Woodbury, MN to Montrose, MN is 153.5 miles and takes about 3h 12m via State Highway 65 and US Highway 169, with a fuel budget near $23 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This trip stays within the Midwest and Minnesota, offering a straightforward drive. With 90% of the route on highways, you can expect a relatively efficient journey. This is a solid option if you're looking for a direct path between these two points without extensive detours.
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
76.7 miles from Woodbury, MN
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 1h 35m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
State Highway 65
53.3 mi
1h 7m
US Highway 169
32.9 mi
37m
MN 23
18.3 mi
20m
MN 210
16.9 mi
20m
10th Street Northeast
7.6 mi
11m
State Highway 25
6 mi
7m
MN 241
4.1 mi
6m
MN 101
4 mi
4m
Longest stretch:
State Highway 65
— 53.3 mi, about 1h 7m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Woodbury, MN and Montrose, MN.
1
Start on CR 127
0.2 mi·29 sec·Gisler Road
2
Turn right onto MN 210
17 mi·20 min·MN 210
3
Turn left onto MN 65
53 mi·1 hr 7 min·State Highway 65
4
Turn right onto MN 23
18 mi·20 min·MN 23
5
Turn left
0.4 mi·45 sec
6
Merge onto US 169
6.5 mi·7 min·US Highway 169
7
Keep slight right at fork onto US 169
26 mi·30 min·US Highway 169
8
Continue on US 169
383 ft·4 sec·POW/MIA Memorial Highway
9
Continue on MN 101
4.0 mi·4 min·MN 101
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
10
Take the exit
0.4 mi·54 sec
Toward CR 36: 53rd Street, 45th StreetUse the slight right lane.
11
Turn right onto CR 36
2.4 mi·3 min·45th Street Northeast
Use the right lane.
12
Enter roundabout onto MN 241
96 ft·2 sec·MN 241
13
Continue on MN 241
4.1 mi·6 min·MN 241
14
Continue on CR 35
0.8 mi·1 min·Kahl Avenue Northeast
15
Turn slight left onto CR 35
0.5 mi·56 sec·30th Street Northeast
16
Continue on CR 35
137 ft·4 sec·30th Street Northeast
17
Turn straight onto CR 120
1.2 mi·1 min·Jamison Avenue Northeast
18
Continue on CR 120
0.4 mi·28 sec·17th Street Northeast
19
Continue on CR 120
0.5 mi·45 sec·Jaber Avenue Northeast
20
Turn right onto CR 34
7.0 mi·9 min·10th Street Northeast
Use the straight / left lanes.
21
Enter roundabout onto CR 34
144 ft·3 sec·10th Street Northeast
22
Continue on CR 34
0.5 mi·1 min·10th Street Northeast
Use the straight / right lanes.
23
Continue on Settlers Parkway
0.5 mi·1 min·Settlers Parkway
Use the straight lane.
24
Enter roundabout onto MN 25
200 ft·11 sec·State Highway 25
25
Continue on MN 25
0.3 mi·25 sec·State Highway 25
26
Continue on MN 25
0.8 mi·1 min·Southeast Ahern Avenue
Use the straight / left lanes.
27
Continue on MN 25
5.7 mi·7 min·State Highway 25
Use the straight lane.
28
At end of road, turn right onto US 12; MN 25
0.3 mi·20 sec·60th Street Southeast
29
Merge onto US 12; MN 25
1.3 mi·1 min·US 12; MN 25
30
Continue on US 12; MN 25
0.5 mi·56 sec·Nelson Boulevard
31
Turn right onto CR 12
23 ft·0 sec·Buffalo Avenue South
32
Arrive at destination
CR 12
Trip Plan
Given the 3h 12m duration, this trip is easily manageable in a single day. Consider departing in the morning to maximize daylight and flexibility. You'll want to plan for at least one stop, especially since the longest stretch without a break is 53.3 miles. Keep an eye on your fuel gauge, as the estimated cost is $23, and it's always wise to refuel before hitting the longest highway segment. The minimal number of stops suggests you can be quite flexible with your timing.
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 76.7 miles from Woodbury, MN, or about 1h 35m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 53.3 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 42m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 76.7 miles or 1h 35m 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 31m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Montrose, 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 153.5 miles and 3h 12m.
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 State Highway 65 for about 53.3 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 16
5 decision points cluster between mile 17.1 and 136.5 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
4
17.1 mi into trip|~21m in|MN 65 / State Highway 65
Turn left onto MN 65 / State Highway 65
Navigation decision point
4
70.4 mi into trip|~1h 28m in|MN 23
Turn right onto MN 23
Navigation decision point
7
126.1 mi into trip|~2h 31m in
Take the exit toward CR 36: 53rd Street, 45th Street
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the slight right lane.
Toward CR 36: 53rd Street, 45th Street
5
126.5 mi into trip|~2h 32m in|CR 36 / 45th Street Northeast
Turn right onto CR 36 / 45th Street Northeast
Lane positioning matters here
Use the right lane.
5
136.5 mi into trip|~2h 47m in|CR 34 / 10th Street Northeast
Turn right onto CR 34 / 10th Street Northeast
Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / left lanes.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$22.84 one way
$45.69 round trip
$3.78/gal25.4 MPG avg54 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.07
$24.61
$49.23
premium
$4.53
$27.39
$54.78
diesel
$5.61
$33.89
$67.78
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: 53.7 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
46.1
0
$16.12
$7.37
Efficient EV
38.4
0
$13.43
$6.14
EV Truck/SUV
61.4
0
$21.49
$9.82
Gas CO2
54 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
Late night
in Woodbury on Sunday
Local time
3:01 AM
CDT
Current temp
63°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
Montrose, MN
Late night
in Montrose on Sunday
Local time
3:01 AM
CDT
Current temp
68°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
5 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 12m 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?
You'll spend about 90% of your time on highways, covering a significant distance before hitting more traditional roads. The longest continuous stretch on a highway is 53.3 miles on State Highway 65. Expect a lot of highway cruising, with the transition to surface roads occurring later in the trip. The route is mostly highway, so you won't encounter significant urban merging or rural cruising for extended periods.
90% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
32 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 53.3 mi on State Highway 65.
How Hard Is This Drive?
6/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on State Highway 65 and US Highway 169. You will hit about 16 points where you need to pay attention to lane position or signs. The trickiest moment comes around 17.1 miles in near MN 65 / State Highway 65.
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 153.5 miles you will encounter 16 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 17.1 miles (MN 65 / State Highway 65): Navigation decision point; at 70.4 miles (MN 23): Navigation decision point; at 126.1 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. 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 3h 12m. Total distance: 153.5 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
3h 12m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (90%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 53.3 miles on State Highway 65. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Yes — we found about 3 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 Montrose, 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 3 rest areas along the route for bathroom stops.
The main spots that need attention: at 17.1 miles (MN 65 / State Highway 65): Navigation decision point; at 70.4 miles (MN 23): Navigation decision point; at 126.1 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
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 Montrose, MN, but most travelers stay overnight.
