Interstate 90 in Minnesota
{{Short description|Highway in Minnesota}}
{{highway detail hatnote|Interstate 90}}
{{More citations needed|date=November 2023}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=September 2022}}
{{Use American English|date=September 2022}}
{{Infobox road
| state = MN
| type = I
| route = 90
| alternate_name = American Veterans Memorial Highway
| map = {{maplink|frame=yes|plain=yes|frame-align=center|frame-width=290|type=line|raw={{Wikipedia:Map data/Wikipedia KML/Interstate 90 in Minnesota}}}}
| map_custom = yes
| map_notes = I-90 highlighted in red
| length_mi = 275.70
| length_ref = {{cite web |last=Starks |first=Edward |date=January 27, 2022 |title=Table 1: Main Routes of the Dwight D. Eisenhower National System of Interstate and Defense Highways |url=https://www.fhwa.dot.gov/planning/national_highway_system/interstate_highway_system/routefinder/table01.cfm |access-date=September 17, 2022 |work=FHWA Route Log and Finder List |publisher=Federal Highway Administration}}
| direction_a = West
| terminus_a = {{Jct|state=SD|I|90}} at the South Dakota state line near Beaver Creek
| junction =
- {{Jct|state=MN|US|75}} at Luverne
- {{Jct|state=MN|US|59|MN|60}} at Worthington
- {{Jct|state=MN|US|71}} at Jackson
- {{Jct|state=MN|US|169}} at Blue Earth
- {{Jct|state=MN|I|35}} near Albert Lea
- {{Jct|state=MN|US|218}} at Austin
- {{Jct|state=MN|US|63}} at Stewartville
- {{Jct|state=MN|US|52}} near Rochester
- {{Jct|state=MN|US|14|US|61}} near La Crescent
| direction_b = East
| terminus_b = {{Jct|state=WI|I|90}} at the Wisconsin state line near La Crescent
| counties = Rock, Nobles, Jackson, Martin, Faribault, Freeborn, Mower, Olmsted, Winona|
| previous_type = MN
| previous_route = 89
| next_type = MN
| next_route = 91
}}
Interstate 90 (I-90) in the US state of Minnesota runs for {{convert|276|mi|km}} across the southern side of the state, parallel to the Iowa state line. The route connects the cities of Worthington, Albert Lea, Austin, and Rochester. The city of Winona is also in close proximity to I-90, with about {{convert|10|mi|km}} between the Interstate and the city.
Route description
I-90 enters the state from South Dakota 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 route passes through the cities of Luverne, Adrian, Worthington, Jackson, Fairmont, and Blue Earth. I-90 has an interchange with I-35 at Albert Lea.
File:Interstate - 90 in Minnesota.jpg]]
East of the city of Austin, I-90 changes direction slightly and heads toward 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 carriageways split apart as they descend, and they rejoin west of the junction with US Highway 61 (US 61). I-90 then parallels the Mississippi River before turning east and crossing the Dresbach Bridge over the river into Wisconsin.
File:I-90 Mississippi bridge.jpeg
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.{{google maps |url=https://maps.google.com/?ie=UTF8&ll=43.921112,-91.385779&spn=0.014992,0.053988&t=h&z=15&om=1 |access-date=June 8, 2009}}
Legally, the Minnesota section of I-90 is defined as unmarked Legislative Route 391 in the Minnesota Statutes. I-90 is not marked with this legislative number along the actual highway.
