Solway to Saint Paul is 237.9 miles and takes about 4 hours 48 minutes via US 10 and State Highway 64, with a fuel budget near $35 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This route stays within Minnesota, traversing the Midwest region. Expect a primarily highway drive for the bulk of your trip, making it a straightforward connection between these two points. It's a solid choice for a single-day trip, allowing you to reach your destination without needing an overnight stay.
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
119 miles from Solway, MN
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 2h 26m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
US 10
86.1 mi
1h 39m
State Highway 64 Southwest
33.7 mi
42m
State 64
28.6 mi
35m
I 94
28 mi
31m
Washington Avenue South
13.7 mi
17m
I 694
11.7 mi
12m
1st Street/US-2
9.7 mi
11m
Paul Bunyan Expressway
5.7 mi
6m
Longest stretch:
US 10
— 86.1 mi, about 1h 39m
Traffic on I-94
Hour-of-day weekday pattern from 20 FHWA count stations on your route.
Peak
4 PM
~4,330 veh/hr typical
· worst 4,983
Quietest
2 AM
~243 veh/hr
Peak-to-quiet ratio
17.8×
busier at peak than in the quiet hours
12a6anoon6p11p
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 Solway, MN and Saint Paul, MN.
1
Start on CR 5
305 ft·8 sec·Centerline Road North
2
Turn left onto US 2
9.7 mi·11 min·1st Street/US-2
3
Keep slight right at fork onto US 2
5.7 mi·6 min·Paul Bunyan Expressway
Toward US 2, US 71 South: Grand Rapids, Park Rapids
4
Take the exit onto US 71
0.4 mi·48 sec·US 71
Toward US 71 South, MN 197: Park Rapids, Bemidji
5
Turn right onto US 71
14 mi·17 min·Washington Avenue South
6
Continue on MN 200
4.6 mi·5 min·State Highway 200
7
Turn right onto MN 64
16 mi·19 min·State 64
8
At end of road, turn right onto MN 34; MN 64
0.6 mi·58 sec·Broadway Street East
9
Turn left onto MN 64
0.9 mi·1 min·Marie Avenue Southeast
10
Continue on MN 64
13 mi·16 min·State 64
11
Continue on MN 64; MN 87
0.9 mi·1 min·State Highway 87 Southwest / State 64
12
Turn right onto MN 64
34 mi·42 min·State Highway 64 Southwest
13
At end of road, turn right onto MN 210
0.3 mi·20 sec·State Highway 210
14
At end of road, turn left onto US 10
60 mi·1 hr 8 min·US 10
Use the right lane.
15
Keep slight left at fork onto US 10
26 mi·30 min·US 10
16
Turn right onto 165th Avenue Southeast
1.8 mi·2 min·165th Avenue Southeast
17
Continue on Park Boulevard Southeast
1.4 mi·1 min·Park Boulevard Southeast
18
Continue on County Road 11
0.7 mi·57 sec·County Road 11
19
Turn right onto MN 25
0.1 mi·11 sec·State Highway 25
20
Continue on MN 25
0.3 mi·42 sec·Pine Street
21
Turn left onto CR 75
1.5 mi·2 min·Broadway Street East
22
Turn right onto CR 18
0.3 mi·40 sec·Fenning Avenue
23
Take the ramp
0.4 mi·54 sec
24
Merge onto I 94
28 mi·31 min·I 94
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
25
Keep slight left at fork onto I 694
12 mi·12 min·I 694
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
26
Keep slight right at fork onto US 10
5.5 mi·6 min·Voyageur Highway
Exit 46Toward US 10 East, I 35 South: St PaulUse the slight right lane.
27
Keep slight left at fork onto US 10
0.1 mi·7 sec·US 10
Exit 107AToward US 10 East, I 94 East, US 52 South: 10th Street, Wacouta StreetUse the slight left / straight lanes.
28
Take the exit
0.2 mi·27 sec
Toward 10th Street, Wacouta Street
29
Keep slight right at fork
409 ft·10 sec
Toward 10th StreetUse the slight right lane.
30
Continue on 10th Street East
0.2 mi·43 sec·10th Street East
31
Turn left onto Robert Street North
0.5 mi·1 min·Robert Street North
32
Turn right onto Kellogg Boulevard East
0.2 mi·44 sec·Kellogg Boulevard East
33
Turn right onto Wabasha Street North
162 ft·5 sec·Wabasha Street North
34
Arrive at destination
Wabasha Street North
Trip Plan
Given the 4 hour 48 minute estimated drive time, leaving in the morning should allow you to arrive in Saint Paul with plenty of daylight. With only one recommended stop, you can choose to make it a quick break or a longer meal. Keep an eye on your fuel as you approach the 86.1-mile stretch on US 10, as it's the longest segment without a planned stop. The $35 fuel estimate should cover the 237.9 miles, but it's always wise to check current prices. Since this is a manageable one-day drive, you have flexibility in your departure time.
