Interstate 90 in Minnesota
Encyclopedia
In the U.S. state
of Minnesota
, Interstate 90
traverses the southern side of the state, parallel to the Minnesota-Iowa
state line. The route connects the cities of Worthington
, Albert Lea
, and Austin
. The cities of Rochester
and Winona
are also in close proximity to I-90, with Winona about 10 miles away and Rochester less than one mile away.
Interstate 90 in Minnesota is 276 miles (444.2 km) in length. The route is located in the southwest, south-central, and southeast parts of the state.
near Beaver Creek
. This part of Minnesota has flat to gently rolling terrain and is the beginnings of corn belt farmland. The flat terrain is often subject to blowing and drifting snow in colder months, and the western portions of the highway are closed multiple times each winter.
Rock County
, where I-90 enters Minnesota, is one of the only counties in the state lacking a natural lake. The change from semi-arid to a wetter climate happens slowly moving eastbound on I-90 through southern Minnesota. The route passes through the cities of Luverne
, Adrian
, Worthington
, Jackson
, Fairmont
, and Blue Earth
. I-90 has a junction
with I-35
at Albert Lea
.
East of the city of Austin
, I-90 changes direction slightly and heads towards Rochester
, and the route enters a much more hilly landscape. This is the driftless area of southeast Minnesota. Unlike the rest of the state, where the most recent glaciations left terrain that is either flat or rolling under a deposit of glacial till, this area escaped the most recent glaciation. The bedrock to the top of the I-90 road cuts is noticeable at this point. The other notable feature of this area are deep, steep valleys cut by water that poured through this area as the ice cap melted.
I-90 drops into the scenic Mississippi River
valley just west of Dresbach. The I-90 freeway lanes split apart as you drop down, then rejoin west of the junction with U.S. Highway 61
. I-90 then parallels the Mississippi River before turning east and crossing into Wisconsin
.
I-90 is atypical in that just across the Minnesota / Wisconsin state line, (immediately west of the community of Dakota
) the median is wide enough that farms exist between the road beds.
Legally, the Minnesota section of Interstate 90 is defined as unmarked Legislative Route 391 in the Minnesota Statutes. Interstate 90 is not marked with this legislative number along the actual highway.
in 1961. The wayside rest area near Blue Earth, Minnesota
, is where the east-building I-90 and west-building I-90 teams linked up in 1978, thus completing construction in Minnesota and joining the 3,099.07 miles of the interstate. Plaques dedicating the pavement completion and describing the significance of this segment are on display at the rest area.
I-90 in Minnesota closely follows the route of old U.S. Highway 16
over most of its route except from just east of Austin
, where I-90 turns toward Rochester
and is constructed on a new alignment not previously covered by a highway. The section of I-90 east of Rochester was constructed just south of U.S. Highway 14
and south of the city of Winona
.
I-90 served as a replacement for old U.S. 16
between the South Dakota
state line and I-90's interchange
with present day State Highway 16
at Dexter
.
Three lanes each way have been constructed on I-90 between its two junctions
with U.S. Highway 61
at the communities of Dresbach and Dakota
to facilitate commuter traffic between La Crosse and Winona.
U.S. state
A U.S. state is any one of the 50 federated states of the United States of America that share sovereignty with the federal government. Because of this shared sovereignty, an American is a citizen both of the federal entity and of his or her state of domicile. Four states use the official title of...
of Minnesota
Minnesota
Minnesota is a U.S. state located in the Midwestern United States. The twelfth largest state of the U.S., it is the twenty-first most populous, with 5.3 million residents. Minnesota was carved out of the eastern half of the Minnesota Territory and admitted to the Union as the thirty-second state...