{{clear}}
=Transit=
Jefferson Lines provides intercity bus service along the I-90 corridor from Albert Lea to the South Dakota state line, serving five cities.{{cite web|url=https://jeffersonlines.wpenginepowered.com/wp-content/uploads/Minnesota-Map.pdf|title=Minnesota Route Map|access-date=October 22, 2024}}
History
File:I90GoldenSpikeRestAreaBlueEarthMN.jpg
I-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 Austin in 1961.{{cite web |url=http://www.dot.state.mn.us/roadway/data/reports/data/counties/county50/5080a.pdf |title=Construction Project Log Record |access-date=2013-01-29 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120913014109/http://www.dot.state.mn.us/roadway/data/reports/data/counties/county50/5080a.pdf |archive-date=2012-09-13 |url-status=dead }} The wayside rest area near Blue Earth 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 {{Convert|3099.07|mi|km}} of the Interstate.{{cite web |first = Sue |last = Roethele |date = October 1978 |url = http://www.dot.state.mn.us/library/interstate-anniversary-1976-1980.pdf |title = Last Segment of I-90 Opens in Minnesota |work = DOT Scene |publisher = Minnesota Department of Transportation |page = 15 |access-date = January 29, 2013 |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20130604043856/http://www.dot.state.mn.us/library/interstate-anniversary-1976-1980.pdf |archive-date = June 4, 2013 |url-status = dead }} Plaques dedicating the pavement completion and describing the significance of this segment are on display at the rest area.{{cite sign |url=https://www.hmdb.org/marker.asp?marker=88504 |title=A Golden Dedication for I-90 |publisher=Minnesota Historical Society; Minnesota Department of Transportation |access-date=July 7, 2016 |medium=Minnesota Historical Marker}} Since being overlaid with bituminous paving in 2006,{{cite web |url = http://www.dot.state.mn.us/roadway/data/reports/data/counties/county22/2280a.pdf |title = Construction Project Log Record |publisher = Minnesota Department of Transportation |access-date = January 29, 2013 |url-status = dead |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20130604044206/http://www.dot.state.mn.us/roadway/data/reports/data/counties/county22/2280a.pdf |archive-date = June 4, 2013 }} the original {{convert|4|ft|m|adj=mid|-wide|spell=in}} gold-colored cement concert line marking the completion of I-90 has been replaced with gold paint on just the shoulder portions of the roadway at the same location.
I-90 in Minnesota closely follows the route of old US 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 US 14 and south of the city of Winona.
I-90 served as a replacement for old US 16 between the South Dakota state line and I-90's interchange with present-day Minnesota State Highway 16 (MN 16) at Dexter.
{{-}}
Exit list
{{jcttop|exit|length_ref={{MnDOT logpoint|year=2014|accessdate=2015-07-05}}}}
{{MNint|exit
|county=Rock
|cspan=6
|township=Beaver Creek
|ctdab=Rock
|lspan=2
|mile=0.000
|road={{jct|state=SD|I|90|dir1=west|city1=Sioux Falls}}
|notes=Continuation into South Dakota
}}
{{MNint|exit
|mile=1.057
|exit=1
|road={{jct|state=MN|MN|23|CSAH|17|county2=Rock|city1=Pipestone}}, Larchwood
}}
{{MNint|exit
|location=Beaver Creek
|lspan=2
|mile=3.895
|exit=3
|type=incomplete
|road={{jct|state=MN|CSAH|4|county1=Rock|city1=Beaver Creek}}
