How far is Big Lake, MN from Saint Paul, MN?

The driving distance from Big Lake, MN to Saint Paul, MN is about 48 miles (77.3 km), with a travel time of about 00h 53m by car.

  • The straight-line flight distance is about 41.6 miles (67 km).
  • For a round trip, plan for roughly 01h 47m 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
48.04 mi
00h 53m
Flight
41.61 mi
66.96 km direct

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

Learn Distance

Choose another destination from Big Lake.

Flight Distance

Direct air line
41.61 mi
Kilometers
66.96 km
Flight Time
00h 05m

Driving Distance

Road route
48.04 mi
Kilometers
77.31 km
Drive Time
00h 53m

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 53m.

Arrival Snapshot
Arrive in Saint Paul
Tue, May 12, 7:21 PM CDT
Return by in Big Lake
Tue, May 12, 8:14 PM CDT
Useful when you're deciding between a quick errand, a day trip, or a longer stop.
Leave Big Lake
2026-05-12T18:27
Arrive Saint Paul
Tue, May 12, 7:21 PM CDT
Route Timing
00h 53m
One way by road
Best Departure Window
8:00 AM to 10:00 AM CDT
Aim for a morning departure
Arrive between
8:54 AM to 10:54 AM CDT

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

Leave by
4:42 PM CDT
Keeps a same-day return open with about 03h 00m at the destination.
Back in Big Lake
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
West Co on Rapids
MN

A city in Anoka County, Minnesota.

From Big Lake
24 mi
00h 26m
To Saint Paul
24 mi
00h 26m

Route Weather Snapshot

Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.

Origin
71°F
Tuesday

Mostly Sunny

Starts
Tue, May 12 6:00 AM CDT
Wind
10 to 20 mph W
Destination
75°F
Tuesday

Sunny

Starts
Tue, May 12 6:00 AM CDT
Wind
10 to 20 mph W

Driving Route Map

The map below follows the saved road route between Big Lake and Saint Paul.

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between Big Lake and Saint Paul.

  1. 1

    Start on Jefferson Boulevard

    1.1 km · 1 min · Jefferson Boulevard

  2. 2

    Continue on Voyageur Highway

    26.8 mi · 33 min · Voyageur Highway

  3. 3

    Keep slight left

    7.3 mi · 8 min

  4. 4

    Take the exit slight right toward US 10 East: Saint Paul

    3110 ft · 56 sec

  5. 5

    Continue straight

    1.9 mi · 2 min

  6. 6

    Keep slight left

    3.9 mi · 4 min

  7. 7

    Keep slight right to continue on Voyageur Highway

    5.5 mi · 7 min · Voyageur Highway

  8. 8

    Keep slight left to continue on US 10 East, I 94 East, US 52 South: 10th Street, Wacouta Street

    602 ft · 7 sec

  9. 9

    Take the exit slight right toward 10th Street, Wacouta Street

    1132 ft · 27 sec

  10. 10

    Keep slight right to continue on 10th Street

    125 m · 10 sec

  11. 11

    Continue on 10th Street East

    951 ft · 44 sec · 10th Street East

  12. 12

    Turn left onto Robert Street North

    2471 ft · 1 min · Robert Street North

  13. 13

    Turn right onto Kellogg Boulevard East

    1134 ft · 45 sec · Kellogg Boulevard East

  14. 14

    Turn right onto Wabasha Street North

    50 m · 6 sec · Wabasha Street North

  15. 15

    Arrive at your destination

    0 m · 1 sec · Wabasha Street North

Car Route Details

A richer read on the saved driving route between Big Lake and Saint Paul.

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
15 steps
3 turns on the saved route
Ramps & Exits
2
0 merges, 2 ramps or exits
Navigation Density
31.3 / 100 mi
Decision points by distance
Main Roads
Voyageur Highway
39.6 mi · 82%
US 10 East
6.56 mi · 14%
Jefferson Boulevard
0.69 mi · 1%
Robert Street North
0.47 mi · 1%
10th Street
0.29 mi · 1%
Kellogg Boulevard East
0.21 mi
Longest Stretch

Voyageur Highway

Continue on Voyageur Highway

26.8 mi · 00h 33m

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 53m
Day trip friendly
Same-Day Return
01h 48m
Round-trip wheel time
Road vs Air
+6.4 mi
41.6 mi direct line
Halfway Stop
West Co on Rapids
00h 26m from Big Lake
Leave By
4:42 PM CDT
Morning start is best
Weather Watch

Mostly Sunny leaving Big Lake and Sunny near Saint Paul.

Trip Questions

Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.

How long does it take to drive from Big Lake to Saint Paul?

The road trip is about 48 miles (77.3 km) and usually takes 00h 53m 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?

West Co on Rapids is a useful midpoint, sitting about 24 miles from Big Lake and 24 miles from Saint Paul.

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

The direct path is about 41.6 miles (67 km), while the road route adds roughly 6.4 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 4:42 PM CDT.

How much will gas cost for this route?

Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $6.07 one way or $12.13 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 15.1 kg one way.

What should you check before leaving?

Before you leave, expect Mostly Sunny around Big Lake and Sunny near Saint Paul.

Stop Ideas Near West Co on Rapids

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

Mid-route Guidance
Local place coverage is thin around West Co on Rapids, so nearby transit and meeting points are shown instead.
Reviewed stop coverage is still thin around this midpoint, so practical transit waypoints are shown on the right.

Transit and Meeting Points

Useful pickup, handoff, or rendezvous points close to West Co on Rapids.

RAIL

Saint Paul Union Depot

25 mi away
Midway Station
RAIL

St. Cloud

77 mi away
555 East St. Germain Street
RAIL

Red Wing station

92 mi away
420 Levee Street
BUS

Menomonie, WI

116 mi away
302 10th Avenue East

Flight Path Map

This map shows the direct air route between Big Lake and Saint Paul. Straight-line distance: 41.61 mi (66.96 km).

Big Lake

#1 Big Lake

City in Texas, USA

Population8,134
Coordinates45.3324600, -93.7460800
Altitude286
CountryUnited States
Saint Paul

#2 Saint Paul

The second most populous city in Minnesota and the center of the Minneapolis-Saint Paul metropolitan area.

Population306,717
Coordinates44.9444100, -93.0932700
Altitude242
CountryUnited States
Start: Jefferson Boulevard (-93.746076, 45.332532)
End: Wabasha Street North (-93.093258, 44.944416)

Estimated Travel Time

Distance: 77 km by road

SpeedTime
30 mph (48.3 km/h)01h 36m
40 mph (64.37 km/h)01h 12m
50 mph (80.47 km/h)00h 57m
60 mph (96.56 km/h)00h 48m
70 mph (112.65 km/h)00h 41m
80 mph (129 km/h)00h 35m

Fuel, Round Trip and CO2

Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.

One-way fuel
1.7 gal
6.42 L · about $6.07
Round trip
$12.13
3.4 gal · 12.84 L
Estimated CO2
15.1 kg one way
Round trip: 30.2 kg / 67 lb CO2, using regular gasoline.
Fuel$/galOne wayRound trip
Regular gas $3.57 $6.07 $12.13
Mid-grade $3.92 $6.67 $13.33
Premium $4.39 $7.47 $14.93
Diesel $4.86 $8.27 $16.54

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 · May 12, 2026

There is no time difference between Big Lake and Saint Paul. The current time is 18:27:19.

Distance to Other Cities

Planning a road trip? See the full trip guide on Trip.ovh — stops, fuel costs, weather, and departure timing.

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