Origin
Saint Paul, MN
Afternoon in Saint Paul on Thursday
Local time
4:31 PM
CDT
Current temp
67°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Saint Paul, MN to Lake City, MN
Last recalculated Apr 16, 2026
Drive Time
1h 26m
Distance
62.3 mi
100 km
Drive Score
8/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$9
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
1h 20m
★
6 AM
1h 27m
8 AM
1h 40m
10 AM
1h 32m
12 PM
1h 30m
3 PM
1h 32m
5 PM
1h 40m
8 PM
1h 23m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Saint Paul, MN
Wikimedia Commons
Lake City, MN
Wikimedia Commons
Trip Overview
This straightforward 62.3-mile drive from Saint Paul, MN, to Lake City, MN, is easily manageable within a single day, taking approximately 1 hour and 26 minutes. Primarily following US 10 and then Route 61/Route 63, this highway-focused journey offers a quick connection within the Midwest. With an estimated fuel cost of $9, it's an economical option for a short getaway. The route is designed for efficient travel, making it ideal for a day trip without the need to split it into multiple days. Consider this a practical route for reaching your destination with minimal fuss.
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 1h 26m. Total distance: 62.3 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 0 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
1h 26m drive, comfortable solo distance.
EV Driver
0 DC fast chargers along the route. Coverage: unknown.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (77%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Drive Character
With 77% of the drive on highways, expect a predominantly fast-paced experience. The longest uninterrupted stretch you'll encounter is 19.5 miles on US 10, allowing for a good period of consistent cruising. The route transitions to Route 61/Route 63, which may offer slightly different driving dynamics as you approach your destination. This is largely a highway-focused drive, designed for covering ground efficiently rather than intricate scenic detours.
Most of the miles stay on highways, which makes pacing and fuel planning easier than turn-by-turn city driving.
There are about 25 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 is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on US 10 and Route 61/Route 63. You will hit about 14 points where you need to pay attention to lane position or signs. The trickiest moment comes early in the drive near 4th Street East.
Driving Effort
6/10
Moderate - straightforward overall, but long enough or busy enough to require pacing
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This drive requires moderate attention. Across 62.3 miles you will encounter 14 spots where lane choice or exit timing matters. Not difficult for experienced highway drivers, but worth previewing the tricky sections before you go.
Where does it get tricky?
The main spots that need attention: near the start (4th Street East): Navigation decision point; at 0.4 miles (Jackson Street): Lane positioning matters here; at 3 miles (US 10; US 61): Lane positioning matters here.
Critical Maneuvers
5 of 14 key pointsThese are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
4
0 mi into trip
|
~0m in
|
4th Street East
Turn right onto 4th Street East
Navigation decision point
5
0.4 mi into trip
|
~1m in
|
Jackson Street
Turn right onto Jackson Street
Lane positioning matters here
Use the right lane.
5
3 mi into trip
|
~5m in
|
US 10; US 61
Turn right onto US 10; US 61
Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight lane.
6
22.6 mi into trip
|
~31m in
|
MN 316 / Red Wing Boulevard
Enter roundabout onto MN 316 / Red Wing Boulevard
Roundabout - know your exit number before entering
6
37.9 mi into trip
|
~52m in
|
US 61 / Route 61
Keep slight right at fork onto US 61 / Route 61
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight lane.
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| US 10 | 19.5 mi | 25m |
| Route 61/Route 63 | 14.8 mi | 19m |
| Route 61 | 11.8 mi | 15m |
| Red Wing Boulevard | 6 mi | 8m |
| Warner Road | 2.5 mi | 3m |
| Highway 316 Boulevard | 2 mi | 2m |
| Polk Avenue | 1.8 mi | 2m |
| Main Street | 1.7 mi | 3m |
Longest stretch:
US 10
— 19.5 mi, about 25m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Saint Paul, MN and Lake City, MN.
1
Start on Wabasha Street North
198 ft
·
10 sec
·
Wabasha Street North
2
Turn right onto 4th Street East
391 ft
·
17 sec
·
4th Street East
3
Turn right onto Cedar Street
365 ft
·
14 sec
·
Cedar Street
4
Turn left onto Kellogg Boulevard East
0.2 mi
·
47 sec
·
Kellogg Boulevard East
5
Turn right onto Jackson Street
480 ft
·
21 sec
·
Jackson Street
Use the right lane.
