Woodbury, MN to Olmsted County, MN is 221.1 miles and takes about 4h 39m via I 35 and US 52, with a fuel budget near $34 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This trip stays within Minnesota, taking you through the Midwest region. With 89% of the drive on highways, expect a fairly direct and efficient route. It's a solid option if you're looking for a straightforward drive to your destination without extensive detours.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is possible, but it will make for a full day on the road.
Break Rhythm
1 planned break
Plan on a short reset every 3 to 4 hours to stay fresh behind the wheel.
Midpoint
110.6 miles from Woodbury, MN
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 2h 15m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
I 35
86.9 mi
1h 33m
US 52
50.8 mi
58m
State Highway 73
23.7 mi
40m
I 35E
17 mi
19m
Lafayette Freeway
13.3 mi
16m
County 14 Boulevard
5.8 mi
9m
County 9 Boulevard
4.1 mi
5m
MN 210
3.6 mi
4m
Longest stretch:
I 35
— 86.9 mi, about 1h 33m
Traffic on I-35
Hour-of-day weekday pattern from 40 FHWA count stations on your route.
Peak
3 PM
~5,612 veh/hr typical
Quietest
2 AM
~306 veh/hr
Peak-to-quiet ratio
18.3×
busier at peak than in the quiet hours
12a6anoon6p11p
Averaged across 99 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 Olmsted County, 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
2.3 mi·4 min·Centerville Road
Use the left lane.
16
Turn left onto CH 15
0.4 mi·1 min·County Road E
Use the straight lane.
17
Take the ramp
226 ft·5 sec
Toward I 35E South: Saint PaulUse the right lane.
18
Keep slight left at fork
0.3 mi·37 sec
Toward I 35E SouthUse the straight / slight right lanes.
19
Merge onto I 35E
1.6 mi·2 min·I 35E
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
20
Keep slight left at fork onto I 35E
5.5 mi·6 min·I 35E
Toward I 35E South, US 10 East: St PaulUse the straight / slight right lanes.
21
Keep slight left at fork onto US 10
0.6 mi·36 sec·US 10
Exit 107AToward US 10 East, I 94 East, US 52 South: 10th Street, Wacouta StreetUse the slight left / straight lanes.
22
Take the exit onto US 52
0.3 mi·38 sec·US 52
Exit 242DToward US 52Use the slight right lane.
23
Merge onto US 52
13 mi·16 min·Lafayette Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
24
Keep slight right at fork onto US 52
21 mi·24 min·US 52
Toward RochesterUse the straight lane.
25
Take the exit
0.3 mi·40 sec
Exit 96Toward CR 24: Cannon Falls
26
Enter roundabout onto CR 24
26 ft·0 sec·County 24 Boulevard
27
Continue on CR 24
0.1 mi·19 sec·County 24 Boulevard
28
Enter roundabout onto CR 14
221 ft·6 sec·County 14 Boulevard
29
Continue on CR 14
5.8 mi·9 min·County 14 Boulevard
30
Turn left onto CR 9
4.1 mi·5 min·County 9 Boulevard
31
Take the ramp
0.2 mi·42 sec
Toward US 52 South
32
Merge onto US 52
17 mi·19 min·US 52
Use the straight lane.
33
Continue on US 52
13 mi·14 min·US 52
Use the straight lane.
34
Take the exit
0.3 mi·35 sec
Exit 59Toward CR 22: W Circle Drive, 55th Street NWUse the slight right lane.
35
Turn left onto CR 22
1.9 mi·3 min·55th Street Northwest
Use the left / straight lanes.
36
Continue on CR 22
1.4 mi·1 min·48th Street Northeast
Use the straight lane.
37
Turn right onto CR 22
1.0 mi·1 min·Broadway Avenue North
Use the right lane.
38
Turn left onto CR 22
3.5 mi·5 min·East Circle Drive Northeast
Use the left lane.
39
Continue on CR 22
0.7 mi·1 min·30th Avenue Southeast
Use the straight lane.
40
Continue on Towne Club Parkway Southeast
0.7 mi·1 min·Towne Club Parkway Southeast
Use the straight lane.
