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Trip from Saint Paul, MN to Lake Crystal, MN

Compiled and reviewed by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Apr 19, 2026 · Editorial standards

Drive Time

2h 6m

Distance

95.7 mi

154 km

Drive Score

8/10

Great drive

Same Day?

Yes, doable

Fuel Cost

$14

one way

EV Charging

Excellent

8 DC fast

Best Time to Leave

Save up to 27 min
4 AM
1h 58m ★
6 AM
2h 7m
8 AM
2h 25m
10 AM
2h 13m
12 PM
2h 11m
3 PM
2h 14m
5 PM
2h 24m
8 PM
2h 1m

Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.

Best Time Drive vs Fly
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capital of the state of Minnesota, United States; county seat of Ramsey County, Minnesota

Saint Paul, MN

Wikimedia Commons

Downtown Lake Crystal, MN, MN

Lake Crystal, MN

Tom Fisk

Trip Overview

The drive from Saint Paul, MN to Lake Crystal, MN covers 95.7 miles and takes about 2h 6m behind the wheel. This route is realistic as a one-day drive if you keep your stops efficient.

The route leans on US 169, I 35E, Country Trail West /Richard J. Ames Memorial Highway for much of the mileage, and the overall profile is mostly highway. The longest uninterrupted segment is about 56.6 miles on US 169. At current regular gas prices, budget about $14.24 one way before food or hotel costs.

Trip Pace

Same-day drive is realistic

A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.

Midpoint

47.9 miles from Saint Paul, MN

A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h 6m into the drive .

Main Roads

Road Distance Duration
US 169 56.6 mi 1h 9m
I 35E 13.8 mi 15m
Country Trail West /Richard J. Ames Memorial Highway 5 mi 6m
Highway 13 South 3.3 mi 5m
Shepard Road 3.1 mi 5m
Langford Boulevard /Richard J. Ames Memorial Highway 2.9 mi 3m
County Road 42 West 2.6 mi 4m
Egan Drive 2.5 mi 3m
Longest stretch: US 169 — 56.6 mi, about 1h 9m

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between Saint Paul, MN and Lake Crystal, MN.

1

Start on Wabasha Street North

198 ft · 14 sec · Wabasha Street North
2

Turn left onto 4th Street West

0.1 mi · 35 sec · 4th Street West
3

Turn left onto Market Street

264 ft · 12 sec · Market Street
4

Turn right onto Kellogg Boulevard West

261 ft · 8 sec · Kellogg Boulevard West
5

Turn slight left onto Exchange Street South

0.2 mi · 40 sec · Exchange Street South
6

Turn left onto Eagle Parkway

0.2 mi · 43 sec · Eagle Parkway
7

Turn right onto CH 37

3.1 mi · 5 min · Shepard Road
Use the right lane.
8

Take the exit

0.2 mi · 34 sec
Toward I 35E South Use the left lane.
9

Merge onto I 35E

14 mi · 15 min · I 35E
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
10

Take the exit

0.5 mi · 1 min
Exit 88B Toward CR 42 Use the straight / slight right lanes.
11

Turn right onto CR 42

2.6 mi · 4 min · County Road 42 West
Use the right lane.
12

Continue on CR 42

2.5 mi · 3 min · Egan Drive
Use the left lane.
13

Turn left onto MN 13

3.3 mi · 5 min · Highway 13 South
Use the left / straight lanes.
14

Enter roundabout onto MN 13

144 ft · 2 sec · Richard J. Ames Memorial Highway
15

Continue on MN 13

0.8 mi · 1 min · Richard J. Ames Memorial Highway
16

Continue on MN 13

0.5 mi · 49 sec · Langford Boulevard/Richard J. Ames Memorial Highway
17

Continue on MN 13

2.9 mi · 3 min · Langford Boulevard /Richard J. Ames Memorial Highway
18

Turn slight right

0.1 mi · 9 sec
19

Continue on MN 282

1.3 mi · 1 min · Country Trail East /Richard J. Ames Memorial Highway
20

Continue on MN 282

5.0 mi · 6 min · Country Trail West /Richard J. Ames Memorial Highway
21

Continue on MN 282

0.5 mi · 50 sec · East 2nd Street /Richard J. Ames Memorial Highway
22

Continue on MN 282

0.6 mi · 1 min · 2nd Street East
23

Enter roundabout onto MN 282

107 ft · 2 sec · 2nd Street West
24

Continue on MN 282

0.2 mi · 22 sec · 2nd Street West
Use the straight lane.
25

Turn left onto US 169

5.8 mi · 6 min · US 169
Use the left lane.
26

Continue on US 169

3.8 mi · 4 min · US 169
Use the straight lane.
27

Continue on US 169

24 mi · 29 min · US 169
Use the straight lane.
28

Continue on US 169; MN 99

14 mi · 18 min · US 169; MN 99
Use the straight lane.
29

Continue on US 169; MN 60

9.1 mi · 10 min · US 169; MN 60
30

Take the exit onto CR 76

0.1 mi · 24 sec · North Main Street
31

Continue on CR 76

0.4 mi · 56 sec · North Main Street
32

Turn right onto CR 74

74 ft · 2 sec · West Prince Street
33

Arrive at destination

CR 74

Trip Plan

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 47.9 miles from Saint Paul, MN, or about 1h 6m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 56.6 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 30m in

Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.