|notes=Eastbound exit and westbound entrance
}}
{{MNint|exit
|mile=5.074
|exit=5
|road={{jct|state=MN|CSAH|6|county1=Rock|city1=Beaver Creek|city2=Hills}}
}}
{{MNint|exit
|location=Luverne
|mile=12.479
|exit=12
|road={{jct|state=MN|US|75|city1=Luverne}}, Rock Rapids
|notes=Also access to Pipestone
}}
{{MNint|exit
|location=Magnolia
|mile=18.483
|exit=18
|road={{jct|state=MN|CSAH|3|county1=Rock|city1=Magnolia|city2=Kanaranzi}}
}}
{{MNint|exit
|county=Nobles
|cspan=6
|location=Adrian
|mile=26.620
|exit=26
|road={{jct|state=MN|MN|91|city1=Adrian|city2=Lake Wilson}}
|notes=Also access to Ellsworth, Lismore
}}
{{MNint|exit
|location=Rushmore
|mile=33.707
|exit=33
|road={{jct|state=MN|CSAH|13|county1=Nobles|city1=Rushmore|city2=Wilmont}}
}}
{{MNint|exit
|location=Worthington
|lspan=3
|mile=42.255
|exit=42
|road={{jct|state=MN|BL|90|dir1=east|dab1=Worthington|CSAH|25|county2=Nobles|city1=Worthington|city2=Wilmont}}
|notes=Road from exit into Wilmont was formerly MN 266}}
{{MNint|exit
|mile=43.739
|exit=43
|road={{jct|state=MN|US|59|city1=Worthington|city2=Fulda}}
|notes=
}}
{{MNint|exit
|mile=45.148
|exit=45
|road={{jct|state=MN|BL|90|dir1=west|dab1=Worthington|MN|60|city1=Windom}}
|notes=Also access to Sioux City
}}
{{MNint|exit
|township=Lorain
|ctdab=Nobles
|mile=47.796
|exit=47
|type=incomplete
|road={{jct|state=MN|CSAH|53|county1=Nobles}}
|notes=Eastbound exit and westbound entrance
}}
{{MNint|exit
|county1=Nobles
|county2=Jackson
|township1=Lorain
|ctdab1=Nobles
|township2=Ewington
|ctdab2=Jackson
|mile=50.738
|exit=50
|road={{jct|state=MN|MN|264|CSAH|1|county2=Jackson|city1=Brewster|city2=Round Lake}}
}}
{{MNint|exit
|county=Jackson
|cspan=4
|township=Rost
|ctdab=Jackson
|mile=57.728
|exit=57
|road={{jct|state=MN|CSAH|9|county1=Jackson|city1=Okabena}}
}}
{{MNint|exit
|township=Hunter
|ctdab=Jackson
|mile=64.767
|exit=64
|road={{jct|state=MN|MN|86|city1=Lakefield|location2=Spirit Lake}}
}}
{{MNint|exit
|location=Jackson
|mile=73.813
|exit=73
|road={{jct|state=MN|US|71|city1=Jackson|city2=Windom|location2=Spirit Lake}}
}}
{{MNint|exit
|location=Alpha
|mile=80.083
|exit=80
|road={{jct|state=MN|CSAH|29|county1=Jackson|city1=Alpha}}
}}
{{MNint|exit
|county=Martin
|cspan=5
|location=Sherburn
|mile=87.309
|exit=87
|road={{jct|state=MN|MN|4|city1=Sherburn|city2=St. James|city3=Trimont}}, Estherville
}}
{{MNint|exit
|location=Welcome
|mile=93.675
|exit=93
|road={{jct|state=MN|MN|263|CSAH|27|county2=Martin|city1=Welcome|city2=Ceylon}}
}}
{{MNint|exit
|location=Fairmont
|lspan=2
|mile=99.807
|exit=99
|road={{jct|state=MN|BL|90|dir1=east|dab1=Fairmont|CSAH|39|county2=Martin|city1=Fairmont}}
}}
{{MNint|exit
|mile=102.053
|exit=102
|road={{jct|state=MN|BL|90|dir1=west|dab1=Fairmont|MN|15|city1=Madelia|city2=Fairmont}}
|notes=Also access to Armstrong, Truman
}}
{{MNint|exit
|location=Granada
|mile=107.202
|exit=107
|road={{jct|state=MN|CSAH|53|county2=Martin|city1=Granada|city2=East Chain}}
|notes=Road from exit into Granada was formerly MN 262
}}
{{MNint|exit
|county=Faribault
|cspan=5
|location=Guckeen
|mile=113.272
|exit=113
|road={{jct|state=MN|CSAH|1|county1=Faribault|location1=Guckeen|city2=Huntley}}
}}
{{MNint|exit
|location=Blue Earth
|mile=119.909
|exit=119
|road={{jct|state=MN|US|169|city1=Blue Earth|city2=Mankato|city3=Winnebago|city4=Elmore}}
