Origin
Jackson, MN
Afternoon in Jackson on Sunday
Local time
2:16 PM
CDT
Current temp
46°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Jackson, MN to Saint Paul, MN
Drive Time
2h 43m
Distance
160.3 mi
258 km
Drive Score
8/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$23
one way
Saint Paul, MN
Thomas Parker
Trip Overview
If you are planning to travel from Jackson to Saint Paul, you are looking at a 160.3-mile journey that typically takes about 2 hours and 43 minutes. This route is perfectly suited for a single-day trip, meaning you do not need to worry about booking an overnight stay. Budgeting around $23 for fuel should comfortably cover your transit between these two Minnesota cities. Because the entire trip stays within the Midwest, you will experience a consistent regional feel as you transition from the southern part of the state toward the capital. It is a straightforward, manageable drive that offers enough efficiency to get you to your destination without feeling like an endurance test.
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
80.1 miles from Jackson, MN
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h 21m into the drive .
Drive Character
Expect a turn-heavy local driving experience as you navigate your way toward Saint Paul. Your path will take you along a combination of Highway 71, I-90 East, and I-35 North, requiring you to stay alert during transitions between these roads. Unlike long, monotonous interstate hauls, this route keeps you engaged with its mix of local road segments. Since the longest uninterrupted stretch on Highway 71 is 0 miles, you should prepare for a drive that demands frequent attention to changing road conditions. This is a practical, utilitarian route that prioritizes getting you from point A to point B rather than offering a high-speed, highway-dominated cruise.
This route has more turning and local-road decision points than a simple highway run.
There are about 14 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.
Highway 71 is one of the defining roads on this drive.
How Hard Is This Drive?
Expect a hands-on drive with frequent turns and local roads rather than long highway stretches. Navigation is very simple — set it and forget it for most of the drive.
Route Complexity
1/10
Very easy - short and simple to drive
The drive from Jackson, MN to Saint Paul, MN is easy. At 2h 43m with 0% highway, most drivers will find it relaxed and low-stress.
Where does it get tricky?
This route does not have any notably tricky sections. Most of the drive from Jackson, MN to Saint Paul, MN is straightforward, with well-signed roads and simple exits.
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| Highway 71 | Unavailable | Refreshing |
| I 90 East | Unavailable | Refreshing |
| I 35 North | Unavailable | Refreshing |
| Shepard Road | Unavailable | Refreshing |
| Eagle Parkway | Unavailable | Refreshing |
| Exchange Street South | Unavailable | Refreshing |
| Kellogg Boulevard West | Unavailable | Refreshing |
| Wabasha Street North | Unavailable | Refreshing |
Per-road distance and duration are being refreshed from OSRM for this route.
Longest stretch:
Highway 71
— detailed segment metrics are refreshing.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Jackson, MN and Saint Paul, MN.
1
Start on US Highway 71
1.4 mi
·
2 min
·
US Highway 71
2
Take the exit right toward I 90 East: Albert Lea
0.2 mi
·
27 sec
·
I 90 East: Albert Lea
3
Merge slight left
86 mi
·
1 hr 31 min
4
Take the exit slight right toward I 35 North: Minneapolis, Saint Paul
0.2 mi
·
31 sec
·
I 35 North: Minneapolis, Saint Paul
5
Merge slight left
75 mi
·
1 hr 20 min
6
Keep slight right
15 mi
·
17 min
7
Take the exit slight right toward Shepard Road
0.2 mi
·
30 sec
·
Shepard Road
8
Keep slight right to continue on Shepard Road, Great River Road Minnesota
502 ft
·
12 sec
·
Shepard Road, Great River Road Minnesota
9
Merge slight left onto Shepard Road
2.9 mi
·
5 min
·
Shepard Road
10
Turn left onto Eagle Parkway
0.2 mi
·
45 sec
·
Eagle Parkway
11
Turn right onto Exchange Street South
0.2 mi
·
34 sec
·
Exchange Street South
12
Turn straight onto Kellogg Boulevard West
0.2 mi
·
52 sec
·
Kellogg Boulevard West
13
Turn left onto Wabasha Street North
213 ft
·
9 sec
·
Wabasha Street North
14
Arrive at your destination
Trip Plan
To make the most of your 160.3-mile trip, plan for at least one well-timed stop to break up the drive. Given the turn-heavy nature of this route, departing during daylight hours is highly recommended to ensure you can easily navigate the transitions between Highway 71, I-90, and I-35. Since the entire journey is under three hours, you have the flexibility to leave whenever suits your schedule, though avoiding peak traffic near the Saint Paul area is always a smart move. Keep your fuel budget of $23 in mind and top off your tank before you head out to avoid mid-trip errands. Focus on your navigational cues early to stay confident as you switch between the different highway stretches.
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 80.1 miles from Jackson, MN, or about 1h 21m into the drive.
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 21m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 80.1 miles or 1h 21m 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 13m
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 Jackson, 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 Jackson, MN
This is one driving day of about 160.3 miles and 2h 43m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 80 miles from Jackson, 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.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 80.1 mi from Jackson, MN · 1h 21m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
80 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 80.1 miles from Jackson, 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
$22.93 one way
$45.86 round trip
$3.63/gal
25.4 MPG avg
56 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $3.92 | $24.75 | $49.49 |
| premium | $4.39 | $27.72 | $55.44 |
| diesel | $5.64 | $35.61 | $71.23 |
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: 56.1 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-06.
Driving Electric?
About $17 in charging · 0 stops · 66% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 48.1 | 0 | $16.83 | $7.69 |
| Efficient EV | 40.1 | 0 | $14.03 | $6.41 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 64.1 | 0 | $22.44 | $10.26 |
Gas CO2
56 kg
EV CO2
19 kg (66% 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
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
6 degrees cooler at arrival
A meaningful temperature swing is a good cue to rethink layers, water, and how soon you want to arrive.
Road read
2h 43m 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 Jackson, MN to Saint Paul, MN covers 160.3 miles and takes about 2h 43m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are Highway 71, I 90 East, I 35 North. Expect a mix of highway and local road driving.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 80.1 miles from Jackson, MN. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $22.93 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.
The drive from Jackson, MN to Saint Paul, MN is easy. At 2h 43m with 0% highway, most drivers will find it relaxed and low-stress.
This route does not have any notably tricky sections. Most of the drive from Jackson, MN to Saint Paul, MN is straightforward, with well-signed roads and simple exits.
The route from Jackson, MN to Saint Paul, MN does not surface many named destination signs beyond the main corridor.
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