Woodbury, MN to Lakeland, MN is 150.1 miles and takes about 3h 6m via I 35, with a fuel budget near $24 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This trip stays within the Midwest region, entirely within Minnesota. Given its mostly highway profile, expect a straightforward drive. With only one recommended stop and a duration under four hours, this route is ideal for a single-day excursion.
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
75 miles from Woodbury, MN
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 1h 37m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
I 35
86.9 mi
1h 33m
State Highway 73
23.7 mi
40m
I 35E
9.9 mi
10m
I 694
9.4 mi
11m
I 94
8.5 mi
9m
MN 210
3.6 mi
4m
Centerville Road
1.6 mi
3m
US 61
1 mi
1m
Longest stretch:
I 35
— 86.9 mi, about 1h 33m
Traffic on I-94
Hour-of-day weekday pattern from 23 FHWA count stations on your route.
Peak
4 PM
~3,507 veh/hr typical
· worst 4,070
Quietest
2 AM
~155 veh/hr
Peak-to-quiet ratio
22.6×
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 Lakeland, 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 left at fork onto I 35E
9.9 mi·10 min·I 35E
Toward Saint PaulUse the straight / right lanes.
13
Take the exit
0.3 mi·38 sec
Exit 117Toward CR 96Use the straight / slight right lanes.
14
Turn right onto CH 96
492 ft·12 sec·CH 96
Use the right lane.
15
Turn left onto CH 59
1.6 mi·3 min·Centerville Road
Use the left lane.
16
Turn left onto CH 14
0.2 mi·28 sec·Goose Lake Road
17
Turn right onto CH 14
0.6 mi·1 min·Labore Road
Use the straight lane.
18
Turn left onto CH 15
0.7 mi·1 min·County Road E East
Use the left / straight lanes.
19
Turn right onto US 61
1.0 mi·1 min·US 61
Use the straight lane.
20
Turn left
0.3 mi·38 sec
Toward I 694 EastUse the straight / left lanes.
21
Merge onto I 694
9.4 mi·11 min·I 694
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
22
Take the exit
0.3 mi·49 sec
Exit 58BToward I 94 East: Eau ClaireUse the slight right lane.
23
Keep slight left at fork
0.4 mi·48 sec
Use the straight / right lanes.
24
Merge onto I 94
8.5 mi·9 min·I 94
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
25
Take the exit onto MN 95
0.2 mi·29 sec·MN 95
Exit 258Toward MN 95 North, CH 18: StillwaterUse the straight / slight right lanes.
26
Turn right onto CH 18
0.5 mi·53 sec·Saint Croix Trail North
Use the straight lane.
27
Enter roundabout onto 5th Street North
239 ft·5 sec·5th Street North
28
Continue on 5th Street North
0.3 mi·1 min·5th Street North
29
Turn right onto Quinnell Avenue North
35 ft·1 sec·Quinnell Avenue North
30
Arrive at destination
Quinnell Avenue North
Trip Plan
Since this is a short, single-day trip, you have flexibility with your departure time. Aim to leave in the morning to maximize daylight and avoid potential afternoon traffic. With only one recommended stop, you can decide on the fly whether to stretch your legs or push through. The $24 fuel cost suggests filling up before you leave Woodbury, MN, or at a station along I 35, will likely cover your needs for the 150.1-mile drive.
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 75 miles from Woodbury, MN, or about 1h 37m 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 33 miles or 52m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 75 miles or 1h 37m 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 29m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Lakeland, 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 150.1 miles and 3h 6m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 33 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 23
5 decision points cluster between mile 115.8 and 149 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
7
115.8 mi into trip|~2h 21m in|I 35E
Keep slight left at fork onto I 35E toward Saint Paul
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / right lanes.
Toward Saint Paul
7
125.7 mi into trip|~2h 31m in
Take the exit toward CR 96
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Exit 117
Toward CR 96
7
130.1 mi into trip|~2h 40m in
Turn left toward I 694 East
Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / left lanes.
Toward I 694 East
7
139.8 mi into trip|~2h 53m in
Take the exit toward I 94 East: Eau Claire
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight right lane.
Exit 58B
Toward I 94 East: Eau Claire
8
149 mi into trip|~3h 4m in|MN 95
Take the exit onto MN 95 toward MN 95 North, CH 18: Stillwater
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Exit 258
Toward MN 95 North, CH 18: Stillwater
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$24.64 one way
$49.28 round trip
$4.17/gal25.4 MPG avg53 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.46
$26.36
$52.71
premium
$4.95
$29.24
$58.48
diesel
$5.35
$31.62
$63.23
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$25
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$50–$75
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 52.5 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-06-01.
Driving Electric?
About $16 in charging
· 0 stops
· 66% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
45
0
$15.76
$7.20
Efficient EV
37.5
0
$13.13
$6.00
EV Truck/SUV
60
0
$21.01
$9.61
Gas CO2
53 kg
EV CO2
18 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 Jun 1, 2026
Origin
Woodbury, MN
Afternoon
in Woodbury on Wednesday
Local time
2:02 PM
CDT
Current temp
48°F
Mostly Cloudy
E 0 to 5 mph1% chanceLive forecast
Special Weather Statement
Special Weather Statement issued June 1 at 2:20AM CDT by NWS Duluth MN
Beach Hazards Statement
Beach Hazards Statement issued June 1 at 2:17AM CDT until June 1 at 10:00PM CDT by NWS Duluth MN
Destination
Lakeland, MN
Afternoon
in Lakeland on Wednesday
Local time
2:02 PM
CDT
Current temp
58°F
Showers And Thunderstorms Likely
ESE 0 to 5 mph67% chanceLive forecast
Special Weather Statement
Special Weather Statement issued June 1 at 2:20AM CDT by NWS Duluth MN
Beach Hazards Statement
Beach Hazards Statement issued June 1 at 2:17AM CDT until June 1 at 10:00PM CDT by NWS Duluth MN
66°F
Centerville, MN
75 mi in
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
10 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
3h 6m 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 driving, with 96% of the 150.1 miles on faster roads like I 35. You'll experience a longest stretch of 86.9 miles on I 35 before transitioning to surface roads. Expect a high volume of exits and merging traffic typical of major interstate travel for most of your drive.
96% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
30 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?
9/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 35 and State Highway 73. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 115.8 miles in near I 35E.
Driving Effort9/10
High effort - long or complex enough to need steady focus all day
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This is a demanding drive. With 23 significant decision points across 150.1 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 115.8 miles (I 35E): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 125.7 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here; at 130.1 miles: Lane positioning matters here.
Elevation Profile
Mostly flat terrain
1,317 ft730 ft
Total Climb
165 ft
Total Descent
752 ft
Highest Point
1,317 ft
Elevation Range
587 ft
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
Between Woodbury, MN and Lakeland, MN, road signs point toward Minneapolis, Saint Paul and Cr 96.
Doable as a same-day drive at 3h 6m. Total distance: 150.1 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
3h 6m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (96%). 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 7 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 Lakeland, 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 7 rest areas along the route for bathroom stops.
The main spots that need attention: at 115.8 miles (I 35E): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 125.7 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here; at 130.1 miles: Lane positioning matters here.
Possible but tiring. At 3.1 hours each way, an in-and-out day trip would put you behind the wheel for 6.2 hours — manageable with a long break at Lakeland, MN, but most travelers stay overnight.
