How far is Elk River, MN from Saint Paul, MN?
The driving distance from Elk River, MN to Saint Paul, MN is about 38.6 miles (62.1 km), with a travel time of about 00h 42m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 33.9 miles (54.6 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 01h 25m 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 42m.
This is a short drive, so your comfort window is wide. Traffic and current weather matter more than the clock.
This departure sits inside the recommended comfort window for the route.
Halfway Point
A useful midpoint for breaks, coffee, or meeting in the middle.
Unincorporated community in Benton 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 Elk River and Saint Paul.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Elk River and Saint Paul.
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1
Start on Jackson Avenue Northwest
80 m · 12 sec · Jackson Avenue Northwest
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2
Turn left onto Main Street Northwest
725 ft · 19 sec · Main Street Northwest
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3
Take the ramp slight right
51 m · 6 sec
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4
Merge slight left onto Voyageur Highway
17.8 mi · 21 min · Voyageur Highway
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5
Keep slight left
7.3 mi · 8 min
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6
Take the exit slight right toward US 10 East: Saint Paul
3110 ft · 56 sec
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7
Continue straight
1.9 mi · 2 min
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8
Keep slight left
3.9 mi · 4 min
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9
Keep slight right to continue on Voyageur Highway
5.5 mi · 7 min · Voyageur Highway
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10
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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11
Take the exit slight right toward 10th Street, Wacouta Street
1132 ft · 27 sec
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12
Keep slight right to continue on 10th Street
125 m · 10 sec
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13
Continue on 10th Street East
951 ft · 44 sec · 10th Street East
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14
Turn left onto Robert Street North
2471 ft · 1 min · Robert Street North
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15
Turn right onto Kellogg Boulevard East
1134 ft · 45 sec · Kellogg Boulevard East
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16
Turn right onto Wabasha Street North
50 m · 6 sec · Wabasha Street North
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17
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · Wabasha Street North
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Elk River and Saint Paul.
Highway-focused drive
Most of the mileage stays on named highways, so the important moments are ramps, exits, merges, and the final local approach.
Voyageur Highway
Merge slight left onto Voyageur Highway
17.8 mi · 00h 21m
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 Elk River and Sunny near Saint Paul.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Elk River to Saint Paul?
The road trip is about 38.6 miles (62.1 km) and usually takes 00h 42m 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?
Oak Park is a useful midpoint, sitting about 19.3 miles from Elk River and 19.3 miles from Saint Paul.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 33.9 miles (54.6 km), while the road route adds roughly 4.7 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 7:04 PM CDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $4.85 one way or $9.71 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 12.1 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Sunny around Elk River and Sunny near Saint Paul.
Stop Ideas Near Oak Park
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 Oak Park.
Saint Paul Union Depot
St. Cloud
Red Wing station
Menomonie, WI
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Elk River and Saint Paul. Straight-line distance: 33.92 mi (54.59 km).
#1 Elk River
City in Sherburne County, Minnesota, United States
| Population | 25,601 |
| Coordinates | 45.3038500, -93.5671800 |
| Altitude | 273 |
| 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: 62 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 01h 17m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 00h 57m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 00h 46m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 00h 38m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 00h 33m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 00h 28m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $3.57 | $4.85 | $9.71 |
| Mid-grade | $3.92 | $5.33 | $10.67 |
| Premium | $4.39 | $5.97 | $11.95 |
| Diesel | $4.86 | $6.62 | $13.23 |
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 12, 2026
Distance to Other Cities
Planning a road trip? See the full trip guide on Trip.ovh — stops, fuel costs, weather, and departure timing.