Origin
South Saint Paul, MN
Afternoon in South Saint Paul on Wednesday
Local time
4:36 PM
CDT
Current temp
65°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from South Saint Paul, MN to Minneapolis, MN
Last recalculated Apr 15, 2026
Drive Time
26m
Distance
15.3 mi
25 km
Drive Score
8/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$2
one way
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
0h 24m
★
6 AM
0h 26m
8 AM
0h 31m
10 AM
0h 28m
12 PM
0h 27m
3 PM
0h 28m
5 PM
0h 30m
8 PM
0h 25m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
South Saint Paul, MN
Tom Fisk
Trip Overview
This short, 15.3-mile drive from South Saint Paul, MN to Minneapolis, MN will take approximately 26 minutes, making it a perfect day trip. With a low estimated fuel cost of just $2, you won't break the bank getting there. The route is primarily highway-focused, with 68% of it on major roads like I-94 and Concord Street North. You'll be traveling within the Midwest region, moving from one Minnesota city to another. This quick journey is ideal for a spontaneous outing or an easy commute.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.
Break Rhythm
0 planned breaks
This drive is short enough that no stops are needed.
Midpoint
7.6 miles from South Saint Paul, MN
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 13m into the drive .
Drive Character
Expect a highway-focused experience on this 15.3-mile trip, with 68% of the drive utilizing major roadways. The longest uninterrupted stretch you'll encounter is 8.4 miles on I-94, providing a consistent pace. You'll primarily navigate I-94 and Lafayette Freeway, which are known for their efficiency and directness. This route offers a straightforward driving experience, prioritizing speed and ease of travel over scenic detours, making it a functional connection between these two Minnesota cities.
Most of the miles stay on highways, which makes pacing and fuel planning easier than turn-by-turn city driving.
There are about 11 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 8.4 miles.
How Hard Is This Drive?
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 94 and Concord Street North. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes early in the drive near CH 14 / John E Carroll Avenue.
Route Complexity
7/10
Focused - busy navigation packed into a short drive
This is a short but busy drive. With 8 decision points packed into just 15.3 miles, you will need to pay attention to lane changes and exits — but the whole thing is over in 26m.
Where does it get tricky?
The main spots that need attention: near the start (CH 14 / John E Carroll Avenue): Navigation decision point; near the start (Concord Street North): Lane positioning matters here; at 5.3 miles (I 94; US 10): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here.
Critical Maneuvers
5 of 8 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
|
CH 14 / John E Carroll Avenue
Turn right onto CH 14 / John E Carroll Avenue
Navigation decision point
4
0 mi into trip
|
~0m in
|
Concord Street North
Turn left onto Concord Street North
Lane positioning matters here
Use the left lane.
5
5.3 mi into trip
|
~10m in
|
I 94; US 10
Merge onto I 94; US 10
Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
7
13.7 mi into trip
|
~21m 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
13.9 mi into trip
|
~22m 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 |
|---|---|---|
| I 94 | 8.4 mi | 11m |
| Concord Street North | 2.9 mi | 6m |
| Lafayette Freeway | 1.5 mi | 2m |
| Washington Avenue South | 0.9 mi | 2m |
| US 52 | 0.5 mi | 1m |
| Cedar Avenue South | 0.5 mi | 1m |
| John E Carroll Avenue | <0.1 mi | <1m |
| Concord Exchange North | <0.1 mi | <1m |
Longest stretch:
I 94
— 8.4 mi, about 11m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between South Saint Paul, MN and Minneapolis, MN.
1
Start on Concord Exchange North
29 ft
·
2 sec
·
Concord Exchange North
2
Turn right onto CH 14
188 ft
·
7 sec
·
John E Carroll Avenue
3
Turn left onto Concord Street North
2.9 mi
·
6 min
·
Concord Street North
Use the left lane.
4
Take the ramp
0.3 mi
·
35 sec
Toward US 52 North
5
Merge onto US 52
1.5 mi
·
2 min
·
Lafayette Freeway
6
Keep slight right at fork onto US 52
0.5 mi
·
1 min
·
US 52
7
Merge onto I 94; US 10
8.4 mi
·
11 min
·
I 94; US 10
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
8
Take the exit
0.2 mi
·
25 sec
Exit 234C
Toward Cedar Avenue
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
9
Turn right onto CR 152
0.5 mi
·
1 min
·
Cedar Avenue South
Use the straight / right lanes.
10
Continue on CR 152
0.9 mi
·
2 min
·
Washington Avenue South
11
Arrive at destination
CR 152
Trip Plan
Given the short 26-minute duration and minimal 15.3-mile distance, this route offers great flexibility. There are no recommended stops, so you can head straight to your destination. Leaving during off-peak hours can help you avoid any potential traffic congestion, especially on the I-94 segment. With a fuel cost estimate of only $2, you don't need to worry much about refueling stops. Keep an eye out for the transition onto Concord Street North as it marks a shift in the immediate urban landscape before reaching Minneapolis.
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 7.6 miles from South Saint Paul, MN, or about 13m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 8.4 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 15 miles or 25m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 7.6 miles or 13m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 20m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Minneapolis, MN than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Have your navigation ready before leaving South Saint Paul, MN.
Day 1
Settle into the route from South Saint Paul, MN
This is one driving day of about 15.3 miles and 26m.
At 15.3 miles this is a quick drive — no planned stops needed.
The longest stretch is on I 94 for about 8.4 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 7.6 mi from South Saint Paul, MN · 13m into the drive
Pacing Suggestions
Fuel and coffee
A short stop after about 15 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 7.6 miles from South Saint Paul, MN, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Arriving in Minneapolis, MN
Allow a few extra minutes for the final approach into Minneapolis, MN if you are unfamiliar with the area.
These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$2.28 one way
$4.55 round trip
$3.78/gal
25.4 MPG avg
5 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.07 | $2.45 | $4.91 |
| premium | $4.53 | $2.73 | $5.46 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $3.38 | $6.76 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$2
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$27–$52
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 5.4 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $2 in charging · 0 stops · 60% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 4.6 | 0 | $1.61 | $0.73 |
| Efficient EV | 3.8 | 0 | $1.34 | $0.61 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 6.1 | 0 | $2.14 | $0.98 |
Gas CO2
5 kg
EV CO2
2 kg (60% 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
Afternoon in Minneapolis on Wednesday
Local time
4:36 PM
CDT
Current temp
67°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
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
2 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
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 South Saint Paul, MN to Minneapolis, MN covers 15.3 miles and takes about 26m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are I 94, Concord Street North, Lafayette Freeway. Most of the drive stays on highways, so watch for ramps and exits.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 7.6 miles from South 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 $2.28 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 is a short but busy drive. With 8 decision points packed into just 15.3 miles, you will need to pay attention to lane changes and exits — but the whole thing is over in 26m.
The main spots that need attention: near the start (CH 14 / John E Carroll Avenue): Navigation decision point; near the start (Concord Street North): Lane positioning matters here; at 5.3 miles (I 94; US 10): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here.
The route from South 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 from South Saint Paul, MN
More trips to Minneapolis, MN
Explore more options from South Saint Paul, MN or browse trips ending in Minneapolis, MN.
Looking for more statewide routes? Browse MN road trips.
Explore maps for South Saint Paul, MN or Minneapolis, MN on MapSof.net.