, Interstate 90
Interstate 90
Interstate 90 is the longest Interstate Highway in the United States at . It is the northernmost coast-to-coast interstate, and parallels US 20 for the most part. Its western terminus is in Seattle, at Edgar Martinez Drive S. near Safeco Field and CenturyLink Field, and its eastern terminus is in...
traverses the southern side of the state, parallel to the Minnesota-Iowa
Iowa
Iowa is a state located in the Midwestern United States, an area often referred to as the "American Heartland". It derives its name from the Ioway people, one of the many American Indian tribes that occupied the state at the time of European exploration. Iowa was a part of the French colony of New...
state line. The route connects the cities of Worthington
Worthington, Minnesota
Worthington is a city in Nobles County, Minnesota, United States. The population was 12,764 at the 2010 census. It is the county seat of Nobles County.The city's site was first settled in the 1870s as Okabena Station on a line of the Chicago, St...
, Albert Lea
Albert Lea, Minnesota
Albert Lea is a city in and the county seat of Freeborn County in the southeastern part of the U.S. state of Minnesota. The population was 18,016 at the 2010 census....
, and Austin
Austin, Minnesota
As of the census of 2000, there were 23,314 people, 9,897 households, and 6,076 families residing in the city. The population density was 2,168.2 people per square mile . There were 10,261 housing units at an average density of 954.3 per square mile...
. The cities of Rochester
Rochester, Minnesota
Rochester is a city in the U.S. state of Minnesota and is the county seat of Olmsted County. Located on both banks of the Zumbro River, The city has a population of 106,769 according to the 2010 United States Census, making it Minnesota's third-largest city and the largest outside of the...
and Winona
Winona, Minnesota
Winona is a city in and the county seat of Winona County, in the U.S. State of Minnesota. Located in picturesque bluff country on the Mississippi River, its most noticeable physical landmark is Sugar Loaf....
are also in close proximity to I-90, with Winona about 10 miles away and Rochester less than one mile away.
Interstate 90 in Minnesota is 276 miles (444.2 km) in length. The route is located in the southwest, south-central, and southeast parts of the state.
Route description
Interstate 90 enters the state from South DakotaSouth Dakota
South Dakota is a state located in the Midwestern region of the United States. It is named after the Lakota and Dakota Sioux American Indian tribes. Once a part of Dakota Territory, South Dakota became a state on November 2, 1889. The state has an area of and an estimated population of just over...
near Beaver Creek
Beaver Creek, Minnesota
Beaver Creek is a city in Rock County, Minnesota, United States. The population was 297 at the 2010 census.-Geography:According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of , all of it land...
. This part of Minnesota has flat to gently rolling terrain and is the beginnings of corn belt farmland. The flat terrain is often subject to blowing and drifting snow in colder months, and the western portions of the highway are closed multiple times each winter.
Rock County
Rock County, Minnesota
As of the census of 2000, there were 9,721 people, 3,843 households, and 2,705 families residing in the county. The population density was 20 people per square mile . There were 4,137 housing units at an average density of 9 per square mile...
, where I-90 enters Minnesota, is one of the only counties in the state lacking a natural lake. The change from semi-arid to a wetter climate happens slowly moving eastbound on I-90 through southern Minnesota. The route passes through the cities of Luverne
Luverne, Minnesota
As of the census of 2000, there were 4,617 people, 1,968 households, and 1,247 families residing in the city. The population density was 1,356.1 people per square mile . There were 2,161 housing units at an average density of 634.7 per square mile...
, Adrian
Adrian, Minnesota
As of the census of 2000, there were 1,234 people, 493 households, and 330 families residing in the city. The population density was 1,111.5 people per square mile . There were 527 housing units at an average density of 474.7 per square mile...
, Worthington
Worthington, Minnesota
Worthington is a city in Nobles County, Minnesota, United States. The population was 12,764 at the 2010 census. It is the county seat of Nobles County.The city's site was first settled in the 1870s as Okabena Station on a line of the Chicago, St...
, Jackson
Jackson, Minnesota
Jackson is a city in Jackson County, Minnesota, United States. The population was 3,299 at the 2010 census. It is the county seat of Jackson County.-Geography:...
