Origin
Pine City, MN
Afternoon in Pine City on Sunday
Local time
3:04 PM
CDT
Current temp
68°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Pine City, MN to Saint Paul, MN
Drive Time
1h 19m
Distance
65.1 mi
105 km
Drive Score
7/10
Good drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$9
one way
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
1h 13m
★
6 AM
1h 19m
8 AM
1h 31m
10 AM
1h 23m
12 PM
1h 22m
3 PM
1h 24m
5 PM
1h 31m
8 PM
1h 15m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Pine City, MN
Tom Fisk
Saint Paul, MN
Thomas Parker
Trip Overview
If you are looking to travel from Pine City to Saint Paul, you are in for a straightforward 64.4-mile journey through the heart of the Midwest. Expect the drive to take roughly 1 hour and 2 minutes, making it a perfect candidate for a single-day trip. With a fuel budget of approximately $9, this route is an economical choice for commuters or weekend travelers. Because the trip is relatively short, there is no need to worry about overnight lodging, allowing you to easily complete the loop in one go. You will navigate primarily through local roads, providing a different pace compared to typical interstate travel.
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
32.6 miles from Pine City, MN
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 36m into the drive .
Drive Character
Forget the monotony of the interstate; this route features 0% highway driving, offering a much more hands-on experience behind the wheel. You will navigate a turn-heavy local drive using 3rd Avenue Southeast, Main Street South, and Hillside Avenue Southwest. Because there are no long highway stretches, your longest uninterrupted run on 3rd Avenue Southeast is essentially zero miles, requiring you to stay alert and engaged with the road. The character of this trip is defined by its local nature, favoring constant adjustments and attention rather than high-speed cruising.
Most of the miles stay on highways, which makes pacing and fuel planning easier than turn-by-turn city driving.
There are about 23 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.
I 35 is the longest continuous segment at about 41.9 miles.
How Hard Is This Drive?
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 35 and I 35E. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 43.5 miles in near I 35E.
Route Complexity
10/10
High effort - long or complex enough to need steady focus all day
This is a demanding drive. With 20 significant decision points across 65.1 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 43.5 miles (I 35E): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 56.5 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 58.4 miles (I 35E): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Critical Maneuvers
5 of 20 key pointsThese are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
7
43.5 mi into trip
|
~48m in
|
I 35E
Keep slight left at fork onto I 35E toward Saint Paul
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / right lanes.
Toward Saint Paul
8
56.5 mi into trip
|
~1h 5m in
Keep slight left at fork toward I 35E South
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Toward I 35E South
8
58.4 mi into trip
|
~1h 8m in
|
I 35E
Keep slight left at fork onto I 35E toward I 35E South, US 10 East: St Paul
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Toward I 35E South, US 10 East: St Paul
9
63.8 mi into trip
|
~1h 15m 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
64.2 mi into trip
|
~1h 15m 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
Towns Along This Route
On the drive from Pine City, MN to Saint Paul, MN, road signs begin pointing toward Cr 96 along the way.
Cr 96
53.3 mi in
|
~58m
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| I 35 | 41.9 mi | 44m |
| I 35E | 17 mi | 19m |
| Centerville Road | 2.3 mi | 4m |
| Hillside Avenue Southwest | 0.7 mi | 1m |
| Main Street South | 0.5 mi | <1m |
| Robert Street North | 0.5 mi | 1m |
| County Road E | 0.4 mi | 1m |
| Kellogg Boulevard East | 0.2 mi | <1m |
Longest stretch:
I 35
— 41.9 mi, about 44m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Pine City, MN and Saint Paul, MN.
1
Start on Railroad Street Southeast
212 ft
·
14 sec
·
Railroad Street Southeast
2
Turn left onto CR 8
414 ft
·
18 sec
·
3rd Avenue Southeast
3
Turn left onto I 35 BUS; CR 61
0.5 mi
·
58 sec
·
Main Street South
4
Turn right onto I 35 BUS; CR 7
0.7 mi
·
1 min
·
Hillside Avenue Southwest
5
Take the ramp
0.2 mi
·
27 sec
Toward I 35 South: Saint Paul, Minneapolis
6
Merge onto I 35
42 mi
·
44 min
·
I 35
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
7
Keep slight left at fork onto I 35E
9.9 mi
·
10 min
·
I 35E
Toward Saint Paul
Use the straight / right lanes.