Halfway reset

Around 47.9 miles or 1h 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 1h 44m

Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Lake Crystal, 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 95.7 miles and 2h 6m.

Your first comfortable stop window is around 21 miles from Saint Paul, MN.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
The longest stretch is on US 169 for about 56.6 miles.

Where to Stop

Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.

city in Scott County, Minnesota, United States

Mid-route town

Meal stop

Jordan, MN

48 mi into the route

Best for: Lunch, fuel, and a longer reset

This sits close to the middle of the route, so it works well for the longest stop of the day.

Pacing Suggestions

Burnsville, MN

Fuel and coffee

A short stop after about 21 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.

Jordan, MN

Meal break

The midpoint is around 47.9 miles from Saint Paul, MN, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.

These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.

Nearby Places

Restaurants, cafes, gas stations and more along your route.

Top Restaurant

Crasqui Restaurant

4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

St Paul, Minnesota

Near the start, right off the route

0.4 mi from route ~1 min detour Moderately

Hours: 4–8 pm

+19526005578

Visit website

Forepaugh's Restaurant

4.5 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

St Paul, Minnesota

0.6 mi

Cafe Astoria

4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

St Paul, Minnesota

0.7 mi

Top Coffee Stop

Abogados Café

4.9 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

St Paul, Minnesota

Near the start, short detour

2.6 mi from route ~6 min detour $1 to $10

Hours: 7 am–2 pm

Visit website

yellowbird coffee bar

4.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

St Paul, Minnesota

2.8 mi

Crasqui Restaurant

4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, right off the route

0.4 mi from route ~1 min detour Moderately

St Paul, Minnesota

Hours: 4–8 pm

+19526005578

Visit website

Forepaugh's Restaurant

4.5 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, right off the route

0.6 mi from route ~1 min detour $100 or ab

St Paul, Minnesota

Hours: 3:30–10:30 pm

+16516663636

Visit website

Cafe Astoria

4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, right off the route

0.7 mi from route ~2 min detour $10 to $20

St Paul, Minnesota

Hours: 7 am–3 pm

+16513409471

Visit website

El Mazatlan Mexican Restaurant

4.5 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, short detour

2.5 mi from route ~6 min detour $10 to $20 mile 82.1

Mankato, Minnesota

Hours: 11 am–9 pm

+15076252406

Visit website

Buca di Beppo Italian Restaurant

4.2 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Near the start, short detour

2.4 mi from route ~6 min detour $20 to $30 mile 6.8

St Paul, Minnesota

Hours: 11 am–9:30 pm

+16517724388

Visit website

Nawal Restaurant

4.4 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Near the start, short detour

2.4 mi from route ~6 min detour $10 to $20 mile 13.7

Burnsville, Minnesota

Hours: 6 am–9 pm

+19524566701

Hodma Restaurant

4.5 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, short detour

2.9 mi from route ~7 min detour $10 to $20

St Paul, Minnesota

Hours: 8 am–10 pm

+16512733308

Visit website

Teresa's Mexican Restaurant

4.2 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Near the start, ~9 min detour

3.5 mi from route ~9 min detour $20 to $30 mile 13.7

Eagan, Minnesota

Hours: 11 am–10 pm

+16514409147

Visit website

Abogados Café

4.9 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, short detour

2.6 mi from route ~6 min detour $1 to $10

St Paul, Minnesota

Hours: 7 am–2 pm

Visit website

yellowbird coffee bar

4.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, short detour

2.8 mi from route ~7 min detour $1 to $10

St Paul, Minnesota

Hours: 7 am–5 pm

+16514937134

Visit website

Constellation Coffee Shop

4.9 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, ~9 min detour

3.6 mi from route ~9 min detour $1 to $10 mile 13.7

Apple Valley, Minnesota

Hours: 7 am–3 pm

+19529525448

Visit website

Luminary Coffeehouse

4.8 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, ~9 min detour

3.6 mi from route ~9 min detour $1 to $10

St Paul, Minnesota

Hours: 7:30 am–4 pm

Visit website

Crema Coffee + Cream

4.8 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, ~12 min detour

4.7 mi from route ~12 min detour $1 to $10 mile 6.8

Minneapolis, Minnesota

Hours: 6:30 am–5 pm

+16128747477

Visit website

Rest Area

0.1 mi from route

Rest Area

0.4 mi from route

Minnesota Children's Museum

4.5 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, right off the route

0.3 mi from route ~1 min detour

St Paul, Minnesota

Hours: 9 am–4 pm

+16512256000

Visit website

Union Depot

4.5 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, right off the route

0.4 mi from route ~1 min detour

St Paul, Minnesota

Hours: 6 am–10 pm

+16512022700

Visit website

Eagan Community Center

4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, short detour

2.6 mi from route ~7 min detour mile 6.8

Eagan, Minnesota

Hours: 6 am–9 pm

+16516755550

Visit website

Center For Lost Objects

4.0 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Near the start, short detour

