Spanning 234.6 miles, this journey from Cottonwood to Woodbury is a straightforward trek across Minnesota. You can expect to spend about 4 hours and 54 minutes behind the wheel, making this a manageable day trip for most drivers. With a fuel budget of approximately $34, it is an affordable way to cross the state. Because the route is highly focused on highway travel, you will spend the vast majority of your time cruising at consistent speeds. Whether you are heading to the Twin Cities area for business or a change of scenery, this one-day itinerary offers a practical connection between these two Midwest locations.
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
117.3 miles from Cottonwood, MN
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 2h 31m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
MN 23
146.2 mi
2h 58m
MN 27
33.6 mi
42m
State Highway 210
15.4 mi
18m
State Highway 23
14.9 mi
18m
3rd Street Southeast
14.6 mi
18m
US 212
3.2 mi
4m
Division Street
2.4 mi
5m
Tamarack Boulevard West
1.5 mi
1m
Longest stretch:
MN 23
— 146.2 mi, about 2h 58m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Cottonwood, MN and Woodbury, MN.
1
Start on CR 10
455 ft·13 sec·Main Street
2
Turn left onto CR 32
0.6 mi·1 min·Barstad Road
3
Turn right onto CR 10
0.1 mi·22 sec·390th Street
4
Turn left onto MN 23
15 mi·18 min·State Highway 23
5
Turn right onto US 212; MN 23
3.2 mi·4 min·US 212; MN 23
6
Turn left onto MN 23
94 mi·1 hr 56 min·MN 23
Use the straight lane.
7
Turn left onto 10th Avenue South
0.3 mi·34 sec·10th Avenue South
8
Turn right onto CR 75
2.3 mi·4 min·Division Street
Use the straight lane.
9
Continue on MN 23
0.9 mi·2 min·1st Street
10
Continue on MN 23
0.2 mi·23 sec·Division Street
11
Continue on MN 23
0.5 mi·1 min·2nd Street South
12
Continue on MN 23
0.2 mi·21 sec·Granite City Crossing
13
Continue on MN 23
15 mi·18 min·3rd Street Southeast
14
Enter roundabout onto MN 23
114 ft·1 sec·MN 23
15
Continue on MN 23
33 mi·37 min·MN 23
16
Turn left onto MN 23; MN 65
20 mi·24 min·MN 23; MN 65
17
Continue on MN 27; MN 65
34 mi·42 min·MN 27; MN 65
18
Turn right onto MN 210
7.8 mi·9 min·State Highway 210
19
Continue on MN 210
1.5 mi·1 min·Tamarack Boulevard West
20
Continue on MN 210
7.6 mi·8 min·State Highway 210
21
Turn left onto CR 127
0.2 mi·27 sec·Gisler Road
22
Arrive at destination
CR 127
Trip Plan
To keep your drive comfortable, plan for at least one dedicated stop to break up the nearly five-hour duration. Since the route relies heavily on MN 23, keep an eye on your fuel gauge before starting that long 146.2-mile stretch to ensure you don't run low in a rural segment. Departing early in the morning is your best strategy to navigate the highway portions with less traffic congestion. Flexibility is an advantage here; because the trip fits into a single day, you have the freedom to adjust your departure time based on your personal preference. Keep your navigation tools handy for the transitions between MN 27 and State Highway 210 to ensure a smooth arrival in Woodbury.
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 117.3 miles from Cottonwood, MN, or about 2h 31m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 146.2 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 52 miles or 1h 6m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 117.3 miles or 2h 31m 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 2m
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 Cottonwood, 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 Cottonwood, MN
This is one driving day of about 234.6 miles and 4h 54m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 52 miles from Cottonwood, 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 MN 23 for about 146.2 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 10
5 decision points cluster between mile 0.8 and 131.5 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
4
0.8 mi into trip|~2m in|MN 23 / State Highway 23
Turn left onto MN 23 / State Highway 23
Navigation decision point
5
18.9 mi into trip|~25m in|MN 23
Turn left onto MN 23
Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight lane.