, Fairmont
Fairmont, Minnesota
As of the census of 2000, there were 10,889 people and 2,962 families residing in the city. The population density was 747.5 people per square mile . There were 5,036 housing units at an average density of 345.7 per square mile...
, and Blue Earth
Blue Earth, Minnesota
As of the census of 2000, there were 3,621 people, 1,535 households, and 925 families residing in the city. The population density was 1,137.0 people per square mile . There were 1,666 housing units at an average density of 523.1 per square mile...
. I-90 has a junction
Junction (road)
A road junction is a location where vehicular traffic going in different directions can proceed in a controlled manner designed to minimize accidents. In some cases, vehicles can change between different routes or directions of travel.-Origins:...
with I-35
Interstate 35 in Minnesota
In the U.S. state of Minnesota, Interstate 35 is a highway in southeast, east-central, and northeast Minnesota. The route runs north–south from the Iowa state line through the twin cities of Minneapolis and Saint Paul; where it splits into Interstates 35E and 35W; and ends in the city of...
at Albert Lea
Albert Lea, Minnesota
Albert Lea is a city in and the county seat of Freeborn County in the southeastern part of the U.S. state of Minnesota. The population was 18,016 at the 2010 census....
.
East of the city of Austin
Austin, Minnesota
As of the census of 2000, there were 23,314 people, 9,897 households, and 6,076 families residing in the city. The population density was 2,168.2 people per square mile . There were 10,261 housing units at an average density of 954.3 per square mile...
, I-90 changes direction slightly and heads towards Rochester
Rochester, Minnesota
Rochester is a city in the U.S. state of Minnesota and is the county seat of Olmsted County. Located on both banks of the Zumbro River, The city has a population of 106,769 according to the 2010 United States Census, making it Minnesota's third-largest city and the largest outside of the...
, and the route enters a much more hilly landscape. This is the driftless area of southeast Minnesota. Unlike the rest of the state, where the most recent glaciations left terrain that is either flat or rolling under a deposit of glacial till, this area escaped the most recent glaciation. The bedrock to the top of the I-90 road cuts is noticeable at this point. The other notable feature of this area are deep, steep valleys cut by water that poured through this area as the ice cap melted.
I-90 drops into the scenic Mississippi River
Mississippi River
The Mississippi River is the largest river system in North America. Flowing entirely in the United States, this river rises in western Minnesota and meanders slowly southwards for to the Mississippi River Delta at the Gulf of Mexico. With its many tributaries, the Mississippi's watershed drains...
valley just west of Dresbach. The I-90 freeway lanes split apart as you drop down, then rejoin west of the junction with U.S. Highway 61
U.S. Route 61 in Minnesota
U.S. Highway 61 is a highway in southeast and east-central Minnesota, which runs from the River Bridge over the Mississippi River at La Crescent and continues north to its northern terminus at its junction with Interstate 35 at the city of Wyoming....
. I-90 then parallels the Mississippi River before turning east and crossing into Wisconsin
Wisconsin
Wisconsin is a U.S. state located in the north-central United States and is part of the Midwest. It is bordered by Minnesota to the west, Iowa to the southwest, Illinois to the south, Lake Michigan to the east, Michigan to the northeast, and Lake Superior to the north. Wisconsin's capital is...
.
I-90 is atypical in that just across the Minnesota / Wisconsin state line, (immediately west of the community of Dakota
Dakota, Minnesota
Dakota is a city in Winona County, Minnesota, United States. The population was 323 at the 2010 census. The mayor is Greg Dobrunz.-Geography:...
) the median is wide enough that farms exist between the road beds.
Legally, the Minnesota section of Interstate 90 is defined as unmarked Legislative Route 391 in the Minnesota Statutes. Interstate 90 is not marked with this legislative number along the actual highway.
