How far is Afton, MN from West Co on Rapids, MN?

The driving distance from Afton, MN to West Co on Rapids, MN is about 44.8 miles (72.1 km), with a travel time of about 00h 58m by car.

  • The straight-line flight distance is about 32.9 miles (52.9 km).
  • For a round trip, plan for roughly 01h 56m of driving time before adding stops, traffic, or weather delays.
  • A comfortable departure window is usually 8:00 AM to 10:00 AM CDT.
Trip Tools

Reverse, save, or send this route

This route works well as a day trip with time at the destination. Copy the route link, send it to another device, or print a clean version before you head out.

Reverse Route
Quick Snapshot
Road
44.79 mi
00h 58m
Flight
32.85 mi
52.87 km direct

This route works well as a day trip with time at the destination.

Learn Distance

Choose another destination from Afton.

Flight Distance

Direct air line
32.85 mi
Kilometers
52.87 km
Flight Time
00h 03m

Driving Distance

Road route
44.79 mi
Kilometers
72.09 km
Drive Time
00h 58m

Gas Cost Calculator

Leave and Arrive Planner

Pick a departure time to see your estimated arrival and same-day return window.

Drive time stays fixed at 00h 58m.

Arrival Snapshot
Arrive in West Co on Rapids
Wed, Sep 23, 11:44 AM CDT
Return by in Afton
Wed, Sep 23, 12:43 PM CDT
Useful when you're deciding between a quick errand, a day trip, or a longer stop.
Leave Afton
2026-09-23T10:46
Arrive West Co on Rapids
Wed, Sep 23, 11:44 AM CDT
Route Timing
00h 58m
One way by road
Best Departure Window
8:00 AM to 10:00 AM CDT
Aim for a morning departure
Arrive between
8:58 AM to 10:58 AM CDT

A morning start gives you useful time at the destination and keeps the return out of the late evening.

Leave by
4:34 PM CDT
Keeps a same-day return open with about 03h 00m at the destination.
Back in Afton
9:30 PM CDT
Morning start is best

You are leaving earlier than the recommended window, which gives you extra margin for breaks and traffic.

Halfway Point

A useful midpoint for breaks, coffee, or meeting in the middle.

Mid-route stop
Gem Lake
MN

City in Minnesota, United States

From Afton
22.4 mi
00h 29m
To West Co on Rapids
22.4 mi
00h 29m

Route Weather Snapshot

Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.

Origin
63°F
Wednesday

Mostly Sunny

Starts
Wed, Sep 23 6:00 AM CDT
Wind
5 to 10 mph SE
Destination
64°F
Wednesday

Mostly Sunny

Starts
Wed, Sep 23 6:00 AM CDT
Wind
5 to 10 mph SE

Driving Route Map

The map below follows the saved road route between Afton and West Co on Rapids.

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between Afton and West Co on Rapids.

  1. 1

    Start on Afton Boulevard

    25 m · 7 sec · Afton Boulevard

  2. 2

    Turn left onto Saint Croix Trail South

    2.9 mi · 5 min · Saint Croix Trail South

  3. 3

    Enter the roundabout and take exit 2 toward Saint Croix Trail South

    30 m · 2 sec · Saint Croix Trail South

  4. 4

    Exit the roundabout onto Saint Croix Trail South

    2223 ft · 49 sec · Saint Croix Trail South

  5. 5

    Enter the roundabout and take exit 2 toward Saint Croix Trail North

    32 m · 2 sec · Saint Croix Trail North

  6. 6

    Exit the roundabout onto Saint Croix Trail North

    1908 ft · 42 sec · Saint Croix Trail North

  7. 7

    Enter the roundabout and take exit 2 toward Saint Croix Trail North

    36 m · 2 sec · Saint Croix Trail North

  8. 8

    Exit the roundabout onto Saint Croix Trail North

    2990 ft · 1 min · Saint Croix Trail North

  9. 9

    Turn left onto I 94 West, US 12 West, MN 95 South: Saint Paul

    8.8 mi · 10 min

  10. 10

    Take the exit slight right toward I 694 North, I 494 South

    1560 ft · 38 sec

  11. 11

    Keep slight right to continue on I 694 North

    2039 ft · 50 sec

  12. 12

    Merge slight left

    11.5 mi · 14 min

  13. 13

    Keep slight right

    3.7 mi · 5 min

  14. 14

    Take the exit slight right

    2.8 mi · 4 min

  15. 15

    Keep slight right to continue on I 35W North, US 10 West

    1.4 mi · 2 min

  16. 16

    Keep slight right to continue on US 10 West

    4.2 mi · 5 min

  17. 17

    Keep slight right to continue on MN-610

    4.3 mi · 5 min · MN-610

  18. 18

    Take the exit slight right toward Noble Parkway

    1919 ft · 50 sec

  19. 19

    Turn right onto Noble Parkway

    1.8 mi · 3 min · Noble Parkway

  20. 20

    Continue on West River Road

    1.5 km · 2 min · West River Road

  21. 21

    Arrive at your destination

    0 m · 1 sec · West River Road

Car Route Details

A richer read on the saved driving route between Afton and West Co on Rapids.

OSRM road route
Drive Character

Highway-focused drive

Most of the mileage stays on named highways, so the important moments are ramps, exits, merges, and the final local approach.

