What's the best north/south way through the Twin Cities?

[ixnay]

Say someone is driving from Duluth to Albert Lea or maybe all the way to Des Moines.

In that case, is (s)he better taking I-35W or I-35E when (s)he nears the Twin Cities?

ixnay

[thspfc]

I've had less problems with downtown St Paul than I've had with Minneapolis, and with 35W you also have the Mall and airport traffic in addition to more commuting traffic. So I would say 35E is a better choice.

[TheHighwayMan3561]

For your everyday travel, 35E. It's shorter, less traffic, in better condition, and generally an easier drive than 35W. And right now, there are about four major construction projects along 35W in progress or beginning in the near future.

If you're driving a heavy vehicle, though, that complicates things a bit.

[oscar]

A related question: what radio station has the best traffic reports for the Twin Cities? I think I stumbled on a good one when I was there in March, but forget what it was. The latest reports you hear as you approach the 494/694 beltway might change your mind about staying with 35E.

[TheHighwayMan3561]

A related question: what radio station has the best traffic reports for the Twin Cities? I think I stumbled on a good one when I was there in March, but forget what it was. The latest reports you hear as you approach the 494/694 beltway might change your mind about staying with 35E.

88.5 KBEM-FM is officially partnered with MnDOT for traffic reports, and generally the most thorough with regards to traffic reporting.

[froggie]

^ Concur with KBEM 88.5

If you're driving a heavy vehicle, though, that complicates things a bit.

35E/694/494/35E is probably the best in this case.  And IIRC what MnDOT promotes.  That said, there's a project about to start on 694.