History
Interstate 90 in Minnesota was authorized as part of the original interstate network in 1956. The first section of I-90 in Minnesota constructed was the bypass of AustinAustin, Minnesota
As of the census of 2000, there were 23,314 people, 9,897 households, and 6,076 families residing in the city. The population density was 2,168.2 people per square mile . There were 10,261 housing units at an average density of 954.3 per square mile...
in 1961. The wayside rest area near Blue Earth, Minnesota
Blue Earth, Minnesota
As of the census of 2000, there were 3,621 people, 1,535 households, and 925 families residing in the city. The population density was 1,137.0 people per square mile . There were 1,666 housing units at an average density of 523.1 per square mile...
, is where the east-building I-90 and west-building I-90 teams linked up in 1978, thus completing construction in Minnesota and joining the 3,099.07 miles of the interstate. Plaques dedicating the pavement completion and describing the significance of this segment are on display at the rest area.
I-90 in Minnesota closely follows the route of old U.S. Highway 16
U.S. Route 16
U.S. Route 16 is an east–west United States Highway between Rapid City, South Dakota and Yellowstone National Park in Wyoming....
over most of its route except from just east of Austin
Austin, Minnesota
As of the census of 2000, there were 23,314 people, 9,897 households, and 6,076 families residing in the city. The population density was 2,168.2 people per square mile . There were 10,261 housing units at an average density of 954.3 per square mile...
, where I-90 turns toward Rochester
Rochester, Minnesota
Rochester is a city in the U.S. state of Minnesota and is the county seat of Olmsted County. Located on both banks of the Zumbro River, The city has a population of 106,769 according to the 2010 United States Census, making it Minnesota's third-largest city and the largest outside of the...
and is constructed on a new alignment not previously covered by a highway. The section of I-90 east of Rochester was constructed just south of U.S. Highway 14
U.S. Route 14
U.S. Route 14 , an east–west route, is one of the original United States highways of 1926. It currently has a length of 1,398 miles , but it had a peak length of 1,429 miles . For much of its length, it runs roughly parallel to Interstate 90.As of 2004, the highway's eastern terminus is in...
and south of the city of Winona
Winona, Minnesota
Winona is a city in and the county seat of Winona County, in the U.S. State of Minnesota. Located in picturesque bluff country on the Mississippi River, its most noticeable physical landmark is Sugar Loaf....
.
I-90 served as a replacement for old U.S. 16
U.S. Route 16
U.S. Route 16 is an east–west United States Highway between Rapid City, South Dakota and Yellowstone National Park in Wyoming....
between the South Dakota
South Dakota
South Dakota is a state located in the Midwestern region of the United States. It is named after the Lakota and Dakota Sioux American Indian tribes. Once a part of Dakota Territory, South Dakota became a state on November 2, 1889. The state has an area of and an estimated population of just over...
state line and I-90's interchange
Interchange (road)
In the field of road transport, an interchange is a road junction that typically uses grade separation, and one or more ramps, to permit traffic on at least one highway to pass through the junction without directly crossing any other traffic stream. It differs from a standard intersection, at which...
with present day State Highway 16
Minnesota State Highway 16
Minnesota State Highway 16 is a two-lane highway in southeast Minnesota, which runs from its interchange with Interstate Highway 90 in Dexter and continues east to its eastern terminus at its intersection with U.S. Highways 14 and 61 in La Crescent....
at Dexter
Dexter, Minnesota
Dexter is a city in Dexter Township, Mower County, Minnesota, United States. The population was 341 at the 2010 census.-History:The community was named for Dexter Parrity, an early settler...
.
Three lanes each way have been constructed on I-90 between its two junctions
Junction (road)
A road junction is a location where vehicular traffic going in different directions can proceed in a controlled manner designed to minimize accidents. In some cases, vehicles can change between different routes or directions of travel.-Origins:...
with U.S. Highway 61
U.S. Route 61 in Minnesota
U.S. Highway 61 is a highway in southeast and east-central Minnesota, which runs from the River Bridge over the Mississippi River at La Crescent and continues north to its northern terminus at its junction with Interstate 35 at the city of Wyoming....
at the communities of Dresbach and Dakota
Dakota, Minnesota
Dakota is a city in Winona County, Minnesota, United States. The population was 323 at the 2010 census. The mayor is Greg Dobrunz.-Geography:...
to facilitate commuter traffic between La Crosse and Winona.
