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Trip from Saint Paul, MN to Babbitt, MN

Compiled and reviewed by the Trip.ovh planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Apr 18, 2026 · Editorial standards

Drive Time

4h 34m

Distance

231.1 mi

372 km

Drive Score

8/10

Great drive

Same Day?

Yes, doable

Fuel Cost

$34

one way

EV Charging

Unknown

Best Time to Leave

Save up to 40 min
4 AM
4h 21m ★
6 AM
4h 34m
8 AM
5h 1m
10 AM
4h 44m
12 PM
4h 41m
3 PM
4h 45m
5 PM
5h 0m
8 PM
4h 26m

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

city in St. Louis County, Minnesota, United States

Babbitt, MN

Wikimedia Commons

Trip Overview

The drive from Saint Paul, MN to Babbitt, MN covers 231.1 miles and takes about 4h 34m behind the wheel. This route is realistic as a one-day drive if you keep your stops efficient.

The route leans on I 35, US 53, Highway 21 for much of the mileage, and the overall profile is mostly highway. The longest uninterrupted segment is about 105 miles on I 35. At current regular gas prices, budget about $34.39 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

115.5 miles from Saint Paul, MN

A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 2h 7m into the drive .

Main Roads

Road Distance Duration
I 35 105 mi 1h 52m
US 53 47.7 mi 57m
Highway 21 24.5 mi 33m
I 35E 22.9 mi 25m
MN 33 19.8 mi 26m
State Highway 169 6.1 mi 8m
I 694 0.8 mi <1m
Ely-Babbitt Road 0.7 mi 1m
Longest stretch: I 35 — 105 mi, about 1h 52m

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

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

Take the exit

0.5 mi · 35 sec
Exit 114 Toward I 35E North, I 694 East Use the slight right lane.
9

Merge onto I 694

0.8 mi · 59 sec · I 694
10

Keep slight left at fork onto I 35E

18 mi · 19 min · I 35E
Toward I 35E North: Duluth Use the slight left lane.
11

Keep slight left at fork onto I 35

105 mi · 1 hr 52 min · I 35
12

Take the exit onto MN 33

0.6 mi · 58 sec · MN 33
Toward MN 33: Cloquet, Iron Range
13

Enter roundabout onto MN 33

127 ft · 1 sec · MN 33
14

Continue on MN 33

19 mi · 25 min · MN 33
Use the straight lane.
15

Take the exit onto MN 33

0.4 mi · 29 sec · MN 33
16

Merge onto US 53

37 mi · 43 min · US 53
Use the straight / right lanes.
17

Enter roundabout onto US 53

113 ft · 1 sec · US 53
18

Continue on US 53

10 mi · 13 min · US 53
Use the straight lane.
19

Take the exit

0.5 mi · 43 sec
Toward MN 169: Ely
20

Continue on MN 169

6.1 mi · 8 min · State Highway 169
Use the straight / left / right lanes.
21

Turn right onto CH 21

11 mi · 15 min · Highway 21
Use the right lane.
22

Continue on CH 21

0.4 mi · 54 sec · County Highway 21
23

Continue on CH 21

13 mi · 18 min · Highway 21
24

Continue on CH 70

0.7 mi · 1 min · Ely-Babbitt Road
25

Continue on CH 70

0.2 mi · 18 sec · County Highway 70
26

Turn right onto Babbitt Road

0.4 mi · 1 min · Babbitt Road
27

Turn left onto South Drive

0.3 mi · 45 sec · South Drive
28

Arrive at destination

South Drive

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 115.5 miles from Saint Paul, MN, or about 2h 7m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 105 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 51 miles or 58m in

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

Halfway reset

Around 115.5 miles or 2h 7m 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 35m

Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Babbitt, 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 231.1 miles and 4h 34m.

Your first comfortable stop window is around 51 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 35 for about 105 miles.

Where to Stop

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

Downtown Cloquet, MN, MN

Mid-route town

Meal stop

Cloquet, MN

116 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

Rock Creek, MN

Fuel and coffee

A short stop after about 51 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.

Cloquet, MN

Meal break

The midpoint is around 115.5 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 35 if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 105 miles.

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

Wilbert Cafe & El Toro Lounge

4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Cotton, Minnesota

Later in the drive, right off the route

0.2 mi from route $10 to $20 mile 165.1

Hours: 7 am–9 pm

+12184823318

Visit website

Bearaboo Coffee Escape

4.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Cloquet, Minnesota

0.2 mi

Crasqui Restaurant

4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

St Paul, Minnesota

0.4 mi

Top Coffee Stop

Abogados Café

4.9 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

St Paul, Minnesota

Near the start, short detour

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

Hours: 7 am–2 pm

Visit website

yellowbird coffee bar

4.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

St Paul, Minnesota

2.8 mi

Wilbert Cafe & El Toro Lounge

4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Later in the drive, right off the route

0.2 mi from route $10 to $20 mile 165.1

Cotton, Minnesota

Hours: 7 am–9 pm

+12184823318

Visit website

Bearaboo Coffee Escape

4.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Around the midpoint, right off the route

