Saint Paul, MN to International Falls, MN is 292.2 miles and takes about 5h 47m via US 53 and I-35, with a fuel budget near $48 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This trip stays within Minnesota, moving north from the Midwest's urban core toward the Canadian border. Given its mostly highway profile and manageable duration, this route is well-suited for a single-day drive. You'll primarily be on interstate and US highways, making for a straightforward transit. Consider this route if you need to get to International Falls efficiently from the Twin Cities metro area.
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
146.1 miles from Saint Paul, MN
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 2h 44m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
US 53
137.8 mi
2h 50m
I 35
105 mi
1h 52m
I 35E
22.9 mi
25m
MN 33
19.8 mi
26m
Speaker Irvin N. Anderson Memorial Highway
2.2 mi
3m
I 694
0.8 mi
<1m
2nd Avenue
0.8 mi
1m
3rd Avenue
0.7 mi
<1m
Longest stretch:
US 53
— 137.8 mi, about 2h 50m
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 Saint Paul, MN and International Falls, 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
Take the exit
0.5 mi·35 sec
Exit 114Toward I 35E North, I 694 EastUse the slight right lane.
9
Merge onto I 694
0.8 mi·59 sec·I 694
10
Keep slight left at fork onto I 35E
18 mi·19 min·I 35E
Toward I 35E North: DuluthUse the slight left lane.
11
Keep slight left at fork onto I 35
105 mi·1 hr 52 min·I 35
12
Take the exit onto MN 33
0.6 mi·58 sec·MN 33
Toward MN 33: Cloquet, Iron Range
13
Enter roundabout onto MN 33
127 ft·1 sec·MN 33
14
Continue on MN 33
19 mi·25 min·MN 33
Use the straight lane.
15
Take the exit onto MN 33
0.4 mi·29 sec·MN 33
16
Merge onto US 53
37 mi·43 min·US 53
Use the straight / right lanes.
17
Enter roundabout onto US 53
113 ft·1 sec·US 53
18
Continue on US 53
100 mi·2 hr 6 min·US 53
Use the straight lane.
19
Enter roundabout onto US 53
150 ft·2 sec·Speaker Irvin N. Anderson Memorial Highway
20
Continue on US 53
2.2 mi·3 min·Speaker Irvin N. Anderson Memorial Highway
21
Continue on US 53
0.8 mi·1 min·2nd Avenue
22
Continue on US 53
0.7 mi·55 sec·3rd Avenue
23
Turn left onto 5th Street
0.3 mi·1 min·5th Street
24
Turn right onto 8th Avenue
111 ft·5 sec·8th Avenue
25
Turn right
75 ft·5 sec
26
Arrive at destination
Trip Plan
To make the most of this 5h 47m drive, aim for an early morning departure from Saint Paul to maximize daylight and minimize traffic leaving the metro area. With only one recommended stop and a longest stretch of 137.8 miles, you can easily complete this trip in one day. Keep an eye on your fuel gauge, especially as you get further north on US 53, as services may become less frequent. Your estimated fuel cost is around $48, but it's always wise to have a buffer. The efficiency of this route means you have flexibility to stop when 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 146.1 miles from Saint Paul, MN, or about 2h 44m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 137.8 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 64 miles or 1h 11m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 146.1 miles or 2h 44m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 4h 39m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near International Falls, 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 292.2 miles and 5h 47m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 64 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 US 53 for about 137.8 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 20
5 decision points cluster between mile 0.5 and 7.5 — 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
8
6.2 mi into trip|~9m 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
7
7.5 mi into trip|~11m in|I 35E
Keep slight left at fork onto I 35E toward I 35E North: Duluth
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight left lane.
Toward I 35E North: Duluth
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$48.97 one way
$97.94 round trip
$4.26/gal25.4 MPG avg102 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.53
$52.16
$104.32
premium
$5.15
$59.21
$118.42
diesel
$6.18
$71.08
$142.17
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$49
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$74–$99
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 102.2 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-10-12.
Driving Electric?
About $31 in charging
· 1 stop
· 67% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
87.7
1
$30.68
$14.03
Efficient EV
73.1
0
$25.57
$11.69
EV Truck/SUV
116.9
1
$40.91
$18.70
Gas CO2
102 kg
EV CO2
34 kg (67% less)
Plan for 1 charging stop. A 30-minute DC fast charge mid-route should be enough to complete the trip comfortably.
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 16, 2026
Origin
Saint Paul, MN
Late night
in Saint Paul on Saturday
Local time
3:43 AM
CDT
Current temp
51°F
Chance Rain Showers then Partly Sunny
NNW 10 to 20 mph46% chanceLive forecast
Freeze Watch
Freeze Watch issued October 16 at 3:47AM CDT until October 17 at 8:00AM CDT by NWS Sioux Falls SD
Freeze Warning
Freeze Warning issued October 16 at 3:47AM CDT until October 17 at 9:00AM CDT by NWS Sioux Falls SD
Destination
International Falls, MN
Late night
in International Falls on Saturday
Local time
3:43 AM
CDT
Current temp
35°F
Cloudy
N 20 mph10% chanceLive forecast
Freeze Watch
Freeze Watch issued October 16 at 3:47AM CDT until October 17 at 8:00AM CDT by NWS Sioux Falls SD
Freeze Warning
Freeze Warning issued October 16 at 3:47AM CDT until October 17 at 9:00AM CDT by NWS Sioux Falls SD
45°F
Gilbert, MN
146 mi in
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
16 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
5h 47m 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.
National Parks Near This Route
Worth a detour if your schedule allows.
Voyageurs National Park
National Park
Voyageurs National Park spans 218,000 acres of lakes, forests, and streams in northern Minnesota. Established in 1975, the park is named after the French-Canadian Voyageurs who once navigated these ab...
10 mi from route
~25 min detour
Free
near mile 261.9
Park Closure: Increased Bear Activity and Dryweed Island Area Closures
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
This drive is predominantly highway, with 98% of the 292.2 miles on major roads like I-35E, I-35, and US 53. You'll experience a significant stretch of 137.8 miles on US 53, likely characterized by consistent cruising with fewer exits. The transition to surface roads, if any, will occur late in the drive. Expect a generally open road feel for most of the trip.
98% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
26 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 137.8 mi on US 53.
How Hard Is This Drive?
9/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on US 53 and I 35. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 0.5 miles in near Robert Street North.
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 292.2 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 0.5 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
1,612 ft789 ft
Total Climb
831 ft
Total Descent
499 ft
Highest Point
1,612 ft
~187.8 mi in
Elevation Range
823 ft
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
On the drive from Saint Paul, MN to International Falls, MN, road signs begin pointing toward Iron Range along the way.
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
International Falls is a city in Minnesota. The city is nicknamed "Frostbite Falls" or "Icebox of the Nation". According to Forbes magazine, it is the coldest city in the Lower 48 United States.
Top landmarks
•Koochiching County Courthouse — courthouse in International Falls, Minnesota
Doable as a same-day drive at 5h 47m. Total distance: 292.2 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
5h 47m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (98%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 137.8 miles on US 53. 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 International Falls, 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.
Yes — Voyageurs National Park. See the National Parks section for detour distances and tips on detours.
Not recommended in a single day. At 5.8 hours each way, a round trip means 11.6 hours of driving — that is an unsafe level of fatigue for most drivers. Plan at least one night at International Falls, MN before the return drive.
