How far is Independence, MN from Saint Paul, MN?
The driving distance from Independence, MN to Saint Paul, MN is about 33.1 miles (53.3 km), with a travel time of about 00h 37m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 30.5 miles (49.1 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 01h 15m 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 37m.
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 Minnesota, United States
Route Weather Snapshot
Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.
Mostly Sunny
Sunny
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Independence and Saint Paul.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Independence and Saint Paul.
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1
Start on Valley Road
949 ft · 47 sec · Valley Road
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2
Turn left onto Babcock Boulevard
1.3 mi · 2 min · Babcock Boulevard
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3
Enter the roundabout and take exit 2 toward Babcock Boulevard;County Road 90
43 m · 2 sec · Babcock Boulevard
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4
Exit the rotary onto Babcock Boulevard
12.3 mi · 16 min · Babcock Boulevard
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5
Merge slight right
8.1 mi · 10 min
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6
Take the exit slight right toward I 94 East, I 94 West
646 ft · 9 sec
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7
Keep slight right to continue on I 94 East
2191 ft · 49 sec
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8
Merge slight left
9.3 mi · 13 min
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9
Take the exit slight right toward 10th Street, 5th Street
1281 ft · 44 sec
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10
Keep slight left to continue on 10th Street
2021 ft · 50 sec
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11
Continue on 10th Street West
882 ft · 34 sec · 10th Street West
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12
Turn right onto Saint Peter Street
2466 ft · 2 min · Saint Peter Street
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13
At the end of the road, turn left onto Kellogg Boulevard West
120 m · 22 sec · Kellogg Boulevard West
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14
Turn left onto Wabasha Street North
65 m · 9 sec · Wabasha Street North
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15
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · Wabasha Street North
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Independence 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.
Babcock Boulevard
Exit the rotary onto Babcock Boulevard
12.3 mi · 00h 16m
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.
Mostly Sunny leaving Independence 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 Independence to Saint Paul?
The road trip is about 33.1 miles (53.3 km) and usually takes 00h 37m 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?
Medicine Lake is a useful midpoint, sitting about 16.5 miles from Independence and 16.6 miles from Saint Paul.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 30.5 miles (49.1 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 7:14 PM CDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $4.18 one way or $8.35 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 10.4 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Mostly Sunny around Independence and Sunny near Saint Paul.
Stop Ideas Near Medicine Lake
Useful break, food, and waypoint ideas within about 15 miles of the route midpoint.
Minneapolis City Hall
City of Bloomington
Mall of America®
Transit and Meeting Points
Useful pickup, handoff, or rendezvous points close to Medicine Lake.
Saint Paul Union Depot
Red Wing station
St. Cloud
Menomonie, WI
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Independence and Saint Paul. Straight-line distance: 30.53 mi (49.13 km).
#1 Independence
City in Hennepin County, Minnesota, United States
| Population | 3,786 |
| Coordinates | 45.0252400, -93.7074600 |
| Altitude | 298 |
| 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: 53 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 01h 06m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 00h 49m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 00h 39m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 00h 33m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 00h 28m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 00h 24m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $3.57 | $4.18 | $8.35 |
| Mid-grade | $3.92 | $4.59 | $9.18 |
| Premium | $4.39 | $5.14 | $10.28 |
| Diesel | $4.86 | $5.69 | $11.38 |
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.