This 221.8-mile drive from Cormorant, MN to Saint Paul, MN will take approximately 4 hours and 15 minutes, making it a feasible day trip. The majority of your journey, 84%, will be on major highways, primarily I-94 and US 59. With an estimated fuel cost of $33, this is an economical way to travel between these two points within the Midwest. The route is fairly straightforward, allowing for a relaxed pace and flexibility in your schedule. You'll find it easy to complete in a single day without needing an overnight stop.
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
110.9 miles from Cormorant, MN
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 2h 11m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
I 94
121.7 mi
2h 11m
US 59
51.6 mi
55m
South Broadway
13.7 mi
15m
I 694
11.7 mi
12m
Voyageur Highway
5.5 mi
6m
East Lake Lizzie Road
4.7 mi
5m
West Prairie Avenue
2.7 mi
3m
South Shore Drive
2.5 mi
6m
Longest stretch:
I 94
— 121.7 mi, about 2h 11m
Traffic on I-94
Hour-of-day weekday pattern from 26 FHWA count stations on your route.
Peak
4 PM
~3,434 veh/hr typical
· worst 3,965
Quietest
2 AM
~208 veh/hr
Peak-to-quiet ratio
16.5×
busier at peak than in the quiet hours
12a6anoon6p11p
Averaged across 47 weeks of 2023 FHWA Travel Monitoring Analysis System data. Weekday hours only (Mon–Fri).
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Cormorant, MN and Saint Paul, MN.
1
Start on CR 5
0.9 mi·2 min·County Highway 5
2
Continue on CH 9
0.6 mi·1 min·County Highway 9
3
Turn right onto CH 9
1.7 mi·4 min·County Road 9
4
Turn left onto South Pelican Drive
0.6 mi·1 min·South Pelican Drive
5
Continue on South Pelican Drive
1.0 mi·2 min·South Pelican Drive
6
Turn right onto South Shore Drive
2.5 mi·6 min·South Shore Drive
7
Continue on 215th Avenue
0.4 mi·1 min·215th Avenue
8
Turn right onto US 59
4.7 mi·5 min·East Lake Lizzie Road
9
Continue on US 59
1.2 mi·1 min·North Broadway
10
Continue on US 59
14 mi·15 min·South Broadway
11
Continue on US 59
2.7 mi·3 min·West Prairie Avenue
12
Take the exit onto US 59
52 mi·55 min·US 59
13
Continue on I 94; MN 27
122 mi·2 hr 11 min·I 94; MN 27
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
14
Keep slight left at fork onto I 694
12 mi·12 min·I 694
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
15
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.
16
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.
17
Take the exit
0.2 mi·27 sec
Toward 10th Street, Wacouta Street
18
Keep slight right at fork
409 ft·10 sec
Toward 10th StreetUse the slight right lane.
19
Continue on 10th Street East
0.2 mi·43 sec·10th Street East
20
Turn left onto Robert Street North
0.5 mi·1 min·Robert Street North
21
Turn right onto Kellogg Boulevard East
0.2 mi·44 sec·Kellogg Boulevard East
22
Turn right onto Wabasha Street North
162 ft·5 sec·Wabasha Street North
23
Arrive at destination
Wabasha Street North
Trip Plan
Given the 4 hour and 15 minute duration, departing Cormorant in the morning will comfortably get you to Saint Paul by midday. With only one recommended stop, you have plenty of flexibility to decide when and where you'd like to take a break. The longest stretch on I-94 is over 120 miles, so plan your fuel and rest stops accordingly, perhaps around the halfway point. Keep an eye on your fuel gauge, as the estimated cost is $33, and it's always best to be prepared. This route is well-suited for a single-day adventure, so you can easily adjust your departure time based on your needs.