Directions
21 steps
9 turns on the saved route
Ramps & Exits
10
1 merges, 9 ramps or exits
Navigation Density
46.9 / 100 mi
Decision points by distance
Main Roads
I 694 North
18.7 mi · 42%
I 94 West
8.77 mi · 20%
MN-610
4.3 mi · 10%
US 10 West
4.22 mi · 9%
Saint Croix Trail South
3.35 mi · 7%
Noble Parkway
2.14 mi · 5%
Longest Stretch

I 694 North

Merge slight left

11.5 mi · 00h 14m

Route Summary

A quick read on whether this route feels easy, ambitious, or worth planning around.

Trip Read

A comfortable day-trip route

This route works well as a day trip. You can leave in the morning, spend meaningful time at the destination, and still return the same day.

Drive Time
00h 58m
Day trip friendly
Same-Day Return
01h 56m
Round-trip wheel time
Road vs Air
+11.9 mi
32.9 mi direct line
Halfway Stop
Gem Lake
00h 29m from Afton
Leave By
4:34 PM CDT
Morning start is best
Weather Watch

Mostly Sunny leaving Afton and Mostly Sunny near West Co on Rapids.

Trip Questions

Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.

How long does it take to drive from Afton to West Co on Rapids?

The road trip is about 44.8 miles (72.1 km) and usually takes 00h 58m in normal driving conditions.

Is this a same-day trip or an overnight route?

This route works well as a day trip. You can leave in the morning, spend meaningful time at the destination, and still return the same day.

What is the halfway point on this route?

Gem Lake is a useful midpoint, sitting about 22.4 miles from Afton and 22.4 miles from West Co on Rapids.

How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?

The direct path is about 32.9 miles (52.9 km), while the road route adds roughly 11.9 extra miles because roads do not follow the straight air line.

When is the best time to leave for this route?

A good departure window is usually 8:00 AM to 10:00 AM CDT. If you want a more comfortable same-day return, try to leave by 4:34 PM CDT.

How much will gas cost for this route?

Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $6.93 one way or $13.85 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 14 kg one way.

What should you check before leaving?

Before you leave, expect Mostly Sunny around Afton and Mostly Sunny near West Co on Rapids.

Stop Ideas Near Gem Lake

Useful break, food, and waypoint ideas within about 15 miles of the route midpoint.

Mid-route Guidance
These suggestions come from reviewed places and nearby services around Gem Lake and the surrounding midpoint area.
Minneapolis City Hall
Scenic stop 12.4 mi away

Minneapolis City Hall

Minneapolis , MN
350 S 5th St, Minneapolis, MN 55415
Rating 4.3/5 28 reviews City Hall,Tourist attraction
St Anthony City Office
Meeting point 9.4 mi away

St Anthony City Office

Saint Anthony , MN
3301 Silver Lake Rd NE, St Anthony, MN 55418
Rating 2.4/5 8 reviews City government office

Transit and Meeting Points

Useful pickup, handoff, or rendezvous points close to Gem Lake.

RAIL

Saint Paul Union Depot

16 mi away
Midway Station
RAIL

Red Wing station

67 mi away
420 Levee Street
BUS

Menomonie, WI

89 mi away
302 10th Avenue East
RAIL

St. Cloud

104 mi away
555 East St. Germain Street

Flight Path Map

This map shows the direct air route between Afton and West Co on Rapids. Straight-line distance: 32.85 mi (52.87 km).

Afton

#1 Afton

Town in Wyoming, United States

Population3,036
Coordinates44.9027500, -92.7835400
Altitude217
CountryUnited States
Photo coming soon

#2 West Co on Rapids

A city in Anoka County, Minnesota.

Population62,528
Coordinates45.1596900, -93.3496700
Altitude260
CountryUnited States
Start: Afton (-92.78354, 44.90275)
End: West Co on Rapids (-93.34967, 45.15969)

Estimated Travel Time

Distance: 72 km by road

SpeedTime
30 mph (48.3 km/h)01h 29m
40 mph (64.37 km/h)01h 07m
50 mph (80.47 km/h)00h 53m
60 mph (96.56 km/h)00h 44m
70 mph (112.65 km/h)00h 38m
80 mph (129 km/h)00h 33m

Fuel, Round Trip and CO2

Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.

One-way fuel
1.58 gal
5.98 L · about $6.93
Round trip
$13.85
3.16 gal · 11.96 L
Estimated CO2
14 kg one way
Round trip: 28.1 kg / 62 lb CO2, using regular gasoline.
Fuel$/galOne wayRound trip
Regular gas $4.38 $6.93 $13.85
Mid-grade $4.82 $7.62 $15.24
Premium $5.35 $8.45 $16.91
Diesel $6.35 $10.03 $20.06

Assumes 8.3 L/100 km (about 28.3 MPG). CO2 is an estimate and varies by vehicle, fuel blend, traffic, and terrain.

Prices in Minnesota · Sep 23, 2026

There is no time difference between Afton and West Co on Rapids. The current time is 10:46:24.

Distance to Other Cities

How did we calculate? Place names are translated into coordinates. The Haversine formula calculates straight-line distance; driving distance uses road network data.