Woodbury, MN to Stewartville, MN is 228.1 miles and takes about 4h 42m via I 35 and US 52, with a fuel budget near $37 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This trip stays within the Midwest, specifically Minnesota for its entirety. It's a predominantly highway drive, making it a straightforward option for a single-day trip. You'll find this route efficient if you're looking for a direct path between these two points in Minnesota.
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
114.1 miles from Woodbury, MN
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 2h 19m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
I 35
86.9 mi
1h 33m
US 52
58.6 mi
1h 8m
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
South Broadway Avenue
5.3 mi
6m
County 9 Boulevard
4.1 mi
5m
Longest stretch:
I 35
— 86.9 mi, about 1h 33m
Traffic on I-35
Hour-of-day weekday pattern from 20 FHWA count stations on your route.
Peak
4 PM
~5,602 veh/hr typical
Quietest
2 AM
~290 veh/hr
Peak-to-quiet ratio
19.3×
busier at peak than in the quiet hours
12a6anoon6p11p
Averaged across 48 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 Stewartville, 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
20 mi·24 min·US 52
Use the straight lane.
34
Take the exit onto US 63
0.2 mi·24 sec·US 63
Exit 51Toward US 63 South: StewartvilleUse the slight right lane.
35
Keep slight right at fork onto US 63
0.2 mi·22 sec·US 63
Toward US 63 South: StewartvilleUse the slight right lane.
36
Merge onto US 63
5.3 mi·6 min·South Broadway Avenue
Use the slight right lane.
37
Continue on US 63; MN 30
3.0 mi·4 min·Highway 63 South
Use the straight lane.
38
Arrive at destination
US 63
Trip Plan
For this 4h 42m drive, consider leaving mid-morning to avoid early rush hour and arrive with plenty of daylight. With only one recommended stop, you can easily complete this trip in a single day. The longest stretch without a major change in road type is 86.9 miles on I 35, so plan your fuel and breaks accordingly before you hit that segment. Keep an eye on the fuel cost estimate of $37, which should help you budget for this straightforward Minnesota 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 114.1 miles from Woodbury, MN, or about 2h 19m 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 50 miles or 1h 10m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 114.1 miles or 2h 19m 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 52m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Stewartville, 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 228.1 miles and 4h 42m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 50 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 28
5 decision points cluster between mile 115.8 and 219.5 — 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
219.5 mi into trip|~4h 31m in|US 63
Keep slight right at fork onto US 63 toward US 63 South: Stewartville
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight right lane.
Toward US 63 South: Stewartville
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$38.37 one way
$76.75 round trip
$4.27/gal25.4 MPG avg80 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.60
$41.33
$82.65
premium
$5.04
$45.22
$90.45
diesel
$5.64
$50.64
$101.28
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$38
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$63–$88
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 79.8 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-05-11.
Driving Electric?
About $24 in charging
· 0 stops
· 66% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
68.4
0
$23.95
$10.95
Efficient EV
57
0
$19.96
$9.12
EV Truck/SUV
91.2
1
$31.93
$14.60
Gas CO2
80 kg
EV CO2
27 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 May 10, 2026
Origin
Woodbury, MN
Evening
in Woodbury on Friday
Local time
7:06 PM
CDT
Current temp
51°F
Mostly Sunny
NW 10 mph7% chanceLive forecast
Destination
Stewartville, MN
Evening
in Stewartville on Friday
Local time
7:06 PM
CDT
Current temp
67°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 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 42m 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 mostly highway, with 91% of the 228.1 miles on major roads. You'll experience a long stretch of 86.9 miles on I 35, indicating significant time spent on high-speed cruising. The transition to State Highway 73 around where the highway portion ends means you'll eventually encounter a different road surface and potentially more local traffic.
91% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
38 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 28 significant decision points across 228.1 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 ft898 ft
Total Climb
519 ft
Total Descent
611 ft
Highest Point
1,317 ft
Elevation Range
419 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 Stewartville, MN, road signs point toward Minneapolis, Saint Paul, Cr 96, Rochester and Cr 24: Cannon Falls.
Doable as a same-day drive at 4h 42m. Total distance: 228.1 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
4h 42m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (91%). 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 Stewartville, 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 9.4 hours — manageable with a long break at Stewartville, MN, but most travelers stay overnight.
