Woodbury, MN to Waseca, MN is 214 miles and takes about 4h 20m via I 35 and I 35W, with a fuel budget near $32 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This drive stays within the Midwest region, specifically Minnesota, for its entirety. Given its mostly highway profile and manageable duration, it's a straightforward trip. You'll spend over 90% of your time on major highways, making it an efficient transit between these two points. Plan for a single day of travel unless you prefer a more leisurely pace.
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
107 miles from Woodbury, MN
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 2h 11m 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
State Highway 13
9 mi
12m
Morristown Boulevard
7.8 mi
9m
State Highway 60
5.4 mi
6m
MN 210
3.6 mi
4m
North State Street
1.7 mi
3m
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 Waseca, 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
7.8 mi·9 min·Morristown Boulevard
17
Continue on MN 60
5.4 mi·6 min·State Highway 60
18
Turn left onto MN 13
9.0 mi·12 min·State Highway 13
19
Continue on MN 13
1.7 mi·3 min·North State Street
20
Arrive at destination
MN 13
Trip Plan
For this 4h 20m drive, leaving Woodbury in the morning will give you plenty of daylight to reach Waseca. With only one recommended stop, you can easily complete this in a single day. The fuel cost is estimated at $32, so ensure your tank is adequately filled before departing. Since the route is primarily highway, keep an eye out for the transition off I 35W onto State Highway 73, which marks the final leg of your journey into Waseca.
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 107 miles from Woodbury, MN, or about 2h 11m 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 47 miles or 1h 7m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 107 miles or 2h 11m 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 30m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Waseca, 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 214 miles and 4h 20m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 47 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
$36.00 one way
$72.00 round trip
$4.27/gal25.4 MPG avg75 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.60
$38.77
$77.55
premium
$5.04
$42.43
$84.86
diesel
$5.64
$47.51
$95.02
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$36
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$61–$86
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 74.9 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-05-11.
Driving Electric?
About $22 in charging
· 0 stops
· 67% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
64.2
0
$22.47
$10.27
Efficient EV
53.5
0
$18.73
$8.56
EV Truck/SUV
85.6
1
$29.96
$13.70
Gas CO2
75 kg
EV CO2
25 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 May 8, 2026
Origin
Woodbury, MN
Evening
in Woodbury on Friday
Local time
6:09 PM
CDT
Current temp
31°F
Partly Cloudy
0 mph0% chanceLive forecast
Special Weather Statement
Special Weather Statement issued May 8 at 2:38AM CDT by NWS Grand Forks ND
Special Weather Statement
Special Weather Statement issued May 8 at 2:21AM CDT by NWS Twin Cities/Chanhassen MN
Destination
Waseca, MN
Evening
in Waseca on Friday
Local time
6:09 PM
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
37 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 20m 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 route is almost entirely on highways, with 95% of the 214 miles covered by I 35 and I 35W. Expect to cruise for up to 86.9 miles consecutively on I 35 without needing to exit. The final stretch will transition to surface roads as you approach Waseca. The high percentage of highway driving means you'll encounter consistent speeds and relatively few stops until the end of your trip.
95% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
20 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 214 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 ft759 ft
Total Climb
464 ft
Total Descent
624 ft
Highest Point
1,317 ft
Elevation Range
558 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 Waseca, MN, road signs begin pointing toward Minneapolis along the way.
Doable as a same-day drive at 4h 20m. Total distance: 214 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
4h 20m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (95%). 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 4.3 hours each way, an in-and-out day trip would put you behind the wheel for 8.7 hours — manageable with a long break at Waseca, MN, but most travelers stay overnight.
