Driving from Brainerd to Saint Paul covers 136.9 miles and typically takes about 2 hours and 45 minutes of travel time. This journey is perfectly suited for a single-day trip, as it connects the heart of Minnesota's lake country to the state capital. You will primarily navigate via US 10, the C. Elmer Anderson Memorial Highway, and I-94 to complete the trek. Expect to spend approximately $20 on fuel for the one-way trip. Since the entire drive stays within the Midwest, you can anticipate a consistent regional feel throughout the transition from Brainerd to Saint Paul. It is a straightforward, manageable route that requires no overnight stops.
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
68.5 miles from Brainerd, MN
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 1h 22m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
US 10
54.6 mi
1h 3m
I 94
28 mi
31m
C. Elmer Anderson Memorial Highway
25.8 mi
29m
I 694
11.7 mi
12m
Voyageur Highway
5.5 mi
6m
Highland Scenic Drive South
2.5 mi
3m
165th Avenue Southeast
1.8 mi
2m
Broadway Street East
1.5 mi
2m
Longest stretch:
US 10
— 54.6 mi, about 1h 3m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Brainerd, MN and Saint Paul, MN.
1
Start on MN 371 Business
0.2 mi·25 sec·South 6th Street
2
Turn right onto Laurel Street
0.5 mi·1 min·Laurel Street
3
Continue on West Laurel Street
0.6 mi·1 min·West Laurel Street
4
Continue on CR 48
1.2 mi·1 min·Highland Scenic Drive South
5
Enter roundabout onto CR 48
108 ft·3 sec·Highland Scenic Drive South
6
Continue on CR 48
1.3 mi·1 min·Highland Scenic Drive South
7
Turn left onto MN 371
26 mi·29 min·C. Elmer Anderson Memorial Highway
8
Merge onto US 10
28 mi·32 min·US 10
Use the right lane.
9
Keep slight left at fork onto US 10
26 mi·30 min·US 10
10
Turn right onto 165th Avenue Southeast
1.8 mi·2 min·165th Avenue Southeast
11
Continue on Park Boulevard Southeast
1.4 mi·1 min·Park Boulevard Southeast
12
Continue on County Road 11
0.7 mi·57 sec·County Road 11
13
Turn right onto MN 25
0.1 mi·11 sec·State Highway 25
14
Continue on MN 25
0.3 mi·42 sec·Pine Street
15
Turn left onto CR 75
1.5 mi·2 min·Broadway Street East
16
Turn right onto CR 18
0.3 mi·40 sec·Fenning Avenue
17
Take the ramp
0.4 mi·54 sec
18
Merge onto I 94
28 mi·31 min·I 94
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
19
Keep slight left at fork onto I 694
12 mi·12 min·I 694
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
20
Keep slight right at fork onto US 10
5.5 mi·6 min·Voyageur Highway
Exit 46Toward US 10 East, I 35 South: St PaulUse the slight right lane.
21
Keep slight left at fork onto US 10
0.1 mi·7 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
0.2 mi·27 sec
Toward 10th Street, Wacouta Street
23
Keep slight right at fork
409 ft·10 sec
Toward 10th StreetUse the slight right lane.
24
Continue on 10th Street East
0.2 mi·43 sec·10th Street East
25
Turn left onto Robert Street North
0.5 mi·1 min·Robert Street North
26
Turn right onto Kellogg Boulevard East
0.2 mi·44 sec·Kellogg Boulevard East
27
Turn right onto Wabasha Street North
162 ft·5 sec·Wabasha Street North
28
Arrive at destination
Wabasha Street North
Trip Plan
To make the most of this 136.9-mile transit, consider planning for at least one dedicated stop to break up the 2-hour and 45-minute drive. Because the route is relatively short, you have the flexibility to depart whenever suits your schedule, though monitoring traffic patterns as you approach Saint Paul is always a smart move. Keep your $20 fuel budget in mind when planning your refueling intervals, especially since the longest stretch on US 10 covers nearly 55 miles. Given the high percentage of highway travel, ensure your vehicle is ready for sustained speeds. Use the transition from the C. Elmer Anderson Memorial Highway to I-94 as a natural milestone to check your travel progress.
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 68.5 miles from Brainerd, MN, or about 1h 22m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 54.6 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 30 miles or 37m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 68.5 miles or 1h 22m 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 15m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Saint Paul, MN than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving Brainerd, 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 Brainerd, MN
This is one driving day of about 136.9 miles and 2h 45m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 30 miles from Brainerd, 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 10 for about 54.6 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Place data sourced from public business listings. Hours and availability may vary.
Heads-up: tricky spots
5 of 16
5 decision points cluster between mile 118.5 and 135.9 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
6
118.5 mi into trip|~2h 22m in|I 694
Keep slight left at fork onto I 694
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
9
130.1 mi into trip|~2h 35m in|US 10 / Voyageur Highway
Keep slight right at fork onto US 10 / Voyageur Highway toward US 10 East, I 35 South: St Paul
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the slight right lane.
Exit 46
Toward US 10 East, I 35 South: St Paul
9
135.6 mi into trip|~2h 42m 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...
6
135.7 mi into trip|~2h 42m in
Take the exit toward 10th Street, Wacouta Street
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Toward 10th Street, Wacouta Street
8
135.9 mi into trip|~2h 42m in
Keep slight right at fork toward 10th Street
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight right lane.
Toward 10th Street
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$20.37 one way
$40.75 round trip
$3.78/gal25.4 MPG avg48 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.07
$21.95
$43.91
premium
$4.53
$24.43
$48.85
diesel
$5.61
$30.23
$60.45
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$20
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$45–$70
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 47.9 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $14 in charging
· 0 stops
· 67% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
41.1
0
$14.37
$6.57
Efficient EV
34.2
0
$11.98
$5.48
EV Truck/SUV
54.8
0
$19.17
$8.76
Gas CO2
48 kg
EV CO2
16 kg (67% 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 20, 2026
Origin
Brainerd, MN
Late night
in Brainerd on Tuesday
Local time
3:08 AM
CDT
Current temp
35°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
Saint Paul, MN
Late night
in Saint Paul on Tuesday
Local time
3:08 AM
CDT
Current temp
59°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
24 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 45m 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.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
This trip is a highway-focused drive, with 69% of your time spent on major thoroughfares. You will experience a mix of conditions, including a significant 54.6-mile stretch on US 10 that provides the longest uninterrupted segment of the journey. The transition from the more rural landscape near Brainerd toward the urban density of Saint Paul is reflected in the shift from regional highways to the interstate system. While the drive is efficient, the road personality remains functional and steady rather than technical. You should feel comfortable behind the wheel as the route moves steadily toward the Twin Cities metropolitan area.
69% 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: 54.6 mi on US 10.
How Hard Is This Drive?
9/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on US 10 and I 94. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 118.5 miles in near I 694.
Driving Effort9/10
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 16 significant decision points across 136.9 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 118.5 miles (I 694): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 130.1 miles (US 10 / Voyageur Highway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 135.6 miles (US 10): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Doable as a same-day drive at 2h 45m. Total distance: 136.9 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
2h 45m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (69%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 54.6 miles on US 10. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
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 Saint Paul, 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 118.5 miles (I 694): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 130.1 miles (US 10 / Voyageur Highway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 135.6 miles (US 10): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Yes. A round trip is manageable in a single day if you plan a break at Saint Paul, MN before heading back.
