How far is Lester Prairie, MN from Lakeville, MN?

The driving distance from Lester Prairie, MN to Lakeville, MN is about 52.8 miles (85 km), with a travel time of about 01h 07m by car.

  • The straight-line flight distance is about 42.4 miles (68.2 km).
  • For a round trip, plan for roughly 02h 14m of driving time before adding stops, traffic, or weather delays.
  • A comfortable departure window is usually 8:00 AM to 10:00 AM CDT.
Trip Tools

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.

Reverse Route
Quick Snapshot
Road
52.83 mi
01h 07m
Flight
42.4 mi
68.23 km direct

This route works well as a day trip with time at the destination.

Learn Distance

Choose another destination from Lester Prairie.

Flight Distance

Direct air line
42.4 mi
Kilometers
68.23 km
Flight Time
00h 05m

Driving Distance

Road route
52.83 mi
Kilometers
85.02 km
Drive Time
01h 07m

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 07m.

Arrival Snapshot
Arrive in Lakeville
Mon, May 25, 9:59 PM CDT
Return by in Lester Prairie
Mon, May 25, 11:06 PM CDT
Useful when you're deciding between a quick errand, a day trip, or a longer stop.
Leave Lester Prairie
2026-05-25T20:52
Arrive Lakeville
Mon, May 25, 9:59 PM CDT
Route Timing
01h 07m
One way by road
Best Departure Window
8:00 AM to 10:00 AM CDT
Aim for a morning departure
Arrive between
9:07 AM to 11:07 AM CDT

A morning start gives you useful time at the destination and keeps the return out of the late evening.

Leave by
4:16 PM CDT
Keeps a same-day return open with about 03h 00m at the destination.
Back in Lester Prairie
9:30 PM CDT
Morning start is best

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.

Mid-route stop
Chanhassen
MN

City in Minnesota, United States

From Lester Prairie
27.9 mi
00h 33m
To Lakeville
24.9 mi
00h 33m

Route Weather Snapshot

Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.

Origin
88°F
Memorial Day

Sunny

Starts
Mon, May 25 6:00 AM CDT
Wind
5 to 10 mph S
Destination
85°F
Memorial Day

Chance Showers And Thunderstorms then Sunny

Starts
Mon, May 25 6:00 AM CDT
Wind
10 mph SSW

Driving Route Map

The map below follows the saved road route between Lester Prairie and Lakeville.

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between Lester Prairie and Lakeville.

  1. 1

    Start on 1st Avenue South

    27 m · 6 sec · 1st Avenue South

  2. 2

    Turn right onto Juniper Street South

    84 m · 14 sec · Juniper Street South

  3. 3

    Turn right onto Central Avenue

    2993 ft · 2 min · Central Avenue

  4. 4

    At the end of the road, turn left onto County Highway 9

    1.5 mi · 4 min · County Highway 9

  5. 5

    Turn right onto Minnesota State Highway 7

    8 mi · 10 min · Minnesota State Highway 7

  6. 6

    Enter the roundabout and take exit 2 toward the route

    38 m · 2 sec

  7. 7

    Exit the roundabout

    2.5 mi · 3 min

  8. 8

    Enter the roundabout and take exit 2 toward the route

    57 m · 3 sec

  9. 9

    Exit the roundabout

    5.8 mi · 8 min

  10. 10

    Enter the roundabout and take exit 2 toward the route

    42 m · 2 sec

  11. 11

    Exit the roundabout

    3.2 mi · 4 min

  12. 12

    Turn right onto Rolling Acres Road

    1.2 mi · 2 min · Rolling Acres Road

  13. 13

    Turn left onto Arboretum Boulevard

    1.2 km · 59 sec · Arboretum Boulevard

  14. 14

    Continue on Prince Rogers Nelson Memorial Highway

    5.6 mi · 8 min · Prince Rogers Nelson Memorial Highway

  15. 15

    Continue on West 78th Street

    3.8 mi · 5 min · West 78th Street

  16. 16

    Take the exit slight right toward I 494 East, MN 5 East

    1223 ft · 18 sec

  17. 17

    Keep slight left to continue on I 494 East, MN 5 East

    6.2 mi · 8 min

  18. 18

    Take the exit slight right toward I 35W South: Albert Lea

    1038 ft · 25 sec

  19. 19

    Continue on I 35W South: Albert Lea

    2054 ft · 50 sec

  20. 20

    Merge slight left

    11.1 mi · 13 min

  21. 21

    Take the exit slight right toward CR 5, CR 50

    999 ft · 26 sec

  22. 22

    Turn left onto Kenwood Trail

    1.3 mi · 2 min · Kenwood Trail

  23. 23

    Enter the roundabout and take exit 2 toward Kenwood Trail /Richard J. Ames Memorial Highway

    39 m · 3 sec · Kenwood Trail /Richard J. Ames Memorial Highway

  24. 24

    Exit the roundabout onto Kenwood Trail /Richard J. Ames Memorial Highway

    2.2 mi · 3 min · Kenwood Trail /Richard J. Ames Memorial Highway

  25. 25

    Continue on Kenwood Trai/Richard J. Ames Memorial Highway

    770 ft · 17 sec · Kenwood Trai/Richard J. Ames Memorial Highway

  26. 26

    Continue on 202nd Street West / Richard J. Ames Memorial Highway

    2553 ft · 48 sec · 202nd Street West / Richard J. Ames Memorial Highway

  27. 27

    Enter the roundabout and take exit 1 toward 202nd Street West

    4 m · 1 sec · Holyoke Avenue

  28. 28

    Exit the rotary onto Holyoke Avenue

    2291 ft · 1 min · Holyoke Avenue

  29. 29

    Turn left onto 207th Street West

    7 m · 1 sec · 207th Street West

  30. 30

    Arrive at your destination

    0 m · 1 sec · 207th Street West

Car Route Details

A richer read on the saved driving route between Lester Prairie and Lakeville.

