Origin
Saint Paul, MN
Late night in Saint Paul on Wednesday
Local time
5:29 AM
CDT
Current temp
67°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Saint Paul, MN to Minneapolis, MN
Data updated 0 seconds ago
Drive Time
17m
Distance
9.7 mi
16 km
Drive Score
5/10
Practical drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$1
one way
EV Charging
Loading...
station data
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
0h 16m
★
6 AM
0h 17m
8 AM
0h 20m
10 AM
0h 18m
12 PM
0h 18m
3 PM
0h 18m
5 PM
0h 20m
8 PM
0h 16m
★
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Saint Paul, MN
Wikimedia Commons
Trip Overview
The drive from Saint Paul, MN to Minneapolis, MN covers 9.7 miles and takes about 17m behind the wheel. This route is realistic as a one-day drive if you keep your stops efficient.
The route leans on Purple Heart Memorial Highway, Washington Avenue South, Wabasha Street North for much of the mileage, and the overall profile is turn-heavy local drive. The longest uninterrupted segment is about 7.1 miles on Purple Heart Memorial Highway. At current regular gas prices, budget about $1.44 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
4.8 miles from Saint Paul, MN
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 8m into the drive .
Loading map...
Drive Character
Expect a 17m drive with frequent turns across 9.7 miles of local and secondary roads.
This route has more turning and local-road decision points than a simple highway run.
There are about 8 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.
Purple Heart Memorial Highway is the longest continuous segment at about 7.1 miles.
How Hard Is This Drive?
Expect a hands-on drive with frequent turns and local roads rather than long highway stretches. You will hit about 5 points where you need to pay attention to lane position or signs. The trickiest moment comes around 0.6 miles in.
Route Complexity
5/10
Moderate - straightforward overall, but long enough or busy enough to require pacing
This drive requires moderate attention. Across 9.7 miles you will encounter 5 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: at 0.6 miles: Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 0.6 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 1 miles (I 94 / Purple Heart Memorial Highway): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here.
Critical Maneuvers
5 of 5 key pointsThese are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
5
0.6 mi into trip
|
~2m in
Take the ramp toward I 35E South, I 94 West
Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Toward I 35E South, I 94 West
7
0.6 mi into trip
|
~2m in
Keep slight right at fork toward I 94 West
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight right lane.
Toward I 94 West
5
1 mi into trip
|
~2m in
|
I 94 / Purple Heart Memorial Highway
Merge onto I 94 / Purple Heart Memorial Highway
Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
7
8.1 mi into trip
|
~12m in
Take the exit toward Cedar Avenue
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Exit 234C
Toward Cedar Avenue
5
8.3 mi into trip
|
~13m in
|
CR 152 / Cedar Avenue South
Turn right onto CR 152 / Cedar Avenue South
Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / right lanes.
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| Purple Heart Memorial Highway | 7.1 mi | 9m |
| Washington Avenue South | 0.9 mi | 2m |
| Wabasha Street North | 0.6 mi | 2m |
| Cedar Avenue South | 0.5 mi | 1m |
Longest stretch:
Purple Heart Memorial Highway
— 7.1 mi, about 9m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Saint Paul, MN and Minneapolis, MN.
1
Start on Wabasha Street North
0.6 mi
·
2 min
·
Wabasha Street North
2
Take the ramp
347 ft
·
8 sec
Toward I 35E South, I 94 West
3
Keep slight right at fork
0.3 mi
·
39 sec
Toward I 94 West
Use the slight right lane.
4
Merge onto I 94
7.1 mi
·
9 min
·
Purple Heart Memorial Highway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
5
Take the exit
0.2 mi
·
25 sec
Exit 234C
Toward Cedar Avenue
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
6
Turn right onto CR 152
0.5 mi
·
1 min
·
Cedar Avenue South
Use the straight / right lanes.
7
Continue on CR 152
0.9 mi
·
2 min
·
Washington Avenue South
8
Arrive at destination
CR 152
Trip Plan
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 4.8 miles from Saint Paul, MN, or about 8m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 7.1 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 9.7 miles or 17m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 4.8 miles or 8m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 12m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Minneapolis, 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 9.7 miles and 17m.
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 Purple Heart Memorial Highway for about 7.1 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 4.8 mi from Saint Paul, MN · 8m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
5 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 9.7 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 4.8 miles from Saint Paul, MN, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Arriving in Minneapolis, MN
The final approach into Minneapolis, 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 Minneapolis, 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
$1.44 one way
$2.89 round trip
$3.78/gal
25.4 MPG avg
3 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.07 | $1.56 | $3.11 |
| premium | $4.53 | $1.73 | $3.46 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $2.14 | $4.28 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$1
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$26–$51
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 3.4 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $1 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 2.9 | 0 | $1.02 | $0.47 |
| Efficient EV | 2.4 | 0 | $0.85 | $0.39 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 3.9 | 0 | $1.36 | $0.62 |
Gas CO2
3 kg
EV CO2
1 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.
Destination
Minneapolis, MN
Late night in Minneapolis on Wednesday
Local time
5:29 AM
CDT
Current temp
67°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
17m 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 Minneapolis, MN covers 9.7 miles and takes about 17m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are Purple Heart Memorial Highway, Washington Avenue South, Wabasha Street North. Expect a mix of highway and local road driving.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 4.8 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 $1.44 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 9.7 miles you will encounter 5 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: at 0.6 miles: Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 0.6 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 1 miles (I 94 / Purple Heart Memorial Highway): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here.
The route from Saint Paul, MN to Minneapolis, MN does not surface many named destination signs beyond the main corridor.
Was this route helpful?
Thanks for your feedback!
Your tip has been submitted. Thanks!
/500
Recent Tips
·
Explore More
Continue From Minneapolis, MN
More trips to Minneapolis, MN
Explore more options from Saint Paul, MN or browse trips ending in Minneapolis, MN.
Looking for more statewide routes? Browse MN road trips.
Explore maps for Saint Paul, MN or Minneapolis, MN on MapSof.net.