Lakeville, MN to Sartell, MN is 98.2 miles and takes about 2 hours via I-94, I-494, and I-35W, with a fuel budget near $15 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This trip stays within Minnesota, traversing the Midwest region. The route is primarily highway driving, making it a straightforward option for a quick trip. Given its short duration, it’s ideal for a single-day excursion without needing overnight accommodations.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.
Midpoint
49.1 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
49.6 mi
53m
I 494
21.7 mi
27m
I 35W
8.3 mi
9m
MN-15 N
6.9 mi
9m
I 35
2.6 mi
2m
Riverside Avenue South
1.9 mi
4m
Kenwood Trail /Richard J. Ames Memorial Highway
1.6 mi
2m
Kenwood Trail
1.2 mi
2m
Longest stretch:
I 94
— 49.6 mi, about 53m
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
12a6anoon6p11p
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 Sartell, 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 NorthUse 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-CToward I 494 East, MN 5 EastUse 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 27Toward I 94 West: Saint CloudUse 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
33 mi·35 min·I 94
19
Take the exit
0.5 mi·1 min
Toward MN 15 North: Saint Cloud
20
Merge onto MN 15
6.9 mi·9 min·MN-15 N
Use the straight lane.
21
Turn left onto CR 1
0.3 mi·50 sec·Riverside Avenue South
22
Enter roundabout onto CR 1
113 ft·3 sec·Riverside Avenue South
23
Continue on CR 1
1.6 mi·3 min·Riverside Avenue South
24
Turn left onto 1st Street North
440 ft·23 sec·1st Street North
25
Turn right onto 1st Avenue North
0.2 mi·49 sec·1st Avenue North
26
Arrive at destination
2nd Street North
Trip Plan
For this 2-hour drive, leaving anytime should work well, but consider timing to avoid peak rush hour traffic through the Twin Cities metro area. Since it's a short trip, you won't need many stops, but there are opportunities for fuel along the way if needed, with an estimated cost of $15. The longest stretch without a major exit is about 49.6 miles on I-94, so ensure you're comfortable with that duration between services if you have a low fuel warning. This route offers flexibility for departure and arrival times due to its manageable length.
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 49.1 miles from Lakeville, MN, or about 1h 1m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 49.6 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 22 miles or 29m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 49.1 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 Sartell, 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.
+
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 Lakeville, MN
This is one driving day of about 98.2 miles and 2h.
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 49.6 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 18
5 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
$16.43 one way
$32.86 round trip
$4.25/gal25.4 MPG avg34 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.53
$17.50
$35.00
premium
$5.11
$19.75
$39.50
diesel
$6.28
$24.26
$48.53
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: 34.4 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-10-19.
Driving Electric?
About $10 in charging
· 0 stops
· 68% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
29.5
0
$10.31
$4.71
Efficient EV
24.6
0
$8.59
$3.93
EV Truck/SUV
39.3
0
$13.75
$6.28
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.
Forecast as of Oct 24, 2026
Origin
Lakeville, MN
Night
in Lakeville on Saturday
Local time
10:02 PM
CDT
Current temp
61°F
Mostly Clear
S 10 mph3% chanceLive forecast
Destination
Sartell, MN
Night
in Sartell on Saturday
Local time
10:02 PM
CDT
Current temp
61°F
Slight Chance Rain Showers
SE 10 mph20% chanceLive 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
Very similar conditions
Both ends of the route are sitting at about the same temperature right now.
Road read
2h on the road
The weather snapshot is not static. If you are leaving later, give both cities one more quick forecast check before departure.
Weather data from the National Weather Service. Conditions may change; check closer to your travel date.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
You'll spend about 91% of this 98.2-mile drive on the highway. The longest continuous stretch of highway cruising is 49.6 miles, mainly on I-94. Expect to encounter dense exits and urban merging as you navigate the interstate system, particularly around the Minneapolis-Saint Paul metropolitan area, before transitioning to more open highway.
91% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
26 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 49.6 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 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 18 significant decision points across 98.2 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 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.
Doable as a same-day drive at 2h. Total distance: 98.2 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 0 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
2h 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 49.6 miles on I 94. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Yes — we found about 8 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 Sartell, 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. There are 8 rest areas along the route for bathroom stops.
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 Sartell, MN before heading back.
