Rochester to Woodbury is 213.2 miles and takes about 4h 18m via I 35 and US 52, with a fuel budget near $34 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This trip stays within Minnesota, connecting two points in the Midwest region. With 97% of the drive on highways, you'll mostly be cruising at speed limits, making for a straightforward and efficient trip. This route is best suited for a single-day drive, allowing you to reach your destination with plenty of time to spare.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is possible, but it will make for a full day on the road.
Break Rhythm
1 planned break
Plan on a short reset every 3 to 4 hours to stay fresh behind the wheel.
Midpoint
106.6 miles from Rochester, MN
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 2h 6m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
I 35
82.2 mi
1h 28m
US 52
75.7 mi
1h 29m
State Highway 73
22.9 mi
38m
I 35E
18 mi
19m
US 10
5.4 mi
6m
1st Street
3.6 mi
4m
MN 73
0.9 mi
1m
I 694
0.8 mi
<1m
Longest stretch:
I 35
— 82.2 mi, about 1h 28m
Traffic on I-35
Hour-of-day weekday pattern from 40 FHWA count stations on your route.
Peak
3 PM
~5,612 veh/hr typical
Quietest
2 AM
~306 veh/hr
Peak-to-quiet ratio
18.3×
busier at peak than in the quiet hours
12a6anoon6p11p
Averaged across 99 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 Rochester, MN and Woodbury, MN.
1
Start on 5th Avenue Southwest
403 ft·15 sec·5th Avenue Southwest
2
Turn right onto 3rd Street Southwest
0.2 mi·26 sec·3rd Street Southwest
3
Turn right onto 7th Avenue Southwest
404 ft·15 sec·7th Avenue Southwest
4
Turn left onto 2nd Street Southwest
0.7 mi·2 min·2nd Street Southwest
5
Turn right onto 17th Avenue Southwest
150 ft·3 sec·17th Avenue Southwest
Use the right lane.
6
Keep slight left at fork
0.2 mi·25 sec
Toward US 52 North, US 63 North, US 14 WestUse the slight left lane.
7
Merge onto US 52; US 14; US 63
0.3 mi·24 sec·US 52; US 14; US 63
8
Continue on US 52; US 63
17 mi·19 min·US 52; US 63
9
Continue on US 52
9.1 mi·10 min·US 52
Use the straight lane.
10
Continue on US 52
40 mi·45 min·US 52
Use the straight lane.
11
Keep slight right at fork onto US 52
9.4 mi·12 min·US 52
Toward US 52 North: Saint PaulUse the slight left / slight right lanes.
12
Keep slight right at fork onto US 52
0.5 mi·1 min·US 52
13
Merge onto I 94; US 10
0.2 mi·15 sec·I 94; US 10
14
Take the exit onto US 10
5.1 mi·6 min·US 10
Exit 242BToward I 35E North, US 10 WestUse the slight right lane.
15
Keep slight right at fork onto US 10
0.3 mi·19 sec·US 10
Exit 113-114Toward US 10 West, I 694 West, I 694 EastUse the straight / slight right lanes.
16
Take the exit
0.5 mi·35 sec
Exit 114Toward I 35E North, I 694 EastUse the slight right lane.
17
Merge onto I 694
0.8 mi·59 sec·I 694
18
Keep slight left at fork onto I 35E
18 mi·19 min·I 35E
Toward I 35E North: DuluthUse the slight left lane.
19
Keep slight left at fork onto I 35
82 mi·1 hr 28 min·I 35
20
Take the exit
0.3 mi·49 sec
Toward MN 73: Moose Lake
21
Turn left onto MN 73
0.9 mi·1 min·MN 73
22
Enter roundabout onto State Highway 73
132 ft·8 sec·State Highway 73
23
Continue on State Highway 73
0.8 mi·1 min·State Highway 73
24
Continue on MN 73; CR 61
0.7 mi·1 min·Arrowhead Lane
25
Turn left onto MN 27; MN 73
0.5 mi·1 min·Folz Boulevard
26
Continue on MN 27; MN 73
22 mi·37 min·State Highway 73
27
Turn left onto MN 210
3.6 mi·4 min·1st Street
28
Turn right onto CR 127
0.2 mi·27 sec·Gisler Road
29
Arrive at destination
CR 127
Trip Plan
Given the 4-hour driving time, departing in the morning is recommended to maximize your daylight hours. With only one recommended stop and a straightforward highway route, you have flexibility in pacing. The $34 fuel cost estimate is helpful for budgeting, but it's always wise to start with a full tank. Pay attention to the 82.2-mile stretch on I 35, as this is the longest segment without a planned break. Since this is a single-day trip, you can easily adjust your departure time based on your schedule.
