Hermantown to Saint Paul is 149.5 miles and takes about 2h 51m via I 35/I 35E, with a fuel budget near $22 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This trip stays within Minnesota, connecting two points in the Midwest region. Given its mostly highway profile and manageable distance, it's a straightforward drive. You'll spend most of your time on the interstate, making it a practical option for a quick trip or extending a visit to Duluth.
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
74.7 miles from Hermantown, MN
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 1h 24m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
I 35
118.6 mi
2h 7m
I 35E
17 mi
19m
Midway Road
6.9 mi
9m
Centerville Road
2.3 mi
4m
Maple Grove Road
2 mi
3m
Robert Street North
0.5 mi
1m
County Road E
0.4 mi
1m
246
0.3 mi
<1m
Longest stretch:
I 35
— 118.6 mi, about 2h 7m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Hermantown, MN and Saint Paul, MN.
1
Start on Ugstad Road
264 ft·12 sec·Ugstad Road
2
Turn left onto CH 6
2.0 mi·3 min·Maple Grove Road
3
Enter roundabout onto CR 13
232 ft·4 sec·Midway Road
4
Continue on CR 13
6.8 mi·9 min·Midway Road
5
Take the ramp onto 246
0.3 mi·39 sec·246
Toward I 35 South: Saint Paul, Minneapolis
6
Merge onto I 35
119 mi·2 hr 7 min·I 35
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
7
Keep slight left at fork onto I 35E
9.9 mi·10 min·I 35E
Toward Saint PaulUse the straight / right lanes.
8
Take the exit
0.3 mi·38 sec
Exit 117Toward CR 96Use the straight / slight right lanes.
9
Turn right onto CH 96
492 ft·12 sec·CH 96
Use the right lane.
10
Turn left onto CH 59
2.3 mi·4 min·Centerville Road
Use the left lane.
11
Turn left onto CH 15
0.4 mi·1 min·County Road E
Use the straight lane.
12
Take the ramp
226 ft·5 sec
Toward I 35E South: Saint PaulUse the right lane.
13
Keep slight left at fork
0.3 mi·37 sec
Toward I 35E SouthUse the straight / slight right lanes.
14
Merge onto I 35E
1.6 mi·2 min·I 35E
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
15
Keep slight left at fork onto I 35E
5.5 mi·6 min·I 35E
Toward I 35E South, US 10 East: St PaulUse the straight / slight right lanes.
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 2h 51m duration, leaving Hermantown in the morning or early afternoon allows ample time to reach Saint Paul before dark, even with a brief stop. The $22 fuel estimate suggests you won't need to worry too much about cost, but it's always wise to fill up before leaving Hermantown. Since the longest stretch is over 100 miles on I 35, plan for a quick break around the halfway point if needed. The final segment on Midway Road will require more attention due to increased local traffic and intersections.
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 74.7 miles from Hermantown, MN, or about 1h 24m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 118.6 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 33 miles or 39m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 74.7 miles or 1h 24m 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 Hermantown, 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 Hermantown, MN
This is one driving day of about 149.5 miles and 2h 51m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 33 miles from Hermantown, 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 35 for about 118.6 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 19
5 decision points cluster between mile 127.8 and 148.5 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
7
127.8 mi into trip|~2h 20m in|I 35E
Keep slight left at fork onto I 35E toward Saint Paul
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / right lanes.
Toward Saint Paul
8
140.8 mi into trip|~2h 38m in
Keep slight left at fork toward I 35E South
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Toward I 35E South
8
142.7 mi into trip|~2h 40m in|I 35E
Keep slight left at fork onto I 35E toward I 35E South, US 10 East: St Paul
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Toward I 35E South, US 10 East: St Paul
9
148.2 mi into trip|~2h 47m 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...
8
148.5 mi into trip|~2h 48m 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
$22.25 one way
$44.50 round trip
$3.78/gal25.4 MPG avg52 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.07
$23.97
$47.95
premium
$4.53
$26.67
$53.35
diesel
$5.61
$33.01
$66.02
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$22
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$47–$72
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 52.3 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $16 in charging
· 0 stops
· 67% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
44.9
0
$15.70
$7.18
Efficient EV
37.4
0
$13.08
$5.98
EV Truck/SUV
59.8
0
$20.93
$9.57
Gas CO2
52 kg
EV CO2
17 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
Hermantown, MN
Late night
in Hermantown on Tuesday
Local time
5:26 AM
CDT
Current temp
53°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
Saint Paul, MN
Late night
in Saint Paul on Tuesday
Local time
5:26 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
6 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 51m 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?
Expect to spend 91% of your drive on highways, with the longest stretch covering 118.6 miles on I 35. The interstate cruising will likely continue until you're closer to the Twin Cities, where Midway Road will mark the transition to more local travel. This means you'll experience extended periods of consistent speed before entering a more developed area with increased traffic and exits.
91% 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: 118.6 mi on I 35.
How Hard Is This Drive?
9/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 35 and I 35E. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 127.8 miles in near I 35E.
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 19 significant decision points across 149.5 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 127.8 miles (I 35E): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 140.8 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 142.7 miles (I 35E): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
Between Hermantown, MN and Saint Paul, MN, road signs point toward Minneapolis and Cr 96.
Minneapolis
8.9 mi in|~13m|via 246
Cr 96
137.7 mi in|~2h 31m
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 2h 51m. Total distance: 149.5 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
2h 51m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (91%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 118.6 miles on I 35. 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 127.8 miles (I 35E): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 140.8 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 142.7 miles (I 35E): 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.
