Origin
Lakeville, MN
Late night in Lakeville on Saturday
Local time
2:13 AM
CDT
Current temp
51°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Lakeville, MN to Saint Joseph, MN
Pin this tripCompiled and reviewed by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Sep 12, 2026 · Editorial standards
Drive Time
1h 56m
Distance
97.8 mi
157 km
Drive Score
7/10
Good drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$16
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
1h 48m
★
6 AM
1h 57m
8 AM
2h 14m
10 AM
2h 3m
12 PM
2h 1m
3 PM
2h 4m
5 PM
2h 13m
8 PM
1h 52m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Lakeville, MN
Wikimedia Commons
Saint Joseph, MN
Tom Fisk
Trip Overview
Lakeville to Saint Joseph is 97.8 miles and takes about 1h 56m via I-35W, I-494, and I-94, with a fuel budget near $15 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This short trip stays within Minnesota, moving from the southern Midwest region to the central part of the state. You'll spend most of your time on major interstates, making for a straightforward drive. Plan for this to be a single-day excursion with plenty of time to spare.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.
Midpoint
48.9 miles from Lakeville, MN
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h 1m into the drive .
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| I 94 | 56.3 mi | 1h |
| I 494 | 21.7 mi | 27m |
| I 35W | 8.3 mi | 9m |
| I 35 | 2.6 mi | 2m |
| Kenwood Trail /Richard J. Ames Memorial Highway | 1.6 mi | 2m |
| Kenwood Trail | 1.2 mi | 2m |
| County Road 2 | 1 mi | 2m |
| County Road 75 | 0.9 mi | 1m |
Longest stretch:
I 94
— 56.3 mi, about 1h
Traffic on I-35
Hour-of-day weekday pattern from 50 FHWA count stations on your route.
Peak
4 PM
~4,306 veh/hr typical · worst 5,021
Quietest
2 AM
~244 veh/hr
Peak-to-quiet ratio
17.6×
busier at peak than in the quiet hours
12a
6a
noon
6p
11p
Averaged across 82 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 Lakeville, MN and Saint Joseph, MN.
1
Start on 207th Street West
22 ft
·
5 sec
·
207th Street West
2
Turn right onto Holyoke Avenue
0.4 mi
·
1 min
·
Holyoke Avenue
3
Enter roundabout onto CR 50
198 ft
·
3 sec
·
202nd Street West / Richard J. Ames Memorial Highway
4
Continue on CR 50
0.5 mi
·
50 sec
·
202nd Street West / Richard J. Ames Memorial Highway
5
Continue on CR 5
0.7 mi
·
1 min
·
Kenwood Trail / Richard J. Ames Memorial Highway
6
Continue on CR 5
1.6 mi
·
2 min
·
Kenwood Trail /Richard J. Ames Memorial Highway
7
Enter roundabout onto CR 5
125 ft
·
2 sec
·
Kenwood Trail
8
Continue on CR 5
1.2 mi
·
2 min
·
Kenwood Trail
Use the right lane.
9
Take the ramp
0.2 mi
·
23 sec
Toward I 35 North
Use the right lane.
10
Merge onto I 35
2.6 mi
·
2 min
·
I 35
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
11
Keep slight left at fork onto I 35W
8.3 mi
·
9 min
·
I 35W
Use the slight left / slight right lanes.
12
Take the exit
0.3 mi
·
37 sec
Exit 8B-C
Toward I 494 East, MN 5 East
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
13
Keep slight left at fork
0.8 mi
·
1 min
Toward I 494 West, MN 5 West
14
Merge onto I 494; MN 5
5.8 mi
·
7 min
·
I 494; MN 5
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
15
Keep slight left at fork onto I 494; MN 5
16 mi
·
19 min
·
I 494; MN 5
Use the straight / right lanes.
16
Keep slight left at fork
0.6 mi
·
49 sec
Exit 27
Toward I 94 West: Saint Cloud
Use the slight left / slight right lanes.
17
Continue on I 94
17 mi
·
18 min
·
I 94
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
18
Keep slight left at fork onto I 94
40 mi
·
42 min
·
I 94
19
Take the exit
0.3 mi
·
48 sec
Toward CR 2: Saint Joseph
20
Turn right onto CR 2
0.3 mi
·
41 sec
·
County Road 2
21
Continue on this road
382 ft
·
10 sec
·
this road
22
Turn straight onto CR 2
0.7 mi
·
1 min
·
County Road 2
23
Turn right onto CR 75
0.9 mi
·
1 min
·
County Road 75
24
Turn right onto CR 2
0.2 mi
·
26 sec
·
College Avenue North
25
Arrive at destination
College Avenue North
Trip Plan
Given the short 1h 56m duration and 97.8-mile distance, you have a lot of flexibility. Leaving Lakeville in the morning or early afternoon works well, and you'll likely have minimal traffic. With a fuel cost around $15, keeping your tank topped off won't be a significant expense. There are no designated stops in the data, but remember that the longest continuous interstate stretch is over 56 miles, so plan for a quick break if needed before reaching Saint Joseph. Because this is a quick trip, you can easily adjust your departure time based on your schedule.
