Help I need directions through town coming from Canada

[golfgal]

Originally Posted by Ben Around

Why not just avoid the cities all together and take a more direct route? Here's how: At the next exit south of Hinckley on "the 35" (as you call it--here in MN, we just call it "35" or I-35" ), take Highway 23 west. It's a diagonal that you take all the way across the state, and it drops you on to I-90 just a couple miles from the South Dakota border. It's a good road, and St Cloud is the only city of any size you will encounter. Plus, it's way shorter in miles than taking the L-shaped 35/90 routing you asked about.

Have a good trip!

I beg to differ. Having taken that route from Marshall to Duluth it is much LONGER. The mileage may be shorter but it takes FOREVER, especially going through St. Cloud and even more so with the detour with the bridge out. Stay on 35. Other then the new lanes around White Bear it is a very direct route and easy to follow. 35 will save you close to an hour driving time.

[fromupthere]

I agree. I also think the new lanes around White Bear are a whole lot easier than it used to be. Just get in the left lane at White Bear and it's a breeze.

[Ben Around]

Originally Posted by golfgal

I beg to differ. Having taken that route from Marshall to Duluth it is much LONGER. The mileage may be shorter but it takes FOREVER, especially going through St. Cloud and even more so with the detour with the bridge out. Stay on 35. Other then the new lanes around White Bear it is a very direct route and easy to follow. 35 will save you close to an hour driving time.

According to Mapquest, even with the St Cloud bridge detour, it is 59 miles shorter to go via 23. But you are right, Hwy 23 takes 8 minutes longer than I-35. I would call that "longer", not "LONGER"

[demtion35]

If she dosent need to go through the metro then cross country is way shorter and safer to take the trip.

If you dont need to go through the metro for some reason then dont. Its too long that way, Id suggest

Duluth
Hwy 210 into Brainerd
Little Falls
Sauk Center
South 59 Straight into South Dakota.
Peice of cake

Why fight Potential dangerous driving conditions if you dont have too?
If driving in heavy traffic makes you nervous then there is the route mentioned above, plus its easier to take lunch breaks and bathroom breaks when taking this route no merging and much safer.

Thanks

[demtion35]

Moonandtaiga, if you dont need to go through the metro or Duluth, (Maybe you have to for some reason) but if you didnt need to, are you crossing at International Falls?

If so take Hwy 71 south into Bemidji
West Hwy. 2 into Crookston
South Hwy. 75 Through Fargo
OR
I 29 in North Dakota into South Dakota following the Minnsesta Border
OR Hwy 75 on the Minnesota side.

These routes are more direct and easier if you dont need to go through the metro.

Thanks

[golfgal]

Originally Posted by Ben Around

According to Mapquest, even with the St Cloud bridge detour, it is 59 miles shorter to go via 23. But you are right, Hwy 23 takes 8 minutes longer than I-35. I would call that "longer", not "LONGER"

You aren't factoring in slowing down to 30 in every small town along the way. It was 6 hours from Marshall to Duluth going on 23 without the detour. It is another hour and a half to Sioux Falls from Marshall, it is about 3 1/2 hours to Sioux Falls from the metro and about 2 1/2 hours to Duluth. Next time you drive that route, time it, but when we have taken that route it takes forever!

[Ben Around]

Originally Posted by golfgal

You aren't factoring in slowing down to 30 in every small town along the way. It was 6 hours from Marshall to Duluth going on 23 without the detour. It is another hour and a half to Sioux Falls from Marshall, it is about 3 1/2 hours to Sioux Falls from the metro and about 2 1/2 hours to Duluth. Next time you drive that route, time it, but when we have taken that route it takes forever!

Those times aren't mine, they are from Mapquest. Mapquest DOES factor in speed limits. If they didn't, the Hwy 29 route would be shorter in time as well as miles. Try it yourself.

[golfgal]

Originally Posted by Ben Around

Those times aren't mine, they are from Mapquest. Mapquest DOES factor in speed limits. If they didn't, the Hwy 29 route would be shorter in time as well as miles. Try it yourself.

Again, I disagree. One route we take to Marshall takes us 2 hours 45 minutes, mapquest tells us it takes 3 1/2 hours. Our route to many places on Mapquest is OFTEN off by time-by quite a bit, both ways. When we drive to St. Louis according to Mapquest it takes us 2 hours longer then it really does because they don't factor in the 70 MPH speed limit. Mapquest times are rarely correct in my experience. I have driven the 29 route from Sioux Falls to Canada and it is faster then coming down from Duluth-the problem is on the Canadian side and getting to 29.

The point is moot anyway since the OP said he needs to get to Minneapolis.