Silver Bay to Woodbury is 100.1 miles and takes about 2 hours 8 minutes via MN 61 and I-35, with a fuel budget near $15 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This trip stays within Minnesota, moving from the Midwest region to another part of the Midwest. Since it's a relatively short drive entirely on highways, it's a straightforward option for a single-day excursion. You'll find it to be a practical choice if you're looking for a direct route with minimal complexity.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.
Midpoint
50.1 miles from Silver Bay, MN
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 1h 6m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
MN 61
52.5 mi
1h 9m
I 35
23.9 mi
28m
MN 210
23.3 mi
28m
Gisler Road
0.2 mi
<1m
Water Plant Road
<0.1 mi
<1m
Longest stretch:
MN 61
— 52.5 mi, about 1h 9m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Silver Bay, MN and Woodbury, MN.
1
Start on Water Plant Road
10 ft·2 sec·Water Plant Road
2
Turn left onto MN 61
52 mi·1 hr 9 min·MN 61
Use the straight lane.
3
Turn left onto I 35
4.0 mi·5 min·I 35
4
Keep slight left at fork onto I 35
20 mi·23 min·I 35
5
Take the exit
0.3 mi·38 sec
Exit 235Toward MN 210: Carlton, Cromwell
6
Turn right onto MN 210
23 mi·28 min·MN 210
7
Turn right onto CR 127
0.2 mi·27 sec·Gisler Road
8
Arrive at destination
CR 127
Trip Plan
Given the 2-hour duration, starting your drive anytime in the morning or early afternoon will allow ample time to reach your destination before evening. With only 100.1 miles, you can easily complete this trip in one day, so flexibility is key. There are no designated stops noted, but you'll want to utilize the available services along MN 61 and I-35. Keep an eye on your fuel gauge, as the estimated $15 cost suggests a moderate need for refueling, especially if you start with a low tank.
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 50.1 miles from Silver Bay, MN, or about 1h 6m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 52.5 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 22 miles or 29m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 50.1 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 45m
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 Silver Bay, 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 Silver Bay, MN
This is one driving day of about 100.1 miles and 2h 8m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 22 miles from Silver Bay, MN.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
The longest stretch is on MN 61 for about 52.5 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 5
5 decision points cluster between mile 0 and 99.9 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
4
0 mi into trip|~0m in|MN 61
Turn left onto MN 61
Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight lane.
4
56.4 mi into trip|~1h 15m in|I 35
Keep slight left at fork onto I 35
Highway fork - watch signs carefully
6
76.3 mi into trip|~1h 38m in
Take the exit toward MN 210: Carlton, Cromwell
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Exit 235
Toward MN 210: Carlton, Cromwell
3
76.6 mi into trip|~1h 38m in|MN 210
Turn right onto MN 210
Navigation decision point
4
99.9 mi into trip|~2h 7m in|CR 127 / Gisler Road
Turn right onto CR 127 / Gisler Road
Navigation decision point
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$14.90 one way
$29.79 round trip
$3.78/gal25.4 MPG avg35 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.07
$16.05
$32.10
premium
$4.53
$17.86
$35.72
diesel
$5.61
$22.10
$44.20
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: 35 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $11 in charging
· 0 stops
· 66% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
30
0
$10.51
$4.80
Efficient EV
25
0
$8.76
$4.00
EV Truck/SUV
40
0
$14.01
$6.41
Gas CO2
35 kg
EV CO2
12 kg (66% 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 21, 2026
Origin
Silver Bay, MN
Late night
in Silver Bay on Tuesday
Local time
4:20 AM
CDT
Current temp
46°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
Woodbury, MN
Late night
in Woodbury on Tuesday
Local time
4:20 AM
CDT
Current temp
54°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
8 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 8m 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?
You'll be on highways for the entire 100.1-mile trip. The longest continuous stretch you'll encounter is 52.5 miles along MN 61. Expect consistent highway cruising for the majority of this drive, with I-35 likely bringing more frequent exits as you approach the Twin Cities metro area. The seamless transition between MN 61 and I-35 means you won't be navigating many surface roads.
100% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
8 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 52.5 mi on MN 61.
How Hard Is This Drive?
2/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on MN 61 and I 35. Navigation is very simple - set it and forget it for most of the drive. The trickiest moment comes early in the drive near MN 61.
Driving Effort2/10
Very easy - short and simple to drive
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
The drive from Silver Bay, MN to Woodbury, MN is easy. At 2h 8m with 100% highway, most drivers will find it relaxed and low-stress.
Where does it get tricky?
The main spots that need attention: near the start (MN 61): Lane positioning matters here; at 56.4 miles (I 35): Highway fork - watch signs carefully; at 76.3 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
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 Silver Bay, MN to Woodbury, MN, road signs begin pointing toward Cromwell along the way.
Cromwell
76.3 mi in|~1h 38m
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 2h 8m. Total distance: 100.1 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 0 natural rest stops along the way.
The longest stretch is about 52.5 miles on MN 61. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Yes — we found about 1 rest area or service plaza 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.
Yes, with realistic expectations. Build in a stop roughly every 2 hours, have snacks and activities ready, and check the Nearby Places tabs for kid-friendly stops along the way.
The main spots that need attention: near the start (MN 61): Lane positioning matters here; at 56.4 miles (I 35): Highway fork - watch signs carefully; at 76.3 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Yes. A round trip is manageable in a single day if you plan a break at Woodbury, MN before heading back.