2 mi from route ~5 min detour

St Paul, Minnesota

Hours: 11 am–6 pm

+16515042356

Visit website

Splash Valley Water Park

4.5 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, short detour

3.3 mi from route ~8 min detour mile 13.7

Apple Valley, Minnesota

+19529532300

Visit website

Sever's Corn Maze & Farm Market

4.3 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Around the midpoint, ~9 min detour

3.6 mi from route ~9 min detour mile 34.2

Shakopee, Minnesota

Hours: Closed

+19522706293

Visit website

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 and 17.9 — 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 | 4th Street West

Turn left onto 4th Street West

Navigation decision point

5
0.2 mi into trip | ~0m in | Market Street

Turn left onto Market Street

Navigation decision point

6
0.7 mi into trip | ~2m in | CH 37 / Shepard Road

Turn right onto CH 37 / Shepard Road

Lane positioning matters here

Use the right lane.
7
3.8 mi into trip | ~7m in

Take the exit toward I 35E South

Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here

Use the left lane. Toward I 35E South
7
17.9 mi into trip | ~24m in

Take the exit toward CR 42

Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here

Use the straight / slight right lanes. Exit 88B Toward CR 42

Fuel & Cost

Regular Gas

$14.24 one way

$28.48 round trip

$3.78/gal 25.4 MPG avg 34 kg CO2
Fuel Type $/gal One Way Round Trip
midgrade $4.07 $15.35 $30.69
premium $4.53 $17.08 $34.15
diesel $5.61 $21.13 $42.26

No toll roads detected on this route.

Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)

Fuel

$14

Meals

$25–$50

Total

$39–$64

Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.

Estimated CO2 emission: 33.5 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.

EV Charging Along Route

8 DC fast chargers · Coverage: excellent

Target - Tesla Supercharger

St. Paul, MN

Tesla

12 DCFC

McD #671 Jefferson

St. Paul, MN

eVgo Network

4 DCFC

Bates & 7th

Saint Paul, MN

ZEFNET

2 DCFC

Cesar Chavez

Saint Paul, MN

ZEFNET

2 DCFC

Lot W Jackson & 14th

Saint Paul, MN

ZEFNET

2 DCFC

St Joseph's Lane & 7th St

Saint Paul, MN

ZEFNET

2 DCFC

Aurora & Rice

Saint Paul, MN

ZEFNET

2 DCFC

League of Minnesota Cities - DCFC

Saint Paul, MN

Blink Network

1 DCFC

ZEFNET: 5 Blink Network: 1 Tesla: 1 eVgo Network: 1

Station data from NREL Alternative Fuel Stations database.

Driving Electric?

About $10 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO2

Vehicle Type kWh Stops DC Fast Home Charge
Average EV 28.7 0 $10.05 $4.59
Efficient EV 23.9 0 $8.37 $3.83
EV Truck/SUV 38.3 0 $13.40 $6.12

Gas CO2

33 kg

EV CO2

11 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 Apr 15, 2026

Origin

Saint Paul, MN

Morning in Saint Paul on Sunday

Local time

10:58 AM

CDT

Current temp

67°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

Destination

Lake Crystal, MN

Morning in Lake Crystal on Sunday

Local time

10:58 AM

CDT

Current temp

46°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

47°F

Jordan, MN

48 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

21 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

2h 6m 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.

What kind of drive is this?

95.7 mi in 2h 6m, mostly highway — 56.6 mi of that is on US 169.

77% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
33 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 56.6 mi on US 169.

How Hard Is This Drive?

6/10

This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on US 169 and I 35E. You will hit about 16 points where you need to pay attention to lane position or signs. The trickiest moment comes early in the drive near 4th Street West.

Driving Effort 6/10

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 95.7 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: near the start (4th Street West): Navigation decision point; at 0.2 miles (Market Street): Navigation decision point; at 0.7 miles (CH 37 / Shepard Road): Lane positioning matters here.

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 Lake Crystal, MN, road signs begin pointing toward Cr 42 along the way.

Cr 42

17.9 mi in | ~24m

Who Is This Route For?

Weekend Trip

Doable as a same-day drive at 2h 6m. Total distance: 95.7 miles.

Family Friendly

Moderate complexity with 0 natural rest stops along the way.

Solo Traveler

2h 6m drive, comfortable solo distance.

First-Time Driver

Mostly highway driving (77%). Some complex stretches to watch for.

Frequently Asked Questions

The longest stretch is about 56.6 miles on US 169. 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 Lake Crystal, 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: near the start (4th Street West): Navigation decision point; at 0.2 miles (Market Street): Navigation decision point; at 0.7 miles (CH 37 / Shepard Road): Lane positioning matters here.

Yes. A round trip is manageable in a single day if you plan a break at Lake Crystal, MN before heading back.

How this page is built

Compiled by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy from open government datasets — OSRM over OpenStreetMap for geometry, EIA for fuel prices, NREL for EV charging, and NPS for national parks. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.

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