How far is Empire, MN from Saint Paul, MN?
The driving distance from Empire, MN to Saint Paul, MN is about 22.7 miles (36.5 km), with a travel time of about 00h 24m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 20.1 miles (32.3 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 00h 49m 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 24m.
This is a short drive, so your comfort window is wide. Traffic and current weather matter more than the clock.
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.
City in Dakota County, Minnesota, United States
Route Weather Snapshot
Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.
Areas Of Frost then Mostly Sunny
Mostly Sunny
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Empire and Saint Paul.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Empire and Saint Paul.
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1
Start on 200th Street East
2106 ft · 42 sec · 200th Street East
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2
Take the ramp straight toward US 52 South
56 m · 7 sec
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3
Merge slight left
855 ft · 14 sec
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4
Take the exit left toward US 52 North
32 m · 10 sec
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5
Turn left
11.9 mi · 14 min
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6
Keep slight right to continue on US 52 North: Saint Paul
8 mi · 10 min
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7
Take the exit slight right toward Plato Boulevard, Fillmore Avenue
693 ft · 17 sec
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8
Continue on East Lafayette Frontage Road
2078 ft · 1 min · East Lafayette Frontage Road
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9
Turn left onto Plato Boulevard
1.1 km · 1 min · Plato Boulevard
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10
Turn right onto Wabasha Street South
2890 ft · 2 min · Wabasha Street South
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11
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · Wabasha Street North
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Empire and Saint Paul.
Turn-heavy local drive
The route has frequent decision points for its length, so lane choice and turn timing will matter more than cruising speed.
Longest stretch
Turn left
11.9 mi · 00h 14m
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.
Areas Of Frost then Mostly Sunny leaving Empire 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 Empire to Saint Paul?
The road trip is about 22.7 miles (36.5 km) and usually takes 00h 24m 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?
Inver Grove Heights is a useful midpoint, sitting about 11.1 miles from Empire and 11.6 miles from Saint Paul.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 20.1 miles (32.3 km), while the road route adds roughly 2.6 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 7:40 PM CDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $2.86 one way or $5.71 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 7.1 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Areas Of Frost then Mostly Sunny around Empire and Mostly Sunny near Saint Paul.
Stop Ideas Near Inver Grove Heights
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 Inver Grove Heights.
Saint Paul Union Depot
Red Wing station
Menomonie, WI
Eau Claire, WI
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Empire and Saint Paul. Straight-line distance: 20.08 mi (32.32 km).
#1 Empire
Township in Dakota County, Minnesota
| Population | 3,071 |
| Coordinates | 44.6591300, -93.0146600 |
| Altitude | 260 |
| 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: 37 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 00h 45m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 00h 34m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 00h 27m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 00h 22m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 00h 19m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 00h 16m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $3.57 | $2.86 | $5.71 |
| Mid-grade | $3.92 | $3.14 | $6.27 |
| Premium | $4.39 | $3.51 | $7.03 |
| Diesel | $4.86 | $3.89 | $7.78 |
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 01, 2026
Distance to Other Cities
Planning a road trip? See the full trip guide on Trip.ovh — stops, fuel costs, weather, and departure timing.