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 119 miles from Solway, MN, or about 2h 26m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 86.1 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 52 miles or 1h 4m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 119 miles or 2h 26m 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 57m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Saint Paul, MN than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving Solway, 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 Solway, MN
This is one driving day of about 237.9 miles and 4h 48m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 52 miles from Solway, 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 10 for about 86.1 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 22
5 decision points cluster between mile 9.7 and 236.9 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
6
9.7 mi into trip|~11m in|US 2 / Paul Bunyan Expressway
Keep slight right at fork onto US 2 / Paul Bunyan Expressway toward US 2, US 71 South: Grand Rapids, Park Rapids
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Toward US 2, US 71 South: Grand Rapids, Park Ra...
6
219.4 mi into trip|~4h 25m in|I 694
Keep slight left at fork onto I 694
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
9
231.1 mi into trip|~4h 38m in|US 10 / Voyageur Highway
Keep slight right at fork onto US 10 / Voyageur Highway toward US 10 East, I 35 South: St Paul
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the slight right lane.
Exit 46
Toward US 10 East, I 35 South: St Paul
9
236.6 mi into trip|~4h 44m in|US 10
Keep slight left at fork onto US 10 toward US 10 East, I 94 East, US 52 South: 10th Street, Wacouta Street
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the slight left / straight lanes.
Exit 107A
Toward US 10 East, I 94 East, US 52 South: 10th...
8
236.9 mi into trip|~4h 45m in
Keep slight right at fork toward 10th Street
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight right lane.
Toward 10th Street
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$35.73 one way
$71.46 round trip
$3.82/gal25.4 MPG avg83 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.12
$38.58
$77.16
premium
$4.60
$43.09
$86.19
diesel
$4.80
$44.92
$89.84
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$36
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$61–$86
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 83.2 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-07-13.
Driving Electric?
About $25 in charging
· 0 stops
· 66% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
71.4
0
$24.98
$11.42
Efficient EV
59.5
0
$20.82
$9.52
EV Truck/SUV
95.2
1
$33.31
$15.23
Gas CO2
83 kg
EV CO2
28 kg (66% less)
Plan for 0 charging stops, roughly every 270 miles. Allow 25-40 minutes per stop at a DC fast charger.
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 Jul 17, 2026
Origin
Solway, MN
Evening
in Solway on Saturday
Local time
8:26 PM
CDT
Current temp
67°F
Smoke
SSE 8 mph15% chanceLive forecast
Heat Advisory
Heat Advisory issued July 16 at 3:47PM CDT until July 16 at 10:00PM CDT by NWS Grand Forks ND
Destination
Saint Paul, MN
Evening
in Saint Paul on Saturday
Local time
8:26 PM
CDT
Current temp
72°F
Areas Of Smoke
SSE 0 to 5 mph7% chanceLive forecast
Heat Advisory
Heat Advisory issued July 16 at 3:47PM CDT until July 16 at 10:00PM CDT by NWS Grand Forks ND
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
5 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
4h 48m 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?
You'll be on highways for about 76% of this 237.9-mile trip. The longest continuous stretch on a main road is 86.1 miles on US 10. After the main highway segments, you'll transition to surface roads. Expect a mix of cruising and more frequent intersections as you get closer to your destination.
76% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
34 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 86.1 mi on US 10.
How Hard Is This Drive?
8/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on US 10 and State Highway 64 Southwest. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 9.7 miles in near US 2 / Paul Bunyan Expressway.
Driving Effort8/10
Demanding - plan breaks and stay ahead of the key maneuvers
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This is a demanding drive. With 22 significant decision points across 237.9 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 9.7 miles (US 2 / Paul Bunyan Expressway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 219.4 miles (I 694): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 231.1 miles (US 10 / Voyageur Highway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Elevation Profile
Mostly flat terrain
1,452 ft789 ft
Total Climb
108 ft
Total Descent
771 ft
Highest Point
1,452 ft
Elevation Range
663 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 Solway, MN to Saint Paul, MN, road signs begin pointing toward Bemidji 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
Doable as a same-day drive at 4h 48m. Total distance: 237.9 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
4h 48m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (76%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 86.1 miles on US 10. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Yes — we found about 6 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 Saint Paul, 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 6 rest areas along the route for bathroom stops.
The main spots that need attention: at 9.7 miles (US 2 / Paul Bunyan Expressway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 219.4 miles (I 694): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 231.1 miles (US 10 / Voyageur Highway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Possible but tiring. At 4.8 hours each way, an in-and-out day trip would put you behind the wheel for 9.6 hours — manageable with a long break at Saint Paul, MN, but most travelers stay overnight.