|notes=Green Giant
}}
{{MNint|exit
|township=Emerald
|ctdab=Faribault
|mile=128.538
|exit=128
|road={{jct|state=MN|MN|254|dir1=south|CSAH|17|county2=Faribault|city1=Easton|city2=Frost}}
}}
{{MNint|exit
|township=Brush Creek
|ctdab=Faribault
|mile=134.546
|exit=134
|road={{jct|state=MN|MN|253|dir1=south|CSAH|21|county2=Faribault|city1=Minnesota Lake|city2=Bricelyn}}
}}
{{MNint|exit
|township=Foster
|ctdab=Faribault
|mile=138.630
|exit=138
|road={{jct|state=MN|MN|22|city1=Wells|city2=Kiester}}
}}
{{MNint|exit
|county=Freeborn
|cspan=6
|location=Alden
|mile=146.292
|exit=146
|road={{jct|state=MN|MN|109|CSAH|6|county2=Freeborn|city1=Alden|city2=Mankato}}
}}
{{MNint|exit
|location=Albert Lea
|lspan=2
|mile=154.739
|exit=154
|road={{jct|state=MN|MN|13|US|69|to2=y|noshield2=yes|city1=Albert Lea|city2=Waseca}}
}}
{{MNint|exit
|mile=157.826
|exit=157
|road={{jct|state=MN|CSAH|22|county1=Freeborn|city1=Albert Lea|extra=airport}}
}}
{{MNint|exit
|township=Bancroft
|ctdab=Freeborn
|mile=159.740
|exit=159
|road={{jct|state=MN|I|35|city1=Albert Lea|location2=Des Moines|city3=Minneapolis|city4=St. Paul}}
|notes=Signed as exits 159A (south) and 159B (north); I-35 exits 13A-B
}}
{{MNint|exit
|location=Hayward
|mile=163.705
|exit=163
|road={{jct|state=MN|CSAH|26|county1=Freeborn|city1=Hayward}}
}}
{{MNint|exit
|location=Oakland
|mile=166.321
|exit=166
|road={{jct|state=MN|CSAH|46|county1=Freeborn|name1=Oakland Road|location1=Petran|city2=Oakland}}
}}
{{MNint|exit
|county=Mower
|cspan=12
|location=Austin
|lspan=8
|mile=175.488
|exit=175
|road={{jct|state=MN|BL|90|dir1=east|dab1=Austin|MN|105|CSAH|46|county3=Mower|road|Oakland Avenue}}
}}
{{MNint|exit
|mile=177.188
|exit=177
|type=concur
|road={{jct|state=MN|US|218|dir1=north|road|14th Street NW|city1=Owatonna}}
|notes=West end of US 218 overlap
}}
{{MNint|exit
|mile=177.872
|exit=178A
|road=4th Street NW
}}
{{MNint|exit
|mile=178.506
|exit=178B
|road=6th Street NE
}}
{{MNint|exit
|mile=179.148
|exit=179
|road=11th Drive NE
}}
{{MNint|exit
|mile=179.741
|exit=180A
|type=incomplete
|road={{jct|state=MN|BL|90|dir1=west|dab1=Austin|road|Oakland Place}}
|notes=Westbound exit and eastbound entrance
}}
{{MNint|exit
|mile=180.024
|exit=180B
|type=concur
|road={{jct|state=MN|US|218|dir1=south|road|21st Street Northeast}}
|notes=East end of US 218 overlap
}}
{{MNint|exit
|mile=180.500
|exit=181
|road=28th Street NE
}}
{{MNint|exit
|township=Windom
|ctdab=Mower
|mile=183.562
|exit=183
|road={{jct|state=MN|MN|56|city1=Brownsdale|city2=Rose Creek}}
}}
{{MNint|exit
|township=Marshall
|ctdab=Mower
|mile=187.338
|exit=187
|road={{jct|state=MN|CSAH|20|county1=Mower}}
}}
{{MNint|exit
|township=Dexter
|ctdab=Mower
|mile=189.584
|exit=189
|road={{jct|state=MN|CSAH|13|county1=Mower|city1=Elkton}}
}}
{{MNint|exit
|location=Dexter
|mile=193.048
|exit=193
|road={{jct|state=MN|MN|16|city1=Dexter|city2=Grand Meadow|city3=Spring Valley|city4=Preston}}
}}
{{MNint|exit
|county=Olmsted
|cspan=5
|township=High Forest
|ctdab=Olmsted
|mile=205.054
|exit=205
|road={{jct|state=MN|CSAH|6|county1=Olmsted}}
}}
{{MNint|exit
|location=Stewartville
|mile=209.270
|exit=209
|road={{jct|state=MN|US|63|MN|30|city1=Stewartville|city2=Rochester|extra=airport}}
|notes=Signed as exits 209A (south/east) and 209B (north/west)
}}
