Saint Paul, MN to Clinton, MN is 206.7 miles and takes about 4 hours 9 minutes via Minnesota Avenue and I-94, with a fuel budget near $29 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This one-day trip stays entirely within the Midwest region, offering a straightforward drive through Minnesota. It's a practical choice for a quick journey, suitable for those who prefer a direct route without extensive detours. Expect a predominantly highway-focused experience that gets you to your destination efficiently.
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
103.4 miles from Saint Paul, MN
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 2h into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
Minnesota Avenue
41.3 mi
46m
MN 23
40 mi
47m
I 94
36 mi
38m
MN 9
35.8 mi
47m
US 10
18.8 mi
23m
I-94 W
17.1 mi
18m
US 75
11.2 mi
16m
I 35E
4.9 mi
6m
Longest stretch:
Minnesota Avenue
— 41.3 mi, about 46m
Traffic on I-94
Hour-of-day weekday pattern from 24 FHWA count stations on your route.
Peak
4 PM
~3,434 veh/hr typical
· worst 3,965
Quietest
2 AM
~208 veh/hr
Peak-to-quiet ratio
16.5×
busier at peak than in the quiet hours
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Averaged across 47 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 Saint Paul, MN and Clinton, MN.
1
Start on Wabasha Street North
0.3 mi·1 min·Wabasha Street North
2
Turn right onto MN 5
0.2 mi·44 sec·7th Street East
3
Turn left onto Robert Street North
0.2 mi·40 sec·Robert Street North
4
Turn right onto 11th Street East
451 ft·17 sec·11th Street East
5
Keep slight left at fork
0.2 mi·30 sec
Toward I 35E North, US 10 West
6
Continue on I 35E
4.9 mi·6 min·I 35E
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
7
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.
8
Continue on US 10
19 mi·22 min·US 10
Exit 113Toward I 694 West, US 10 WestUse the straight / slight right lanes.
9
Continue on I 94
17 mi·18 min·I-94 W
Exit 27Toward I 94 West: Saint CloudUse the straight / left lanes.
10
Keep slight left at fork onto I 94
36 mi·38 min·I 94
11
Take the exit
0.2 mi·21 sec
Toward MN 23 West: Paynesville
12
Merge onto MN 23
15 mi·19 min·MN 23
Use the straight lane.
13
Continue on MN 23
1.1 mi·1 min·MN 23
14
Continue on MN 23
24 mi·27 min·MN 23
15
Turn right onto MN 9
36 mi·47 min·MN 9
16
Turn right onto US 12; MN 9
370 ft·18 sec·Atlantic Avenue
17
Turn left onto US 12; MN 29
0.2 mi·15 sec·14th Street North
18
Continue on US 12; MN 29
0.1 mi·9 sec·Church Street
19
Turn right onto US 12
41 mi·46 min·Minnesota Avenue
20
Turn right onto US 75
11 mi·16 min·US 75
21
Turn right onto Main Street
33 ft·1 sec·Main Street
22
Arrive at destination
Main Street
Trip Plan
Given the 4-hour duration, this trip is easily manageable in a single day, making an early morning departure ideal to maximize daylight. With only one suggested stop and a fuel cost around $29, you can plan for minimal interruptions. Keep an eye on your fuel levels, especially during the 41.3-mile stretch on Minnesota Avenue, as services might be less frequent compared to the interstate. The flexibility of a shorter drive means you can adjust your pace as needed.
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 103.4 miles from Saint Paul, MN, or about 2h into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 41.3 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 45 miles or 54m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 103.4 miles or 2h 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 22m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Clinton, MN than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving Saint Paul, 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 Paul, MN
This is one driving day of about 206.7 miles and 4h 9m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 45 miles from Saint Paul, 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 Minnesota Avenue for about 41.3 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 0.5 and 78 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
5
0.5 mi into trip|~1m in|Robert Street North
Turn left onto Robert Street North
Navigation decision point
7
0.8 mi into trip|~2m in
Keep slight left at fork toward I 35E North, US 10 West
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Toward I 35E North, US 10 West
9
5.9 mi into trip|~9m 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
5
6.2 mi into trip|~9m in|US 10
Continue onto US 10 toward I 694 West, US 10 West
Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Exit 113
Toward I 694 West, US 10 West
6
78 mi into trip|~1h 30m in|MN 23
Merge onto MN 23
Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight lane.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$33.93 one way
$67.87 round trip
$4.17/gal25.4 MPG avg72 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.46
$36.29
$72.59
premium
$4.95
$40.27
$80.53
diesel
$5.35
$43.54
$87.07
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$34
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$59–$84
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 72.3 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-06-01.
