Woodbury, MN to Arden Hills, MN is 132.7 miles and takes about 2h 40m via I 35 and State Highway 73, with a fuel budget near $20 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This is a straightforward, one-day trip primarily within Minnesota, making it a convenient option for a quick getaway or a functional transit. The vast majority of this journey takes place on major highways, so expect a consistent pace. Given its relatively short duration and minimal fuel cost, this route is ideal for those looking for an efficient drive without extensive planning.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.
Break Rhythm
1 planned break
A short stop every 2 to 3 hours is enough for this drive.
Midpoint
66.4 miles from Woodbury, MN
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 1h 28m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
I 35
86.9 mi
1h 33m
State Highway 73
23.7 mi
40m
I 35W
13.2 mi
14m
MN 210
3.6 mi
4m
US 10
2.5 mi
3m
Arrowhead Lane
0.7 mi
1m
Hamline Avenue North
0.6 mi
<1m
Folz Boulevard
0.5 mi
1m
Longest stretch:
I 35
— 86.9 mi, about 1h 33m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Woodbury, MN and Arden Hills, MN.
1
Start on CR 127
0.2 mi·33 sec·Gisler Road
2
Turn left onto MN 210
3.6 mi·4 min·MN 210
3
Turn right onto MN 73
6.2 mi·10 min·State Highway 73
4
Continue on MN 73
16 mi·26 min·State Highway 73
5
Continue on MN 27; MN 73
0.5 mi·1 min·Folz Boulevard
6
Turn right onto MN 73; CR 61
0.7 mi·1 min·Arrowhead Lane
7
Continue on MN 73; CR 61
0.8 mi·1 min·State Highway 73
8
Enter roundabout onto State Highway 73
136 ft·8 sec·State Highway 73
9
Continue on State Highway 73
0.7 mi·1 min·State Highway 73
10
Take the ramp
0.2 mi·26 sec
Toward I 35 South: Saint Paul, Minneapolis
11
Merge onto I 35
87 mi·1 hr 33 min·I 35
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
12
Keep slight right at fork onto I 35W
13 mi·14 min·I 35W
Toward I 35W: MinneapolisUse the straight / right lanes.
13
Take the exit onto US 10
0.6 mi·55 sec·US 10
Exit 28AToward US 10 East: Saint PaulUse the slight right lane.
14
Continue on US 10
1.9 mi·2 min·US 10
15
Keep slight right at fork
0.4 mi·55 sec
Exit 42BToward MN 51: Snelling AvenueUse the straight / slight right lanes.
16
Merge onto MN 51
0.6 mi·35 sec·Hamline Avenue North
17
Take the exit
0.1 mi·21 sec
Toward County EUse the straight / right lanes.
18
Turn right onto CH 15
418 ft·11 sec·West County Road E
19
Arrive at destination
CH 15
Trip Plan
Since this trip is only 132.7 miles and takes under 3 hours, you have a lot of flexibility with your departure time. Leaving in the morning will allow you to arrive with plenty of daylight. With a fuel cost estimated at $20, you won't need to worry about frequent stops for gas. The longest stretch is 86.9 miles, so plan for one comfortable break around that point if needed. Keep an eye on traffic conditions on I 35W as it can get busy during peak hours.
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.
Plan roughly 1 meaningful break for fuel, food, and rest.
The halfway point lands around 66.4 miles from Woodbury, MN, or about 1h 28m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 86.9 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 29 miles or 48m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 66.4 miles or 1h 28m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 2h 13m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Arden Hills, MN than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving Woodbury, 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 Woodbury, MN
This is one driving day of about 132.7 miles and 2h 40m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 29 miles from Woodbury, 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 I 35 for about 86.9 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 12
5 decision points cluster between mile 28.7 and 132.5 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
6
28.7 mi into trip|~47m in
Take the ramp toward I 35 South: Saint Paul, Minneapolis
Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Toward I 35 South: Saint Paul, Minneapolis
7
115.8 mi into trip|~2h 21m in|I 35W
Keep slight right at fork onto I 35W toward I 35W: Minneapolis
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / right lanes.
Toward I 35W: Minneapolis
7
129 mi into trip|~2h 35m in|US 10
Take the exit onto US 10 toward US 10 East: Saint Paul
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight right lane.
Exit 28A
Toward US 10 East: Saint Paul
8
131.5 mi into trip|~2h 38m in
Keep slight right at fork toward MN 51: Snelling Avenue
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Exit 42B
Toward MN 51: Snelling Avenue
6
132.5 mi into trip|~2h 40m in
Take the exit toward County E
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / right lanes.
Toward County E
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$19.75 one way
$39.50 round trip
$3.78/gal25.4 MPG avg46 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.07
$21.28
$42.56
premium
$4.53
$23.68
$47.35
diesel
$5.61
$29.30
$58.60
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$20
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$45–$70
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 46.4 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $14 in charging
· 0 stops
· 65% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
39.8
0
$13.93
$6.37
Efficient EV
33.2
0
$11.61
$5.31
EV Truck/SUV
53.1
0
$18.58
$8.49
Gas CO2
46 kg
EV CO2
16 kg (65% 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
Woodbury, MN
Morning
in Woodbury on Sunday
Local time
11:13 AM
CDT
Current temp
63°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
Arden Hills, MN
Morning
in Arden Hills on Sunday
Local time
11:13 AM
CDT
Current temp
72°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
9 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 40m 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 is a highway-focused drive, with 98% of the route utilizing major interstates and state highways. You'll encounter the longest uninterrupted stretch of 86.9 miles on I 35, so prepare for sustained highway speeds. The drive generally maintains a consistent character due to its high percentage of highway travel, offering a predictable experience behind the wheel. Expect a smooth and efficient journey as you navigate these well-maintained roadways.
98% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
19 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 86.9 mi on I 35.
How Hard Is This Drive?
6/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 35 and State Highway 73. You will hit about 12 points where you need to pay attention to lane position or signs. The trickiest moment comes around 28.7 miles in.
Driving Effort6/10
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 132.7 miles you will encounter 12 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 28.7 miles: Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 115.8 miles (I 35W): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 129 miles (US 10): Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. 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 Woodbury, MN to Arden Hills, MN, road signs begin pointing toward Minneapolis along the way.
Minneapolis
28.7 mi in|~47m
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 2h 40m. Total distance: 132.7 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
2h 40m 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 86.9 miles on I 35. 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 Arden Hills, 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. Dedicated rest areas are limited, so plan gas or food stops as your bathroom breaks.
The main spots that need attention: at 28.7 miles: Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 115.8 miles (I 35W): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 129 miles (US 10): Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here.
Yes. A round trip is manageable in a single day if you plan a break at Arden Hills, MN before heading back.