4
112.6 mi into trip|~2h 21m in|10th Avenue South
Turn left onto 10th Avenue South
Navigation decision point
5
112.9 mi into trip|~2h 22m in|CR 75 / Division Street
Turn right onto CR 75 / Division Street
Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight lane.
4
131.5 mi into trip|~2h 49m in|MN 23
Enter roundabout onto MN 23
Roundabout - know your exit number before entering
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$35.24 one way
$70.47 round trip
$3.82/gal25.4 MPG avg82 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.12
$38.04
$76.09
premium
$4.60
$42.50
$84.99
diesel
$4.80
$44.30
$88.59
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$35
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$60–$85
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 82.1 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-07-13.
Driving Electric?
About $25 in charging
· 0 stops
· 67% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
70.4
0
$24.63
$11.26
Efficient EV
58.7
0
$20.53
$9.38
EV Truck/SUV
93.8
1
$32.84
$15.01
Gas CO2
82 kg
EV CO2
27 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
Cottonwood, MN
Evening
in Cottonwood on Saturday
Local time
8:34 PM
CDT
Current temp
87°F
Mostly Sunny
NNE 5 to 10 mph0% chanceLive forecast
Special Weather Statement
Special Weather Statement issued July 18 at 6:35AM CDT by NWS Duluth MN
Special Weather Statement
Special Weather Statement issued July 18 at 4:03AM CDT by NWS Grand Forks ND
Destination
Woodbury, MN
Evening
in Woodbury on Saturday
Local time
8:34 PM
CDT
Current temp
84°F
Sunny
N 5 to 10 mph0% chanceLive forecast
Special Weather Statement
Special Weather Statement issued July 18 at 6:35AM 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
3 degrees cooler at arrival
A meaningful temperature swing is a good cue to rethink layers, water, and how soon you want to arrive.
Road read
4h 54m 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 experience, as 91% of your travel occurs on major thoroughfares. You will navigate a primary route utilizing MN 23, MN 27, and State Highway 210 to reach your destination. The most significant portion of your time will be spent on a 146.2-mile stretch along MN 23, which serves as the backbone of this drive. While the path remains efficient, the transition between these state highways keeps the driving experience varied. You will find that the road maintains a steady pace, allowing you to cover the distance without the frequent stops often associated with smaller local roads.
91% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
22 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 146.2 mi on MN 23.
How Hard Is This Drive?
3/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on MN 23 and MN 27. There are only a few real navigation decisions along the way. The trickiest moment comes around 0.8 miles in near MN 23 / State Highway 23.
Driving Effort3/10
Easy - simple navigation with a manageable amount of wheel time
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This is a straightforward 4h 54m drive. You will face about 10 decision points, but nothing that requires special attention if you follow navigation.
Where does it get tricky?
The main spots that need attention: at 0.8 miles (MN 23 / State Highway 23): Navigation decision point; at 18.9 miles (MN 23): Lane positioning matters here; at 112.6 miles (10th Avenue South): Navigation decision point.
Elevation Profile
Mostly flat terrain
1,317 ft925 ft
Total Climb
641 ft
Total Descent
404 ft
Highest Point
1,317 ft
~234.6 mi in
Elevation Range
393 ft
Detours Along the Way
Tagged by where each one fits in your drive — first break, midpoint, final stretch.
The longest stretch is about 146.2 miles on MN 23. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Yes — we found about 5 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.
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 0.8 miles (MN 23 / State Highway 23): Navigation decision point; at 18.9 miles (MN 23): Lane positioning matters here; at 112.6 miles (10th Avenue South): Navigation decision point.
Possible but tiring. At 4.9 hours each way, an in-and-out day trip would put you behind the wheel for 9.8 hours — manageable with a long break at Woodbury, MN, but most travelers stay overnight.