Exit list
| County | Location | Mile | # Exit number An exit number is a number assigned to a road junction, usually an exit from a freeway. It is usually marked on the same sign as the destinations of the exit, as well as a sign in the gore.... |
Destinations | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Rock Rock County, Minnesota As of the census of 2000, there were 9,721 people, 3,843 households, and 2,705 families residing in the county. The population density was 20 people per square mile . There were 4,137 housing units at an average density of 9 per square mile... |
1 | Also leads to Manley Manley, Minnesota Manley was the name of a community in sections 35-36 of Beaver Creek Township in Rock County, Minnesota, United States.-Geography:Manley is located one mile south of Interstate 90 on Rock County road CR-17 , and one mile east of Valley Springs, South Dakota.-History:The town of Manley was platted... one mile (1.6 km) to the south. |
|||
| 3 | Eastbound exit and westbound entrance | ||||
| 5 | |||||
| Luverne Luverne, Minnesota As of the census of 2000, there were 4,617 people, 1,968 households, and 1,247 families residing in the city. The population density was 1,356.1 people per square mile . There were 2,161 housing units at an average density of 634.7 per square mile... |
12 | , Rock Rapids Rock Rapids, Iowa Rock Rapids is a city in Lyon County in the northwestern part of the U.S. state of Iowa, an area known for its strong Dutch heritage and conservative politics. It is the county seat of Lyon County and home to Central Lyon Schools. The population was 2,549 in the 2010 census, a decline from 2,573... |
|||
| 18 | |||||
| Nobles Nobles County, Minnesota Nobles County is a county located in the U.S. state of Minnesota. As of 2010, the population was 21,378. Its county seat is Worthington.-Geography:... |
26 | ||||
| 33 | |||||
| Worthington Worthington, Minnesota Worthington is a city in Nobles County, Minnesota, United States. The population was 12,764 at the 2010 census. It is the county seat of Nobles County.The city's site was first settled in the 1870s as Okabena Station on a line of the Chicago, St... |
42 | ||||
| 43 | |||||
| 45 | |||||
| 47 | Eastbound exit and westbound entrance | ||||
| 50 | |||||
| Jackson Jackson County, Minnesota As of the census of 2000, there were 11,268 people, 4,556 households, and 3,116 families residing in the county. The population density was 16 people per square mile . There were 5,092 housing units at an average density of 7 per square mile... |
|||||
| 57 | |||||
| 64 | |||||
| Jackson Jackson, Minnesota Jackson is a city in Jackson County, Minnesota, United States. The population was 3,299 at the 2010 census. It is the county seat of Jackson County.-Geography:... |
73 | ||||
| 80 | |||||
| Martin Martin County, Minnesota As of the census of 2000, there were 21,802 people, 9,067 households, and 6,047 families residing in the county. The population density was 31 people per square mile . There were 9,800 housing units at an average density of 14 per square mile... |
Sherburn Sherburn, Minnesota As of the census of 2000, there were 1,082 people, 484 households, and 285 families residing in the city. The population density was 1,220.6 people per square mile . There were 535 housing units at an average density of 603.5 per square mile... |
87 | |||
| 93 | |||||
| 99 | |||||
| Fairmont Fairmont, Minnesota As of the census of 2000, there were 10,889 people and 2,962 families residing in the city. The population density was 747.5 people per square mile . There were 5,036 housing units at an average density of 345.7 per square mile... |
102 | ||||
| 107 | |||||
| Faribault Faribault County, Minnesota As of the census of 2000, there were 16,181 people, 6,652 households, and 4,476 families residing in the county. The population density was 23 people per square mile . There were 7,247 housing units at an average density of 10 per square mile... |