OSRM road route
Drive Character

Highway-focused drive

Most of the mileage stays on named highways, so the important moments are ramps, exits, merges, and the final local approach.

Directions
30 steps
18 turns on the saved route
Ramps & Exits
14
1 merges, 13 ramps or exits
Navigation Density
56.8 / 100 mi
Decision points by distance
Main Roads
Minnesota State Highway 7
19.6 mi · 37%
I 35W South
11.6 mi · 22%
I 494 East
6.41 mi · 12%
Prince Rogers Nelson Memorial Highway
5.63 mi · 11%
West 78th Street
3.75 mi · 7%
Kenwood Trail /Richard J. Ames Memorial Highway
2.2 mi · 4%
Longest Stretch

I 35W South

Merge slight left

11.1 mi · 00h 13m

Route Summary

A quick read on whether this route feels easy, ambitious, or worth planning around.

Trip Read

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.

Drive Time
01h 07m
Day trip friendly
Same-Day Return
02h 14m
Round-trip wheel time
Road vs Air
+10.4 mi
42.4 mi direct line
Halfway Stop
Chanhassen
00h 33m from Lester Prairie
Leave By
4:16 PM CDT
Morning start is best
Weather Watch

Sunny leaving Lester Prairie and Chance Showers And Thunderstorms then Sunny near Lakeville.

Trip Questions

Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.

How long does it take to drive from Lester Prairie to Lakeville?

The road trip is about 52.8 miles (85 km) and usually takes 01h 07m 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?

Chanhassen is a useful midpoint, sitting about 27.9 miles from Lester Prairie and 24.9 miles from Lakeville.

How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?

The direct path is about 42.4 miles (68.2 km), while the road route adds roughly 10.4 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 8:00 AM to 10:00 AM CDT. If you want a more comfortable same-day return, try to leave by 4:16 PM CDT.

How much will gas cost for this route?

Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $6.67 one way or $13.35 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 16.6 kg one way.

What should you check before leaving?

Before you leave, expect Sunny around Lester Prairie and Chance Showers And Thunderstorms then Sunny near Lakeville.

Stop Ideas Near Chanhassen

Useful break, food, and waypoint ideas within about 15 miles of the route midpoint.

Mid-route Guidance
Local place coverage is thin around Chanhassen, so nearby transit and meeting points are shown instead.
Reviewed stop coverage is still thin around this midpoint, so practical transit waypoints are shown on the right.

Transit and Meeting Points

Useful pickup, handoff, or rendezvous points close to Chanhassen.

RAIL

Saint Paul Union Depot

29 mi away
Midway Station
RAIL

Red Wing station

85 mi away
420 Levee Street
RAIL

St. Cloud

92 mi away
555 East St. Germain Street

Flight Path Map

This map shows the direct air route between Lester Prairie and Lakeville. Straight-line distance: 42.4 mi (68.23 km).

Lester Prairie

#1 Lester Prairie

City in McLeod County, Minnesota, United States of America

Population1,724
Coordinates44.8838500, -94.0416400
Altitude299
CountryUnited States
Lakeville

#2 Lakeville

The most populous city in Dakota County, Minnesota.

Population69,583
Coordinates44.6496900, -93.2427200
Altitude296
CountryUnited States
Start: 1st Avenue South (-94.041645, 44.883759)
End: 207th Street West (-93.24272, 44.649706)

Estimated Travel Time

Distance: 85 km by road

SpeedTime
30 mph (48.3 km/h)01h 45m
40 mph (64.37 km/h)01h 19m
50 mph (80.47 km/h)01h 03m
60 mph (96.56 km/h)00h 52m
70 mph (112.65 km/h)00h 45m
80 mph (129 km/h)00h 39m

Fuel, Round Trip and CO2

Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.

One-way fuel
1.87 gal
7.06 L · about $6.67
Round trip
$13.35
3.74 gal · 14.12 L
Estimated CO2
16.6 kg one way
Round trip: 33.2 kg / 73 lb CO2, using regular gasoline.
Fuel$/galOne wayRound trip
Regular gas $3.57 $6.67 $13.35
Mid-grade $3.92 $7.33 $14.66
Premium $4.39 $8.21 $16.43
Diesel $4.86 $9.10 $18.19

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 26, 2026

There is no time difference between Lester Prairie and Lakeville. The current time is 20:52:17.

Distance to Other Cities

Planning a road trip? See the full trip guide on Trip.ovh — stops, fuel costs, weather, and departure timing.

How did we calculate? Place names are translated into coordinates. The Haversine formula calculates straight-line distance; driving distance uses road network data.