Interstate 394 Minnesota

Interstate 394 Minnesota
Minnetonka, MN ↔ Downtown Minneapolis, MN•9.75 miles

Overview

I-394 at Target Field - Minneapolis, MN
I-394 below Ramp B includes a tunnel section beneath a portion of Target Field. This may be the only stretch of Interstate that passes below a major sports venue. 06/15/15

Also known as Wayzata Boulevard, Interstate 394 is a freeway linking Minneapolis with the western suburbs. I-394 replaced U.S. 12 for much of its length, excluding a short stretch west to Wayzata and the spur into Downtown. MnPass (HO/T) lanes run along the route through Minnetonka, Golden Valley and St. Louis Park to I-94 at Lowry Hill.

The short freeway spur from Interstate 94 east to Washington Avenue includes three exit ramps serving the Loring Park, Downtown West and North Loop neighborhoods in addition to the ABC Ramps parking garages.

Mileage by State

Minnesota9.75 mi

Data Sources

December 31, 2025 Interstate Route Log and Finders List

History

Interstate 394 was established by the American Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials (AASHTO) on June 23, 1969 as a spur from I-494 eastward to Downtown Minneapolis. Work to upgrade U.S. 12 (Wayzata Boulevard) to freeway standards from Minnetonka to Downtown Minneapolis was completed during a six year, $420 million project that extended 11 miles.

The new eastbound lanes opened to traffic on September 28, 1991. The eastbound frontage road was converted to two-way traffic at that time. Westbound traffic shifted from the north frontage road onto the freeway between Florida Avenue and General Mills Boulevard on October 4, 1991.

Traffic lights remained in use on the freeway for U.S. 12. An eastbound signal at MN 100 was removed on October 14th. Three westbound signals remained in operation at MN 100, Vernon and Louisiana Avenues until Thanksgiving of 1991. Final work upgrading Interstate 394 included building direct links at the east end with the Downtown Minneapolis parking ramps in 1992.1

Minneapolis, MN - 1980
The initial stretch of U.S. 12 freeway through Bryn-Mawr and Lowry Hill, Minneapolis in 1980. Upgrades for U.S. 12 (Wayzata Boulevard) to freeway standards took place in stages from 1972 to 1986.9
Minneapolis, MN - 1986
Interstate 394 shown as a short spur into Downtown Minneapolis – 1986 Gousha North American Road Atlas. I-394 was displayed on the 1983-84 Minnesota Official Highway map, but omitted on the Rand McNally North American Road Atlas at least through 1992.

A grand opening event was held to celebrate the overall completion of Interstate 394 on October 24, 1992. This work followed the completion of several Downtown ramps to I-394, and preceded the opening of connecting ramps around MN 100 by three weeks. The finished I-394 incorporated high-occupancy express lanes linking three transit centers, suburban park and ride lots and three parking garages at the east end.3

The HOV lanes along Interstate 394 were converted to High-Occupancy Toll (HOT) lanes on May 16, 2005. The change allowed single occupant vehicles to use the express lanes for a toll collected electronically via the MnPass program. Rates vary depending upon peak and off-peak hours. The success of the toll lanes along I-394 led to the addition of toll lanes on Interstate 35W.4 Project costs for the conversion of the express lanes were estimated at between $8 and 10 million in 2003. A private company constructed the toll lanes and covered 25% of the overall project cost.2

East End Third Street N / Washington Avenue ‐ Downtown Minneapolis, MN

Interstate 394 East

I-394/US 12 east at I-94 - Minneapolis, MN

A turbine style interchange joins I-394 with I-94 on the west side of Downtown Minneapolis. Exit 8B departs for I-94 west to the Near North, Hawthorne and McKinley neighborhoods of north Minneapolis and I-94/U.S. 12 east to Elliot Park, Ventura Village and Seward. 06/14/15

I-394/US 12 east at I-94 - Minneapolis, MN I-394 east at 12th St N - Minneapolis, MN I-394 east at 12th St N - Minneapolis, MN I-394 east at 6th St N - Minneapolis, MN I-394 east at 6th St N - Minneapolis, MN I-394 east at 3rd St N - Minneapolis, MN I-394 east at 3rd St N - Minneapolis, MN I-394 east at 2nd Av N - Minneapolis, MN

2nd Avenue N / 3rd Street N at Interstate 394

2nd Av N east at N 5th St - Minneapolis, MN

2nd Avenue N runs beside a sky bridge linking Ramps B and C. Motorists leaving Ramps A or B are directed onto 2nd Avenue N to the N 3rd Street entrance ramps for I-394 west and I-94 west. 06/14/15

2nd Av N east at N 5th St - Minneapolis, MN 2nd Av N east at N 3rd St - Minneapolis, MN 3rd St N at I-394 - Minneapolis, MN

Interstate 94 U.S. 52 East at Interstate 394 U.S. 12

I-94/US 52 east at I-394/US 12 - Minneapolis, MN

I-94 travels south from the split with I-694 at Brooklyn Center to enter the city of Minneapolis at the Lind-Bonhanon neighborhood. Following the Mississippi River to Hawthorne, the I-94 curves westward to encircle Downtown by Loring Park. Exits 231A/B departs simultaneously for both I-394/U.S. 12 west toward Golden Valley and Hennepin Avenue to Downtown West. Vehicles carrying hazardous cargo must depart here as well to avoid the Lowry Hill Tunnel. 06/16/15