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.
You may only need one short stretch break if traffic stays light.
The halfway point lands around 48.9 miles from Lakeville, MN, or about 1h 1m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 56.3 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 22 miles or 29m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 48.9 miles or 1h 1m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 1h 35m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Saint Joseph, MN than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving Lakeville, MN so your first major turns are already loaded.
Day 1
Settle into the route from Lakeville, MN
This is one driving day of about 97.8 miles and 1h 56m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 22 miles from Lakeville, MN.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
The longest stretch is on I 94 for about 56.3 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Mid-route town
Meal stop
49 mi into the route
Best for: Lunch, fuel, and a longer reset
This sits close to the middle of the route, so it works well for the longest stop of the day.
Pacing Suggestions
Fuel and coffee
A short stop after about 22 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 48.9 miles from Lakeville, MN, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.
Heads-up: tricky spots
5 of 175 decision points cluster between mile 4.5 and 38.4 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
6
4.5 mi into trip
|
~7m in
Take the ramp toward I 35 North
Lane positioning matters here
Use the right lane.
Toward I 35 North
6
7.3 mi into trip
|
~10m in
|
I 35W
Keep slight left at fork onto I 35W
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight left / slight right lanes.
8
15.6 mi into trip
|
~20m in
Take the exit toward I 494 East, MN 5 East
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Exit 8B-C
Toward I 494 East, MN 5 East
6
15.9 mi into trip
|
~21m in
Keep slight left at fork toward I 494 West, MN 5 West
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Toward I 494 West, MN 5 West
8
38.4 mi into trip
|
~50m in
Keep slight left at fork toward I 94 West: Saint Cloud
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight left / slight right lanes.
Exit 27
Toward I 94 West: Saint Cloud
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$15.96 one way
$31.93 round trip
$4.15/gal
25.4 MPG avg
34 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.46 | $17.18 | $34.36 |
| premium | $4.95 | $19.07 | $38.14 |
| diesel | $5.97 | $22.98 | $45.95 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$16
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$41–$66
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 34.2 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-09-07.
Driving Electric?
About $10 in charging · 0 stops · 68% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 29.3 | 0 | $10.27 | $4.69 |
| Efficient EV | 24.5 | 0 | $8.56 | $3.91 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 39.1 | 0 | $13.69 | $6.26 |
Gas CO2
34 kg
EV CO2
11 kg (68% 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.
Destination
Saint Joseph, MN
Late night in Saint Joseph on Saturday
Local time
2:13 AM
CDT
Current temp
49°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
2 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
1h 56m 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.
What kind of drive is this?
This drive is mostly highway, with 91% of the 97.8 miles on interstates. You'll encounter a 56.3-mile stretch on I-94, which means extended periods of cruising. Expect numerous exits and merges as you navigate through urban and suburban areas before transitioning to more open highway driving. The interstate profile means you'll be on well-maintained, high-speed roads for the vast majority of your trip.
91% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
25 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 56.3 mi on I 94.
How Hard Is This Drive?
9/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 94 and I 494. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 4.5 miles in.
Driving Effort
9/10
Demanding - stay alert through the decision-heavy sections
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This drive requires moderate attention. Across 97.8 miles you will encounter 17 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 4.5 miles: Lane positioning matters here; at 7.3 miles (I 35W): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 15.6 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Elevation Profile
Mostly flat terrain
1,099 ft
815 ft
Total Climb
401 ft
Total Descent
277 ft
Highest Point
1,099 ft
~90.8 mi in
Elevation Range
284 ft
About the Cities
Starting in Lakeville, MN
Full guide →Founded 1850
Arriving in Saint Joseph, MN
Full guide →Founded 1854
Top landmarks
- • Church of St. Joseph-Catholic — church building in St. Joseph, United States of America
- • Saint Benedict's Monastery — Benedectine monastery in St. Joseph, Minnesota
- • First State Bank — former bank building in the United States
City content from Wikivoyage (CC BY-SA 4.0) and Wikidata (CC0).
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 1h 56m. Total distance: 97.8 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 0 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
1h 56m 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 56.3 miles on I 94. 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 Joseph, MN before sunset when you can. Check the Trip Plan for departure windows that land you in daylight.
Yes. At under 2 hours behind the wheel, this works well for families — plan one quick stop if you have younger kids.
The main spots that need attention: at 4.5 miles: Lane positioning matters here; at 7.3 miles (I 35W): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 15.6 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. 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 Joseph, MN before heading back.
How this page is built
Compiled by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy from open government datasets — OSRM over OpenStreetMap for geometry, EIA for fuel prices, USGS 3DEP for elevation, and FHWA TMAS for hourly traffic volumes. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.
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