{{MNint|exit
|township=Marion
|ctdab=Olmsted
|mile=217.620
|exit=218
|road={{jct|state=MN|US|52|city1=Chatfield|city2=Rochester}}
|notes=Also access to Twin Cities; Chatfield only appears on eastbound signage, Rochester only appears on westbound signage
}}
{{MNint|exit
|location=Eyota
|mile=223.606
|exit=224
|road={{jct|state=MN|MN|42|dir1=north|CSAH|7|county2=Olmsted|city1=Eyota}}
}}
{{MNint|exit
|location=Dover
|mile=228.572
|exit=229
|road={{jct|state=MN|CSAH|10|county1=Olmsted|city1=Dover}}
}}
{{MNint|exit
|county=Winona
|cspan=10
|location=St. Charles
|mile=232.291
|exit=233
|road={{jct|state=MN|MN|74|city1=St. Charles|city2=Chatfield}}
}}
{{MNint|exit
|township=Fremont
|ctdab=Winona
|mile=242.061
|exit=242
|road={{jct|state=MN|CSAH|29|county1=Winona|city1=Lewiston}}
}}
{{MNint|exit
|township=Warren
|ctdab=Winona
|mile=249.103
|exit=249
|type=concur
|road={{jct|state=MN|MN|43|dir1=south|city1=Rushford}}
|notes=West end of MN 43 overlap
}}
{{MNint|exit
|township=Wilson
|ctdab=Winona
|mile=252.059
|exit=252
|type=concur
|road={{jct|state=MN|MN|43|dir1=north|city1=Winona}}
|notes=East end of MN 43 overlap
}}
{{MNint|exit
|township=Pleasant Hill
|ctdab=Winona
|mile=257.692
|exit=258
|road={{jct|state=MN|MN|76|dir1=south|city1=Houston}}
|notes=Northern terminus of MN-76, also access to CR-12 toward Winona, Witoka, and Ridgeway.
}}
{{MNint|exit
|location=Nodine
|mile=266.017
|exit=267
|road={{jct|state=MN|CSAH|12|county1=Winona|city1=Nodine}}
}}
{{MNint|exit
|township=New Hartford
|ctdab=Winona
|mile=270.288
|exit=270
|type=incomplete
|road={{jct|state=MN|US|14|dir1=west|US|61|dir2=north|GRR||dir3=north|city1=Winona}}
|notes=Westbound exit only
}}
{{MNint|exit
|location=Dakota
|mile=271.232
|exit=271
|type=incomplete
|road={{jct|state=MN|to1=To|US|14|dir1=west|US|61|dir2=north|city1=Dakota}}
|notes=Eastbound exit only
}}
{{MNint|exit
|location=Dresbach
|mile=272.663
|mile2=272.681
|exit=273
|road=Dresbach
|notes=Signed as exits 273A (first exit) and 273B (second exit) eastbound
}}
{{MNint|exit
|location=La Crescent
|mile=275.243
|exit=276
|type=concur
|road={{jct|state=MN|US|14|dir1=east|US|61|dir2=south|GRR||dir3=south|city1=La Crescent|location2=La Crosse}}
|notes=East end of US 14 / US 61 overlap
}}
{{Jctbridge|exit
|river=Mississippi River
|lspan=2
|mile=275.701
|mspan=2
|bridge=I-90 Mississippi River Bridge
}}
{{jctint|exit
|mile=none
|road={{jct|state=WI|I|90|dir1=east|city1=Tomah}}
|notes=Continuation into Wisconsin
}}
{{jctbtm|exit|keys=concur,incomplete}}
References
{{AttachedKML|display=title,inline}}
{{Commons category}}
*Steve Riner [http://www.steve-riner.com/mnhighways/r76-100.htm Details of Routes 76 to 100.] Unofficial Minnesota Highways Page. Accessed January 12, 2009.
{{reflist}}
{{state detail page browse|type=I|route=90|state=Minnesota|stateafter=Wisconsin|statebefore=South Dakota}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Interstate 90 In Minnesota}}
Category:Transportation in Rock County, Minnesota
Category:Transportation in Nobles County, Minnesota
Category:Transportation in Jackson County, Minnesota
Category:Transportation in Martin County, Minnesota
Category:Transportation in Faribault County, Minnesota
Category:Transportation in Freeborn County, Minnesota
Category:Transportation in Mower County, Minnesota