8
Take the exit
0.3 mi
·
38 sec
Exit 117
Toward CR 96
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
9
Turn right onto CH 96
492 ft
·
12 sec
·
CH 96
Use the right lane.
10
Turn left onto CH 59
2.3 mi
·
4 min
·
Centerville Road
Use the left lane.
11
Turn left onto CH 15
0.4 mi
·
1 min
·
County Road E
Use the straight lane.
12
Take the ramp
226 ft
·
5 sec
Toward I 35E South: Saint Paul
Use the right lane.
13
Keep slight left at fork
0.3 mi
·
37 sec
Toward I 35E South
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
14
Merge onto I 35E
1.6 mi
·
2 min
·
I 35E
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
15
Keep slight left at fork onto I 35E
5.5 mi
·
6 min
·
I 35E
Toward I 35E South, US 10 East: St Paul
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
16
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.
17
Take the exit
0.2 mi
·
27 sec
Toward 10th Street, Wacouta Street
18
Keep slight right at fork
409 ft
·
10 sec
Toward 10th Street
Use the slight right lane.
19
Continue on 10th Street East
0.2 mi
·
43 sec
·
10th Street East
20
Turn left onto Robert Street North
0.5 mi
·
1 min
·
Robert Street North
21
Turn right onto Kellogg Boulevard East
0.2 mi
·
44 sec
·
Kellogg Boulevard East
22
Turn right onto Wabasha Street North
162 ft
·
5 sec
·
Wabasha Street North
23
Arrive at destination
Wabasha Street North
Trip Plan
Since this is a quick 64.4-mile trip, you have plenty of flexibility in your departure time to avoid heavy traffic. You won't need to plan for any scheduled stops along the way, as the 1 hour and 2 minute duration is easily manageable in one sitting. Before you head out, ensure your vehicle is ready for a route that relies entirely on local streets rather than major arteries. My best advice is to keep your navigation tools handy, as the turn-heavy nature of the route requires frequent attention to your turns on 3rd Avenue Southeast, Main Street South, and Hillside Avenue Southwest.
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 32.6 miles from Pine City, MN, or about 36m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 41.9 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 65.1 miles or 1h 19m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 32.6 miles or 36m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 1h 3m
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 Pine City, 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 Pine City, MN
This is one driving day of about 65.1 miles and 1h 19m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 80 miles from Pine City, 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 I 35 for about 41.9 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 32.6 mi from Pine City, MN · 36m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
33 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 65.1 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 32.6 miles from Pine City, 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
$9.31 one way
$18.62 round trip
$3.63/gal
25.4 MPG avg
23 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $3.92 | $10.05 | $20.10 |
| premium | $4.39 | $11.26 | $22.51 |
| diesel | $5.64 | $14.46 | $28.93 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$9
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$34–$59
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 22.8 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-06.
Driving Electric?
About $7 in charging · 0 stops · 65% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 19.5 | 0 | $6.84 | $3.12 |
| Efficient EV | 16.3 | 0 | $5.70 | $2.60 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 26 | 0 | $9.11 | $4.17 |
Gas CO2
23 kg
EV CO2
8 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
Afternoon in Saint Paul on Sunday
Local time
3:04 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
28 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
1h 19m 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 Pine City, MN to Saint Paul, MN covers 65.1 miles and takes about 1h 19m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are I 35, I 35E, Centerville Road. Most of the drive stays on highways, so watch for ramps and exits.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 32.6 miles from Pine City, MN. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $9.31 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 20 significant decision points across 65.1 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 43.5 miles (I 35E): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 56.5 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 58.4 miles (I 35E): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
On the drive from Pine City, MN to Saint Paul, MN, road signs begin pointing toward Cr 96 along the way.
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