Trip from Saint Paul, MN to Edina, MN

Drive Time

25m

Distance

16 mi

26 km

Drive Score

6/10

Good drive

Same Day?

Yes, doable

Fuel Cost

$2

one way

EV Charging

Loading...

station data

Best Time to Leave

Save up to 7 min
4 AM
0h 23m ★
6 AM
0h 26m
8 AM
0h 30m
10 AM
0h 27m
12 PM
0h 27m
3 PM
0h 27m
5 PM
0h 30m
8 PM
0h 24m

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

Downtown Saint Paul, MN, MN

Saint Paul, MN

Thomas Parker

Downtown Edina, MN, MN

Edina, MN

Tom Fisk

Trip Overview

Spanning just 16 miles, this quick trip from Saint Paul to Edina is an efficient transit across the Minnesota landscape. You can easily complete the drive in 25 minutes, making it a perfect one-day excursion that doesn't require an overnight stay. With a modest fuel budget of $2, it is a highly economical route for your schedule. You will primarily utilize Shepard Road, MN 5, and the Crosstown Highway to navigate between these two Midwest locales. Because the distance is so short, you have total flexibility in your timing, whether you are commuting or heading out for a casual visit.

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

8 miles from Saint Paul, MN

A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 14m into the drive .

Drive Character

Expect a turn-heavy local drive that demands your full attention behind the wheel. While you spend about 4 miles on the highway, the route shifts frequently between local roads and faster arterial stretches. Your longest uninterrupted segment is the 8.1-mile stretch on the Crosstown Highway, which provides the most consistent pace of the journey. The experience is less about cruising on open interstates and more about navigating the varied road types that connect these two cities. Be prepared for a dynamic driving environment that changes character as you transition from city streets to highway lanes.

This route has more turning and local-road decision points than a simple highway run.
There are about 24 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.
Crosstown Highway is the longest continuous segment at about 8.1 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 6.6 miles in.

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 16 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 6.6 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 6.6 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 6.7 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.

Critical Maneuvers

5 of 20 key points

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

9
6.6 mi into trip | ~12m in

Keep slight left at fork toward MN 55 West, MN 62 West: Minneapolis

Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one

Use the straight / right lanes. Toward MN 55 West, MN 62 West: Minneapolis
9
6.6 mi into trip | ~12m in

Keep slight right at fork toward MN 55 West, MN 62 West: Minneapolis

Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one

Use the slight right lane. Toward MN 55 West, MN 62 West: Minneapolis
9
6.7 mi into trip | ~12m in

Keep slight right at fork toward MN 55 West, MN 62: Minneapolis

Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one

Use the straight lane. Toward MN 55 West, MN 62: Minneapolis
9
7 mi into trip | ~13m in

Keep slight left at fork toward MN 55 West, MN 62: Hiawatha Avenue, Minnehaha Avenue

Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one

Use the none lane. Toward MN 55 West, MN 62: Hiawatha Avenue, Minn...
8
11.3 mi into trip | ~18m in | MN 62 / Crosstown Highway

Keep slight left at fork onto MN 62 / Crosstown Highway toward I 35W South, MN 62

Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one

Use the none / straight / slight right lanes. Toward I 35W South, MN 62

Towns Along This Route

On the drive from Saint Paul, MN to Edina, MN, road signs begin pointing toward Minneapolis along the way.

Minneapolis

6.4 mi in | ~12m

Main Roads

Road Distance Duration
Crosstown Highway 8.1 mi 10m
Shepard Road 5.1 mi 8m
MN 5 0.3 mi <1m
Exchange Street South 0.2 mi <1m
Eagle Parkway 0.2 mi <1m
4th Street West 0.1 mi <1m
MN 100 <0.1 mi <1m
South Mississippi River Boulevard <0.1 mi <1m
Longest stretch: Crosstown Highway — 8.1 mi, about 10m

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

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

1

Start on Wabasha Street North

198 ft · 14 sec · Wabasha Street North
2

Turn left onto 4th Street West

0.1 mi · 35 sec · 4th Street West
3

Turn left onto Market Street

264 ft · 12 sec · Market Street
4

Turn right onto Kellogg Boulevard West

261 ft · 8 sec · Kellogg Boulevard West
5

Turn slight left onto Exchange Street South

0.2 mi · 40 sec · Exchange Street South
6

Turn left onto Eagle Parkway

0.2 mi · 43 sec · Eagle Parkway
7

Turn right onto CH 37

5.1 mi · 8 min · Shepard Road
Use the right lane.
8

Continue on South Mississippi River Boulevard

266 ft · 7 sec · South Mississippi River Boulevard
Use the none lane.
9

Take the exit

0.3 mi · 33 sec
Toward MN 5 West
10

Merge onto MN 5

0.3 mi · 29 sec · MN 5
11

Take the exit

0.2 mi · 20 sec
Toward MN 55, MN 62: Hastings, Minneapolis Use the straight / slight right lanes.
12

