The drive from Woodbury, MN to Lewiston, MN covers 251.7 miles and takes about 5h 11m 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 52, State Highway 73 for much of the mileage,
and the overall profile is highway-focused drive.
The longest uninterrupted segment is about 86.9 miles on I 35.
At current regular gas prices, budget about $37.46 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
125.8 miles from Woodbury, MN
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 2h 32m into the drive
.
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 5h 11m. Total distance: 251.7 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
5h 11m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (89%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Drive Character
This is a 5h 11m highway drive covering 251.7 miles, with most of the trip on I 35 and US 52. The longest continuous stretch is about 86.9 miles on I 35.
Most of the miles stay on highways, which makes pacing and fuel planning easier than turn-by-turn city driving.
There are about 41 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.
I 35 is the longest continuous segment at about 86.9 miles.
How Hard Is This Drive?
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 35 and US 52. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 115.8 miles in near I 35E.
Driving Effort10/10
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 32 significant decision points across 251.7 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 115.8 miles (I 35E): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 125.7 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here; at 128.8 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
Critical Maneuvers
5 of 32 key points
These are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
7
115.8 mi into trip|~2h 21m in|I 35E
Keep slight left at fork onto I 35E toward Saint Paul
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / right lanes.
Toward Saint Paul
7
125.7 mi into trip|~2h 31m in
Take the exit toward CR 96
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Exit 117
Toward CR 96
8
128.8 mi into trip|~2h 38m in
Keep slight left at fork toward I 35E South
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Toward I 35E South
8
130.7 mi into trip|~2h 41m in|I 35E
Keep slight left at fork onto I 35E toward I 35E South, US 10 East: St Paul
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Toward I 35E South, US 10 East: St Paul
9
136.2 mi into trip|~2h 48m in|US 10
Keep slight left at fork onto US 10 toward US 10 East, I 94 East, US 52 South: 10th Street, Wacouta Street
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the slight left / straight lanes.
Exit 107A
Toward US 10 East, I 94 East, US 52 South: 10th...
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
Between Woodbury, MN and Lewiston, MN, road signs point toward Minneapolis, Saint Paul, Cr 96, Rochester and Cr 24: Cannon Falls.
Minneapolis
28.7 mi in|~47m
Saint Paul
115.8 mi in|~2h 21m|via I 35E
Cr 96
125.7 mi in|~2h 31m
Rochester
150.4 mi in|~3h 6m|via US 52
Cr 24: Cannon Falls
171.3 mi in|~3h 30m
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
I 35
86.9 mi
1h 33m
US 52
64.7 mi
1h 15m
State Highway 73
23.7 mi
40m
I 35E
17 mi
19m
I 90
14.1 mi
15m
Lafayette Freeway
13.3 mi
16m
East 6th Street
10 mi
13m
County 14 Boulevard
5.8 mi
9m
Longest stretch:
I 35
— 86.9 mi, about 1h 33m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Woodbury, MN and Lewiston, MN.
1
Start on CR 127
0.2 mi·33 sec·Gisler Road
2
Turn left onto MN 210
3.6 mi·4 min·MN 210
3
Turn right onto MN 73
6.2 mi·10 min·State Highway 73
4
Continue on MN 73
16 mi·26 min·State Highway 73
5
Continue on MN 27; MN 73
0.5 mi·1 min·Folz Boulevard
6
Turn right onto MN 73; CR 61
0.7 mi·1 min·Arrowhead Lane
7
Continue on MN 73; CR 61
0.8 mi·1 min·State Highway 73
8
Enter roundabout onto State Highway 73
136 ft·8 sec·State Highway 73
9
Continue on State Highway 73
0.7 mi·1 min·State Highway 73
10
Take the ramp
0.2 mi·26 sec
Toward I 35 South: Saint Paul, Minneapolis
11
Merge onto I 35
87 mi·1 hr 33 min·I 35
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
12
Keep slight left at fork onto I 35E
9.9 mi·10 min·I 35E
Toward Saint PaulUse the straight / right lanes.
13
Take the exit
0.3 mi·38 sec
Exit 117Toward CR 96Use the straight / slight right lanes.
14
Turn right onto CH 96
492 ft·12 sec·CH 96
Use the right lane.
