Interstates

• Interstate 94 splits approximately five miles west of the Minnesota/Wisconsin border into Interstate 694 to the north and Interstate 494 to the south with Interstate 94 continuing west through St. Paul and then taking a turn north in Minneapolis until merging again with 694 in the suburb of Brooklyn Center and 494 just prior to Maple Grove. Interstate 394 heads from 494 into downtown Minneapolis, terminating at Washington Street, just past where 94 turns north.
  
  Interstate 35 splits itself into 35 West and 35 East south of 494 and merges again north of 694. The Western and Eastern corridors head roughly north/south through Minneapolis and St. Paul, respectively.
  
  

Major State Routes

• The state roads within the 494/694 oval generally act to connect 35 East and 35 West, such as Route 55 near the International Airport and Route 36 heading north across the Mississippi out of Minneapolis, or connecting the 94s such as with Route 52 heading through West St. Paul from 94 to 494 or Routes 100 and 169 heading from 694 to the southern section of 494 west of Minneapolis.
  
  

Bus Routes

• Metro Transit provides 118 bus routes throughout Minneapolis, St. Paul and the suburbs of the Twin Cities. The standard fare is $1.75 and transferring from one route to another is free within 2½ hours of the initial trip. Fares can be paid either by cash or through fare cards such as the reusable "Go-To Card."
  
  Rates go up with Express routes and during rush hour, but decreased fares are available within the Minneapolis and St. Paul downtown zones, although transfers are not available with downtown zone trips.
  
  

Train Service

• The Hiawatha Line is a light-rail route with 17 stops from 494 near the Mall of America and the International Airport into Minneapolis, terminating near 394 in the heart of the city.
  
  A commuter rail line starting northwest of the 494/694 oval heading into Minneapolis will open in late 2009 with fares ranging from $3.25 to $7.
  
  

Miscellaneous

• Traffic patterns within the Twin Cities vary from day to day, usually with higher congestion in urban areas, construction zones and after traffic accidents. Metro Transit provides nearly two dozen parking lots and transit centers for transfers between buses and/or trains throughout the greater metropolitan area.