Origin
Saint Paul, MN
Night in Saint Paul on Thursday
Local time
11:14 PM
CDT
Current temp
67°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Saint Paul, MN to Olmsted County, MN
Last recalculated Apr 17, 2026
Drive Time
1h 52m
Distance
84.5 mi
136 km
Drive Score
8/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$13
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
1h 45m
★
6 AM
1h 53m
8 AM
2h 9m
10 AM
1h 59m
12 PM
1h 57m
3 PM
1h 59m
5 PM
2h 8m
8 PM
1h 48m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Saint Paul, MN
Wikimedia Commons
Olmsted County, MN
Tom Fisk
Trip Overview
The drive from Saint Paul, MN to Olmsted County, MN covers 84.5 miles and takes about 1h 52m behind the wheel. This route is realistic as a one-day drive if you keep your stops efficient.
The route leans on US 52, Lafayette Freeway, County 14 Boulevard for much of the mileage, and the overall profile is highway-focused drive. The longest uninterrupted segment is about 50.5 miles on US 52. At current regular gas prices, budget about $12.58 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.
Midpoint
42.3 miles from Saint Paul, MN
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 55m into the drive .
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 1h 52m. Total distance: 84.5 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 0 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
1h 52m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (75%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Drive Character
This is a 1h 52m highway drive covering 84.5 miles, with most of the trip on US 52 and Lafayette Freeway. The longest continuous stretch is about 50.5 miles on US 52.
Most of the miles stay on highways, which makes pacing and fuel planning easier than turn-by-turn city driving.
There are about 30 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.
US 52 is the longest continuous segment at about 50.5 miles.
How Hard Is This Drive?
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on US 52 and Lafayette Freeway. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 1.8 miles in near US 52 / Lafayette Freeway.
Driving Effort
8/10
Demanding - plan breaks and stay ahead of the key maneuvers
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This drive requires moderate attention. Across 84.5 miles you will encounter 21 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 1.8 miles (US 52 / Lafayette Freeway): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here; at 13.8 miles (US 52): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 34.7 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early.
Critical Maneuvers
5 of 21 key pointsThese are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
5
1.8 mi into trip
|
~4m in
|
US 52 / Lafayette Freeway
Merge onto US 52 / Lafayette Freeway
Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
7
13.8 mi into trip
|
~19m in
|
US 52
Keep slight right at fork onto US 52 toward Rochester
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight lane.
Toward Rochester
5
34.7 mi into trip
|
~43m in
Take the exit toward CR 24: Cannon Falls
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early
Exit 96
Toward CR 24: Cannon Falls
5
35 mi into trip
|
~44m in
|
CR 24 / County 24 Boulevard
Enter roundabout onto CR 24 / County 24 Boulevard
Roundabout - know your exit number before entering
8
74.8 mi into trip
|
~1h 34m in
Take the exit toward CR 22: W Circle Drive, 55th Street NW
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the slight right lane.
Exit 59
Toward CR 22: W Circle Drive, 55th Street NW
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
Between Saint Paul, MN and Olmsted County, MN, road signs point toward Rochester and Cr 24: Cannon Falls.
Rochester
13.8 mi in
|
~19m
|
via US 52
Cr 24: Cannon Falls
34.7 mi in
|
~43m
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| US 52 | 50.5 mi | 58m |
| Lafayette Freeway | 12 mi | 14m |
| County 14 Boulevard | 5.8 mi | 9m |
| County 9 Boulevard | 4.1 mi | 5m |
| East Circle Drive Northeast | 3.5 mi | 5m |
| 55th Street Northwest | 1.9 mi | 3m |
| 48th Street Northeast | 1.4 mi | 1m |
| Broadway Avenue North | 1 mi | 1m |
Longest stretch:
US 52
— 50.5 mi, about 58m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Saint Paul, MN and Olmsted County, 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
0.1 mi
·
31 sec
·
Kellogg Boulevard East
5
Turn right onto MN 3
0.6 mi
·
1 min
·
Robert Street North
6
Turn left onto CH 40
0.3 mi
·
46 sec
·
Plato Boulevard
Use the left lane.
