the trip on US 10 and I 94. The longest continuous stretch is about 54.6 miles on US 10.
Most of the miles stay on highways, which makes pacing and fuel planning easier than turn-by-turn city driving.
There are about 28 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.
US 10 is the longest continuous segment at about 54.6 miles.
How Hard Is This Drive?
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on US 10 and I 94. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 118.5 miles in near I 694.
Route Complexity
9/10
High effort - long or complex enough to need steady focus all day
This is a demanding drive. With 16 significant decision points across 136.9 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 118.5 miles (I 694): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 130.1 miles (US 10 / Voyageur Highway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 135.6 miles (US 10): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Critical Maneuvers
5 of 16 key pointsThese are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
6
118.5 mi into trip
|
~2h 22m in
|
I 694
Keep slight left at fork onto I 694
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the none lane.
9
130.1 mi into trip
|
~2h 35m 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
135.6 mi into trip
|
~2h 42m 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...
6
135.7 mi into trip
|
~2h 42m in
Take the exit toward 10th Street, Wacouta Street
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Toward 10th Street, Wacouta Street
8
135.9 mi into trip
|
~2h 42m 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 |
|---|---|---|
| US 10 | 54.6 mi | 1h 3m |
| I 94 | 28 mi | 31m |
| C. Elmer Anderson Memorial Highway | 25.8 mi | 29m |
| I 694 | 11.7 mi | 12m |
| Voyageur Highway | 5.5 mi | 6m |
| Highland Scenic Drive South | 2.5 mi | 3m |
| 165th Avenue Southeast | 1.8 mi | 2m |
| Broadway Street East | 1.5 mi | 2m |
Longest stretch:
US 10
— 54.6 mi, about 1h 3m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Brainerd, MN and Saint Paul, MN.
1
Start on MN 371 Business
0.2 mi
·
25 sec
·
South 6th Street
2
Turn right onto Laurel Street
0.5 mi
·
1 min
·
Laurel Street
3
Continue on West Laurel Street
0.6 mi
·
1 min
·
West Laurel Street
4
Continue on CR 48
1.2 mi
·
1 min
·
Highland Scenic Drive South
5
Enter roundabout onto CR 48
108 ft
·
3 sec
·
Highland Scenic Drive South
6
Continue on CR 48
1.3 mi
·
1 min
·
Highland Scenic Drive South
7
Turn left onto MN 371
26 mi
·
29 min
·
C. Elmer Anderson Memorial Highway
8
Merge onto US 10
28 mi
·
32 min
·
US 10
Use the none / right lanes.
9
Keep slight left at fork onto US 10
26 mi
·
30 min
·
US 10
10
Turn right onto 165th Avenue Southeast
1.8 mi
·
2 min
·
165th Avenue Southeast
11
Continue on Park Boulevard Southeast
1.4 mi
·
1 min
·
Park Boulevard Southeast
12
Continue on County Road 11
0.7 mi
·
57 sec
·
County Road 11
13
Turn right onto MN 25
0.1 mi
·
11 sec
·
State Highway 25
14
Continue on MN 25
0.3 mi
·
42 sec
·
Pine Street
15
Turn left onto CR 75
1.5 mi
·
2 min
·
Broadway Street East
16
Turn right onto CR 18
0.3 mi
·
40 sec
·
Fenning Avenue
17
Take the ramp
0.4 mi
·
54 sec
18
Merge onto I 94
28 mi
·
31 min
·
I 94
Use the none / straight / slight right lanes.
19
Keep slight left at fork onto I 694
12 mi
·
12 min
·
I 694
Use the none lane.
20
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.
21
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.
22
Take the exit
0.2 mi
·
27 sec
Toward 10th Street, Wacouta Street
23
Keep slight right at fork
409 ft
·
10 sec
Toward 10th Street
Use the slight right lane.
24
Continue on 10th Street East
0.2 mi
·
43 sec
·
10th Street East
25
Turn left onto Robert Street North
0.5 mi
·
1 min
·
Robert Street North
26
Turn right onto Kellogg Boulevard East
0.2 mi
·
44 sec
·
Kellogg Boulevard East
27
Turn right onto Wabasha Street North
162 ft
·
5 sec
·
Wabasha Street North
28
Arrive at destination
Wabasha Street North
Trip Plan
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.
Plan roughly 1 meaningful break for fuel, food, and rest.
The halfway point lands around 68.5 miles from Brainerd, MN, or about 1h 22m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 54.6 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 35m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 68.5 miles or 1h 22m 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 15m
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 Brainerd, 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 Brainerd, MN
This is one driving day of about 136.9 miles and 2h 45m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 80 miles from Brainerd, 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 US 10 for about 54.6 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 68.5 mi from Brainerd, MN · 1h 22m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
68 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 80 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 68.5 miles from Brainerd, 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
$19.58 one way
$39.16 round trip
$3.63/gal
25.4 MPG avg
48 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $3.92 | $21.13 | $42.27 |
| premium | $4.39 | $23.67 | $47.34 |
| diesel | $5.64 | $30.41 | $60.83 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$20
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$45–$70
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 47.9 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-06.
Driving Electric?
About $14 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 41.1 | 0 | $14.37 | $6.57 |
| Efficient EV | 34.2 | 0 | $11.98 | $5.48 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 54.8 | 0 | $19.17 | $8.76 |
Gas CO2
48 kg
EV CO2
16 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 Sunday
Local time
2:16 PM
CDT
Current temp
40°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Along the Route
38°F
Albertville, MN
68 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
1 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
2h 45m 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 Brainerd, MN to Saint Paul, MN covers 136.9 miles and takes about 2h 45m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are US 10, I 94, C. Elmer Anderson Memorial Highway. Most of the drive stays on highways, so watch for ramps and exits.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 68.5 miles from Brainerd, MN. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $19.58 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.
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 16 significant decision points across 136.9 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 118.5 miles (I 694): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 130.1 miles (US 10 / Voyageur Highway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 135.6 miles (US 10): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
The route from Brainerd, MN to Saint Paul, MN does not surface many named destination signs beyond the main corridor.
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