How far is Lester Prairie, MN from Saint Paul, MN?
The driving distance from Lester Prairie, MN to Saint Paul, MN is about 55 miles (88.5 km), with a travel time of about 01h 03m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 46.6 miles (75 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 02h 07m of driving time before adding stops, traffic, or weather delays.
- A comfortable departure window is usually 8:00 AM to 10:00 AM CDT.
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 03m.
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 Minnesota, United States
Route Weather Snapshot
Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.
Sunny
Sunny
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Lester Prairie and Saint Paul.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Lester Prairie and Saint Paul.
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1
Start on 1st Avenue South
27 m · 6 sec · 1st Avenue South
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2
Turn right onto Juniper Street South
84 m · 14 sec · Juniper Street South
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3
Turn right onto Central Avenue
2993 ft · 2 min · Central Avenue
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4
At the end of the road, turn left onto County Highway 9
1.5 mi · 4 min · County Highway 9
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5
Turn right onto Minnesota State Highway 7
8 mi · 10 min · Minnesota State Highway 7
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6
Enter the roundabout and take exit 2 toward the route
38 m · 2 sec
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7
Exit the roundabout
2.5 mi · 3 min
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8
Enter the roundabout and take exit 2 toward the route
57 m · 3 sec
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9
Exit the roundabout
5.8 mi · 8 min
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10
Enter the roundabout and take exit 2 toward the route
42 m · 2 sec
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11
Exit the roundabout
3.2 mi · 4 min
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12
Turn right onto Rolling Acres Road
1.2 mi · 2 min · Rolling Acres Road
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13
Turn left onto Arboretum Boulevard
1.2 km · 59 sec · Arboretum Boulevard
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14
Continue on Prince Rogers Nelson Memorial Highway
5.6 mi · 8 min · Prince Rogers Nelson Memorial Highway
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15
Continue on West 78th Street
3.8 mi · 5 min · West 78th Street
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16
Take the exit slight right toward I 494 East, MN 5 East
1223 ft · 18 sec
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17
Keep slight left to continue on I 494 East, MN 5 East
10.5 mi · 13 min
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18
Take the exit slight right toward MN 5: Terminal 1
2.2 mi · 3 min · John A. Johnson Memorial Highway
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19
Continue on Fort Road
1.2 mi · 2 min · Fort Road
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20
Take the exit slight right toward Edgcumbe Road, Shepard Road, River Boulevard
60 m · 5 sec
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21
Keep slight right to continue on Shepard Road, River Boulevard
68 m · 5 sec
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22
Turn right onto Gannon Road
87 m · 8 sec · Gannon Road
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23
Turn left onto Shepard Road
5.1 mi · 9 min · Shepard Road
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24
Turn left onto Eagle Parkway
1154 ft · 45 sec · Eagle Parkway
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25
Turn right onto Exchange Street South
1166 ft · 34 sec · Exchange Street South
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26
Turn straight onto Kellogg Boulevard West
1178 ft · 52 sec · Kellogg Boulevard West
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27
Turn left onto Wabasha Street North
65 m · 9 sec · Wabasha Street North
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28
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · Wabasha Street North
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Lester Prairie and Saint Paul.
Highway-focused drive
Most of the mileage stays on named highways, so the important moments are ramps, exits, merges, and the final local approach.
I 494 East
Keep slight left to continue on I 494 East, MN 5 East
10.5 mi · 00h 13m
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.
Sunny leaving Lester Prairie 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 Lester Prairie to Saint Paul?
The road trip is about 55 miles (88.5 km) and usually takes 01h 03m 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 26.5 miles from Lester Prairie and 28.5 miles from Saint Paul.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 46.6 miles (75 km), while the road route adds roughly 8.4 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 4:22 PM CDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $6.92 one way or $13.85 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 17.2 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Sunny around Lester Prairie and Sunny near Saint Paul.
Stop Ideas Near Chanhassen
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 Chanhassen.
Saint Paul Union Depot
Red Wing station
St. Cloud
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Lester Prairie and Saint Paul. Straight-line distance: 46.59 mi (74.98 km).
#1 Lester Prairie
City in McLeod County, Minnesota, United States of America
| Population | 1,724 |
| Coordinates | 44.8838500, -94.0416400 |
| Altitude | 299 |
| 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: 89 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 01h 49m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 01h 22m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 01h 06m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 00h 55m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 00h 47m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 00h 41m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $3.57 | $6.92 | $13.85 |
| Mid-grade | $3.92 | $7.61 | $15.21 |
| Premium | $4.39 | $8.52 | $17.04 |
| Diesel | $4.86 | $9.44 | $18.87 |
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
Distance to Other Cities
Planning a road trip? See the full trip guide on Trip.ovh — stops, fuel costs, weather, and departure timing.