How far is Dawson, MN from Lakeville, MN?

The driving distance from Dawson, MN to Lakeville, MN is about 154.6 miles (248.8 km), with a travel time of about 02h 54m by car.

  • The straight-line flight distance is about 139.2 miles (224.1 km).
  • For a round trip, plan for roughly 05h 49m 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
154.57 mi
02h 54m
Flight
139.24 mi
224.09 km direct

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

Learn Distance

Choose another destination from Dawson.

Flight Distance

Direct air line
139.24 mi
Kilometers
224.09 km
Flight Time
00h 16m

Driving Distance

Road route
154.57 mi
Kilometers
248.76 km
Drive Time
02h 54m

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 54m.

Arrival Snapshot
Arrive in Lakeville
Thu, Apr 23, 2:22 AM CDT
Return by in Dawson
Thu, Apr 23, 5:16 AM CDT
Useful when you're deciding between a quick errand, a day trip, or a longer stop.
Leave Dawson
2026-04-22T23:27
Arrive Lakeville
Thu, Apr 23, 2:22 AM CDT
Route Timing
02h 54m
One way by road
Best Departure Window
8:00 AM to 10:00 AM CDT
Aim for a morning departure
Arrive between
10:55 AM to 12:55 PM CDT

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

Leave by
12:40 PM CDT
Keeps a same-day return open with about 03h 00m at the destination.
Back in Dawson
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
Buffalo Lake
MN

City in Minnesota, United States

From Dawson
75.8 mi
01h 27m
To Lakeville
78.8 mi
01h 27m

Route Weather Snapshot

Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.

Origin
88°F
Wednesday

Sunny

Starts
Wed, Apr 22 6:00 AM CDT
Wind
10 to 25 mph SSE
Destination
80°F
Wednesday

Sunny

Starts
Wed, Apr 22 6:00 AM CDT
Wind
5 to 15 mph SE

Driving Route Map

The map below follows the saved road route between Dawson and Lakeville.

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between Dawson and Lakeville.

  1. 1

    Start on 6th Street

    1109 ft · 33 sec · 6th Street

  2. 2

    At the end of the road, turn right onto Oak Street

    16.2 mi · 24 min · Oak Street

  3. 3

    Continue straight

    85.1 mi · 1 hr 50 min

  4. 4

    Enter the roundabout and take exit 2 toward the route

    47 m · 2 sec

  5. 5

    Exit the roundabout

    10.2 mi · 12 min

  6. 6

    Keep slight right

    13.9 mi · 17 min

  7. 7

    Take the exit slight right

    1992 ft · 51 sec

  8. 8

    Turn left onto Jonathan Carver Parkway

    117 m · 12 sec · Jonathan Carver Parkway

  9. 9

    Continue on County Road 11

    1230 ft · 27 sec · County Road 11

  10. 10

    Turn right onto Chaska Boulevard

    2.1 mi · 3 min · Chaska Boulevard

  11. 11

    Turn right onto North Hickory Street

    154 m · 14 sec · North Hickory Street

  12. 12

    Continue on West 4th Street

    1526 ft · 46 sec · West 4th Street

  13. 13

    Turn right onto North Chestnut Street

    1511 ft · 45 sec · North Chestnut Street

  14. 14

    Continue on Chestnut Boulevard

    1.6 mi · 3 min · Chestnut Boulevard

  15. 15

    Continue on County Road 78

    2540 ft · 42 sec · County Road 78

  16. 16

    Continue on Chestnut Boulevard

    2499 ft · 41 sec · Chestnut Boulevard

  17. 17

    Enter the roundabout and take exit 2 toward 130th Street West

    35 m · 3 sec · 130th Street West

  18. 18

    Exit the roundabout onto 130th Street West

    2 mi · 3 min · 130th Street West

  19. 19

    Enter the roundabout and take exit 2 toward East County Road 78

    38 m · 3 sec · East County Road 78

  20. 20

    Exit the roundabout onto East County Road 78

    1.2 km · 1 min · East County Road 78

  21. 21

    Turn right onto Marschall Road

    1.5 km · 1 min · Marschall Road

  22. 22

    Continue on Marschall Road

    1.6 mi · 2 min · Marschall Road

  23. 23

    Turn left onto Howard Lake Road

    3119 ft · 54 sec · Howard Lake Road

  24. 24

    Continue on 154th Street Northwest

    2 mi · 3 min · 154th Street Northwest

  25. 25

    Turn right onto Eagle Creek Avenue Northeast

    2385 ft · 51 sec · Eagle Creek Avenue Northeast

  26. 26

    Continue on Eagle Creek Avenue Southeast

    3124 ft · 1 min · Eagle Creek Avenue Southeast

  27. 27

    Enter the roundabout and take exit 2 toward Eagle Creek Avenue Southeast

    29 m · 2 sec · Eagle Creek Avenue Southeast

  28. 28

    Exit the roundabout onto Eagle Creek Avenue Southeast

    1129 ft · 24 sec · Eagle Creek Avenue Southeast

  29. 29

    Enter the roundabout and take exit 2 toward Eagle Creek Avenue /Richard J. Ames Memorial Highway

