If you are planning to travel from Medina to Woodbury, prepare for a straightforward 144.2-mile trek across the Minnesota landscape. This highway-focused drive takes approximately 3 hours to complete, making it a manageable day trip that does not require an overnight stay. You will primarily utilize MN 23, MN 27, and US Highway 169 to navigate between these two Midwest locations. With an estimated fuel cost of $21, the trip is quite economical for a solo driver or a small group. Whether you are heading out for business or a change of scenery, the route provides a direct path that keeps you moving efficiently toward your destination.
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
72.1 miles from Medina, MN
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 1h 30m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
MN 23
37.8 mi
45m
MN 27
33.6 mi
42m
US Highway 169
32.8 mi
37m
State Highway 210
15.4 mi
18m
MN 101
6.4 mi
7m
Brockton Lane North
4.8 mi
7m
I 94
2.5 mi
2m
Hamel Road
2.2 mi
5m
Longest stretch:
MN 23
— 37.8 mi, about 45m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Medina, MN and Woodbury, MN.
1
Start on Willow Drive
496 ft·23 sec·Willow Drive
2
Turn right onto CR 115
2.2 mi·5 min·Hamel Road
3
Turn left onto CR 115
0.2 mi·38 sec·Pinto Drive
4
Turn right onto MN 55
0.8 mi·1 min·MN 55
5
Turn left onto CR 101
0.6 mi·1 min·County Road 101
Use the straight lane.
6
Continue on CR 101
2.0 mi·3 min·Brockton Lane North
Use the straight lane.
7
Continue on CR 101
0.7 mi·1 min·County Road 101
Use the left lane.
8
Continue on CR 101
1.8 mi·2 min·Troy Lane North
Use the straight lane.
9
Continue on CR 101
0.4 mi·36 sec·County Road 101
10
Continue on CR 101
2.8 mi·4 min·Brockton Lane North
Use the straight lane.
11
Turn right onto Dayton Parkway
0.4 mi·39 sec·Dayton Parkway
12
Continue on Dayton Parkway
521 ft·12 sec·Dayton Parkway
13
Take the ramp
270 ft·6 sec
Toward I 94 West
14
Continue on this road
0.3 mi·37 sec·this road
Toward I 94 West
15
Merge onto I 94
2.5 mi·2 min·I 94
16
Take the exit
0.3 mi·36 sec
Exit 207A-BToward MN 101, CR 81, MN 101 North: Rogers, Elk RiverUse the straight / slight right lanes.
17
Keep slight right at fork onto MN 101 North Bypass
0.8 mi·55 sec·MN 101 North Bypass
Exit 207BToward MN 101 Bypass North: Elk RiverUse the slight right lane.
18
Merge onto MN 101
6.4 mi·7 min·MN 101
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
19
Continue on US 169
27 mi·30 min·US Highway 169
20
Keep slight right at fork onto US 169
6.3 mi·7 min·US Highway 169
21
Take the exit
0.4 mi·51 sec
22
Turn right onto MN 23
18 mi·20 min·MN 23
23
Turn left onto MN 23; MN 65
20 mi·24 min·MN 23; MN 65
24
Continue on MN 27; MN 65
34 mi·42 min·MN 27; MN 65
25
Turn right onto MN 210
7.8 mi·9 min·State Highway 210
26
Continue on MN 210
1.5 mi·1 min·Tamarack Boulevard West
27
Continue on MN 210
7.6 mi·8 min·State Highway 210
28
Turn left onto CR 127
0.2 mi·27 sec·Gisler Road
29
Arrive at destination
CR 127
Trip Plan
Because this is a relatively short trip, you have plenty of flexibility in your schedule to depart whenever it suits your personal timeline. Plan for at least one stop to stretch your legs or grab a snack, as the three-hour duration is just long enough to warrant a quick break. Keep an eye on your fuel gauge before starting, though $21 should comfortably cover your gas needs for the duration of the 144.2-mile path. Since you are relying heavily on US Highway 169 and state routes, stay alert for changes in speed limits as you move through different zones. Taking advantage of the single recommended stop mid-way will ensure you arrive in Woodbury feeling refreshed rather than fatigued.
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 72.1 miles from Medina, MN, or about 1h 30m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 37.8 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 32 miles or 44m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 72.1 miles or 1h 30m 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 28m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Woodbury, MN than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving Medina, 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 Medina, MN
This is one driving day of about 144.2 miles and 3h.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 32 miles from Medina, 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 MN 23 for about 37.8 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 16
5 decision points cluster between mile 0.1 and 16.1 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
4
0.1 mi into trip|~0m in|CR 115 / Hamel Road
Turn right onto CR 115 / Hamel Road
Navigation decision point
4
2.5 mi into trip|~6m in|MN 55
Turn right onto MN 55
Navigation decision point
8
15.1 mi into trip|~25m in
Take the exit toward MN 101, CR 81, MN 101 North: Rogers, Elk River
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 207A-B
Toward MN 101, CR 81, MN 101 North: Rogers, Elk...
8
15.3 mi into trip|~25m in|MN 101 North Bypass
Keep slight right at fork onto MN 101 North Bypass toward MN 101 Bypass North: Elk River
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight right lane.
Exit 207B
Toward MN 101 Bypass North: Elk River
5
16.1 mi into trip|~26m in|MN 101
Merge onto MN 101
Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$21.46 one way
$42.92 round trip
$3.78/gal25.4 MPG avg51 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.07
$23.12
$46.25
premium
$4.53
$25.73
$51.46
diesel
$5.61
$31.84
$63.68
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$21
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$46–$71
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 50.5 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $15 in charging
· 0 stops
· 66% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
43.3
0
$15.14
$6.92
Efficient EV
36.1
0
$12.62
$5.77
EV Truck/SUV
57.7
0
$20.19
$9.23
Gas CO2
50 kg
EV CO2
17 kg (66% 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
Medina, MN
Morning
in Medina on Tuesday
Local time
7:18 AM
CDT
Current temp
57°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
Woodbury, MN
Morning
in Woodbury on Tuesday
Local time
7:18 AM
CDT
Current temp
54°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
3 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
3h 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 consistent experience on this route, as 91% of your journey is spent on highways. The drive maintains a steady pace, characterized by long, uninterrupted sections that allow you to settle in behind the wheel. You will encounter the longest single stretch of 37.8 miles while traveling on MN 23, which offers a reliable flow of traffic. Transitioning between the various state and US highways requires minimal technical navigation, creating a predictable rhythm for the driver. Overall, the road’s personality is practical and functional, designed to get you from point A to point B without unnecessary deviations.
91% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
29 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 37.8 mi on MN 23.
How Hard Is This Drive?
8/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on MN 23 and MN 27. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 0.1 miles in near CR 115 / Hamel Road.
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 16 significant decision points across 144.2 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 0.1 miles (CR 115 / Hamel Road): Navigation decision point; at 2.5 miles (MN 55): Navigation decision point; at 15.1 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. 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 Medina, MN and Woodbury, MN, road signs point toward Cr 81 and Elk River.
Cr 81
15.1 mi in|~25m
Elk River
15.1 mi in|~25m
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 3h. Total distance: 144.2 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
3h 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 37.8 miles on MN 23. 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 Woodbury, 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 0.1 miles (CR 115 / Hamel Road): Navigation decision point; at 2.5 miles (MN 55): Navigation decision point; at 15.1 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Possible but tiring. At 3.0 hours each way, an in-and-out day trip would put you behind the wheel for 6.0 hours — manageable with a long break at Woodbury, MN, but most travelers stay overnight.
