Watab, MN to Saint Paul, MN is 82.9 miles and takes about 1h 41m via US 10 and I-94, with a fuel budget near $12 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This drive stays within Minnesota, taking you from the Midwest region towards the Twin Cities metro area. Given its relatively short distance and highway focus, it's a straightforward trip suitable for a single day. You'll be on major roadways for the majority of the journey, making it a practical option for commuting or heading into the capital city.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.
Midpoint
41.5 miles from Watab, MN
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 51m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
US 10
29.9 mi
35m
I 94
28 mi
31m
I 694
11.7 mi
12m
Voyageur Highway
5.5 mi
6m
165th Avenue Southeast
1.8 mi
2m
Broadway Street East
1.5 mi
2m
Park Boulevard Southeast
1.4 mi
1m
County Road 11
0.7 mi
<1m
Longest stretch:
US 10
— 29.9 mi, about 35m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Watab, MN and Saint Paul, MN.
1
Start on CR 55
20 ft·1 sec·Northeast River Road
2
Turn right onto CR 79
0.3 mi·46 sec·75th Street Northwest
3
Turn right onto US 10
3.6 mi·4 min·US 10
4
Keep slight left at fork onto US 10
26 mi·30 min·US 10
5
Turn right onto 165th Avenue Southeast
1.8 mi·2 min·165th Avenue Southeast
6
Continue on Park Boulevard Southeast
1.4 mi·1 min·Park Boulevard Southeast
7
Continue on County Road 11
0.7 mi·57 sec·County Road 11
8
Turn right onto MN 25
0.1 mi·11 sec·State Highway 25
9
Continue on MN 25
0.3 mi·42 sec·Pine Street
10
Turn left onto CR 75
1.5 mi·2 min·Broadway Street East
11
Turn right onto CR 18
0.3 mi·40 sec·Fenning Avenue
12
Take the ramp
0.4 mi·54 sec
13
Merge onto I 94
28 mi·31 min·I 94
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
14
Keep slight left at fork onto I 694
12 mi·12 min·I 694
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
15
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.
16
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.
17
Take the exit
0.2 mi·27 sec
Toward 10th Street, Wacouta Street
18
Keep slight right at fork
409 ft·10 sec
Toward 10th StreetUse the slight right lane.
19
Continue on 10th Street East
0.2 mi·43 sec·10th Street East
20
Turn left onto Robert Street North
0.5 mi·1 min·Robert Street North
21
Turn right onto Kellogg Boulevard East
0.2 mi·44 sec·Kellogg Boulevard East
22
Turn right onto Wabasha Street North
162 ft·5 sec·Wabasha Street North
23
Arrive at destination
Wabasha Street North
Trip Plan
Since this is a manageable 1h 41m drive, leaving anytime during daylight hours should work well. You won't need to break this up with overnight stays. Plan for your fuel needs, as the estimated cost is around $12, and while there are many opportunities to stop, the longest stretch without a potential exit is 29.9 miles on US 10. Keep an eye on traffic conditions as you get closer to Saint Paul, especially if traveling during peak commute times.
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 41.5 miles from Watab, MN, or about 51m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 29.9 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 18 miles or 21m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 41.5 miles or 51m 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 24m
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 Watab, MN so your first major turns are already loaded.
Day 1
Settle into the route from Watab, MN
This is one driving day of about 82.9 miles and 1h 41m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 18 miles from Watab, MN.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
The longest stretch is on US 10 for about 29.9 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 15
5 decision points cluster between mile 64.5 and 81.9 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
6
64.5 mi into trip|~1h 17m 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
76.1 mi into trip|~1h 30m 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
81.6 mi into trip|~1h 37m 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...
6
81.7 mi into trip|~1h 37m in
Take the exit toward 10th Street, Wacouta Street
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Toward 10th Street, Wacouta Street
8
81.9 mi into trip|~1h 37m 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
$12.34 one way
$24.67 round trip
$3.78/gal25.4 MPG avg29 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.07
$13.29
$26.59
premium
$4.53
$14.79
$29.58
diesel
$5.61
$18.30
$36.61
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$12
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$37–$62
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 29 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $9 in charging
· 0 stops
· 66% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
24.9
0
$8.70
$3.98
Efficient EV
20.7
0
$7.25
$3.32
EV Truck/SUV
33.2
0
$11.61
$5.31
Gas CO2
29 kg
EV CO2
10 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 15, 2026
Origin
Watab, MN
Late night
in Watab on Sunday
Local time
2:58 AM
CDT
Current temp
42°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
Saint Paul, MN
Late night
in Saint Paul on Sunday
Local time
2:58 AM
CDT
Current temp
67°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
25 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
1h 41m 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?
This route is predominantly a highway-focused drive, with 84% of it on major interstates and highways. You'll spend a significant portion on US 10, including the longest uninterrupted stretch of 29.9 miles. The transition to I-94 and I-694 means you'll experience typical interstate speeds and traffic patterns as you approach Saint Paul. Expect a consistent driving experience that prioritizes getting you to your destination efficiently.
84% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
23 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 29.9 mi on US 10.
How Hard Is This Drive?
7/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on US 10 and I 94. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 64.5 miles in near I 694.
Driving Effort7/10
Demanding - plan breaks and stay ahead of the key maneuvers
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This drive requires moderate attention. Across 82.9 miles you will encounter 15 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 64.5 miles (I 694): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 76.1 miles (US 10 / Voyageur Highway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 81.6 miles (US 10): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 1h 41m. Total distance: 82.9 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 0 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
1h 41m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (84%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 29.9 miles on US 10. 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 Saint Paul, MN before sunset when you can. Check the Trip Plan for departure windows that land you in daylight.
Yes. At under 2 hours behind the wheel, this works well for families — plan one quick stop if you have younger kids.
The main spots that need attention: at 64.5 miles (I 694): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 76.1 miles (US 10 / Voyageur Highway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 81.6 miles (US 10): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Yes. A round trip is manageable in a single day if you plan a break at Saint Paul, MN before heading back.