Keep slight left at fork

218 ft · 5 sec
Toward MN 55 West, MN 62 West: Minneapolis Use the straight / right lanes.
13

Keep slight right at fork

414 ft · 10 sec
Toward MN 55 West, MN 62 West: Minneapolis Use the slight right lane.
14

Keep slight right at fork

0.3 mi · 36 sec
Toward MN 55 West, MN 62: Minneapolis Use the straight lane.
15

Keep slight left at fork

0.2 mi · 21 sec
Toward MN 55 West, MN 62: Hiawatha Avenue, Minnehaha Avenue Use the none lane.
16

Merge onto MN 55; MN 62

4.1 mi · 5 min · Crosstown Highway
Use the none / straight / slight right lanes.
17

Keep slight left at fork onto MN 62

3.9 mi · 4 min · Crosstown Highway
Toward I 35W South, MN 62 Use the none / straight / slight right lanes.
18

Take the exit

0.2 mi · 27 sec
Exit 108A Toward MN 100 South Use the right lane.
19

Merge onto MN 100

266 ft · 3 sec · MN 100
20

Take the exit

0.2 mi · 27 sec
Toward MN 62 East Use the straight / slight right lanes.
21

Merge onto MN 62

127 ft · 1 sec · Crosstown Highway
22

Take the exit

0.2 mi · 31 sec
Exit 108B Toward MN 100 North Use the right lane.
23

Merge onto MN 100

233 ft · 3 sec · MN 100
24

Arrive at destination

MN 100

Trip Plan

Given the 25-minute duration, you don't need to worry about complex stop planning or rest breaks, as this route includes zero scheduled stops. Aim to check local traffic patterns before departing, as the reliance on the Crosstown Highway means congestion can impact your travel time. Since fuel costs are quite low at $2, you can complete the entire trip on a single tank without a second thought. Keep in mind that the turn-heavy nature of the route makes it a more active drive than a simple highway cruise. Use your time wisely by planning your arrival in Edina, as the short travel window gives you maximum freedom to adjust your departure to suit your personal schedule.

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 8 miles from Saint Paul, MN, or about 14m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 8.1 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 16 miles or 25m in

Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.

Halfway reset

Around 8 miles or 14m in

This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.

Final approach

Final hour starts around 21m

Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Edina, MN than in the middle of the route.

Before You Leave

+

Open the route before leaving Saint Paul, 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 Saint Paul, MN

This is one driving day of about 16 miles and 25m.

Your first comfortable stop window is around 80 miles from Saint Paul, 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 Crosstown Highway for about 8.1 miles.

Where to Stop

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

Halfway Point

Midpoint

About 8 mi from Saint Paul, MN · 14m into the drive

Mid-route town

Meal stop

Minneapolis, MN

8 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

Bloomington, MN

Fuel and coffee

A short stop after about 16 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.

Minneapolis, MN

Meal break

The midpoint is around 8 miles from Saint Paul, MN, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.

Arriving in Edina, MN

The final approach into Edina, 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 Edina, 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

$2.29 one way

$4.58 round trip

$3.63/gal 25.4 MPG avg 6 kg CO2
Fuel Type $/gal One Way Round Trip
midgrade $3.92 $2.47 $4.94
premium $4.39 $2.77 $5.53
diesel $5.64 $3.55 $7.11

No toll roads detected on this route.

Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)

Fuel

$2

Meals

$25–$50

Total

$27–$52

Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.

Estimated CO2 emission: 5.6 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-06.

Driving Electric?

About $2 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO2

Vehicle Type kWh Stops DC Fast Home Charge
Average EV 4.8 0 $1.68 $0.77
Efficient EV 4 0 $1.40 $0.64
EV Truck/SUV 6.4 0 $2.24 $1.02

Gas CO2

6 kg

EV CO2

2 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.

Forecast data refreshed 3 days ago

Origin

Saint Paul, MN

Evening in Saint Paul on Sunday

Local time

7:51 PM

CDT

Current temp

40°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

Destination

Edina, MN

Evening in Edina on Sunday

Local time

7:51 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

Very similar conditions

Both ends of the route are sitting at about the same temperature right now.

Road read

25m 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 Paul, MN to Edina, MN covers 16 miles and takes about 25m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are Crosstown Highway, Shepard Road, MN 5. Expect a mix of highway and local road driving.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 8 miles from Saint Paul, MN. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $2.29 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 16 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 6.6 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 6.6 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 6.7 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
On the drive from Saint Paul, MN to Edina, MN, road signs begin pointing toward Minneapolis along the way.

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Return Trip

Edina, MN to Saint Paul, MN

Plan the drive back the other way.

15.9 mi 22m

Explore more options from Saint Paul, MN or browse trips ending in Edina, MN.

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