How far is Forest Lake, MN from Buffalo, MN?
The driving distance from Forest Lake, MN to Buffalo, MN is about 56.4 miles (90.8 km), with a travel time of about 01h 11m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 43.9 miles (70.7 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 02h 23m of driving time before adding stops, traffic, or weather delays.
- A comfortable departure window is usually 8:00 AM to 10:00 AM CST.
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.
This route works well as a day trip with time at the destination.
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 01h 11m.
A morning start gives you useful time at the destination and keeps the return out of the late evening.
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 Hennepin County, Minnesota, United States
Route Weather Snapshot
Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.
Mostly Sunny
Partly Sunny
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Forest Lake and Buffalo.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Forest Lake and Buffalo.
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1
Start on Lake Street South
83 m · 15 sec · Lake Street South
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2
Continue on Lake Street South
93 m · 9 sec · Lake Street South
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3
Enter the roundabout and take exit 3 toward West Broadway Avenue
59 m · 11 sec · West Broadway Avenue
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4
Exit the roundabout onto West Broadway Avenue
1.5 km · 2 min · West Broadway Avenue
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5
Take the ramp left toward CR 2: Forest Lake
1345 ft · 35 sec
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6
Merge slight left
4 mi · 4 min
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7
Keep slight right to continue on I 35W: Minneapolis
11.3 mi · 12 min
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8
Take the exit slight right toward US 10 West
2437 ft · 59 sec
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9
Merge slight left
3.5 mi · 4 min
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10
Keep slight right to continue on MN-610
12.8 mi · 15 min · MN-610
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11
Merge slight left onto I-94 W
7.4 mi · 8 min · I-94 W
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12
Take the exit slight right toward MN 241 West: Saint Michael
1584 ft · 39 sec
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13
Turn straight onto 45th Street Northeast
1017 ft · 22 sec · 45th Street Northeast
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14
Enter the roundabout and take exit 2 toward MN 241
29 m · 2 sec
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15
Exit the rotary
4.1 mi · 6 min
-
16
Continue on Kahl Avenue Northeast
1.3 km · 1 min · Kahl Avenue Northeast
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17
Turn slight left onto 30th Street Northeast
3.5 mi · 5 min · 30th Street Northeast
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18
Continue on Fenning Avenue Northeast
1.4 mi · 2 min · Fenning Avenue Northeast
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19
Continue on 20th Street Northeast
2.5 mi · 3 min · 20th Street Northeast
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20
Enter the roundabout and take exit 2 toward 20th Street Northeast
36 m · 7 sec · 20th Street Northeast
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21
Exit the roundabout onto 20th Street Northeast
1.6 km · 1 min · 20th Street Northeast
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22
Enter the roundabout and take exit 2 toward 20th Street Northeast
43 m · 8 sec · 20th Street Northeast
-
23
Exit the roundabout onto 20th Street Northeast
1604 ft · 25 sec · 20th Street Northeast
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24
Continue on Willems Way
1 km · 60 sec · Willems Way
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25
Continue on 5th Street Northeast
2300 ft · 1 min · 5th Street Northeast
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26
Turn left onto 1st Avenue Northeast
1873 ft · 53 sec · 1st Avenue Northeast
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27
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · 1st Avenue South
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Forest Lake and Buffalo.
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.
MN-610
Keep slight right to continue on MN-610
12.8 mi · 00h 15m
Route Summary
A quick read on whether this route feels easy, ambitious, or worth planning around.
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.
Mostly Sunny leaving Forest Lake and Partly Sunny near Buffalo.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Forest Lake to Buffalo?
The road trip is about 56.4 miles (90.8 km) and usually takes 01h 11m 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?
Osseo is a useful midpoint, sitting about 28.1 miles from Forest Lake and 28.3 miles from Buffalo.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 43.9 miles (70.7 km), while the road route adds roughly 12.5 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 CST. If you want a more comfortable same-day return, try to leave by 4:06 PM CST.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $7.70 one way or $15.39 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 17.7 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Mostly Sunny around Forest Lake and Partly Sunny near Buffalo.
Stop Ideas Near Osseo
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 Osseo.
Saint Paul Union Depot
St. Cloud
Red Wing station
Menomonie, WI
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Forest Lake and Buffalo. Straight-line distance: 43.91 mi (70.67 km).
#1 Forest Lake
City in Washington County, Minnesota, United States
| Population | 21,285 |
| Coordinates | 45.2788600, -92.9852200 |
| Altitude | 278 |
| Country | United States |
#2 Buffalo
City in Wright County, Minnesota, US
| Population | 1,898 |
| Coordinates | 45.1719100, -93.8746900 |
| Altitude | 283 |
| Country | United States |
End: Buffalo (-93.87469, 45.17191)
Estimated Travel Time
Distance: 91 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 01h 52m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 01h 24m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 01h 07m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 00h 56m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 00h 48m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 00h 42m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $3.87 | $7.70 | $15.39 |
| Mid-grade | $4.35 | $8.66 | $17.32 |
| Premium | $4.88 | $9.72 | $19.43 |
| Diesel | $6.00 | $11.95 | $23.89 |
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 · Nov 11, 2026