How far is Cottonwood, MN from Saint Paul, MN?
The driving distance from Cottonwood, MN to Saint Paul, MN is about 144.8 miles (233 km), with a travel time of about 02h 36m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 128.7 miles (207.1 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 05h 13m of driving time before adding stops, traffic, or weather delays.
- A comfortable departure window is usually 8:00 AM to 10:00 AM CDT.
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 02h 36m.
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.
Human settlement in McLeod County, Minnesota, United States of America
Route Weather Snapshot
Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.
Mostly Sunny
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Cottonwood and Saint Paul.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Cottonwood and Saint Paul.
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1
Start on Main Street
139 m · 13 sec · Main Street
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2
Turn left onto Barstad Road
3150 ft · 1 min · Barstad Road
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3
Turn right onto 390th Street
627 ft · 23 sec · 390th Street
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4
Turn left onto State Highway 23
14.9 mi · 19 min · State Highway 23
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5
Turn right
71.8 mi · 1 hr 34 min
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6
Enter the roundabout and take exit 2 toward the route
47 m · 2 sec
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7
Exit the roundabout
10.2 mi · 12 min
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8
Keep slight right
27.4 mi · 33 min
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9
Take the exit slight right toward I 494 East, MN 5 East
1223 ft · 18 sec
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10
Keep slight left to continue on I 494 East, MN 5 East
10.5 mi · 13 min
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11
Take the exit slight right toward MN 5: Terminal 1
2.2 mi · 3 min · John A. Johnson Memorial Highway
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12
Continue on Fort Road
1.2 mi · 2 min · Fort Road
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13
Take the exit slight right toward Edgcumbe Road, Shepard Road, River Boulevard
60 m · 5 sec
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14
Keep slight right to continue on Shepard Road, River Boulevard
68 m · 5 sec
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15
Turn right onto Gannon Road
87 m · 8 sec · Gannon Road
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16
Turn left onto Shepard Road
5.1 mi · 9 min · Shepard Road
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17
Turn left onto Eagle Parkway
1154 ft · 45 sec · Eagle Parkway
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18
Turn right onto Exchange Street South
1166 ft · 34 sec · Exchange Street South
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19
Turn straight onto Kellogg Boulevard West
1178 ft · 52 sec · Kellogg Boulevard West
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20
Turn left onto Wabasha Street North
65 m · 9 sec · Wabasha Street North
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21
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · Wabasha Street North
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Cottonwood and Saint Paul.
Interchange-aware route
The drive includes several ramps, exits, or merges, so checking the next few maneuvers before busy interchanges is useful.
Longest stretch
Turn right
71.8 mi · 01h 34m
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.
Sunny leaving Cottonwood and Mostly Sunny near Saint Paul.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Cottonwood to Saint Paul?
The road trip is about 144.8 miles (233 km) and usually takes 02h 36m 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?
Brownton is a useful midpoint, sitting about 72.3 miles from Cottonwood and 72.5 miles from Saint Paul.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 128.7 miles (207.1 km), while the road route adds roughly 16.1 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 1:16 PM CDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $18.24 one way or $36.48 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 45.4 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Sunny around Cottonwood and Mostly Sunny near Saint Paul.
Stop Ideas Near Brownton
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 Brownton.
St. Cloud
Saint Paul Union Depot
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Cottonwood and Saint Paul. Straight-line distance: 128.69 mi (207.1 km).
#1 Cottonwood
City in Lyon County, Minnesota, United States
| Population | 1,223 |
| Coordinates | 44.6088500, -95.6741900 |
| Altitude | 329 |
| Country | United States |
#2 Saint Paul
The second most populous city in Minnesota and the center of the Minneapolis-Saint Paul metropolitan area.
| Population | 306,717 |
| Coordinates | 44.9444100, -93.0932700 |
| Altitude | 242 |
| Country | United States |
End: Wabasha Street North (-93.093258, 44.944416)
Estimated Travel Time
Distance: 233 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 04h 49m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 03h 37m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 02h 53m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 02h 24m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 02h 04m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 01h 48m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $3.57 | $18.24 | $36.48 |
| Mid-grade | $3.92 | $20.04 | $40.07 |
| Premium | $4.39 | $22.44 | $44.89 |
| Diesel | $4.86 | $24.86 | $49.71 |
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 · Apr 19, 2026
Distance to Other Cities
Planning a road trip? See the full trip guide on Trip.ovh — stops, fuel costs, weather, and departure timing.