113 | ||||
| Blue Earth Blue Earth, Minnesota As of the census of 2000, there were 3,621 people, 1,535 households, and 925 families residing in the city. The population density was 1,137.0 people per square mile . There were 1,666 housing units at an average density of 523.1 per square mile... |
119 | ||||
| 128 | |||||
| 134 | |||||
| 138 | |||||
| Freeborn Freeborn County, Minnesota As of the census of 2000, there were 32,584 people, 13,356 households, and 9,015 families residing in the county. The population density was 46 people per square mile . There were 13,996 housing units at an average density of 20 per square mile... |
Alden Alden, Minnesota Alden is a city in Freeborn County, Minnesota, United States. The population was 661 at the 2010 census.-Geography:According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of , of which, of it is land and of it is water.... |
146 | |||
| 154 | |||||
| Albert Lea Albert Lea, Minnesota Albert Lea is a city in and the county seat of Freeborn County in the southeastern part of the U.S. state of Minnesota. The population was 18,016 at the 2010 census.... |
157 | ||||
| 159 | , Des Moines Des Moines, Iowa Des Moines is the capital and the most populous city in the US state of Iowa. It is also the county seat of Polk County. A small portion of the city extends into Warren County. It was incorporated on September 22, 1851, as Fort Des Moines which was shortened to "Des Moines" in 1857... , Minneapolis |
Signed as exits 159A (south) and 159B (north) | |||
| 163 | |||||
| 166 | , Petran, Oakland | ||||
| Mower Mower County, Minnesota As of the census of 2000, there were 38,603 people, 15,582 households, and 10,315 families residing in the county. The population density was 54 people per square mile . There were 16,251 housing units at an average density of 23 per square mile... |
Austin Austin, Minnesota As of the census of 2000, there were 23,314 people, 9,897 households, and 6,076 families residing in the city. The population density was 2,168.2 people per square mile . There were 10,261 housing units at an average density of 954.3 per square mile... |
175 | |||
| 177 | West end of U.S. 218 overlap | ||||
| 178A | 4th Street Northwest | ||||
| 178B | 6th Street Northeast | ||||
| 179 | 11th Drive Northeast | ||||
| 180A | Westbound exit and eastbound entrance | ||||
| 180B | East end of U.S. 218 overlap | ||||
| 181 | 28th Street Northeast | ||||
| 183 | |||||
| 187 | |||||
| 189 | |||||
| Dexter Dexter, Minnesota Dexter is a city in Dexter Township, Mower County, Minnesota, United States. The population was 341 at the 2010 census.-History:The community was named for Dexter Parrity, an early settler... |
193 | ||||
| Olmsted Olmsted County, Minnesota As of the census of 2000, there were 124,277 people, 47,807 households, and 32,317 families residing in the county. The population density was 190 people per square mile . There were 49,422 housing units at an average density of 76 per square mile... |
205 | ||||
| 209 | Signed as exits 209A (south/east) and 209B (north/west) | ||||
| 218 | |||||
| 224 | |||||
| 229 | |||||
| Winona Winona County, Minnesota As of the census of 2000, there were 49,985 people, 18,744 households, and 11,696 families residing in the county. The population density was 80 people per square mile . There were 19,551 housing units at an average density of 31 per square mile... |
233 | ||||
| 242 | |||||
| 249 | West end of MN 43 overlap | ||||
| 252 | East end of MN 43 overlap | ||||
| 257 | |||||
| 266 | |||||
| 269 | West end of U.S. 14 / U.S. 61 overlap; no eastbound exit (use exit 270) | ||||
| Dakota Dakota, Minnesota Dakota is a city in Winona County, Minnesota, United States. The population was 323 at the 2010 census. The mayor is Greg Dobrunz.-Geography:... |
270 | ||||
| 272A | Dresbach | Westbound exit is part of exit 272B | |||
| 272B | Dresbach | ||||
| 275 | East end of U.S. 14 / U.S. 61 overlap |