6
Continue on Jackson Street
162 ft
·
7 sec
·
Jackson Street
7
At end of road, turn left onto CH 37
2.5 mi
·
3 min
·
Warner Road
8
Turn right onto US 10; US 61
19 mi
·
25 min
·
US 10; US 61
Use the straight lane.
9
Turn left onto MN 316
0.1 mi
·
13 sec
·
Red Wing Boulevard
10
Enter roundabout onto MN 316
62 ft
·
1 sec
·
Red Wing Boulevard
11
Continue on MN 316
0.4 mi
·
32 sec
·
Red Wing Boulevard
12
Enter roundabout onto MN 316
71 ft
·
0 sec
·
Red Wing Boulevard
13
Continue on MN 316
0.5 mi
·
43 sec
·
Red Wing Boulevard
14
Enter roundabout onto MN 316
76 ft
·
1 sec
·
Red Wing Boulevard
15
Continue on MN 316
4.9 mi
·
7 min
·
Red Wing Boulevard
16
Continue on MN 316
1.8 mi
·
2 min
·
Polk Avenue
17
Continue on MN 316
2.0 mi
·
2 min
·
Highway 316 Boulevard
18
Enter roundabout onto US 61
247 ft
·
3 sec
·
Route 61
19
Continue on US 61
5.6 mi
·
6 min
·
Route 61
Use the straight lane.
20
Keep slight right at fork onto US 61
6.1 mi
·
8 min
·
Route 61
Use the straight lane.
21
Continue on US 61
1.7 mi
·
3 min
·
Main Street
Use the straight lane.
22
Continue on US 61; US 63
15 mi
·
19 min
·
Route 61/Route 63
Use the straight lane.
23
Continue on US 61; US 63
1.6 mi
·
3 min
·
North Lakeshore Drive
24
Turn right onto West Chestnut Street
181 ft
·
8 sec
·
West Chestnut Street
25
Arrive at destination
West Chestnut Street
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 31.1 mi from Saint Paul, MN · 44m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
31 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 14 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 31.1 miles from Saint Paul, MN, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Arriving in Lake City, MN
The final approach into Lake City, MN usually feels slower than the middle of the drive, so avoid planning your tightest schedule at the very end.
These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$9.27 one way
$18.54 round trip
$3.78/gal
25.4 MPG avg
22 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.07 | $9.99 | $19.98 |
| premium | $4.53 | $11.12 | $22.23 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $13.76 | $27.51 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Drive Cost (one way)
Fuel
$9
Estimated CO2 emission: 21.8 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $7 in charging · 0 stops · 68% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 18.7 | 0 | $6.54 | $2.99 |
| Efficient EV | 15.6 | 0 | $5.45 | $2.49 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 24.9 | 0 | $8.72 | $3.99 |
Gas CO2
22 kg
EV CO2
7 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.
Travel Intel
Current conditions at both ends of the drive.
Destination
Lake City, MN
Afternoon in Lake City on Thursday
Local time
4:31 PM
CDT
Current temp
70°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
46°F
Prescott, WI
31 mi in
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
3 degrees warmer at arrival
A meaningful temperature swing is a good cue to rethink layers, water, and how soon you want to arrive.
Road read
1h 26m 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 Lake City, MN covers 62.3 miles and takes about 1h 26m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are US 10, Route 61/Route 63, Route 61. Most of the drive stays on highways, so watch for ramps and exits.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 31.1 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 $9.27 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 drive requires moderate attention. Across 62.3 miles you will encounter 14 spots where lane choice or exit timing matters. Not difficult for experienced highway drivers, but worth previewing the tricky sections before you go.
The main spots that need attention: near the start (4th Street East): Navigation decision point; at 0.4 miles (Jackson Street): Lane positioning matters here; at 3 miles (US 10; US 61): Lane positioning matters here.
The route from Saint Paul, MN to Lake City, MN does not surface many named destination signs beyond the main corridor.
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