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Trip from Saint Paul, MN to Ada, MN

Compiled and reviewed by the Trip.ovh planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Apr 17, 2026 · Editorial standards

Drive Time

5h 6m

Distance

264 mi

425 km

Drive Score

8/10

Great drive

Same Day?

Yes, doable

Fuel Cost

$39

one way

EV Charging

Unknown

Best Time to Leave

Save up to 40 min
4 AM
4h 53m ★
6 AM
5h 6m
8 AM
5h 33m
10 AM
5h 16m
12 PM
5h 13m
3 PM
5h 17m
5 PM
5h 32m
8 PM
4h 58m

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

Best Time Drive vs Fly
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capital of the state of Minnesota, United States; county seat of Ramsey County, Minnesota

Saint Paul, MN

Wikimedia Commons

Downtown Ada, MN, MN

Ada, MN

Emrecan Algül

Trip Overview

The drive from Saint Paul, MN to Ada, MN covers 264 miles and takes about 5h 6m behind the wheel. This route is realistic as a one-day drive if you keep your stops efficient.

The route leans on I 94, 140th St North, US 10 for much of the mileage, and the overall profile is highway-focused drive. The longest uninterrupted segment is about 177.6 miles on I 94. At current regular gas prices, budget about $39.29 one way before food or hotel costs.

Trip Pace

Same-day drive is realistic

A same-day return is possible, but it will make for a full day on the road.

Break Rhythm

1 planned break

Plan on a short reset every 3 to 4 hours to stay fresh behind the wheel.

Midpoint

132 miles from Saint Paul, MN

A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 2h 27m into the drive .

Who Is This Route For?

Weekend Trip

Doable as a same-day drive at 5h 6m. Total distance: 264 miles.

Family Friendly

Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.

Solo Traveler

5h 6m drive, comfortable solo distance.

First-Time Driver

Mostly highway driving (83%). Some complex stretches to watch for.

Drive Character

This is a 5h 6m highway drive covering 264 miles, with most of the trip on I 94 and 140th St North. The longest continuous stretch is about 177.6 miles on I 94.

Most of the miles stay on highways, which makes pacing and fuel planning easier than turn-by-turn city driving.
There are about 15 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.
I 94 is the longest continuous segment at about 177.6 miles.

How Hard Is This Drive?

This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 94 and 140th St North. You will hit about 10 points where you need to pay attention to lane position or signs. The trickiest moment comes around 0.3 miles in near MN 5 / 7th 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 264 miles you will encounter 10 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 0.3 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.

Critical Maneuvers

5 of 10 key points

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

4
0.3 mi into trip | ~1m in | MN 5 / 7th Street East

Turn right onto MN 5 / 7th Street East

Navigation decision point

5
0.5 mi into trip | ~1m in | Robert Street North

Turn left onto Robert Street North

Navigation decision point

7
0.8 mi into trip | ~2m in

Keep slight left at fork toward I 35E North, US 10 West

Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one

Toward I 35E North, US 10 West
9
5.9 mi into trip | ~9m in | US 10

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

Use the straight / slight right lanes. Exit 113-114 Toward US 10 West, I 694 West, I 694 East
5
6.2 mi into trip | ~9m in | US 10

Continue onto US 10 toward I 694 West, US 10 West

Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one

Use the straight / slight right lanes. Exit 113 Toward I 694 West, US 10 West

Main Roads

Road Distance Duration
I 94 177.6 mi 3h 10m
140th St North 21.5 mi 31m
US 10 18.8 mi 23m
I-94 W 17.1 mi 18m
140th Street South 14.8 mi 22m
140th Street North 8 mi 9m
I 35E 4.9 mi 6m
Wabasha Street North 0.3 mi 1m
Longest stretch: I 94 — 177.6 mi, about 3h 10m

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

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

1

Start on Wabasha Street North

0.3 mi · 1 min · Wabasha Street North
2

Turn right onto MN 5

0.2 mi · 44 sec · 7th Street East
3

Turn left onto Robert Street North

0.2 mi · 40 sec · Robert Street North
4

Turn right onto 11th Street East

451 ft · 17 sec · 11th Street East
5

Keep slight left at fork

0.2 mi · 30 sec
Toward I 35E North, US 10 West
6

Continue on I 35E

4.9 mi · 6 min · I 35E
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
7

Keep slight right at fork onto US 10

0.3 mi · 19 sec · US 10
Exit 113-114 Toward US 10 West, I 694 West, I 694 East Use the straight / slight right lanes.
8

Continue on US 10

19 mi · 22 min · US 10
Exit 113 Toward I 694 West, US 10 West Use the straight / slight right lanes.
9

Continue on I 94

17 mi · 18 min · I-94 W
Exit 27 Toward I 94 West: Saint Cloud Use the straight / left lanes.
10

Keep slight left at fork onto I 94

178 mi · 3 hr 10 min · I 94
11

Take the exit

0.4 mi · 46 sec
Toward MN 9
12

Turn right onto MN 9

15 mi · 22 min · 140th Street South
13

Continue on MN 9

8.0 mi · 9 min · 140th Street North
14

Continue on MN 9

22 mi · 31 min · 140th St North
15

Arrive at destination

MN 9

Trip Plan

Morning Departure

An early start around 7-8 AM gets you there with plenty of daylight left.

