How far is Castle Rock, MN from Inver Grove Heights, MN?
The driving distance from Castle Rock, MN to Inver Grove Heights, MN is about 28.3 miles (45.5 km), with a travel time of about 00h 37m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 21.7 miles (34.9 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 01h 15m of driving time before adding stops, traffic, or weather delays.
- A comfortable departure window is usually 7:00 AM to 7:00 PM CDT.
Reverse, save, or send this route
This is an easy same-day return drive. Copy the route link, send it to another device, or print a clean version before you head out.
This is an easy same-day return drive.
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 00h 37m.
This is a short drive, so your comfort window is wide. Traffic and current weather matter more than the clock.
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.
Township in Dakota County, Minnesota
Route Weather Snapshot
Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.
Sunny
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Castle Rock and Inver Grove Heights.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Castle Rock and Inver Grove Heights.
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1
Start on Danville Avenue West
17 m · 8 sec · Danville Avenue West
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2
Turn left onto 280th Street West
4.7 mi · 7 min · 280th Street West
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3
Turn left onto Northfield Boulevard
6.2 mi · 10 min · Northfield Boulevard
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4
Take the exit left toward US 52 North
2035 ft · 50 sec
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5
Merge slight left
14.3 mi · 16 min
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6
Keep slight right to continue on US 52 North: Saint Paul
1.7 mi · 2 min
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7
Take the exit slight right toward CR 26: 70th Street East
1503 ft · 39 sec
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8
Turn right onto 70th Street East
1.2 km · 1 min · 70th Street East
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9
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · 70th Street East
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Castle Rock and Inver Grove Heights.
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.
US 52 North
Merge slight left
14.3 mi · 00h 16m
Route Summary
A quick read on whether this route feels easy, ambitious, or worth planning around.
A short regional drive
This route is short enough to handle as a quick errand, commute, or easy same-day return without much planning overhead.
Sunny leaving Castle Rock and Sunny near Inver Grove Heights.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Castle Rock to Inver Grove Heights?
The road trip is about 28.3 miles (45.5 km) and usually takes 00h 37m in normal driving conditions.
Is this a same-day trip or an overnight route?
This route is short enough to handle as a quick errand, commute, or easy same-day return without much planning overhead.
What is the halfway point on this route?
Empire is a useful midpoint, sitting about 14.1 miles from Castle Rock and 14.2 miles from Inver Grove Heights.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 21.7 miles (34.9 km), while the road route adds roughly 6.6 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 7:00 AM to 7:00 PM CDT. If you want a more comfortable same-day return, try to leave by 7:14 PM CDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $3.57 one way or $7.14 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 8.9 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Sunny around Castle Rock and Sunny near Inver Grove Heights.
Stop Ideas Near Empire
Useful break, food, and waypoint ideas within about 15 miles of the route midpoint.
Transit and Meeting Points
Useful pickup, handoff, or rendezvous points close to Empire.
Saint Paul Union Depot
Red Wing station
Menomonie, WI
Eau Claire, WI
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Castle Rock and Inver Grove Heights. Straight-line distance: 21.7 mi (34.92 km).
#1 Castle Rock
Unincorporated community in Minnesota, United States
| Population | 1,356 |
| Coordinates | 44.5438500, -93.1524400 |
| Altitude | 286 |
| Country | United States |
#2 Inver Grove Heights
City in Dakota County, Minnesota, United States
| Population | 35,776 |
| Coordinates | 44.8480200, -93.0427200 |
| Altitude | 268 |
| Country | United States |
End: Inver Grove Heights (-93.04272, 44.84802)
Estimated Travel Time
Distance: 46 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 00h 56m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 00h 42m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 00h 33m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 00h 28m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 00h 24m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 00h 21m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $3.57 | $3.57 | $7.14 |
| Mid-grade | $3.92 | $3.92 | $7.84 |
| Premium | $4.39 | $4.39 | $8.78 |
| Diesel | $4.86 | $4.86 | $9.73 |
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 20, 2026
Distance to Other Cities
Planning a road trip? See the full trip guide on Trip.ovh — stops, fuel costs, weather, and departure timing.