How far is Buffalo, MN from Forest Lake, MN?
The driving distance from Buffalo, MN to Forest Lake, MN is about 56.7 miles (91.2 km), with a travel time of about 01h 14m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 43.9 miles (70.7 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 02h 28m of driving time before adding stops, traffic, or weather delays.
- A comfortable departure window is usually 8:00 AM to 10:00 AM CST.
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.
This route works well as a day trip with time at the destination.
Flight Distance
Driving Distance
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 01h 14m.
A morning start gives you useful time at the destination and keeps the return out of the late evening.
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.
City in Hennepin County, Minnesota, United States
Route Weather Snapshot
Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.
Partly Sunny
Mostly Sunny
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Buffalo and Forest Lake.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Buffalo and Forest Lake.
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1
Start on 1st Avenue South
18 m · 2 sec · 1st Avenue South
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2
Continue on 1st Avenue Northeast
1814 ft · 54 sec · 1st Avenue Northeast
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3
Turn right onto 5th Street Northeast
2274 ft · 1 min · 5th Street Northeast
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4
Continue on Willems Way
1.1 km · 60 sec · Willems Way
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5
Continue on 20th Street Northeast
1582 ft · 26 sec · 20th Street Northeast
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6
Enter the roundabout and take exit 2 toward 20th Street Northeast
41 m · 8 sec · 20th Street Northeast
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7
Exit the roundabout onto 20th Street Northeast
1.6 km · 1 min · 20th Street Northeast
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8
Enter the roundabout and take exit 2 toward 20th Street Northeast
32 m · 6 sec · 20th Street Northeast
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9
Exit the roundabout onto 20th Street Northeast
2.5 mi · 3 min · 20th Street Northeast
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10
Continue on Fenning Avenue Northeast
1.4 mi · 2 min · Fenning Avenue Northeast
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11
Continue on 30th Street Northeast
3 mi · 5 min · 30th Street Northeast
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12
Continue on 30th Street Northeast
2873 ft · 55 sec · 30th Street Northeast
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13
Continue on 30th Street Northeast
1.6 km · 4 min · 30th Street Northeast
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14
Turn left onto Labeaux Avenue Northeast
1339 ft · 21 sec · Labeaux Avenue Northeast
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15
Continue on Main Street North
1 km · 1 min · Main Street North
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16
Turn right onto Saint Michael Parkway East
1675 ft · 36 sec · Saint Michael Parkway East
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17
Continue on Central Avenue East
1917 ft · 40 sec · Central Avenue East
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18
Continue on 42nd Street Northeast
2.7 mi · 4 min · 42nd Street Northeast
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19
Enter the roundabout and take exit 2 toward MN 241
30 m · 2 sec
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20
Exit the rotary
100 m · 7 sec
-
21
Take the ramp slight right toward I 94 East: Minneapolis, Saint Paul
1884 ft · 48 sec
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22
Merge slight left
6.8 mi · 7 min
-
23
Take the exit slight right toward MN 610 East
12.9 mi · 15 min
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24
Merge slight left
3.4 mi · 4 min
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25
Take the exit slight left toward I 35W North: Duluth
1.3 km · 2 min
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26
Merge slight left
15.8 mi · 17 min
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27
Take the exit slight right toward CR 2: Forest Lake
1134 ft · 28 sec
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28
Keep slight right to continue on CR 2
53 m · 7 sec
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29
Turn right onto West Broadway Avenue
1.3 km · 2 min · West Broadway Avenue
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30
Enter the roundabout and take exit 1 toward Lake Street South
4 m · 1 sec · Lake Street South
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31
Exit the roundabout onto Lake Street South
15 m · 1 sec · Lake Street South
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32
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · Lake Street South
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Buffalo and Forest Lake.
Turn-heavy local drive
The route has frequent decision points for its length, so lane choice and turn timing will matter more than cruising speed.
I 35W North
Merge slight left
15.8 mi · 00h 17m
Route Summary
A quick read on whether this route feels easy, ambitious, or worth planning around.
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.
Partly Sunny leaving Buffalo and Mostly Sunny near Forest Lake.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Buffalo to Forest Lake?
The road trip is about 56.7 miles (91.2 km) and usually takes 01h 14m 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?
Osseo is a useful midpoint, sitting about 28.3 miles from Buffalo and 28.4 miles from Forest Lake.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 43.9 miles (70.7 km), while the road route adds roughly 12.8 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 CST. If you want a more comfortable same-day return, try to leave by 4:02 PM CST.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $7.74 one way or $15.47 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 17.8 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Partly Sunny around Buffalo and Mostly Sunny near Forest Lake.
Stop Ideas Near Osseo
Useful break, food, and waypoint ideas within about 15 miles of the route midpoint.
Minneapolis City Hall
St. Louis Park City Hall
Champlin Utility Billing
Transit and Meeting Points
Useful pickup, handoff, or rendezvous points close to Osseo.
Saint Paul Union Depot
St. Cloud
Red Wing station
Menomonie, WI
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Buffalo and Forest Lake. Straight-line distance: 43.91 mi (70.67 km).
#1 Buffalo
City in Wright County, Minnesota, US
| Population | 1,898 |
| Coordinates | 45.1719100, -93.8746900 |
| Altitude | 283 |
| Country | United States |
#2 Forest Lake
City in Washington County, Minnesota, United States
| Population | 21,285 |
| Coordinates | 45.2788600, -92.9852200 |
| Altitude | 278 |
| Country | United States |
End: Forest Lake (-92.98522, 45.27886)
Estimated Travel Time
Distance: 91 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 01h 53m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 01h 25m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 01h 08m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 00h 56m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 00h 48m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 00h 42m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $3.87 | $7.74 | $15.47 |
| Mid-grade | $4.35 | $8.71 | $17.41 |
| Premium | $4.88 | $9.76 | $19.53 |
| Diesel | $6.00 | $12.01 | $24.01 |
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 · Nov 11, 2026