Evening Departure

A late afternoon start means arriving after dark. Morning is better.

You can normally do this drive in one day.
Plan roughly 1 meaningful break for fuel, food, and rest.
The halfway point lands around 132 miles from Saint Paul, MN, or about 2h 27m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 177.6 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 58 miles or 1h 8m in

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

Halfway reset

Around 132 miles or 2h 27m in

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

Final approach

Final hour starts around 3h 58m

Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Ada, 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 264 miles and 5h 6m.

Your first comfortable stop window is around 58 miles from Saint Paul, MN.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
Plan about 1 real break rather than only quick fuel stops.
The longest stretch is on I 94 for about 177.6 miles.

Where to Stop

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

Halfway Point

Midpoint

About 132 mi from Saint Paul, MN · 2h 27m into the drive

city in Stearns County, Minnesota, United States of America

Mid-route town

Meal stop

Avon, MN

132 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

Big Lake, MN

Fuel and coffee

A short stop after about 58 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.

Avon, MN

Meal break

The midpoint is around 132 miles from Saint Paul, MN, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.

Before the longest stretch

Fuel check

Top up before I 94 if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 177.6 miles.

Arriving in Ada, MN

The final approach into Ada, 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 Ada, MN.

After long uninterrupted mileage, take five minutes before the last urban segment to reset and refocus on exits, merges, and city traffic.

These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.

Nearby Places

Restaurants, cafes, gas stations and more along your route.

Top Restaurant

Crasqui Restaurant

4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

St Paul, Minnesota

Near the start, right off the route

0.4 mi from route ~1 min detour Moderately

Hours: 4–8 pm

+19526005578

Visit website

Forepaugh's Restaurant

4.5 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

St Paul, Minnesota

0.6 mi

Cafe Astoria

4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

St Paul, Minnesota

0.7 mi

Top Coffee Stop

Lana Jo's Cafe

4.8 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Ada, Minnesota

Near the end, right off the route

0.1 mi from route $1 to $10 mile 264

Hours: 7:30 am–1:30 pm

+12187842665

The Norsk Coffeehouse

4.9 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Ada, Minnesota

0.7 mi

The Mill

4.8 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Albany, Minnesota

1.1 mi

Crasqui Restaurant

4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, right off the route

0.4 mi from route ~1 min detour Moderately

St Paul, Minnesota

Hours: 4–8 pm

+19526005578

Visit website

Forepaugh's Restaurant

4.5 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, right off the route

0.6 mi from route ~1 min detour $100 or ab

St Paul, Minnesota

Hours: 3:30–10:30 pm

+16516663636

Visit website

Cafe Astoria

4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, right off the route

0.7 mi from route ~2 min detour $10 to $20

St Paul, Minnesota

Hours: 7 am–3 pm

+16513409471

Visit website

Hodma Restaurant

4.5 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, short detour

2.9 mi from route ~7 min detour $10 to $20

St Paul, Minnesota

Hours: 8 am–10 pm

+16512733308

Visit website

Maynard's Restaurant of Rogers

4.5 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, ~9 min detour

3.5 mi from route ~9 min detour $20 to $30 mile 37.7

Rogers, Minnesota

Hours: 11 am–11 pm

+17634280700

Visit website

Phoever ❤️ Vietnamese Cuisine & Coffee

4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, ~11 min detour

4.4 mi from route ~11 min detour $10 to $20 mile 18.9

Columbia Heights, Minnesota

Hours: 11 am–12 pm

+17632088754

Visit website

Lynde’s Restaurant & Catering

4.5 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, ~11 min detour

4.6 mi from route ~11 min detour $10 to $20 mile 18.9

Osseo, Minnesota

Hours: 6 am–2 pm

+17634243696

Visit website

Lana Jo's Cafe

4.8 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, right off the route

0.1 mi from route $1 to $10 mile 264

Ada, Minnesota

Hours: 7:30 am–1:30 pm

+12187842665

The Norsk Coffeehouse

4.9 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, right off the route

0.7 mi from route ~2 min detour $1 to $10 mile 264

Ada, Minnesota

Hours: 7 am–4 pm

+12187842326

Visit website

The Mill

4.8 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Around the midpoint, short detour