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 110.9 miles from Cormorant, MN, or about 2h 11m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 121.7 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 49 miles or 1h 4m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 110.9 miles or 2h 11m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 3h 28m
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 Cormorant, 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 Cormorant, MN
This is one driving day of about 221.8 miles and 4h 15m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 49 miles from Cormorant, 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 94 for about 121.7 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 14
5 decision points cluster between mile 203.4 and 220.8 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
6
203.4 mi into trip|~3h 51m 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
215 mi into trip|~4h 4m 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
220.5 mi into trip|~4h 11m 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
220.6 mi into trip|~4h 11m 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
220.8 mi into trip|~4h 11m 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
$33.31 one way
$66.63 round trip
$3.82/gal25.4 MPG avg78 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.12
$35.97
$71.94
premium
$4.60
$40.18
$80.35
diesel
$4.80
$41.88
$83.76
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$33
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$58–$83
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 77.6 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-07-13.
Driving Electric?
About $23 in charging
· 0 stops
· 67% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
66.5
0
$23.29
$10.65
Efficient EV
55.5
0
$19.41
$8.87
EV Truck/SUV
88.7
1
$31.05
$14.20
Gas CO2
78 kg
EV CO2
26 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 Jul 18, 2026
Origin
Cormorant, MN
Late night
in Cormorant on Sunday
Local time
2:04 AM
CDT
Current temp
86°F
Mostly Sunny
NW 7 mph0% chanceLive forecast
Special Weather Statement
Special Weather Statement issued July 18 at 11:59AM CDT by NWS Duluth MN
Special Weather Statement
Special Weather Statement issued July 18 at 4:03AM CDT by NWS Grand Forks ND
Destination
Saint Paul, MN
Late night
in Saint Paul on Sunday
Local time
2:04 AM
CDT
Current temp
90°F
Sunny
N 10 mph0% chanceLive forecast
Special Weather Statement
Special Weather Statement issued July 18 at 11:59AM CDT by NWS Duluth MN
Special Weather Statement
Special Weather Statement issued July 18 at 4:03AM CDT by NWS Grand Forks ND
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
4h 15m 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.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
Expect a highway-focused drive for most of this 221.8-mile journey. You'll spend 84% of your time on major roadways, including significant stretches on I-94. The longest uninterrupted segment you'll encounter is 121.7 miles on I-94, so be prepared for extended periods of consistent speed. While the primary roads are interstate and US highways, the overall feel is less of a monotonous grind and more of an efficient transit between destinations. The route offers a clear path with minimal complex turns.
84% 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: 121.7 mi on I 94.
How Hard Is This Drive?
6/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 94 and US 59. You will hit about 14 points where you need to pay attention to lane position or signs. The trickiest moment comes around 203.4 miles in near I 694.
Driving Effort6/10
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 221.8 miles you will encounter 14 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 203.4 miles (I 694): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 215 miles (US 10 / Voyageur Highway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 220.5 miles (US 10): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Saint Paul (or St. Paul) is the capital city and the second largest city of the US state of Minnesota. Along with the slightly larger Minneapolis it forms the urban core of the Twin Cities region, the third largest metropolis in the Midwest.
Top landmarks
•Minnesota State Capitol — state capitol building of the U.S. state of Minnesota
•Cathedral of Saint Paul, National Shrine of the Apostle Paul — cathedral in Saint Paul, Minnesota, USA
•Saint Paul Union Depot — train station in Saint Paul, Minnesota
Doable as a same-day drive at 4h 15m. Total distance: 221.8 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
4h 15m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (84%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 121.7 miles on I 94. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Yes — we found about 18 rest areas or service plazas within a short detour of the route (from OpenStreetMap). See the Rest Stops tab under Nearby Places for locations and mile markers. Plan to stretch, use the bathroom, and top off fluids every 2–3 hours on longer drives.
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. There are 18 rest areas along the route for bathroom stops.
The main spots that need attention: at 203.4 miles (I 694): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 215 miles (US 10 / Voyageur Highway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 220.5 miles (US 10): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Possible but tiring. At 4.3 hours each way, an in-and-out day trip would put you behind the wheel for 8.5 hours — manageable with a long break at Saint Paul, MN, but most travelers stay overnight.
