Minneapolis-St Paul City Guide - Getting There By Road

There is an extensive system of Interstate highways, which are the US equivalent of motorways. These are the fastest and most direct routes between locations and are designated by the letter 'I' followed by a number, such as I-55. Some of these routes are toll-roads. The speed limit on Interstate highways is 105kph (65mph) for cars, unless stated otherwise. There is also an extensive network of federal, state and local roads and highways. State roads are designated as 'SR' followed by a number, while highways are designated by the letters 'Hwy', followed by a number. Speed limits are 48kph (30mph) in towns and 88kph (55mph) on highways, unless otherwise indicated.

The legal driving age in Minnesota is 16 years. For UK nationals, a full UK driving licence is sufficient. Other nationalities are required to have an International Driving Permit, which must be accompanied by a full driving licence from their home country. Basic insurance is mandatory. Driving in the United States is on the right. The wearing of seatbelts by persons in the front seat and children under 11 years old is required by law. Children aged four years or under must be protected in car seats. Minnesota has strict laws against drinking and driving and driving while intoxicated is cause for arrest and a criminal charge. The maximum legal alcohol to blood ratio for driving in 0.08%.

The American Automobile Association (tel: 1 800 222 1333; website: www.aaa.com) provides information and might offer reciprocal benefits to members of automobile clubs in other countries.

Emergency breakdown service:
AAA 1 800 222 4357/AAA HELP

Car hire companies generally provide a number for customers to call in the event of an emergency breakdown.

Routes to the city: The Twin Cities are served by an efficient interstate highway system. I-35 runs north-south (south to Omaha and Kansas City) and has two branches – I-35E runs through St Paul and serves its suburbs, while I-35W runs through Minneapolis and its adjoining suburbs. The two branches meet again north of the city centre. I-94 runs east-west through both cities (on to Winnipeg, Chicago and Milwaukee) and intersects with both branches of I-35. The I-494 and I-694 form a large oval around the cities, called the 'Belt Line'. This intersects with most of the major highways in the area. Other state roads into the metro area include highways 10, 52 and 55, which run roughly southeast-northwest, as well as SR-36, which enters St Paul from the east.

Approximate driving times to the city: From Milwaukee – 5 hours 30 minutes; Chicago – 6 hours 30 minutes; Omaha – 6 hours 30 minutes; Winnipeg – 6 hours 30 minutes; Kansas City – 9 hours.

Coach services: Greyhound (tel: 1 800 231 2222; website: www.greyhound.com) and Jefferson Bus Lines (tel: (651) 222 0508; website: www.jeffersonlines.com) provide intercity coach services to and from the Twin Cities to destinations around the USA and Canada, including direct services from New York, Los Angeles, Winnipeg and Chicago.

Both companies use the same terminals, which are located in the city centres. The Minneapolis Terminal, 29 North Ninth Street (tel: (612) 371 3325), is situated opposite the Orpheum Theatre and is just two blocks away from city bus routes along Hennepin Avenue and Seventh Street and Eighth Street. The St Paul Terminal, 166 West University Avenue (tel: (651) 222 0508), is located near the State Capitol building.