Best stops on I-35 in Minnesota

All 74 exits ranked by what a road-tripper actually needs: real food choice, easy gas, 24-hour service, and the stops worth a detour. Winners below.

1. Exit 256B — Lake Avenue;5th Avenue West

Milepost 256 · 29 places to eat · 9 gas stations · 23 hotels · open 24 hours · ♥ SS William A. Irvin, The St. Louis County Depot

2. Exit 259

Milepost 259 · 29 places to eat · 11 gas stations · 13 hotels · ♥ Tweed Museum of Art

3. Exit 11 — County Road 46

Milepost 11 · 28 places to eat · 5 gas stations · 10 hotels · 24/7 travel center

4. Exit 88A

Milepost 88 · 29 places to eat · 8 gas stations · 14 hotels · ♥ Nickelodeon Universe

5. Exit 254 — 27th Ave W

Milepost 254 · 23 places to eat · 6 gas stations · 11 hotels · ♥ SS Meteor

6. Exit 183 — Hinckley

Milepost 183 · 23 places to eat · 8 gas stations · 8 hotels

7. Exit 258 — 21st Avenue East

Milepost 258 · 29 places to eat · 8 gas stations · 11 hotels

8. Exit 131 — Forest Lake

Milepost 131 · 29 places to eat · 7 gas stations · 3 hotels

9. Exit 237 — Cloquet;Iron Range

Milepost 237 · 25 places to eat · 3 gas stations · 8 hotels · open 24 hours

10. Exit 250

Milepost 250 · 16 places to eat · 5 gas stations · 6 hotels · ♥ Lake Superior Zoo

← Every I-35 exit in Minnesota