If you are planning to travel from Woodbury to Burnsville, you are looking at a 156.4-mile journey that typically takes about 3 hours and 11 minutes to complete. This route is an efficient, highway-focused drive that is easily manageable as a single-day trip, meaning you won't need to worry about booking an overnight stay. Expect to spend approximately $22 on fuel for the trip. Since both cities are located within the Midwest, the drive maintains a consistent regional feel throughout. It is a straightforward transit option for those looking to get from point A to point B without unnecessary complexity.
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
78.2 miles from Woodbury, MN
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 1h 41m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
I 35
86.9 mi
1h 33m
I 35W
39.1 mi
47m
State Highway 73
23.7 mi
40m
MN 210
3.6 mi
4m
Nicollet Avenue South
0.8 mi
1m
Arrowhead Lane
0.7 mi
1m
MN 13
0.5 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 Burnsville, 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
39 mi·47 min·I 35W
Toward I 35W: MinneapolisUse the straight / right lanes.
13
Take the exit
0.2 mi·24 sec
Exit 3AToward MN 13 NorthUse the straight / right lanes.
14
Merge onto MN 13
0.5 mi·42 sec·MN 13
Use the straight / right lanes.
15
Turn right onto Nicollet Avenue South
0.7 mi·1 min·Nicollet Avenue South
16
Continue on Nicollet Avenue South
289 ft·13 sec·Nicollet Avenue South
17
Arrive at destination
Nicollet Avenue South
Trip Plan
With a total duration of just over three hours, you have plenty of flexibility to plan your departure time around local traffic patterns. Since the itinerary includes exactly one stop, use that break strategically to stretch your legs and refuel after the initial long stretch of interstate. Keep a close watch on your odometer to manage the 86.9-mile segment on I-35 effectively. Because this is a relatively short trip, aim to depart during off-peak hours to avoid potential congestion on the interstate sections. Taking advantage of this single-stop plan will help you maintain a steady pace and arrive in Burnsville feeling refreshed.
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 78.2 miles from Woodbury, MN, or about 1h 41m 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 34 miles or 53m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 78.2 miles or 1h 41m 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 36m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Burnsville, 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 156.4 miles and 3h 11m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 34 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 9
5 decision points cluster between mile 27.9 and 154.9 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
5
27.9 mi into trip|~46m in|State Highway 73
Enter roundabout onto State Highway 73
Roundabout - know your exit number before entering
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
5
28.9 mi into trip|~48m in|I 35
Merge onto I 35
Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
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
154.9 mi into trip|~3h 8m in
Take the exit toward MN 13 North
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / right lanes.
Exit 3A
Toward MN 13 North
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$23.28 one way
$46.55 round trip
$3.78/gal25.4 MPG avg55 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.07
$25.08
$50.16
premium
$4.53
$27.91
$55.81
diesel
$5.61
$34.53
$69.06
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$23
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$48–$73
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 54.7 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $16 in charging
· 0 stops
· 67% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
46.9
0
$16.42
$7.51
Efficient EV
39.1
0
$13.69
$6.26
EV Truck/SUV
62.6
0
$21.90
$10.01
Gas CO2
55 kg
EV CO2
18 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
Woodbury, MN
Night
in Woodbury on Saturday
Local time
11:41 PM
CDT
Current temp
63°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
Burnsville, MN
Night
in Burnsville on Saturday
Local time
11:41 PM
CDT
Current temp
47°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
16 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
3h 11m 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?
The personality of this drive is dominated by high-speed transit, with 98% of the route consisting of highway travel. You will spend the bulk of your time navigating I-35, I-35W, and State Highway 73. A significant portion of the trip involves a long, uninterrupted 86.9-mile stretch on I-35, which sets the pace for the entire journey. Because the route is so heavily reliant on major interstates, you can expect a consistent, fast-moving experience behind the wheel. Prepare for a focused drive that prioritizes speed and directness over winding secondary roads.
98% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
17 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?
5/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 35 and I 35W. You will hit about 9 points where you need to pay attention to lane position or signs. The trickiest moment comes around 27.9 miles in near State Highway 73.
Driving Effort5/10
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 156.4 miles you will encounter 9 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 27.9 miles (State Highway 73): Roundabout - know your exit number before entering; at 28.7 miles: Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 28.9 miles (I 35): Merge point - match speed before joining. 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 Burnsville, MN, road signs begin pointing toward Minneapolis along the way.
Doable as a same-day drive at 3h 11m. Total distance: 156.4 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
3h 11m 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.
Yes — we found about 5 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.
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: at 27.9 miles (State Highway 73): Roundabout - know your exit number before entering; at 28.7 miles: Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 28.9 miles (I 35): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here.
Possible but tiring. At 3.2 hours each way, an in-and-out day trip would put you behind the wheel for 6.4 hours — manageable with a long break at Burnsville, MN, but most travelers stay overnight.