41
Turn left onto Eastwood Road Southeast
210 ft·6 sec·Eastwood Road Southeast
42
Turn right
138 ft·20 sec
43
At end of road, turn left
0.3 mi·3 min
44
Arrive at destination
Trip Plan
Given this drive is about 4.5 hours, it's easily manageable in a single day, allowing for a flexible departure time. Consider leaving in the morning to make the most of daylight. With only one recommended stop, you can decide whether to take a break midway or push through, as the longest stretch isn't overly taxing. The estimated fuel cost of $34 suggests planning your fuel stops accordingly, especially before embarking on the 86.9-mile segment on I 35.
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 110.6 miles from Woodbury, MN, or about 2h 15m 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 49 miles or 1h 9m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 110.6 miles or 2h 15m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 3h 45m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Olmsted County, 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 221.1 miles and 4h 39m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 49 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 32
5 decision points cluster between mile 115.8 and 211.4 — 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
8
128.8 mi into trip|~2h 38m in
Keep slight left at fork toward I 35E South
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Toward I 35E South
8
130.7 mi into trip|~2h 41m in|I 35E
Keep slight left at fork onto I 35E toward I 35E South, US 10 East: St Paul
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Toward I 35E South, US 10 East: St Paul
9
136.2 mi into trip|~2h 48m in|US 10
Keep slight left at fork onto US 10 toward US 10 East, I 94 East, US 52 South: 10th Street, Wacouta Street
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the slight left / straight lanes.
Exit 107A
Toward US 10 East, I 94 East, US 52 South: 10th...
8
211.4 mi into trip|~4h 20m in
Take the exit toward CR 22: W Circle Drive, 55th Street NW
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the slight right lane.
Exit 59
Toward CR 22: W Circle Drive, 55th Street NW
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$35.01 one way
$70.02 round trip
$4.02/gal25.4 MPG avg77 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.28
$37.28
$74.56
premium
$4.85
$42.20
$84.40
diesel
$5.60
$48.74
$97.48
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$35
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$60–$85
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 77.4 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-08-31.
Driving Electric?
About $23 in charging
· 0 stops
· 66% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
66.3
0
$23.22
$10.61
Efficient EV
55.3
0
$19.35
$8.84
EV Truck/SUV
88.4
1
$30.95
$14.15
Gas CO2
77 kg
EV CO2
26 kg (66% less)
Plan for 0 charging stops, roughly every 270 miles. Allow 25-40 minutes per stop at a DC fast charger.
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 Aug 14, 2026
Origin
Woodbury, MN
Late night
in Woodbury on Wednesday
Local time
1:13 AM
CDT
Current temp
79°F
Mostly Sunny
E 5 to 10 mph1% chanceLive forecast
Beach Hazards Statement
Beach Hazards Statement issued August 14 at 4:05AM CDT until August 14 at 9:00PM CDT by NWS Duluth MN
Destination
Olmsted County, MN
Late night
in Olmsted County on Wednesday
Local time
1:13 AM
CDT
Current temp
80°F
Partly Sunny then Slight Chance Showers And Thunderstorms
E 8 to 14 mph25% chanceLive forecast
Beach Hazards Statement
Beach Hazards Statement issued August 14 at 4:05AM CDT until August 14 at 9:00PM CDT by NWS Duluth MN
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
1 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
4h 39m on the road
An early start around 7-8 AM gets you there with plenty of daylight left.
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 drive is predominantly highway cruising, with 89% of the 221.1 miles on major roads like I 35 and US 52. You'll encounter the longest continuous stretch of highway at 86.9 miles on I 35 before transitioning to State Highway 73. Expect a significant portion of your time to be spent on these faster, more direct routes, with fewer surface road interruptions.
89% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
44 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?
10/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 35 and US 52. 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 Effort10/10
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 32 significant decision points across 221.1 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 128.8 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 130.7 miles (I 35E): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Elevation Profile
Mostly flat terrain
1,317 ft853 ft
Total Climb
504 ft
Total Descent
699 ft
Highest Point
1,317 ft
Elevation Range
465 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 Olmsted County, MN, road signs point toward Minneapolis, Saint Paul, Cr 96, Rochester and Cr 24: Cannon Falls.
Doable as a same-day drive at 4h 39m. Total distance: 221.1 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
4h 39m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (89%). 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 9 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 Olmsted County, 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 9 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 128.8 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 130.7 miles (I 35E): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Possible but tiring. At 4.7 hours each way, an in-and-out day trip would put you behind the wheel for 9.3 hours — manageable with a long break at Olmsted County, MN, but most travelers stay overnight.
