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Trip from Babbitt, MN to Woodbury, MN

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

Best Time to Leave

Save up to 32 min
4 AM
2h 32m ★
6 AM
2h 43m
8 AM
3h 4m
10 AM
2h 50m
12 PM
2h 48m
3 PM
2h 52m
5 PM
3h 3m
8 PM
2h 37m

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

city in St. Louis County, Minnesota, United States

Babbitt, MN

Wikimedia Commons

city in Washington County, Minnesota, United States

Woodbury, MN

Wikimedia Commons

Trip Overview

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 .

Main Roads

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
Longest stretch: US 53 — 42 mi, about 50m

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between Babbitt, MN and Woodbury, MN.

1

Start on South Drive

0.3 mi · 47 sec · South Drive
2

Turn right onto Babbitt Road

0.4 mi · 1 min · Babbitt Road
3

At end of road, turn left onto CH 70

0.2 mi · 16 sec · County Highway 70
4

Continue on CH 70

0.7 mi · 1 min · Ely-Babbitt Road
5

Continue on CH 21

13 mi · 18 min · Highway 21
6

Continue on CH 21

0.4 mi · 54 sec · County Highway 21
7

Continue on CH 21

11 mi · 15 min · Highway 21
8

At end of road, turn left onto MN 169

6.1 mi · 8 min · State Highway 169
9

Keep slight left at fork

0.6 mi · 1 min
Toward US 53 South: Virginia
10

Continue on MN 169

0.3 mi · 21 sec · MN 169
Toward US 53 South: Virginia
11

Merge onto US 53

5.5 mi · 7 min · Speaker Irvin N. Anderson Memorial Highway
Use the straight lane.
12

Continue on US 53

4.6 mi · 6 min · US 53
Use the straight lane.
13

Enter roundabout onto US 53

114 ft · 1 sec · US 53
14

Continue on US 53

37 mi · 43 min · US 53
Use the straight lane.
15

Take the exit onto MN 33

15 mi · 18 min · MN 33
Use the straight lane.
16

Continue on MN 33

3.9 mi · 7 min · MN 33
Use the straight lane.
17

Enter roundabout onto MN 33

77 ft · 1 sec · MN 33
Toward I 35 South
18

Continue on MN 33

0.5 mi · 40 sec · MN 33
Toward I 35 South
19

Merge onto I 35

1.5 mi · 1 min · I 35
20

Take the exit

0.3 mi · 38 sec
Exit 235 Toward MN 210: Carlton, Cromwell
21

Turn right onto MN 210

23 mi · 28 min · MN 210
22

Turn right onto CR 127

0.2 mi · 27 sec · Gisler Road
23

Arrive at destination

CR 127

Trip Plan

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.

You can normally do this drive in one day.
Plan roughly 1 meaningful break for fuel, food, and rest.
The halfway point lands around 62.9 miles from Babbitt, MN, or about 1h 23m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 42 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 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.

Before You Leave

+

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.

Your first comfortable stop window is around 28 miles from Babbitt, 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 US 53 for about 42 miles.

Where to Stop

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

Downtown Eveleth, MN, MN

Mid-route town

Meal stop

Eveleth, MN

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.

Pacing Suggestions

Virginia, MN

Fuel and coffee

A short stop after about 28 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.

Eveleth, MN

Meal break

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.

Heads-up: tricky spots

5 of 13

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.

5
32.5 mi into trip | ~46m in

Keep slight left at fork toward US 53 South: Virginia

Highway fork - watch signs carefully

Toward US 53 South: Virginia
5
33.4 mi into trip | ~47m in | US 53 / Speaker Irvin N. Anderson Memorial Highway

Merge onto US 53 / Speaker Irvin N. Anderson Memorial Highway

Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here

Use the straight lane.
5
80.9 mi into trip | ~1h 44m in | MN 33

Take the exit onto MN 33

Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here

Use the straight lane.
5
100.1 mi into trip | ~2h 10m in | MN 33

Enter roundabout onto MN 33 toward I 35 South

Roundabout - know your exit number before entering

Toward I 35 South
6
102.1 mi into trip | ~2h 13m in

Take the exit toward MN 210: Carlton, Cromwell

Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one

Exit 235 Toward MN 210: Carlton, Cromwell

Fuel & Cost

Regular Gas

$18.74 one way

$37.47 round trip

$3.78/gal 25.4 MPG avg 44 kg CO2
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.

Travel Intel

Current conditions at both ends of the drive.

Forecast as of Apr 15, 2026

Origin

Babbitt, MN

Night in Babbitt on Saturday

Local time

11:37 PM

CDT

Current temp

61°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

Destination

Woodbury, MN

Night in Woodbury on Saturday

Local time

11:37 PM

CDT

Current temp

63°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

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

2h 43m 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.

What kind of drive is this?

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.

94% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
23 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 42 mi on US 53.

How Hard Is This Drive?

5/10

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.

Driving Effort 5/10

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 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.

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 Babbitt, MN to Woodbury, MN, road signs begin pointing toward Cromwell along the way.

Cromwell

102.1 mi in | ~2h 13m

Who Is This Route For?

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.

Frequently Asked Questions

The longest stretch is about 42 miles on US 53. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.

Yes, with realistic expectations. Build in a stop roughly every 2 hours, have snacks and activities ready, and check the Nearby Places tabs for kid-friendly stops along the way.

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.

Yes. A round trip is manageable in a single day if you plan a break at Woodbury, MN before heading back.

How this page is built

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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