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Trip from Saint Francis, MN to Saint Paul, MN

Compiled by the Trip.ovh editorial team · Last recalculated Apr 17, 2026 · Methodology

Drive Time

53m

Distance

40.1 mi

65 km

Drive Score

8/10

Great drive

Same Day?

Yes, doable

Fuel Cost

$6

one way

EV Charging

Unknown

Best Time to Leave

Save up to 14 min
4 AM
0h 49m ★
6 AM
0h 54m
8 AM
1h 3m
10 AM
0h 57m
12 PM
0h 56m
3 PM
0h 57m
5 PM
1h 2m
8 PM
0h 51m

Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.

Downtown Saint Francis, MN, MN

Saint Francis, MN

Tom Fisk

capital of the state of Minnesota, United States; county seat of Ramsey County, Minnesota

Saint Paul, MN

Wikimedia Commons

Trip Overview

This straightforward 40.1-mile drive from Saint Francis to Saint Paul, Minnesota, is easily manageable as a single-day trip, taking approximately 53 minutes. You'll navigate primarily along US 10 and Voyageur Highway, with a section of 7th Avenue Northwest. With a modest fuel cost estimated at $6, this route offers a convenient journey within the Midwest region. The mixed drive profile suggests a blend of road types, so expect some variety as you travel. Given its short distance and duration, this trip is ideal for a quick excursion or a commute.

Who Is This Route For?

Weekend Trip

Doable as a same-day drive at 53m. Total distance: 40.1 miles.

Family Friendly

Moderate complexity with 0 natural rest stops along the way.

Solo Traveler

53m drive, comfortable solo distance.

EV Driver

0 DC fast chargers along the route. Coverage: unknown.

First-Time Driver

Mostly highway driving (49%). Some complex stretches to watch for.

Drive Character

The character of this 40.1-mile drive is a mixed bag, with 49% of the journey on highway. You'll experience stretches of faster-paced driving, including a notable 19.5-mile segment on US 10. As you progress towards Saint Paul, the drive will likely transition, offering a blend of highway efficiency and potentially more local road engagement. This varied terrain means you won't encounter a monotonous journey, but rather a dynamic route that changes its pace and feel.

Expect a mix of faster highway mileage and slower local approaches near the beginning or end.
There are about 23 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 19.5 miles.

How Hard Is This Drive?

This route mixes highway mileage with some local-road sections near the start or finish. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 13.7 miles in.

Driving Effort 9/10

Focused - lots of decisions in a short distance, but it is over quickly

Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.

This is a short but busy drive. With 14 decision points packed into just 40.1 miles, you will need to pay attention to lane changes and exits — but the whole thing is over in 53m.

Where does it get tricky?

The main spots that need attention: at 13.7 miles: Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 26.9 miles (US 10): Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here; at 33.3 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 14 key points

These are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.

8
13.7 mi into trip | ~20m in

Turn left toward US 10 East, MN 47 South

Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one

Use the left lane. Toward US 10 East, MN 47 South
7
26.9 mi into trip | ~35m 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
33.3 mi into trip | ~43m 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
38.8 mi into trip | ~49m 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
39.1 mi into trip | ~50m 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 19.5 mi 22m
Voyageur Highway 5.5 mi 6m
7th Avenue Northwest 4.6 mi 7m
Rum River Boulevard Northwest 4.1 mi 5m
Rum River Boulevard 2.1 mi 2m
Roanoke Street Northwest 2 mi 2m
Robert Street North 0.5 mi 1m
165th Avenue Northwest 0.4 mi <1m
Longest stretch: US 10 — 19.5 mi, about 22m

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between Saint Francis, MN and Saint Paul, MN.