1.1 mi from route ~3 min detour $10 to $20 mile 94.3

Albany, Minnesota

Hours: 6 am–3 pm

+13208456455

Visit website

Abogados Café

4.9 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, short detour

2.6 mi from route ~6 min detour $1 to $10

St Paul, Minnesota

Hours: 7 am–2 pm

Visit website

Perks Coffee & Tea (Downtown Washington)

4.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Later in the drive, short detour

2.4 mi from route ~6 min detour $1 to $10 mile 188.6

Fergus Falls, Minnesota

Hours: 6 am–6 pm

+12189985111

Visit website

yellowbird coffee bar

4.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, short detour

2.8 mi from route ~7 min detour $1 to $10

St Paul, Minnesota

Hours: 7 am–5 pm

+16514937134

Visit website

Perks Coffee & Tea (Fir Location)

4.9 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Later in the drive, short detour

3.3 mi from route ~8 min detour $1 to $10 mile 188.6

Fergus Falls, Minnesota

Hours: 7 am–4:30 pm

+12189981221

Visit website

Luminary Coffeehouse

4.8 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, ~9 min detour

3.6 mi from route ~9 min detour $1 to $10

St Paul, Minnesota

Hours: 7:30 am–4 pm

Visit website

Minnesota Children's Museum

4.5 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, right off the route

0.3 mi from route ~1 min detour

St Paul, Minnesota

Hours: 9 am–4 pm

+16512256000

Visit website

Union Depot

4.5 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, right off the route

0.4 mi from route ~1 min detour

St Paul, Minnesota

Hours: 6 am–10 pm

+16512022700

Visit website

Center For Lost Objects

4.0 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Near the start, short detour

2 mi from route ~5 min detour

St Paul, Minnesota

Hours: 11 am–6 pm

+16515042356

Visit website

Granite City Jump

4.4 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Early in the drive, ~11 min detour

4.5 mi from route ~11 min detour mile 75.4

St Cloud, Minnesota

Hours: 10 am–8 pm

+13203422148

Visit website

Place data sourced from public business listings. Hours and availability may vary.

Fuel & Cost

Regular Gas

$39.29 one way

$78.58 round trip

$3.78/gal 25.4 MPG avg 92 kg CO2
Fuel Type $/gal One Way Round Trip
midgrade $4.07 $42.33 $84.67
premium $4.53 $47.10 $94.21
diesel $5.61 $58.29 $116.58

No toll roads detected on this route.

Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)

Fuel

$39

Meals

$25–$50

Total

$64–$89

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

Estimated CO2 emission: 92.4 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.

Driving Electric?

About $28 in charging · 0 stops · 66% less CO2

Vehicle Type kWh Stops DC Fast Home Charge
Average EV 79.2 0 $27.72 $12.67
Efficient EV 66 0 $23.10 $10.56
EV Truck/SUV 105.6 1 $36.96 $16.90

Gas CO2

92 kg

EV CO2

31 kg (66% less)

Plan for 0 charging stops, roughly every 270 miles. Allow 25-40 minutes per stop at a DC fast charger.

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 as of Apr 15, 2026

Origin

Saint Paul, MN

Afternoon in Saint Paul on Friday

Local time

12:45 PM

CDT

Current temp

67°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

Destination

Ada, MN

Afternoon in Ada on Friday

Local time

12:45 PM

CDT

Current temp

41°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

67°F

Avon, MN

132 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

Same local time

Origin and destination are on the same clock, so arrival timing is easier to judge at a glance.

Temperature spread

26 degrees cooler at arrival

A meaningful temperature swing is a good cue to rethink layers, water, and how soon you want to arrive.

Road read

5h 6m on the road

An early start around 7-8 AM gets you there with plenty of daylight left.

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 Ada, MN covers 264 miles and takes about 5h 6m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.

The main roads are I 94, 140th St North, US 10. Most of the drive stays on highways, so watch for ramps and exits.

This is a comfortable same-day trip.

The midpoint is about 132 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 $39.29 one way. This estimate uses 25.4 MPG — your actual cost will vary with your vehicle's fuel efficiency and current gas prices.

An early start around 7-8 AM gets you there with plenty of daylight left. A late afternoon start means arriving after dark. Morning is better.

Plan about 1 meaningful break for fuel, food, or rest. Plan on a short reset every 3 to 4 hours to stay fresh behind the wheel.

This drive requires moderate attention. Across 264 miles you will encounter 10 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 0.3 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.

The route from Saint Paul, MN to Ada, MN does not surface many named destination signs beyond the main corridor.

How this page is built

Compiled by the Trip.ovh planning team at COD Solutions Oy from open government datasets — OSRM over OpenStreetMap for geometry, and EIA for fuel prices. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.

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