Origin
Babbitt, MN
Night in Babbitt on Saturday
Local time
11:37 PM
CDT
Current temp
61°F
Unavailable
Compiled and reviewed by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Apr 19, 2026 · Editorial standards
Drive Time
2h 43m
Distance
125.9 mi
203 km
Drive Score
8/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$19
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Babbitt, MN
Wikimedia Commons
Woodbury, MN
Wikimedia Commons
Babbitt, MN to Woodbury, MN is 125.9 miles and takes about 2h 43m via US 53 and MN 210, with a fuel budget near $19 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This route stays entirely within Minnesota, making it a straightforward trip through the Midwest. With 94% of the drive on highways, expect a generally efficient travel experience. This is a solid option for a single-day excursion, offering minimal fuss and a clear path to your destination.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.
Break Rhythm
1 planned break
A short stop every 2 to 3 hours is enough for this drive.
Midpoint
62.9 miles from Babbitt, MN
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h 23m into the drive .
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| US 53 | 42 mi | 50m |
| Highway 21 | 24.5 mi | 33m |
| MN 210 | 23.3 mi | 28m |
| MN 33 | 19.7 mi | 26m |
| State Highway 169 | 6.1 mi | 8m |
| Speaker Irvin N. Anderson Memorial Highway | 5.5 mi | 7m |
| I 35 | 1.5 mi | 1m |
| Ely-Babbitt Road | 0.7 mi | 1m |
Step-by-step road directions between Babbitt, MN and Woodbury, MN.
Start on South Drive
Turn right onto Babbitt Road
At end of road, turn left onto CH 70
Continue on CH 70
Continue on CH 21
Continue on CH 21
Continue on CH 21
At end of road, turn left onto MN 169
Keep slight left at fork
Continue on MN 169
Merge onto US 53
Continue on US 53
Enter roundabout onto US 53
Continue on US 53
Take the exit onto MN 33
Continue on MN 33
Enter roundabout onto MN 33
Continue on MN 33
Merge onto I 35
Take the exit
Turn right onto MN 210
Turn right onto CR 127
Arrive at destination
Given the 2h 43m duration, this trip is easily manageable in a single day. Aim to depart mid-morning to avoid rush hour and allow for a relaxed pace. You'll only need one stop, so plan it strategically along US 53, which has your longest stretch at 42 miles. Keep an eye on your fuel gauge, as the estimated cost is around $19, and it's always wise to top off before heading out. The relatively short distance means you have flexibility if you decide to linger longer at your starting point or make an unplanned brief stop.
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.
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 28 miles or 39m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 62.9 miles or 1h 23m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 2h 14m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Woodbury, MN than in the middle of the route.
Open the route before leaving Babbitt, 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 Babbitt, MN
This is one driving day of about 125.9 miles and 2h 43m.
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Mid-route town
Meal stop
63 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.
A short stop after about 28 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
The midpoint is around 62.9 miles from Babbitt, MN, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.
5 decision points cluster between mile 32.5 and 102.1 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
Keep slight left at fork toward US 53 South: Virginia
Highway fork - watch signs carefully
Merge onto US 53 / Speaker Irvin N. Anderson Memorial Highway
Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here
Take the exit onto MN 33
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Enter roundabout onto MN 33 toward I 35 South
Roundabout - know your exit number before entering
Take the exit toward MN 210: Carlton, Cromwell
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Regular Gas
$18.74 one way
$37.47 round trip
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.07 | $20.19 | $40.38 |
| premium | $4.53 | $22.46 | $44.93 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $27.80 | $55.59 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$19
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$44–$69
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 44.1 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $13 in charging · 0 stops · 66% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 37.8 | 0 | $13.22 | $6.04 |
| Efficient EV | 31.5 | 0 | $11.02 | $5.04 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 50.4 | 0 | $17.63 | $8.06 |
Gas CO2
44 kg
EV CO2
15 kg (66% 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.
Current conditions at both ends of the drive.
Origin
Night in Babbitt on Saturday
Local time
11:37 PM
CDT
Current temp
61°F
Unavailable
Destination
Night in Woodbury on Saturday
Local time
11:37 PM
CDT
Current temp
63°F
Unavailable
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
Origin and destination are on the same clock, so arrival timing is easier to judge at a glance.
Temperature spread
A meaningful temperature swing is a good cue to rethink layers, water, and how soon you want to arrive.
Road read
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.
This route is heavily highway-focused, with 94% of the 125.9 miles on major roads. You'll experience a long stretch of 42 miles on US 53 before transitioning. The majority of your travel will be on high-speed roads, with only a small portion on surface streets as you approach your destination. Expect a steady flow of traffic and frequent exits on the highway segments.
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on US 53 and Highway 21. You will hit about 13 points where you need to pay attention to lane position or signs. The trickiest moment comes around 32.5 miles in.
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 125.9 miles you will encounter 13 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 32.5 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully; at 33.4 miles (US 53 / Speaker Irvin N. Anderson Memorial Highway): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here; at 80.9 miles (MN 33): Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here.
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
On the drive from Babbitt, MN to Woodbury, MN, road signs begin pointing toward Cromwell along the way.
Cromwell
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 2h 43m. Total distance: 125.9 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
2h 43m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (94%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Compiled by the US Trip Planner 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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