1

Start on CR 24

0.2 mi · 21 sec · Bridge Street Northwest
2

Turn left onto CR 24

0.3 mi · 37 sec · Ambassador Boulevard Northwest
3

Continue on CR 24

4.1 mi · 5 min · Rum River Boulevard Northwest
4

Enter roundabout onto CR 7

122 ft · 2 sec · Rum River Boulevard
5

Continue on CR 7

2.1 mi · 2 min · Rum River Boulevard
6

Continue on CR 7

2.0 mi · 2 min · Roanoke Street Northwest
7

Continue on CR 7

0.4 mi · 35 sec · 165th Avenue Northwest
8

Continue on CR 7

4.6 mi · 7 min · 7th Avenue Northwest
9

Turn left

0.2 mi · 28 sec
Toward US 10 East, MN 47 South Use the left lane.
10

Merge onto US 10; MN 47

5.6 mi · 6 min · US 10; MN 47
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
11

Keep slight left at fork onto US 10

7.3 mi · 8 min · US 10
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
12

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.
13

Continue on US 10

1.9 mi · 2 min · US 10
14

Keep slight left at fork onto US 10

3.9 mi · 4 min · US 10
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
15

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.
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

Where to Stop

Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.

Halfway Point

Midpoint

About 20.1 mi from Saint Francis, MN · 28m into the drive

Downtown Co on Rapids, MN, MN

Mid-route town

Meal stop

Co on Rapids, MN

20 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.

Popular next leg

Co on Rapids, MN to Saint Paul, MN

20.5 mi · 29m

Pacing Suggestions

West Saint Paul, MN

Fuel and coffee

A short stop after about 40 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.

Co on Rapids, MN

Meal break

The midpoint is around 20.1 miles from Saint Francis, MN, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.

Arriving in Saint Paul, MN

Allow a few extra minutes for the final approach into Saint Paul, MN if you are unfamiliar with the area.

These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.

Fuel & Cost

Regular Gas

$5.97 one way

$11.94 round trip

$3.78/gal 25.4 MPG avg 14 kg CO2
Fuel Type $/gal One Way Round Trip
midgrade $4.07 $6.43 $12.86
premium $4.53 $7.15 $14.31
diesel $5.61 $8.85 $17.71

No toll roads detected on this route.

Drive Cost (one way)

Fuel

$6

Estimated CO2 emission: 14 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.

Driving Electric?

About $4 in charging · 0 stops · 64% less CO2

Vehicle Type kWh Stops DC Fast Home Charge
Average EV 12 0 $4.21 $1.92
Efficient EV 10 0 $3.51 $1.60
EV Truck/SUV 16 0 $5.61 $2.57

Gas CO2

14 kg

EV CO2

5 kg (64% 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.

Forecast as of Apr 15, 2026

Origin

Saint Francis, MN

Late night in Saint Francis on Friday

Local time

2:32 AM

CDT

Current temp

71°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

Destination

Saint Paul, MN

Late night in Saint Paul on Friday

Local time

2:32 AM

CDT

Current temp

67°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

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

4 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

53m 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 Saint Francis, MN to Saint Paul, MN covers 40.1 miles and takes about 53m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.

The main roads are US 10, Voyageur Highway, 7th Avenue Northwest. Expect a mix of highway and local road driving.

This is a comfortable same-day trip.

The midpoint is about 20.1 miles from Saint Francis, MN. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.

At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $5.97 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 short but busy drive. With 14 decision points packed into just 40.1 miles, you will need to pay attention to lane changes and exits — but the whole thing is over in 53m.

The main spots that need attention: at 13.7 miles: Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 26.9 miles (US 10): Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here; at 33.3 miles (US 10 / Voyageur Highway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.

The route from Saint Francis, MN to Saint Paul, MN does not surface many named destination signs beyond the main corridor.

Data sources

The figures on this page are computed from open government and mapping datasets, not crowdsourced reviews. Distances and geometry come from OSRM over OpenStreetMap. Fuel cost uses EIA weekly regional averages. Full methodology, refresh cadence, and limitations are documented on the methodology page.

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