Compiled and reviewed by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Apr 19, 2026 · Editorial standards
Drive Time
1h 4m
Distance
47.9 mi
77 km
Drive Score
7/10
Good drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$7
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Young America (historical), MN
Arturo Añez.
Saint Paul, MN
Wikimedia Commons
Spanning 47.6 miles, this trip from the historical site of Young America, Minnesota, to Saint Paul is a straightforward transit across the Midwest. You can expect to spend about 54 minutes behind the wheel, making this an ideal day trip that requires no overnight stay. With a fuel budget of approximately $7, the route is highly economical for a quick transition between these locations. You will navigate primarily via Southeast 2nd Avenue, Faxon Road, and I-494 East to reach the capital city. Since both the origin and destination are situated within the Midwest, the transition feels familiar and consistent throughout. It is a practical choice if you are looking to get from point A to point B without any necessary stops.
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| US 212 | 27 mi | 32m |
| MN 5 | 10.7 mi | 13m |
| Shepard Road | 5.1 mi | 8m |
| John A. Johnson Memorial Highway | 2.2 mi | 2m |
| Fort Road | 1.2 mi | 1m |
| Southeast 2nd Avenue | 0.6 mi | 2m |
| Faxon Road | 0.3 mi | <1m |
| Kellogg Boulevard West | 0.2 mi | <1m |
Step-by-step road directions between Young America (historical), MN and Saint Paul, MN.
Start on Southeast 2nd Avenue
Continue on Southeast 2nd Avenue
Turn left onto Faxon Road
Turn left onto US 212
Take the exit onto MN 5
Keep slight left at fork onto MN 5
Take the exit onto MN 5
Continue on MN 5
Take the exit
Keep slight right at fork
Turn right onto Gannon Road
Turn left onto Shepard Road
Turn left onto Eagle Parkway
Turn right onto Exchange Street South
Turn straight onto Kellogg Boulevard West
Turn left onto Wabasha Street North
Arrive at destination
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Mid-route town
Meal stop
24 mi into the route
Best for: Lunch, fuel, and a longer reset
This sits close to the middle of the route, so it works well for the longest stop of the day.
A short stop after about 11 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
The midpoint is around 24 miles from Young America (historical), MN, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.
5 decision points cluster between mile 27.9 and 42.1 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
Take the exit onto MN 5 toward I 494 East, MN 5 East
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Keep slight left at fork onto MN 5 toward I 494 East, MN 5 East
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Take the exit onto MN 5 / John A. Johnson Memorial Highway toward MN 5: Terminal 1
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Take the exit toward Edgcumbe Road, Shepard Road, River Boulevard
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Keep slight right at fork toward Shepard Road, River Boulevard
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Regular Gas
$7.13 one way
$14.26 round trip
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.07 | $7.68 | $15.36 |
| premium | $4.53 | $8.55 | $17.09 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $10.58 | $21.15 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Drive Cost (one way)
Fuel
$7
Estimated CO2 emission: 16.8 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $5 in charging · 0 stops · 65% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 14.4 | 0 | $5.03 | $2.30 |
| Efficient EV | 12 | 0 | $4.19 | $1.92 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 19.2 | 0 | $6.71 | $3.07 |
Gas CO2
17 kg
EV CO2
6 kg (65% 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.
Current conditions at both ends of the drive.
Origin
Late night in Young America (historical) on Sunday
Local time
3:07 AM
CDT
Current temp
72°F
Unavailable
Destination
Late night in Saint Paul on Sunday
Local time
3:07 AM
CDT
Current temp
67°F
Unavailable
Time zone
Origin and destination are on the same clock, so arrival timing is easier to judge at a glance.
Temperature spread
A meaningful temperature swing is a good cue to rethink layers, water, and how soon you want to arrive.
Road read
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.
Expect a turn-heavy local drive as you depart from Young America, requiring your full attention on the initial sections of the route. Because the highway share is 0%, you will spend the majority of your time navigating local surface roads rather than cruising on high-speed interstates. The character of the drive is defined by frequent adjustments and turns rather than long, monotonous stretches of highway. While you will eventually connect to I-494 East, the journey maintains a localized feel for a significant portion of the trip. This is not a route for drivers looking to set cruise control and zone out; instead, it is a technical drive that demands engagement with the road.
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on US 212 and MN 5. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 27.9 miles in near MN 5.
Demanding - stay alert through the decision-heavy sections
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This drive requires moderate attention. Across 47.9 miles you will encounter 12 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 (MN 5): Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 28.2 miles (MN 5): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 38.7 miles (MN 5 / John A. Johnson Memorial Highway): Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here.
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 1h 4m. Total distance: 47.9 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 0 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
1h 4m drive, comfortable solo distance.
EV Driver
0 DC fast chargers along the route. Coverage: unknown.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (79%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Compiled by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy from open government datasets — OSRM over OpenStreetMap for geometry, and EIA for fuel prices. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.
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Return Trip
Saint Paul, MN to Young America (historical), MNPlan the drive back the other way.
Explore more options from Young America (historical), MN or browse trips ending in Saint Paul, MN.
Looking for more statewide routes? Browse MN road trips.
