How far is Ely, MN from Saint Paul, MN?
The driving distance from Ely, MN to Saint Paul, MN is about 242 miles (389.4 km), with a travel time of about 03h 51m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 212.6 miles (342.2 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 07h 43m 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 51m.
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.
Township in Carlton County, Minnesota
Route Weather Snapshot
Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.
Chance Rain Showers
Showers And Thunderstorms Likely
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Ely and Saint Paul.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Ely and Saint Paul.
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1
Start on West Sheridan Street
20.1 mi · 29 min · West Sheridan Street
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2
Continue on Main Street
1.4 mi · 2 min · Main Street
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3
Turn straight
21.5 mi · 29 min
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4
Keep slight left to continue on US 53 South: Virginia
3038 ft · 1 min
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5
Continue on US 53 South: Virginia
1664 ft · 22 sec
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6
Merge slight left onto Speaker Irvin N. Anderson Memorial Highway
5.5 mi · 7 min · Speaker Irvin N. Anderson Memorial Highway
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7
Continue straight
4.6 mi · 7 min
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8
Enter the roundabout and take exit 2 toward the route
35 m · 1 sec
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9
Exit the roundabout
37.3 mi · 43 min
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10
Take the exit slight right
15.3 mi · 19 min
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11
Continue straight
3.9 mi · 7 min
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12
Enter the roundabout and take exit 2 toward I 35 South
24 m · 1 sec
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13
Exit the roundabout onto I 35 South
2829 ft · 40 sec
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14
Merge slight left
109.7 mi · 1 hr 58 min
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15
Keep slight left to continue on Saint Paul
9.9 mi · 11 min
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16
Take the exit slight right toward CR 96
1444 ft · 39 sec
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17
Turn right
150 m · 12 sec
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18
Turn left onto Centerville Road
2.3 mi · 5 min · Centerville Road
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19
Turn left onto County Road E
2230 ft · 1 min · County Road E
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20
Take the ramp slight right toward I 35E South: Saint Paul
69 m · 5 sec
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21
Keep slight left to continue on I 35E South
1455 ft · 38 sec
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22
Merge slight right
1.6 mi · 2 min
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23
Keep slight left to continue on I 35E South, US 10 East: St Paul
5.5 mi · 7 min
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24
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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25
Take the exit slight right toward 10th Street, Wacouta Street
1132 ft · 27 sec
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26
Keep slight right to continue on 10th Street
125 m · 10 sec
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27
Continue on 10th Street East
951 ft · 44 sec · 10th Street East
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28
Turn left onto Robert Street North
2471 ft · 1 min · Robert Street North
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29
Turn right onto Kellogg Boulevard East
1134 ft · 45 sec · Kellogg Boulevard East
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30
Turn right onto Wabasha Street North
50 m · 6 sec · Wabasha Street North
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31
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · Wabasha Street North
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Ely 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.
I 35 South
Merge slight left
110 mi · 01h 58m
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.
Chance Rain Showers leaving Ely and Showers And Thunderstorms Likely near Saint Paul.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Ely to Saint Paul?
The road trip is about 242 miles (389.4 km) and usually takes 03h 51m 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?
Mahtowa is a useful midpoint, sitting about 121.2 miles from Ely and 120.8 miles from Saint Paul.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 212.6 miles (342.2 km), while the road route adds roughly 29.4 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 6:00 AM to 8:00 AM CDT. If you want a more comfortable same-day return, try to leave by 9:16 AM CDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $30.48 one way or $60.96 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 75.9 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Chance Rain Showers around Ely and Showers And Thunderstorms Likely near Saint Paul.
Stop Ideas Near Mahtowa
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 Mahtowa.
Duluth (Greyhound Station), Minnesota
Duluth (University of Minnesota), Minnesota
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Ely and Saint Paul. Straight-line distance: 212.61 mi (342.16 km).
#1 Ely
City in Minnesota, United States
| Population | 3,325 |
| Coordinates | 47.9032400, -91.8670900 |
| Altitude | 436 |
| 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: 389 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 08h 03m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 06h 02m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 04h 50m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 04h 01m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 03h 27m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 03h 01m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $3.57 | $30.48 | $60.96 |
| Mid-grade | $3.92 | $33.49 | $66.97 |
| Premium | $4.39 | $37.51 | $75.02 |
| Diesel | $4.86 | $41.54 | $83.08 |
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
Distance to Other Cities
Planning a road trip? See the full trip guide on Trip.ovh — stops, fuel costs, weather, and departure timing.