0.2 mi from route ~1 min detour $1 to $10 mile 132

Cloquet, Minnesota

Hours: 6:30 am–3 pm

+12188795051

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

Cabina Coffee

4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Early in the drive, short detour

2.8 mi from route ~7 min detour $10 to $20 mile 66

Pine City, Minnesota

Hours: 7 am–5 pm

+13206295982

Visit website

Kaffe Stuga Restaurant

4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Early in the drive, short detour

3.2 mi from route ~8 min detour $10 to $20 mile 49.5

Harris, Minnesota

Hours: 7:30 am–7 pm

+16516749958

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

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

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

Miigwitches Brew

5.0 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Around the midpoint, ~9 min detour

3.8 mi from route ~9 min detour $1 to $10 mile 132

Cloquet, Minnesota

Hours: 6 am–2 pm

+12189007959

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

Gas station designed by Frank Lloyd Wright

4.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Around the midpoint, short detour

1.1 mi from route ~3 min detour mile 132

Cloquet, Minnesota

Hours: 8 am–5 pm

+12188792279

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

Black Bear Golf Course

4.0 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Around the midpoint, short detour

2.9 mi from route ~7 min detour mile 132

Cloquet, Minnesota

+12188782485

Visit website

Snake River Fur Post

4.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Early in the drive, ~9 min detour

3.5 mi from route ~9 min detour mile 66

Pine City, Minnesota

+13206296356

Visit website

Joyer Adventure Farm at Waldoch Farm

4.8 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, ~11 min detour

4.2 mi from route ~11 min detour mile 16.5

Lino Lakes, Minnesota

+16517801207

Visit website

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

Heads-up: tricky spots

5 of 20

5 decision points cluster between mile 0.5 and 7.5 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.

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
8
6.2 mi into trip | ~9m in

Take the exit toward I 35E North, I 694 East

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 114 Toward I 35E North, I 694 East
7
7.5 mi into trip | ~11m in | I 35E

Keep slight left at fork onto I 35E toward I 35E North: Duluth

Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here

Use the slight left lane. Toward I 35E North: Duluth

Fuel & Cost

Regular Gas

$34.39 one way

$68.78 round trip

$3.78/gal 25.4 MPG avg 81 kg CO2
Fuel Type $/gal One Way Round Trip
midgrade $4.07 $37.06 $74.12
premium $4.53 $41.23 $82.47
diesel $5.61 $51.02 $102.05

No toll roads detected on this route.

Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)

Fuel

$34

Meals

$25–$50

Total

$59–$84

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

Estimated CO2 emission: 80.9 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.

Driving Electric?

About $24 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO2

Vehicle Type kWh Stops DC Fast Home Charge
Average EV 69.3 0 $24.27 $11.09
Efficient EV 57.8 0 $20.22 $9.24
EV Truck/SUV 92.4 1 $32.35 $14.79

Gas CO2

81 kg

EV CO2

27 kg (67% 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 Saturday

Local time

1:38 PM

CDT

Current temp

67°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

Destination

Babbitt, MN

Afternoon in Babbitt on Saturday

Local time

1:38 PM

CDT

Current temp

61°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

6 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

4h 34m 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.

What kind of drive is this?

231.1 mi in 4h 34m, mostly highway — 105 mi of that is on I 35.

98% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
28 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 105 mi on I 35.

How Hard Is This Drive?

9/10

This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 35 and US 53. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 0.5 miles in near Robert Street North.

Driving Effort 9/10

High effort - long or complex enough to need steady focus all day

Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.

This is a demanding drive. With 20 significant decision points across 231.1 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 0.5 miles (Robert Street North): Navigation decision point; at 0.8 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 5.9 miles (US 10): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.

Towns Mentioned on Route Signs

Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.

On the drive from Saint Paul, MN to Babbitt, MN, road signs begin pointing toward Iron Range along the way.

Iron Range

130.5 mi in | ~2h 23m | via MN 33

Who Is This Route For?

Weekend Trip

Doable as a same-day drive at 4h 34m. Total distance: 231.1 miles.

Family Friendly

Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.

Solo Traveler

4h 34m drive, comfortable solo distance.

First-Time Driver

Mostly highway driving (98%). Some complex stretches to watch for.

Frequently Asked Questions

The longest stretch is about 105 miles on I 35. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.

We did not find dedicated rest areas on this route. For a drive this long, plan bathroom and stretch breaks around gas stations, fast-food stops, or small-town downtowns — check the Nearby Places section for options.

It helps. This route has a higher-than-average number of complex decision points, which get harder in the dark. If the last hour of the trip is on surface roads or mountain grades, aim to arrive at Babbitt, MN before sunset when you can. Check the Trip Plan for departure windows that land you in daylight.

Only with planning. This is a long drive for kids — consider splitting it into two days rather than pushing through. Plan at least 1 meaningful breaks. Dedicated rest areas are limited, so plan gas or food stops as your bathroom breaks.

The main spots that need attention: 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; at 5.9 miles (US 10): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.

Possible but tiring. At 4.6 hours each way, an in-and-out day trip would put you behind the wheel for 9.1 hours — manageable with a long break at Babbitt, MN, but most travelers stay overnight.

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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