7
Turn right onto West Lafayette Frontage Road
0.4 mi
·
1 min
·
West Lafayette Frontage Road
8
Take the ramp
0.2 mi
·
20 sec
Toward US 52 South
9
Merge onto US 52
12 mi
·
14 min
·
Lafayette Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
10
Keep slight right at fork onto US 52
21 mi
·
24 min
·
US 52
Toward Rochester
Use the straight lane.
11
Take the exit
0.3 mi
·
40 sec
Exit 96
Toward CR 24: Cannon Falls
12
Enter roundabout onto CR 24
26 ft
·
0 sec
·
County 24 Boulevard
13
Continue on CR 24
0.1 mi
·
19 sec
·
County 24 Boulevard
14
Enter roundabout onto CR 14
221 ft
·
6 sec
·
County 14 Boulevard
15
Continue on CR 14
5.8 mi
·
9 min
·
County 14 Boulevard
16
Turn left onto CR 9
4.1 mi
·
5 min
·
County 9 Boulevard
17
Take the ramp
0.2 mi
·
42 sec
Toward US 52 South
18
Merge onto US 52
17 mi
·
19 min
·
US 52
Use the straight lane.
19
Continue on US 52
13 mi
·
14 min
·
US 52
Use the straight lane.
20
Take the exit
0.3 mi
·
35 sec
Exit 59
Toward CR 22: W Circle Drive, 55th Street NW
Use the slight right lane.
21
Turn left onto CR 22
1.9 mi
·
3 min
·
55th Street Northwest
Use the left / straight lanes.
22
Continue on CR 22
1.4 mi
·
1 min
·
48th Street Northeast
Use the straight lane.
23
Turn right onto CR 22
1.0 mi
·
1 min
·
Broadway Avenue North
Use the right lane.
24
Turn left onto CR 22
3.5 mi
·
5 min
·
East Circle Drive Northeast
Use the left lane.
25
Continue on CR 22
0.7 mi
·
1 min
·
30th Avenue Southeast
Use the straight lane.
26
Continue on Towne Club Parkway Southeast
0.7 mi
·
1 min
·
Towne Club Parkway Southeast
Use the straight lane.
27
Turn left onto Eastwood Road Southeast
210 ft
·
6 sec
·
Eastwood Road Southeast
28
Turn right
138 ft
·
20 sec
29
At end of road, turn left
0.3 mi
·
3 min
30
Arrive at destination
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 42.3 miles from Saint Paul, MN, or about 55m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 50.5 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 19 miles or 25m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 42.3 miles or 55m 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 30m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Olmsted County, 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.
Day 1
Settle into the route from Saint Paul, MN
This is one driving day of about 84.5 miles and 1h 52m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 19 miles from Saint Paul, MN.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
The longest stretch is on US 52 for about 50.5 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 42.3 mi from Saint Paul, MN · 55m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
42 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 19 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 42.3 miles from Saint Paul, MN, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Arriving in Olmsted County, MN
The final approach into Olmsted County, 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
$12.58 one way
$25.15 round trip
$3.78/gal
25.4 MPG avg
30 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.07 | $13.55 | $27.10 |
| premium | $4.53 | $15.08 | $30.15 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $18.66 | $37.31 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$13
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$38–$63
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 29.6 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $9 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 25.3 | 0 | $8.87 | $4.06 |
| Efficient EV | 21.1 | 0 | $7.39 | $3.38 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 33.8 | 0 | $11.83 | $5.41 |
Gas CO2
30 kg
EV CO2
10 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
Olmsted County, MN
Night in Olmsted County on Thursday
Local time
11:14 PM
CDT
Current temp
68°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
1 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 52m 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 Olmsted County, MN covers 84.5 miles and takes about 1h 52m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are US 52, Lafayette Freeway, County 14 Boulevard. Most of the drive stays on highways, so watch for ramps and exits.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 42.3 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 $12.58 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 84.5 miles you will encounter 21 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 1.8 miles (US 52 / Lafayette Freeway): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here; at 13.8 miles (US 52): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 34.7 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early.
Between Saint Paul, MN and Olmsted County, MN, road signs point toward Rochester and Cr 24: Cannon Falls.
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