Woodbury, MN to Circle Pines, MN is 124.2 miles and takes about 2h 32m via I 35 and I 35W, with a fuel budget near $21 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This trip stays within Minnesota, moving from the Midwest region to another part of the Midwest. With 96% of the drive on highways, expect a straightforward trip focused on covering ground efficiently. This is a solid option if you're looking for a direct connection between these two points without extensive time on slower roads. Plan for a single day to comfortably complete this drive.
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
62.1 miles from Woodbury, MN
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 1h 23m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
I 35
86.9 mi
1h 33m
State Highway 73
23.7 mi
40m
I 35W
5 mi
5m
MN 210
3.6 mi
4m
Lake Drive Northeast
3.1 mi
4m
Arrowhead Lane
0.7 mi
1m
Folz Boulevard
0.5 mi
1m
Gisler Road
0.2 mi
<1m
Longest stretch:
I 35
— 86.9 mi, about 1h 33m
Traffic on I-35
Hour-of-day weekday pattern from 8 FHWA count stations on your route.
Peak
3 PM
~2,069 veh/hr typical
· worst 2,531
Quietest
1 AM
~82 veh/hr
Peak-to-quiet ratio
25.2×
busier at peak than in the quiet hours
12a6anoon6p11p
Averaged across 52 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 Woodbury, MN and Circle Pines, 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
5.0 mi·5 min·I 35W
Toward I 35W: MinneapolisUse the straight / right lanes.
13
Take the exit
0.2 mi·26 sec
Exit 36Toward CR 23Use the straight / slight right lanes.
14
Turn left onto CH 23
3.1 mi·4 min·Lake Drive Northeast
Use the straight lane.
15
Turn right onto Pine Drive
287 ft·13 sec·Pine Drive
16
Turn slight left onto Crossway Drive
329 ft·14 sec·Crossway Drive
17
Arrive at destination
Crossway Drive
Trip Plan
Given the 2-hour 32-minute drive time, leaving in the morning or early afternoon from Woodbury will allow you to arrive in Circle Pines with plenty of daylight. Since this is a single-day trip, you have flexibility, but be mindful of potential rush hour traffic if you are traveling during peak commuting times, especially on I 35W. The estimated fuel cost is $21, so ensure your vehicle is fueled before you depart or at a convenient stop along I 35. There's only one recommended stop, suggesting you can make good time, but consider a quick break around the 87-mile mark on I 35 to stretch your legs.
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 62.1 miles from Woodbury, MN, or about 1h 23m 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 27 miles or 44m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 62.1 miles or 1h 23m 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 6m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Circle Pines, 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 124.2 miles and 2h 32m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 27 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 10
5 decision points cluster between mile 27.9 and 120.8 — 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
120.8 mi into trip|~2h 26m in
Take the exit toward CR 23
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Exit 36
Toward CR 23
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$20.39 one way
$40.78 round trip
$4.17/gal25.4 MPG avg44 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.46
$21.81
$43.62
premium
$4.95
$24.19
$48.39
diesel
$5.35
$26.16
$52.32
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: 43.5 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-06-01.
Driving Electric?
About $13 in charging
· 0 stops
· 65% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
37.3
0
$13.04
$5.96
Efficient EV
31.1
0
$10.87
$4.97
EV Truck/SUV
49.7
0
$17.39
$7.95
Gas CO2
43 kg
EV CO2
15 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 May 26, 2026
Origin
Woodbury, MN
Evening
in Woodbury on Wednesday
Local time
5:49 PM
CDT
Current temp
56°F
Mostly Clear
0 mph1% chanceLive forecast
Special Weather Statement
Special Weather Statement issued May 26 at 4:06AM CDT by NWS Duluth MN
Special Weather Statement
Special Weather Statement issued May 26 at 3:39AM CDT by NWS Grand Forks ND
Destination
Circle Pines, MN
Evening
in Circle Pines on Wednesday
Local time
5:49 PM
CDT
Current temp
63°F
Partly Cloudy
SSW 5 mph1% chanceLive forecast
Special Weather Statement
Special Weather Statement issued May 26 at 4:06AM CDT by NWS Duluth MN
Special Weather Statement
Special Weather Statement issued May 26 at 3:39AM 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
7 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 32m on the road
The weather snapshot is not static. If you are leaving later, give both cities one more quick forecast check before departure.
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 highway, with 96% of the 124.2 miles spent on major roads like I 35 and I 35W. You'll experience a long stretch of 86.9 miles on I 35, which means extended periods of cruising. Expect a consistent highway feel for most of the drive, with frequent exits and merges as you navigate through different sections of the Twin Cities metro area. The transition to surface roads will occur only in the final miles.
96% 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?
4/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 35 and State Highway 73. There are only a few real navigation decisions along the way. The trickiest moment comes around 27.9 miles in near State Highway 73.
Driving Effort4/10
Easy - simple navigation with a manageable amount of wheel time
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This is a straightforward 2h 32m drive. You will face about 10 decision points, but nothing that requires special attention if you follow navigation.
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.
Elevation Profile
Mostly flat terrain
1,317 ft902 ft
Total Climb
73 ft
Total Descent
481 ft
Highest Point
1,317 ft
Elevation Range
416 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 Woodbury, MN to Circle Pines, MN, road signs begin pointing toward Minneapolis along the way.
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.
Yes. A round trip is manageable in a single day if you plan a break at Circle Pines, MN before heading back.