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 106.6 miles from Rochester, MN, or about 2h 6m 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 47 miles or 56m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 106.6 miles or 2h 6m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 3h 19m
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 Rochester, 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 Rochester, MN
This is one driving day of about 213.2 miles and 4h 18m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 47 miles from Rochester, 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 20
5 decision points cluster between mile 1.1 and 82.6 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
9
1.1 mi into trip|~3m in
Keep slight left at fork toward US 52 North, US 63 North, US 14 West
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the slight left lane.
Toward US 52 North, US 63 North, US 14 West
7
67 mi into trip|~1h 19m in|US 52
Keep slight right at fork onto US 52 toward US 52 North: Saint Paul
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight left / slight right lanes.
Toward US 52 North: Saint Paul
8
77.2 mi into trip|~1h 33m in|US 10
Take the exit onto US 10 toward I 35E North, US 10 West
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the slight right lane.
Exit 242B
Toward I 35E North, US 10 West
9
82.3 mi into trip|~1h 40m in|US 10
Keep slight right at fork onto US 10 toward US 10 West, I 694 West, I 694 East
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Exit 113-114
Toward US 10 West, I 694 West, I 694 East
8
82.6 mi into trip|~1h 40m in
Take the exit toward I 35E North, I 694 East
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the slight right lane.
Exit 114
Toward I 35E North, I 694 East
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$35.67 one way
$71.35 round trip
$4.25/gal25.4 MPG avg75 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.53
$38.00
$76.00
premium
$5.11
$42.88
$85.77
diesel
$6.28
$52.68
$105.36
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$36
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$61–$86
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 74.6 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-10-19.
Driving Electric?
About $22 in charging
· 0 stops
· 67% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
64
0
$22.39
$10.23
Efficient EV
53.3
0
$18.66
$8.53
EV Truck/SUV
85.3
1
$29.85
$13.64
Gas CO2
75 kg
EV CO2
25 kg (67% 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 23, 2026
Origin
Rochester, MN
Morning
in Rochester on Saturday
Local time
6:07 AM
CDT
Current temp
73°F
Chance Rain Showers
SE 12 mph48% chanceLive forecast
Destination
Woodbury, MN
Morning
in Woodbury on Saturday
Local time
6:07 AM
CDT
Current temp
73°F
Mostly Cloudy
S 10 to 15 mph11% 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
4h 18m on the road
An early start around 7-8 AM gets you there with plenty of daylight left.
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 to spend nearly the entire 4-hour drive on highways, as this route boasts a 97% highway share. The longest uninterrupted stretch you'll encounter is 82.2 miles on I 35. You'll experience a significant amount of highway cruising, with the transition to more local roads likely occurring only in the final few miles. The prevalence of highway driving means you'll encounter numerous exits, so stay alert as you approach your destination.
97% 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: 82.2 mi on I 35.
How Hard Is This Drive?
9/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 35 and US 52. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 1.1 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 20 significant decision points across 213.2 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 1.1 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 67 miles (US 52): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 77.2 miles (US 10): Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Rochester, Minnesota, about 80 miles (130 km) southeast of Minneapolis/St. Paul, is home to the Mayo Clinic. Rochester is cold in the winter and warm, and many times hot, in the summer. It has a population of 107,890 in the city limits, with more in the surrounding areas, but hosts millions of out-of-town visitors coming for treatment at the Mayo Clinic. Owing to the large number of visitors, Rochester has a well developed infrastructure and is much busier than other cities of its size.
Top landmarks
•Plummer Building — building in the United States
•Avalon Music — architectural structure
•Chateau Theatre — former theater and movie theater in Rochester, Minnesota, United States, later c...
Doable as a same-day drive at 4h 18m. Total distance: 213.2 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
4h 18m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (97%). 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.
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 1.1 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 67 miles (US 52): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 77.2 miles (US 10): Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Possible but tiring. At 4.3 hours each way, an in-and-out day trip would put you behind the wheel for 8.6 hours — manageable with a long break at Woodbury, MN, but most travelers stay overnight.
