If you are planning a trip from Oak Park Heights to Woodbury, expect a highway-focused journey covering 142.6 miles. This route typically takes about 2 hours and 55 minutes, making it a perfect candidate for a one-day trip. You will spend roughly 95% of your time on highways, primarily utilizing I-35, State Highway 73, and I-35E. Budgeting about $20 for fuel should cover your needs for the duration of the drive. Because this trip remains entirely within the Midwest, the transition between these two Minnesota locations feels consistent and straightforward. It is an efficient, practical drive that allows you to reach your destination without the need for an overnight stay.
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
71.3 miles from Oak Park Heights, MN
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 1h 21m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
I 35
82.2 mi
1h 28m
State Highway 73
22.9 mi
38m
I 35E
17.5 mi
18m
MN 36
7.4 mi
9m
I 694
4.4 mi
5m
1st Street
3.6 mi
4m
MN 73
0.9 mi
1m
Arrowhead Lane
0.7 mi
1m
Longest stretch:
I 35
— 82.2 mi, about 1h 28m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Oak Park Heights, MN and Woodbury, MN.
1
Start on this road
45 ft·7 sec·this road
2
Turn left onto 57th Street North
72 ft·5 sec·57th Street North
3
Turn right onto Penrose Avenue North
0.2 mi·54 sec·Penrose Avenue North
4
At end of road, turn left onto CH 23
0.7 mi·1 min·60th Street North (South Frontage Road)
5
Turn right
282 ft·20 sec
6
Turn right onto CH 24
224 ft·8 sec·Osgood Ave North
7
Turn left onto MN 36
7.4 mi·9 min·MN 36
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
8
Take the exit
0.5 mi·1 min
Toward I 694 WestUse the straight / slight right lanes.
9
Merge onto I 694
4.4 mi·5 min·I 694
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
10
Take the exit
0.4 mi·31 sec
Exit 47Toward I 35E North: DuluthUse the straight / slight right lanes.
11
Merge onto I 35E
18 mi·18 min·I 35E
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
12
Keep slight left at fork onto I 35
82 mi·1 hr 28 min·I 35
13
Take the exit
0.3 mi·49 sec
Toward MN 73: Moose Lake
14
Turn left onto MN 73
0.9 mi·1 min·MN 73
15
Enter roundabout onto State Highway 73
132 ft·8 sec·State Highway 73
16
Continue on State Highway 73
0.8 mi·1 min·State Highway 73
17
Continue on MN 73; CR 61
0.7 mi·1 min·Arrowhead Lane
18
Turn left onto MN 27; MN 73
0.5 mi·1 min·Folz Boulevard
19
Continue on MN 27; MN 73
22 mi·37 min·State Highway 73
20
Turn left onto MN 210
3.6 mi·4 min·1st Street
21
Turn right onto CR 127
0.2 mi·27 sec·Gisler Road
22
Arrive at destination
CR 127
Trip Plan
Since this is a sub-three-hour trip, you have plenty of flexibility regarding your departure time. You only need to plan for one scheduled stop, which is perfect for stretching your legs or grabbing a quick snack mid-route. Keep a close eye on your fuel gauge when navigating the longer 82.2-mile stretch on I-35, as service options can fluctuate depending on your exact location. To maximize your comfort, try to avoid peak commuting hours on the interstate segments to ensure your 2-hour and 55-minute travel time stays on track. Because the route relies so heavily on I-35 and I-35E, checking real-time traffic alerts before you leave Oak Park Heights is the best way to ensure a smooth arrival in Woodbury.
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.
Plan roughly 1 meaningful break for fuel, food, and rest.
The halfway point lands around 71.3 miles from Oak Park Heights, MN, or about 1h 21m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 82.2 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 31 miles or 38m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 71.3 miles or 1h 21m 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 14m
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 Oak Park Heights, 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 Oak Park Heights, MN
This is one driving day of about 142.6 miles and 2h 55m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 31 miles from Oak Park Heights, 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 35 for about 82.2 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 17
5 decision points cluster between mile 0 and 13.8 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
5
0 mi into trip|~0m in|Penrose Avenue North
Turn right onto Penrose Avenue North
Navigation decision point
6
8.4 mi into trip|~12m in
Take the exit toward I 694 West
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Toward I 694 West
5
8.9 mi into trip|~14m in|I 694
Merge onto I 694
Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
7
13.4 mi into trip|~19m in
Take the exit toward I 35E North: Duluth
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Exit 47
Toward I 35E North: Duluth
5
13.8 mi into trip|~20m in|I 35E
Merge onto I 35E
Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$21.22 one way
$42.44 round trip
$3.78/gal25.4 MPG avg50 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.07
$22.87
$45.73
premium
$4.53
$25.44
$50.89
diesel
$5.61
$31.48
$62.97
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: 49.9 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
42.8
0
$14.97
$6.84
Efficient EV
35.7
0
$12.48
$5.70
EV Truck/SUV
57
0
$19.96
$9.13
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 15, 2026
Origin
Oak Park Heights, MN
Morning
in Oak Park Heights on Sunday
Local time
9:53 AM
CDT
Current temp
45°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
Woodbury, MN
Morning
in Woodbury on Sunday
Local time
9:53 AM
CDT
Current temp
63°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
18 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
2h 55m 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 trip defined by efficiency, as the route is heavily weighted toward high-speed travel. You will spend the vast majority of your time on major interstates, with a significant 82.2-mile stretch on I-35 serving as the longest uninterrupted portion of the drive. The personality of the road is strictly highway-focused, prioritizing speed and directness over winding scenic detours. As you transition between the segments of I-35 and State Highway 73, the rhythm of the drive remains predictable and steady. Behind the wheel, you will experience a consistent, high-utility commute that moves you quickly across the landscape.
95% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
22 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 82.2 mi on I 35.
How Hard Is This Drive?
7/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 35 and State Highway 73. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes early in the drive near Penrose Avenue North.
Driving Effort7/10
Demanding - plan breaks and stay ahead of the key maneuvers
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This is a demanding drive. With 17 significant decision points across 142.6 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: near the start (Penrose Avenue North): Navigation decision point; at 8.4 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here; at 8.9 miles (I 694): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here.
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 2h 55m. Total distance: 142.6 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
2h 55m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (95%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 82.2 miles on I 35. 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 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: near the start (Penrose Avenue North): Navigation decision point; at 8.4 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here; at 8.9 miles (I 694): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here.
Yes. A round trip is manageable in a single day if you plan a break at Woodbury, MN before heading back.