Driving Electric?
About $22 in charging
· 0 stops
· 67% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
62
0
$21.70
$9.92
Efficient EV
51.7
0
$18.09
$8.27
EV Truck/SUV
82.7
1
$28.94
$13.23
Gas CO2
72 kg
EV CO2
24 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 Jun 1, 2026
Origin
Saint Paul, MN
Afternoon
in Saint Paul on Wednesday
Local time
2:03 PM
CDT
Current temp
61°F
Showers And Thunderstorms Likely
ESE 5 mph56% chanceLive forecast
Special Weather Statement
Special Weather Statement issued June 1 at 2:20AM CDT by NWS Duluth MN
Beach Hazards Statement
Beach Hazards Statement issued June 1 at 2:17AM CDT until June 1 at 10:00PM CDT by NWS Duluth MN
Destination
Clinton, MN
Afternoon
in Clinton on Wednesday
Local time
2:03 PM
CDT
Current temp
58°F
Chance Showers And Thunderstorms
SE 5 to 8 mph68% chanceLive forecast
Special Weather Statement
Special Weather Statement issued June 1 at 2:20AM CDT by NWS Duluth MN
Beach Hazards Statement
Beach Hazards Statement issued June 1 at 2:17AM CDT until June 1 at 10:00PM CDT by NWS Duluth MN
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
4h 9m 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?
This drive is heavily highway-focused, with 79% of the route utilizing major roads like Minnesota Avenue and I-94. You'll encounter a longest stretch of 41.3 miles along Minnesota Avenue, offering a sustained period of driving before transitioning to the interstate. The profile suggests a predominantly fast-paced journey, likely with minimal traffic congestion, allowing for steady progress towards Clinton. Expect a consistent driving experience for most of the trip.
79% 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: 41.3 mi on Minnesota Avenue.
How Hard Is This Drive?
6/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on Minnesota Avenue and MN 23. You will hit about 16 points where you need to pay attention to lane position or signs. The trickiest moment comes around 0.5 miles in near Robert Street North.
Driving Effort6/10
Moderate - straightforward overall, but long enough or busy enough to require pacing
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This drive requires moderate attention. Across 206.7 miles you will encounter 16 spots where lane choice or exit timing matters. Not difficult for experienced highway drivers, but worth previewing the tricky sections before you go.
Where does it get tricky?
The main spots that need attention: at 0.5 miles (Robert Street North): Navigation decision point; at 0.8 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 5.9 miles (US 10): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Elevation Profile
Mostly flat terrain
1,251 ft789 ft
Total Climb
627 ft
Total Descent
266 ft
Highest Point
1,251 ft
~132.9 mi in
Elevation Range
462 ft
Detours Along the Way
Tagged by where each one fits in your drive — first break, midpoint, final stretch.
Saint Paul (or St. Paul) is the capital city and the second largest city of the US state of Minnesota. Along with the slightly larger Minneapolis it forms the urban core of the Twin Cities region, the third largest metropolis in the Midwest.
Top landmarks
•Minnesota State Capitol — state capitol building of the U.S. state of Minnesota
•Cathedral of Saint Paul, National Shrine of the Apostle Paul — cathedral in Saint Paul, Minnesota, USA
•Saint Paul Union Depot — train station in Saint Paul, Minnesota
Doable as a same-day drive at 4h 9m. Total distance: 206.7 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
4h 9m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (79%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 41.3 miles on Minnesota Avenue. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Yes — we found about 12 rest areas or service plazas within a short detour of the route (from OpenStreetMap). See the Rest Stops tab under Nearby Places for locations and mile markers. Plan to stretch, use the bathroom, and top off fluids every 2–3 hours on longer drives.
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 Clinton, 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. There are 12 rest areas along the route for bathroom stops.
The main spots that need attention: at 0.5 miles (Robert Street North): Navigation decision point; at 0.8 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 5.9 miles (US 10): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Possible but tiring. At 4.2 hours each way, an in-and-out day trip would put you behind the wheel for 8.3 hours — manageable with a long break at Clinton, MN, but most travelers stay overnight.
