If you are planning to travel from Saint George to Minneapolis, expect a straightforward 96-mile journey that typically takes about 1 hour and 41 minutes. This trip is perfectly suited for a single-day excursion, allowing you to reach the city without the need for an overnight stay. Budget approximately $14 for fuel to cover the entire distance across the Minnesota landscape. Because this route relies on local roads rather than major interstates, it offers a more personal, hands-on driving experience. It is an ideal choice for travelers who prefer a direct, manageable drive through the Midwest rather than a long-haul trek.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.
Midpoint
48.7 miles from Saint George, MN
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 1h 1m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
US 212
53.8 mi
1h 4m
State Highway 15
25.7 mi
32m
Fort Road
5.8 mi
8m
I 35W
5.4 mi
7m
Crosstown Highway
4.9 mi
6m
MN 65
0.8 mi
1m
5th Avenue South
0.6 mi
2m
Washington Avenue South
0.2 mi
<1m
Longest stretch:
US 212
— 53.8 mi, about 1h 4m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Saint George, MN and Minneapolis, MN.
1
Start on CR 16
16 ft·3 sec·631st Avenue
2
Turn left onto CR 5
5.8 mi·8 min·Fort Road
3
Turn left onto MN 15
26 mi·32 min·State Highway 15
4
Turn right onto US 212
13 mi·15 min·US 212
5
Enter roundabout onto US 212
156 ft·2 sec·US 212
6
Continue on US 212
10 mi·11 min·US 212
7
Keep slight right at fork onto US 212
31 mi·36 min·US 212
Use the straight lane.
8
Continue on MN 62
4.9 mi·6 min·Crosstown Highway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
9
Take the exit
0.2 mi·23 sec
Exit 112AToward I 35W NorthUse the slight left / straight lanes.
10
Merge onto I 35W
5.4 mi·7 min·I 35W
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
11
Keep slight left at fork onto MN 65
0.5 mi·32 sec·MN 65
Toward I 94 WestUse the straight / slight right lanes.
12
Keep slight left at fork onto MN 65
0.3 mi·42 sec·MN 65
Toward 5th Avenue South
13
Continue on 5th Avenue South
0.6 mi·2 min·5th Avenue South
Use the straight / slight left lanes.
14
Turn left onto CR 152
0.2 mi·31 sec·Washington Avenue South
Use the left / straight lanes.
15
Arrive at destination
CR 152
Trip Plan
Since this is a relatively short trip under two hours, you have plenty of flexibility in your departure time to avoid potential traffic. There are no mandatory stops scheduled, so you can easily complete the 96-mile run in one go if you prefer. Keep your $14 fuel budget in mind when planning your departure, and ensure your tank is ready for the local road conditions ahead. Because the route relies heavily on Highway 15 and Fort Road, double-check your navigation settings before leaving Saint George to ensure you stay on the intended path. Utilizing the full 1 hour and 41 minutes allows for a steady, stress-free pace as you head toward Minneapolis.
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 48.7 miles from Saint George, MN, or about 1h 1m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 53.8 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 21 miles or 27m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 48.7 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 Minneapolis, MN than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving Saint George, 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 Saint George, MN
This is one driving day of about 97.5 miles and 2h 3m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 21 miles from Saint George, MN.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
The longest stretch is on US 212 for about 53.8 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 10
5 decision points cluster between mile 54.5 and 96.4 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
6
54.5 mi into trip|~1h 8m in|US 212
Keep slight right at fork onto US 212
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight lane.
7
90.3 mi into trip|~1h 51m in
Take the exit toward I 35W North
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight left / straight lanes.
Exit 112A
Toward I 35W North
5
90.5 mi into trip|~1h 52m in|I 35W
Merge onto I 35W
Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
7
95.9 mi into trip|~1h 59m in|MN 65
Keep slight left at fork onto MN 65 toward I 94 West
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Toward I 94 West
5
96.4 mi into trip|~2h in|MN 65
Keep slight left at fork onto MN 65 toward 5th Avenue South
Highway fork - watch signs carefully
Toward 5th Avenue South
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$14.51 one way
$29.02 round trip
$3.78/gal25.4 MPG avg34 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.07
$15.63
$31.27
premium
$4.53
$17.40
$34.79
diesel
$5.61
$21.53
$43.05
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$15
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$40–$65
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 34.1 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
29.3
0
$10.24
$4.68
Efficient EV
24.4
0
$8.53
$3.90
EV Truck/SUV
39
0
$13.65
$6.24
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
Saint George, MN
Late night
in Saint George on Tuesday
Local time
5:42 AM
CDT
Current temp
38°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
Minneapolis, MN
Late night
in Minneapolis on Tuesday
Local time
5:42 AM
CDT
Current temp
59°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
21 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 3m 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 turn-heavy, local-road experience rather than a monotonous interstate grind on this 96-mile stretch. You will navigate via Fort Road and Highway 15, as this route maintains a zero-percent highway share throughout the entire duration. Because the drive is entirely composed of local roads, you should stay alert for frequent turns and changing road conditions. The character of the path remains consistent, requiring your full attention as you transition from the quiet of Saint George toward the urban environment of Minneapolis. It is a practical, engaging drive for those who enjoy navigating the nuances of smaller regional roads.
88% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
15 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 53.8 mi on US 212.
How Hard Is This Drive?
7/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on US 212 and State Highway 15. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 54.5 miles in near US 212.
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 10 significant decision points across 97.5 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 54.5 miles (US 212): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 90.3 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here; at 90.5 miles (I 35W): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here.
Minneapolis is a city of about 430,000 people (2019) and the largest city in Minnesota. Along with neighboring Saint Paul, it forms the urban core of the Twin Cities region, the third largest metropolitan area in the Midwest after Chicago and Detroit.
Doable as a same-day drive at 2h 3m. Total distance: 97.5 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 0 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
2h 3m 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 53.8 miles on US 212. 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 Minneapolis, 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 54.5 miles (US 212): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 90.3 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here; at 90.5 miles (I 35W): 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 Minneapolis, MN before heading back.