15
Turn left onto CH 59
2.3 mi·4 min·Centerville Road
Use the left lane.
16
Turn left onto CH 15
0.4 mi·1 min·County Road E
Use the straight lane.
17
Take the ramp
226 ft·5 sec
Toward I 35E South: Saint PaulUse the right lane.
18
Keep slight left at fork
0.3 mi·37 sec
Toward I 35E SouthUse the straight / slight right lanes.
19
Merge onto I 35E
1.6 mi·2 min·I 35E
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
20
Keep slight left at fork onto I 35E
5.5 mi·6 min·I 35E
Toward I 35E South, US 10 East: St PaulUse the straight / slight right lanes.
21
Keep slight left at fork onto US 10
0.6 mi·36 sec·US 10
Exit 107AToward US 10 East, I 94 East, US 52 South: 10th Street, Wacouta StreetUse the slight left / straight lanes.
22
Take the exit onto US 52
0.3 mi·38 sec·US 52
Exit 242DToward US 52Use the slight right lane.
23
Merge onto US 52
13 mi·16 min·Lafayette Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
24
Keep slight right at fork onto US 52
21 mi·24 min·US 52
Toward RochesterUse the straight lane.
25
Take the exit
0.3 mi·40 sec
Exit 96Toward CR 24: Cannon Falls
26
Enter roundabout onto CR 24
26 ft·0 sec·County 24 Boulevard
27
Continue on CR 24
0.1 mi·19 sec·County 24 Boulevard
28
Enter roundabout onto CR 14
221 ft·6 sec·County 14 Boulevard
29
Continue on CR 14
5.8 mi·9 min·County 14 Boulevard
30
Turn left onto CR 9
4.1 mi·5 min·County 9 Boulevard
31
Take the ramp
0.2 mi·42 sec
Toward US 52 South
32
Merge onto US 52
17 mi·19 min·US 52
Use the straight lane.
33
Continue on US 52
27 mi·31 min·US 52
Use the straight lane.
34
Turn left
0.3 mi·40 sec
Toward I 90 East: La CrosseUse the left lane.
35
Merge onto I 90
14 mi·15 min·I 90
36
Take the exit
0.3 mi·32 sec
Toward MN 74
37
Turn left onto MN 74
1.4 mi·3 min·Whitewater Avenue
38
Turn right onto US 14
10 mi·13 min·East 6th Street
39
Turn right onto North Fremont Street
0.3 mi·31 sec·North Fremont Street
40
Turn right onto West Main Street
61 ft·1 sec·West Main Street
41
Arrive at destination
West Main Street
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 125.8 miles from Woodbury, MN, or about 2h 32m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 86.9 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 55 miles or 1h 16m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 125.8 miles or 2h 32m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 4h 15m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Lewiston, MN than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving Woodbury, 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 Woodbury, MN
This is one driving day of about 251.7 miles and 5h 11m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 55 miles from Woodbury, 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 86.9 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 125.8 mi from Woodbury, MN
· 2h 32m into the drive
Station data from NREL Alternative Fuel Stations database.
Driving Electric?
About $26 in charging
· 0 stops
· 67% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
75.5
0
$26.43
$12.08
Efficient EV
62.9
0
$22.02
$10.07
EV Truck/SUV
100.7
1
$35.24
$16.11
Gas CO2
88 kg
EV CO2
29 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
Woodbury, MN
Late night
in Woodbury on Saturday
Local time
12:31 AM
CDT
Current temp
63°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
Lewiston, MN
Late night
in Lewiston on Saturday
Local time
12:31 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
4 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
5h 11m 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 Woodbury, MN to Lewiston, MN covers 251.7 miles and takes about 5h 11m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are I 35, US 52, State Highway 73. Most of the drive stays on highways, so watch for ramps and exits.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 125.8 miles from Woodbury, MN. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $37.46 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 is a demanding drive. With 32 significant decision points across 251.7 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.
The main spots that need attention: at 115.8 miles (I 35E): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 125.7 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here; at 128.8 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
Between Woodbury, MN and Lewiston, MN, road signs point toward Minneapolis, Saint Paul, Cr 96, Rochester and Cr 24: Cannon Falls.
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, EIA for fuel prices, NREL for EV charging, and NPS for national parks. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.
