How far is Forest Lake, MN from Saint Paul, MN?
The driving distance from Forest Lake, MN to Saint Paul, MN is about 26.5 miles (42.6 km), with a travel time of about 00h 31m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 23.7 miles (38.1 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 01h 02m 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 31m.
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.
City in the U.
Route Weather Snapshot
Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.
Showers And Thunderstorms Likely
Showers And Thunderstorms Likely
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Forest Lake and Saint Paul.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Forest Lake and Saint Paul.
-
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 left to continue on Saint Paul
9.9 mi · 11 min
-
8
Take the exit slight right toward CR 96
1444 ft · 39 sec
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9
Turn right
150 m · 12 sec
-
10
Turn left onto Centerville Road
2.3 mi · 5 min · Centerville Road
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11
Turn left onto County Road E
2230 ft · 1 min · County Road E
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12
Take the ramp slight right toward I 35E South: Saint Paul
69 m · 5 sec
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13
Keep slight left to continue on I 35E South
1455 ft · 38 sec
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14
Merge slight right
1.6 mi · 2 min
-
15
Keep slight left to continue on I 35E South, US 10 East: St Paul
5.5 mi · 7 min
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16
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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17
Take the exit slight right toward 10th Street, Wacouta Street
1132 ft · 27 sec
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18
Keep slight right to continue on 10th Street
125 m · 10 sec
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19
Continue on 10th Street East
951 ft · 44 sec · 10th Street East
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20
Turn left onto Robert Street North
2471 ft · 1 min · Robert Street North
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21
Turn right onto Kellogg Boulevard East
1134 ft · 45 sec · Kellogg Boulevard East
-
22
Turn right onto Wabasha Street North
50 m · 6 sec · Wabasha Street North
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23
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · Wabasha Street North
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Forest Lake 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.
CR 2
Keep slight left to continue on Saint Paul
9.86 mi · 00h 11m
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.
Showers And Thunderstorms Likely leaving Forest Lake 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 Forest Lake to Saint Paul?
The road trip is about 26.5 miles (42.6 km) and usually takes 00h 31m 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?
North Oaks is a useful midpoint, sitting about 13.5 miles from Forest Lake and 12.9 miles from Saint Paul.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 23.7 miles (38.1 km), while the road route adds roughly 2.8 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 7:28 PM CDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $3.35 one way or $6.71 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 8.4 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Showers And Thunderstorms Likely around Forest Lake and Showers And Thunderstorms Likely near Saint Paul.
Stop Ideas Near North Oaks
Useful break, food, and waypoint ideas within about 15 miles of the route midpoint.
Minneapolis City Hall
Ham Lake City Hall
Transit and Meeting Points
Useful pickup, handoff, or rendezvous points close to North Oaks.
Saint Paul Union Depot
Red Wing station
Menomonie, WI
St. Cloud
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Forest Lake and Saint Paul. Straight-line distance: 23.7 mi (38.14 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 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: 43 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 00h 52m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 00h 39m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 00h 31m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 00h 26m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 00h 22m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 00h 19m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $3.57 | $3.35 | $6.71 |
| Mid-grade | $3.92 | $3.69 | $7.37 |
| Premium | $4.39 | $4.13 | $8.26 |
| Diesel | $4.86 | $4.57 | $9.14 |
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.