    30 m · 2 sec · Eagle Creek Avenue /Richard J. Ames Memorial Highway

  30. 30

    Exit the roundabout onto Eagle Creek Avenue /Richard J. Ames Memorial Highway

    2.5 mi · 4 min · Eagle Creek Avenue /Richard J. Ames Memorial Highway

  31. 31

    Continue on Cleary Lake Avenue /Richard J. Ames Memorial Highway

    2.4 mi · 3 min · Cleary Lake Avenue /Richard J. Ames Memorial Highway

  32. 32

    Continue on 185th Street East

    1.6 km · 1 min · 185th Street East

  33. 33

    Continue on 185th Street West /Richard J. Ames Memorial Highway

    2 mi · 3 min · 185th Street West /Richard J. Ames Memorial Highway

  34. 34

    Enter the roundabout and take exit 1 toward Kenwood Trail /Richard J. Ames Memorial Highway

    4 m · 1 sec · Kenwood Trail /Richard J. Ames Memorial Highway

  35. 35

    Exit the roundabout onto Kenwood Trail /Richard J. Ames Memorial Highway

    2.2 mi · 3 min · Kenwood Trail /Richard J. Ames Memorial Highway

  36. 36

    Continue on Kenwood Trai/Richard J. Ames Memorial Highway

    770 ft · 17 sec · Kenwood Trai/Richard J. Ames Memorial Highway

  37. 37

    Continue on 202nd Street West / Richard J. Ames Memorial Highway

    2553 ft · 48 sec · 202nd Street West / Richard J. Ames Memorial Highway

  38. 38

    Enter the roundabout and take exit 1 toward 202nd Street West

    4 m · 1 sec · Holyoke Avenue

  39. 39

    Exit the rotary onto Holyoke Avenue

    2291 ft · 1 min · Holyoke Avenue

  40. 40

    Turn left onto 207th Street West

    7 m · 1 sec · 207th Street West

  41. 41

    Arrive at your destination

    0 m · 1 sec · 207th Street West

Car Route Details

A richer read on the saved driving route between Dawson and Lakeville.

OSRM road route
Drive Character

Interchange-aware route

The drive includes several ramps, exits, or merges, so checking the next few maneuvers before busy interchanges is useful.

Directions
41 steps
23 turns on the saved route
Ramps & Exits
15
0 merges, 15 ramps or exits
Navigation Density
26.5 / 100 mi
Decision points by distance
Main Roads
Oak Street
126 mi · 81%
Marschall Road
2.56 mi · 2%
Eagle Creek Avenue /Richard J. Ames Memorial Hig
2.52 mi · 2%
Cleary Lake Avenue /Richard J. Ames Memorial Hig
2.36 mi · 2%
Kenwood Trail /Richard J. Ames Memorial Highway
2.18 mi · 1%
Chaska Boulevard
2.1 mi · 1%
Longest Stretch

Oak Street

Continue straight

85.1 mi · 01h 50m

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
02h 54m
Day trip friendly
Same-Day Return
05h 50m
Round-trip wheel time
Road vs Air
+15.4 mi
139.2 mi direct line
Halfway Stop
Buffalo Lake
01h 27m from Dawson
Leave By
12:40 PM CDT
Morning start is best
Weather Watch

Sunny leaving Dawson and Sunny near Lakeville.

Trip Questions

Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.

How long does it take to drive from Dawson to Lakeville?

The road trip is about 154.6 miles (248.8 km) and usually takes 02h 54m 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?

Buffalo Lake is a useful midpoint, sitting about 75.8 miles from Dawson and 78.8 miles from Lakeville.

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

The direct path is about 139.2 miles (224.1 km), while the road route adds roughly 15.4 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 12:40 PM CDT.

How much will gas cost for this route?

Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $19.49 one way or $38.97 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 48.5 kg one way.

What should you check before leaving?

Before you leave, expect Sunny around Dawson and Sunny near Lakeville.

Stop Ideas Near Buffalo Lake

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

Mid-route Guidance
Local place coverage is thin around Buffalo Lake, 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 Buffalo Lake.

RAIL

St. Cloud

99 mi away
555 East St. Germain Street
RAIL

Saint Paul Union Depot

116 mi away
Midway Station

Flight Path Map

This map shows the direct air route between Dawson and Lakeville. Straight-line distance: 139.24 mi (224.09 km).

Photo coming soon

#1 Dawson

Human settlement in Lac qui Parle County, Minnesota, United States of America

Population1,378
Coordinates44.9327400, -96.0544800
Altitude319
CountryUnited States
Lakeville

#2 Lakeville

The most populous city in Dakota County, Minnesota.

Population69,583
Coordinates44.6496900, -93.2427200
Altitude296
CountryUnited States
Start: 6th Street (-96.05458, 44.93274)
End: 207th Street West (-93.24272, 44.649706)

Estimated Travel Time

Distance: 249 km by road

SpeedTime
30 mph (48.3 km/h)05h 09m
40 mph (64.37 km/h)03h 51m
50 mph (80.47 km/h)03h 05m
60 mph (96.56 km/h)02h 34m
70 mph (112.65 km/h)02h 12m
80 mph (129 km/h)01h 55m

Fuel, Round Trip and CO2

Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.

One-way fuel
5.46 gal
20.65 L · about $19.49
Round trip
$38.97
10.92 gal · 41.3 L
Estimated CO2
48.5 kg one way
Round trip: 97 kg / 214 lb CO2, using regular gasoline.
Fuel$/galOne wayRound trip
Regular gas $3.57 $19.49 $38.97
Mid-grade $3.92 $21.41 $42.82
Premium $4.39 $23.98 $47.96
Diesel $4.86 $26.56 $53.11

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 23, 2026

There is no time difference between Dawson and Lakeville. The current time is 23:27:23.

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.