This 96.9-mile drive from Lakeville, MN to Watab, MN is a straightforward, highway-focused trip that can easily be completed in about 2 hours. With 88% of the journey on highways, you'll experience a quick and efficient commute, making it an ideal day trip. The estimated fuel cost for this route is $14, and you won't find yourself needing to break it up with an overnight stay. As both the origin and destination are in the Midwest, you'll stay within familiar regional landscapes for the entirety of your travel. This route is all about getting you from point A to point B with minimal fuss.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.
Midpoint
48.4 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
US 10
29.7 mi
35m
I 94
22.6 mi
24m
I 494
21.7 mi
27m
I 35W
8.3 mi
9m
I 35
2.6 mi
2m
165th Avenue Southeast
1.8 mi
2m
Kenwood Trail /Richard J. Ames Memorial Highway
1.6 mi
2m
Park Boulevard Southeast
1.4 mi
1m
Longest stretch:
US 10
— 29.7 mi, about 35m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Lakeville, MN and Watab, 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
6.0 mi·6 min·I 94
19
Take the exit
0.4 mi·52 sec
20
Turn right onto MN 25
0.8 mi·2 min·Pine Street
21
Continue on MN 25
0.1 mi·19 sec·State Highway 25
22
Turn left onto County Road 11
0.7 mi·53 sec·County Road 11
23
Continue on Park Boulevard Southeast
1.4 mi·1 min·Park Boulevard Southeast
24
Continue on 165th Avenue Southeast
1.8 mi·2 min·165th Avenue Southeast
25
Turn left onto US 10
30 mi·35 min·US 10
26
Turn left onto CR 79
0.3 mi·48 sec·75th Street Northwest
27
At end of road, turn left onto CR 55
20 ft·0 sec·Northeast River Road
28
Arrive at destination
CR 55
Trip Plan
Given the short 2-hour duration of this 96.9-mile trip, you have excellent flexibility in planning your departure. Leaving early in the morning can help you avoid potential midday traffic, especially as you navigate I-494 and I-94. With no designated stops and a relatively low fuel cost of around $14, extensive planning isn't required. However, it's always wise to be aware of the longest stretch of 29.7 miles on US 10; ensure you have adequate fuel before entering this segment to maintain your momentum. This is a drive where you can easily depart, arrive, and be back home within the same day.
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 48.4 miles from Lakeville, MN, or about 1h 1m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 29.7 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 21 miles or 28m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 48.4 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 39m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Watab, 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 96.9 miles and 2h.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 21 miles from Lakeville, MN.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
The longest stretch is on US 10 for about 29.7 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
$14.42 one way
$28.84 round trip
$3.78/gal25.4 MPG avg34 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.07
$15.54
$31.08
premium
$4.53
$17.29
$34.58
diesel
$5.61
$21.39
$42.79
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$14
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$39–$64
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 33.9 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $10 in charging
· 0 stops
· 68% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
29.1
0
$10.17
$4.65
Efficient EV
24.2
0
$8.48
$3.88
EV Truck/SUV
38.8
0
$13.57
$6.20
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 Apr 20, 2026
Origin
Lakeville, MN
Late night
in Lakeville on Tuesday
Local time
3:51 AM
CDT
Current temp
56°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
Watab, MN
Late night
in Watab on Tuesday
Local time
3:51 AM
CDT
Current temp
36°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
20 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
2h 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 predominantly highway experience on this 96.9-mile journey, with 88% of the drive utilizing major roads like US 10, I-94, and I-494. This means a fast-paced drive for most of the 2-hour duration. The longest uninterrupted stretch you'll encounter is 29.7 miles on US 10, offering a solid period of consistent highway travel. The character of the drive is largely defined by its efficiency and the open road feel of interstate driving, designed to cover ground quickly. You'll spend most of your time on well-maintained highways.
88% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
28 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 29.7 mi on US 10.
How Hard Is This Drive?
9/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on US 10 and I 94. 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 96.9 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.
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 2h. Total distance: 96.9 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 (88%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 29.7 miles on US 10. 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 Watab, 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. Dedicated rest areas are limited, so plan gas or food stops as your bathroom breaks.
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 Watab, MN before heading back.