Interstate 94 U.S. 12 U.S. 52 West at Interstate 894

I-94/US 12-52 west at I-394 - Minneapolis, MN

I-94 west emerges from the Lowry Hill Tunnel and splits with U.S. 12 west at Exit 231 for Interstate 394. There is no access for the I-394 spur into Downtown Minneapolis from this direction. 06/16/15

East End – Past Views

Past Views Gallery (Tap to Expand / Collapse Section)

Interstate 394 East

I-394/US 12 east at I-94 - 2007

Separate panels for Exit 8B here were replaced with a single sign by October 2007. The MnPass lanes connect with I-94 east via a flyover above. 04/21/07

I-394/US 12 east at I-94 - 2007 I-394 east at 12th St N - 2007 I-394 east at 12th St N - 2007 I-394 east at 6th St N - 2007 I-394 east at 6th St N - 2007 I-394 east at 3rd Av N - 2007 I-394 east at 3rd Av N - 2007

West End Interstate 494 U.S. 12 ‐ Minnetonka, MN

Interstate 394 U.S. 12 West at Interstate 494

I-394/US 12 west at I-494 - Minnetonka, MN

Interstate 394 travels west from a retail corridor anchored by Ridgedale Center mall directly to the cloverleaf interchange with I-494. 06/15/15

I-394/US 12 west at I-494 - Minnetonka, MN I-394/US 12 west at I-494 - Minnetonka, MN I-394/US 12 west at I-494 - Minnetonka, MN I-394/US 12 west at I-494 - Minnetonka, MN I-394/US 12 west at I-494 - Minnetonka, MN I-394/US 12 west at I-494 - Minnetonka, MN

U.S. 12 East at Interstate 394 Interstate 494

US 12 east at I-394/494 - Minnetonka, MN

Frontage roads (Wayzata Boulevard) accompany the freeway along U.S. 12 leading east to the c/d roadway for Carlson Parkway / Linner Road (Exit 1A) and I-494. Exit 1C with CSAH 61 follows in two miles from I-394 as a toll schedule sign appears for the MnPass lanes leading toward Downtown Minneapolis. 06/15/15

US 12 east at I-394/494 - Minnetonka, MN US 12 east at I-394/494 - Minnetonka, MN I-394/US 12 east at I-494 - Minnetonka, MN I-394/US 12 east at I-494 - Minnetonka, MN

Interstate 494 North at Interstate 394 U.S. 12

I-494 north at I-394/US 12 - Minnetonka, MN

1.75 miles south of Interstate 394 east and U.S. 12 on I-494 north at Exit 17 with Minnetonka Boulevard. 04/12/07

I-494 north at I-394/US 12 - Minnetonka, MN I-494 north at I-394/US 12 - Minnetonka, MN I-494 north at I-394/US 12 - Minnetonka, MN I-494 north at I-394/US 12 - Minnetonka, MN I-494 north at I-394/US 12 - Minnetonka, MN

Interstate 494 South at Interstate 394 U.S. 12

I-494 south at I-394/US 12 - Plymouth, MN

Carlson Parkway angles southwest from Exit 20 to U.S. 12 (Exit 1A) just west of the forthcoming exchange with Interstate 394. Photo by Patrick Lilja (04/08/07).

I-494 south at I-394/US 12 - Plymouth, MN I-494 south at I-394/US 12 - Minnetonka, MN I-494 south at I-394/US 12 - Minnetonka, MN

West End – Past Views

Past Views Gallery (Tap to Expand / Collapse Section)

Interstate 394 West at Interstate 494

I-394/US 12 west at I-494 - 2007

This sign bridge was replaced with a new assembly during the 2014 project to add the Ridgedale Drive on-ramp from Minnetonka. The expanded travel lanes now abut the adjacent retaining wall. 04/12/07

I-394/US 12 west at I-494 - 2007 I-394/US 12 west at I-494 - 2007 I-394/US 12 west at I-494 - 2007

References

  1. "Eastbound I-394 Lanes Will Open Saturday/Minneapolis-Wayzata Link Near Completion After 7 Years." St. Paul Pioneer Press (MN), September 27, 1991.
  2. "State OKs plan to try toll lane." Star Tribune (Minneapolis, MN), November 6, 2003.
  3. "Frolic On Freeway Celebrates I-394." St. Paul Pioneer Press (MN), October 20, 1992.
  4. "No Pain, Slight Gain In The MnPass Lane - St. Paul-Minnetonka Commuter Gives The New Toll System A Go." St. Paul Pioneer Press (MN), March 9, 2005.
  5. SRF Consulting. (2014, November 5). I-394/Ridgedale Drive Westbound On-Ramp Grand Opening. Retrieved from https://www.srfconsulting.com/i-394ridgedale-drive-westbound-on-ramp-grand-opening/
  6. Minnesota Department of Transportation (MnDOT). Minnetonka - I-394/Ridgedale Drive westbound on-ramp. Retrieved from http://www.dot.state.mn.us/funding/ted/projects/minnetonka.html
  7. Minnesota Department of Transportation (MnDOT). I-394 and I-494 Interchange. Retrieved from https://web.archive.org/web/20130831103734/http://www.dot.state.mn.us/metro/projects/i394andi494/
  8. Froehlig, Adam.
  9. Froehlig, A. (2008, May 12). US 12 West Metro. Twin Cities Highways. Retrieved from http://www.ajfroggie.com/roads/minnesota/us/us012.htm
Updated November 18, 2020