The four lanes of I-35E pass through downtown Saint Paul in the center of the six lanes of I-94, with a short overlap occupying the blocks between 11th and 12th streets.
From downtown Saint Paul north to the junction with I-694 west (exit 113) in Little Canada, where US 10 also leaves I-35E, the highway carries three lanes of traffic in each direction, in addition to a single MnPASS HOV lane.