Woodbury, MN to Warsaw, MN is 194.9 miles and takes about 3h 53m via I 35, I 35W, and State Highway 73, with a fuel budget near $29 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This trip stays within the Midwest, offering a straightforward journey through Minnesota. Given its highway focus and manageable duration, it's a solid option for a single-day excursion. You'll spend most of your time on major interstates, making for an efficient transit. Plan for a trip that prioritizes getting from point A to point B with minimal fuss.
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
97.4 miles from Woodbury, MN
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 2h 1m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
I 35
86.9 mi
1h 33m
I 35W
73.1 mi
1h 24m
State Highway 73
23.7 mi
40m
Morristown Boulevard
4.5 mi
5m
MN 210
3.6 mi
4m
Highway 60 West
1 mi
1m
Arrowhead Lane
0.7 mi
1m
Folz Boulevard
0.5 mi
1m
Longest stretch:
I 35
— 86.9 mi, about 1h 33m
Traffic on I-35
Hour-of-day weekday pattern from 38 FHWA count stations on your route.
Peak
4 PM
~3,620 veh/hr typical
· worst 4,241
Quietest
2 AM
~204 veh/hr
Peak-to-quiet ratio
17.7×
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 Warsaw, 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
73 mi·1 hr 24 min·I 35W
Toward I 35W: MinneapolisUse the straight / right lanes.
13
Take the exit
0.2 mi·28 sec
Exit 56Toward MN 60
14
Keep slight left at fork
251 ft·8 sec
Exit 56Toward MN 60 West
15
Turn left onto MN 60; I 35 ALT
1.0 mi·1 min·Highway 60 West
Use the left / straight lanes.
16
Continue on MN 60; I 35 ALT
4.5 mi·5 min·Morristown Boulevard
17
Turn right onto CR 13
0.2 mi·30 sec·Farwell Avenue
18
Arrive at destination
CR 13
Trip Plan
With a duration of under 4 hours, this trip is easily accomplished in a single day, offering flexibility in your departure time. Consider leaving in the morning to maximize daylight and ensure you arrive well before evening. The longest continuous stretch is 86.9 miles on I 35, so plan a fuel or rest stop before or after this segment. Given the route's efficiency, you won't need to worry about extensive meal breaks, but it's always wise to have snacks and water on hand. Keep an eye on your fuel gauge as you approach Warsaw, MN, as services can be more spread out in rural areas.
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 97.4 miles from Woodbury, MN, or about 2h 1m 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 43 miles or 1h 3m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 97.4 miles or 2h 1m 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 12m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Warsaw, 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 194.9 miles and 3h 53m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 43 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 11
5 decision points cluster between mile 27.9 and 189.1 — 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
189.1 mi into trip|~3h 46m in
Keep slight left at fork toward MN 60 West
Highway fork - watch signs carefully
Exit 56
Toward MN 60 West
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$32.00 one way
$63.99 round trip
$4.17/gal25.4 MPG avg68 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.46
$34.22
$68.45
premium
$4.95
$37.97
$75.93
diesel
$5.35
$41.05
$82.10
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$32
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$57–$82
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 68.2 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-06-01.
Driving Electric?
About $20 in charging
· 0 stops
· 66% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
58.5
0
$20.46
$9.36
Efficient EV
48.7
0
$17.05
$7.80
EV Truck/SUV
78
0
$27.29
$12.47
Gas CO2
68 kg
EV CO2
23 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
2:04 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
Warsaw, MN
Afternoon
in Warsaw on Wednesday
Local time
2:04 PM
CDT
Current temp
58°F
Mostly Cloudy
E 5 mph11% 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
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 53m 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 heavily highway-focused, with 97% of the drive utilizing major roads like I 35 and I 35W. Expect a consistent driving experience for long stretches, including one segment of 86.9 miles entirely on I 35. While the majority of the journey involves this fast-paced interstate travel, you will transition to State Highway 73 for the final leg. This highway-centric profile means you'll likely encounter higher speed limits and fewer local road complexities for most of the 194.9 miles.
97% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
18 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?
5/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 35 and I 35W. You will hit about 11 points where you need to pay attention to lane position or signs. The trickiest moment comes around 27.9 miles in near State Highway 73.
Driving Effort5/10
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 194.9 miles you will encounter 11 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 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 ft698 ft
Total Climb
393 ft
Total Descent
713 ft
Highest Point
1,317 ft
Elevation Range
620 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 Warsaw, MN, road signs begin pointing toward Minneapolis along the way.
Doable as a same-day drive at 3h 53m. Total distance: 194.9 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
3h 53m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (97%). 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 8 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.
Possible but tiring. At 3.9 hours each way, an in-and-out day trip would put you behind the wheel for 7.8 hours — manageable with a long break at Warsaw, MN, but most travelers stay overnight.
