Origin
Saint Paul, MN
Late night in Saint Paul on Monday
Local time
5:33 AM
CDT
Current temp
40°F
Unavailable
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Create accountDrive Time
2h 17m
Distance
105.5 mi
170 km
Drive Score
8/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$15
one way
EV Charging
None
0 DC fast
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Saint Paul, MN
Thomas Parker
The drive from Saint Paul, MN to Elmdale, MN covers 105.5 miles and takes about 2h 17m 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 W, I 94 for much of the mileage, and the overall profile is highway-focused drive. The longest uninterrupted segment is about 61.1 miles on US 10. At current regular gas prices, budget about $15.09 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
0 planned breaks
A short stop every 2 to 3 hours is enough for this drive.
Midpoint
52.8 miles from Saint Paul, MN
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h 5m into the drive .
This is a 2h 17m highway drive covering 105.5 miles, with most of the trip on US 10 and I-94 W. The longest continuous stretch is about 61.1 miles on US 10.
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on US 10 and I-94 W. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 0.3 miles in near MN 5 / 7th Street East.
Demanding - plan breaks and stay ahead of the key maneuvers
This is a demanding drive. With 14 significant decision points across 105.5 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 0.3 miles (MN 5 / 7th Street East): Navigation decision point; at 0.5 miles (Robert Street North): Navigation decision point; at 0.8 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
These are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
Turn right onto MN 5 / 7th Street East
Navigation decision point
Turn left onto Robert Street North
Navigation decision point
Keep slight left at fork toward I 35E North, US 10 West
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Keep slight right at fork onto US 10 toward US 10 West, I 694 West, I 694 East
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Continue onto US 10 toward I 694 West, US 10 West
Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| US 10 | 61.1 mi | 1h 12m |
| I-94 W | 17.1 mi | 18m |
| I 94 | 6 mi | 6m |
| Nature Road | 5.4 mi | 12m |
| I 35E | 4.9 mi | 6m |
| State Highway 238 | 4 mi | 7m |
| 165th Avenue Southeast | 1.8 mi | 2m |
| Park Boulevard Southeast | 1.4 mi | 1m |
Step-by-step road directions between Saint Paul, MN and Elmdale, MN.
Start on Wabasha Street North
Turn right onto 7th Street East
Turn left onto Robert Street North
Turn right onto 11th Street East
Keep slight left to continue on I 35E North, US 10 West
Continue straight
Keep slight right to continue on US 10 West, I 694 West, I 694 East
Continue on I 694 West, US 10 West
Continue on I-94 W
Keep slight left
Take the exit slight right
Turn right onto Pine Street
Continue on State Highway 25
Turn left onto County Road 11
Continue on Park Boulevard Southeast
Continue on 165th Avenue Southeast
Turn left
Turn left onto West Centre Street
Continue on Nature Road
Turn right onto 120th Avenue
Turn left onto State Highway 238
Arrive at your destination
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.
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 37m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 52.8 miles or 1h 5m 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 45m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Elmdale, MN than in the middle of the route.
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 105.5 miles and 2h 17m.
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 52.8 mi from Saint Paul, MN · 1h 5m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
53 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.
A short stop after about 80 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
The midpoint is around 52.8 miles from Saint Paul, MN, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Before the longest stretch
Fuel checkTop up before US 10 if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 61.1 miles.
The final approach into Elmdale, 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 Elmdale, MN.
These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.
Regular Gas
$15.09 one way
$30.18 round trip
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $3.92 | $16.29 | $32.57 |
| premium | $4.39 | $18.24 | $36.48 |
| diesel | $5.64 | $23.44 | $46.88 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$15
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$40–$65
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 36.9 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-06.
Driving Electric?
About $11 in charging · 0 stops · 68% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 31.7 | 0 | $11.08 | $5.06 |
| Efficient EV | 26.4 | 0 | $9.23 | $4.22 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 42.2 | 0 | $14.77 | $6.75 |
Gas CO2
37 kg
EV CO2
12 kg (68% 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.
Current conditions at both ends of the drive.
Origin
Late night in Saint Paul on Monday
Local time
5:33 AM
CDT
Current temp
40°F
Unavailable
Destination
Late night in Elmdale on Monday
Local time
5:33 AM
CDT
Current temp
35°F
Unavailable
Along the Route
38°F
Albertville, MN
53 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
Origin and destination are on the same clock, so arrival timing is easier to judge at a glance.
Temperature spread
A meaningful temperature swing is a good cue to rethink layers, water, and how soon you want to arrive.
Road read
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.
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