If you are planning to travel from Jackson to Saint Paul, you are looking at a 160.3-mile journey that typically takes about 2 hours and 43 minutes. This route is perfectly suited for a single-day trip, meaning you do not need to worry about booking an overnight stay. Budgeting around $23 for fuel should comfortably cover your transit between these two Minnesota cities. Because the entire trip stays within the Midwest, you will experience a consistent regional feel as you transition from the southern part of the state toward the capital. It is a straightforward, manageable drive that offers enough efficiency to get you to your destination without feeling like an endurance test.
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
90.7 miles from Jackson, MN
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 1h 39m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
I 90
85.8 mi
1h 31m
I 35
75 mi
1h 20m
I 35E
14.8 mi
17m
Shepard Road
2.9 mi
5m
US Highway 71
1.4 mi
2m
Kellogg Boulevard West
0.2 mi
<1m
Exchange Street South
0.2 mi
<1m
Eagle Parkway
0.2 mi
<1m
Longest stretch:
I 90
— 85.8 mi, about 1h 31m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Jackson, MN and Saint Paul, MN.
1
Start on US 71; CR 34
1.4 mi·2 min·US Highway 71
2
Take the exit
0.2 mi·27 sec
Toward I 90 East: Albert Lea
3
Merge onto I 90
86 mi·1 hr 31 min·I 90
Use the straight / right lanes.
4
Take the exit
0.2 mi·30 sec
Toward I 35 North: Minneapolis, Saint PaulUse the right lane.
5
Merge onto I 35
75 mi·1 hr 20 min·I 35
Use the straight / right lanes.
6
Keep slight right at fork onto I 35E
15 mi·17 min·I 35E
Use the slight left / slight right lanes.
7
Take the exit
0.2 mi·30 sec
Exit 103AToward Shepard RoadUse the slight right lane.
8
Keep slight right at fork
501 ft·12 sec
Toward Shepard Road, Great River Road MinnesotaUse the right lane.
9
Merge onto Shepard Road
2.9 mi·5 min·Shepard Road
10
Turn left onto Eagle Parkway
0.2 mi·44 sec·Eagle Parkway
Use the straight lane.
11
Turn right onto Exchange Street South
0.2 mi·34 sec·Exchange Street South
Use the right lane.
12
Turn straight onto Kellogg Boulevard West
0.2 mi·52 sec·Kellogg Boulevard West
13
Turn left onto Wabasha Street North
214 ft·9 sec·Wabasha Street North
Use the left lane.
14
Arrive at destination
Wabasha Street North
Trip Plan
To make the most of your 160.3-mile trip, plan for at least one well-timed stop to break up the drive. Given the turn-heavy nature of this route, departing during daylight hours is highly recommended to ensure you can easily navigate the transitions between Highway 71, I-90, and I-35. Since the entire journey is under three hours, you have the flexibility to leave whenever suits your schedule, though avoiding peak traffic near the Saint Paul area is always a smart move. Keep your fuel budget of $23 in mind and top off your tank before you head out to avoid mid-trip errands. Focus on your navigational cues early to stay confident as you switch between the different highway stretches.
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 90.7 miles from Jackson, MN, or about 1h 39m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 85.8 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 40 miles or 44m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 90.7 miles or 1h 39m 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 41m
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 Jackson, 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 Jackson, MN
This is one driving day of about 181.5 miles and 3h 21m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 40 miles from Jackson, 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 90 for about 85.8 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 11
5 decision points cluster between mile 87.4 and 181.4 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
7
87.4 mi into trip|~1h 35m in
Take the exit toward I 35 North: Minneapolis, Saint Paul
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the right lane.
Toward I 35 North: Minneapolis, Saint Paul
6
162.7 mi into trip|~2h 56m in|I 35E
Keep slight right at fork onto I 35E
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight left / slight right lanes.
7
177.5 mi into trip|~3h 13m in
Take the exit toward Shepard Road
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight right lane.
Exit 103A
Toward Shepard Road
9
177.8 mi into trip|~3h 13m in
Keep slight right at fork toward Shepard Road, Great River Road Minnesota
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the right lane.
Toward Shepard Road, Great River Road Minnesota
7
181.4 mi into trip|~3h 21m in|Wabasha Street North
Turn left onto Wabasha Street North
Lane positioning matters here
Use the left lane.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$27.01 one way
$54.02 round trip
$3.78/gal25.4 MPG avg64 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.07
$29.10
$58.21
premium
$4.53
$32.38
$64.77
diesel
$5.61
$40.07
$80.15
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$27
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$52–$77
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 63.5 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $19 in charging
· 0 stops
· 67% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
54.4
0
$19.06
$8.71
Efficient EV
45.4
0
$15.88
$7.26
EV Truck/SUV
72.6
0
$25.41
$11.62
Gas CO2
64 kg
EV CO2
21 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 15, 2026
Origin
Jackson, MN
Night
in Jackson on Saturday
Local time
11:37 PM
CDT
Current temp
46°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
Saint Paul, MN
Night
in Saint Paul on Saturday
Local time
11:37 PM
CDT
Current temp
67°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
21 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
3h 21m 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 a turn-heavy local driving experience as you navigate your way toward Saint Paul. Your path will take you along a combination of Highway 71, I-90 East, and I-35 North, requiring you to stay alert during transitions between these roads. Unlike long, monotonous interstate hauls, this route keeps you engaged with its mix of local road segments. Since the longest uninterrupted stretch on Highway 71 is 0 miles, you should prepare for a drive that demands frequent attention to changing road conditions. This is a practical, utilitarian route that prioritizes getting you from point A to point B rather than offering a high-speed, highway-dominated cruise.
98% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
14 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 85.8 mi on I 90.
How Hard Is This Drive?
8/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 90 and I 35. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 87.4 miles in.
Driving Effort8/10
Demanding - plan breaks and stay ahead of the key maneuvers
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This is a demanding drive. With 11 significant decision points across 181.5 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 87.4 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 162.7 miles (I 35E): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 177.5 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here.
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 3h 21m. Total distance: 181.5 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
3h 21m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (98%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 85.8 miles on I 90. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
We did not find dedicated rest areas on this route. For a drive this long, plan bathroom and stretch breaks around gas stations, fast-food stops, or small-town downtowns — check the Nearby Places section for options.
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 87.4 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 162.7 miles (I 35E): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 177.5 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here.
Possible but tiring. At 3.4 hours each way, an in-and-out day trip would put you behind the wheel for 6.7 hours — manageable with a long break at Saint Paul, MN, but most travelers stay overnight.
