How far is Detroit Lakes, MN from Saint Paul, MN?
The driving distance from Detroit Lakes, MN to Saint Paul, MN is about 208.3 miles (335.3 km), with a travel time of about 03h 29m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 185.1 miles (297.9 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 06h 59m of driving time before adding stops, traffic, or weather delays.
- A comfortable departure window is usually 6:00 AM to 8:00 AM CDT.
Reverse, save, or send this route
This drive is better planned with a longer stop or an overnight stay. Copy the route link, send it to another device, or print a clean version before you head out.
This drive is better planned with a longer stop or an overnight stay.
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 03h 29m.
An early departure helps you fit a real stop into the day without turning the return into a late-night drive.
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 United States of America
Route Weather Snapshot
Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.
Mostly Cloudy then Slight Chance Rain Showers
Partly Sunny
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Detroit Lakes and Saint Paul.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Detroit Lakes and Saint Paul.
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1
Start on Washington Avenue
734 ft · 32 sec · Washington Avenue
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2
Turn right
44.3 mi · 51 min
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3
Enter the roundabout and take exit 1 toward the route
31 m · 2 sec
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4
Exit the roundabout
20 m · 1 sec
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5
Turn straight onto Ash Avenue Northwest
7.3 mi · 8 min · Ash Avenue Northwest
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6
Continue on West Mason Avenue
78.4 mi · 1 hr 30 min · West Mason Avenue
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7
Keep slight left
26.1 mi · 31 min
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8
Turn right onto 165th Avenue Southeast
1.8 mi · 2 min · 165th Avenue Southeast
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9
Continue on Park Boulevard Southeast
1.4 mi · 2 min · Park Boulevard Southeast
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10
Continue on County Road 11
1.1 km · 58 sec · County Road 11
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11
Turn right onto State Highway 25
540 ft · 12 sec · State Highway 25
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12
Continue on Pine Street
1652 ft · 43 sec · Pine Street
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13
Turn left onto Broadway Street East
1.5 mi · 3 min · Broadway Street East
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14
Turn right onto Fenning Avenue
1727 ft · 40 sec · Fenning Avenue
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15
Take the ramp left
1892 ft · 54 sec
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16
Merge slight left
28 mi · 31 min
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17
Keep slight left
11.7 mi · 13 min
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18
Keep slight right to continue on Voyageur Highway
5.5 mi · 7 min · Voyageur Highway
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19
Keep slight left to continue on US 10 East, I 94 East, US 52 South: 10th Street, Wacouta Street
602 ft · 7 sec
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20
Take the exit slight right toward 10th Street, Wacouta Street
1132 ft · 27 sec
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21
Keep slight right to continue on 10th Street
125 m · 10 sec
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22
Continue on 10th Street East
951 ft · 44 sec · 10th Street East
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23
Turn left onto Robert Street North
2471 ft · 1 min · Robert Street North
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24
Turn right onto Kellogg Boulevard East
1134 ft · 45 sec · Kellogg Boulevard East
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25
Turn right onto Wabasha Street North
50 m · 6 sec · Wabasha Street North
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26
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · Wabasha Street North
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Detroit Lakes 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.
West Mason Avenue
Continue on West Mason Avenue
78.4 mi · 01h 30m
Route Summary
A quick read on whether this route feels easy, ambitious, or worth planning around.
A longer out-and-back drive
This is still possible in one day, but it becomes a long driving day. Leaving early and planning your stop window matters more here.
Mostly Cloudy then Slight Chance Rain Showers leaving Detroit Lakes and Partly Sunny near Saint Paul.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Detroit Lakes to Saint Paul?
The road trip is about 208.3 miles (335.3 km) and usually takes 03h 29m in normal driving conditions.
Is this a same-day trip or an overnight route?
This is still possible in one day, but it becomes a long driving day. Leaving early and planning your stop window matters more here.
What is the halfway point on this route?
Gregory is a useful midpoint, sitting about 104.5 miles from Detroit Lakes and 103.9 miles from Saint Paul.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 185.1 miles (297.9 km), while the road route adds roughly 23.2 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 6:00 AM to 8:00 AM CDT. If you want a more comfortable same-day return, try to leave by 10:00 AM CDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $26.23 one way or $52.46 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 65.3 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Mostly Cloudy then Slight Chance Rain Showers around Detroit Lakes and Partly Sunny near Saint Paul.
Stop Ideas Near Gregory
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 Gregory.
St. Cloud
Staples
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Detroit Lakes and Saint Paul. Straight-line distance: 185.09 mi (297.87 km).
#1 Detroit Lakes
City in Minnesota, United States
| Population | 9,255 |
| Coordinates | 46.8171800, -95.8453300 |
| Altitude | 418 |
| 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: 335 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 06h 56m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 05h 12m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 04h 09m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 03h 28m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 02h 58m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 02h 35m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $3.57 | $26.23 | $52.46 |
| Mid-grade | $3.92 | $28.82 | $57.64 |
| Premium | $4.39 | $32.28 | $64.56 |
| Diesel | $4.86 | $35.75 | $71.50 |
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 31, 2026
Distance to Other Cities
Planning a road trip? See the full trip guide on Trip.ovh — stops, fuel costs, weather, and departure timing.