How far is McGrath, MN from Aitkin, MN?

The driving distance from McGrath, MN to Aitkin, MN is about 40.7 miles (65.5 km), with a travel time of about 00h 48m by car.

  • The straight-line flight distance is about 29.1 miles (46.8 km).
  • For a round trip, plan for roughly 01h 37m of driving time before adding stops, traffic, or weather delays.
  • A comfortable departure window is usually 8:00 AM to 10:00 AM CST.
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
40.67 mi
00h 48m
Flight
29.07 mi
46.79 km direct

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

Learn Distance

Choose another destination from McGrath.

Flight Distance

Direct air line
29.07 mi
Kilometers
46.79 km
Flight Time
00h 03m

Driving Distance

Road route
40.67 mi
Kilometers
65.46 km
Drive Time
00h 48m

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 48m.

Arrival Snapshot
Arrive in Aitkin
Thu, Nov 5, 3:34 AM CST
Return by in McGrath
Thu, Nov 5, 4:23 AM CST
Useful when you're deciding between a quick errand, a day trip, or a longer stop.
Leave McGrath
2026-11-05T02:45
Arrive Aitkin
Thu, Nov 5, 3:34 AM CST
Route Timing
00h 48m
One way by road
Best Departure Window
8:00 AM to 10:00 AM CST
Aim for a morning departure
Arrive between
8:49 AM to 10:49 AM CST

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

Leave by
4:52 PM CST
Keeps a same-day return open with about 03h 00m at the destination.
Back in McGrath
9:30 PM CST
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
Kimberly
MN

Human settlement in United States of America

From McGrath
20.3 mi
00h 24m
To Aitkin
20.4 mi
00h 24m

Route Weather Snapshot

Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.

Origin
43°F
Thursday

Mostly Cloudy

Starts
Thu, Nov 5 6:00 AM CST
Wind
10 to 15 mph N
Destination
42°F
Thursday

Mostly Cloudy

Starts
Thu, Nov 5 6:00 AM CST
Wind
10 to 15 mph N

Driving Route Map

The map below follows the saved road route between McGrath and Aitkin.

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between McGrath and Aitkin.

  1. 1

    Start on South 1st Street

    14 m · 2 sec · South 1st Street

  2. 2

    Turn right onto State Highway 65

    16.8 mi · 21 min · State Highway 65

  3. 3

    Turn left onto Dam Lake Street

    14.4 mi · 20 min · Dam Lake Street

  4. 4

    Turn right onto State Highway 47

    7.7 mi · 11 min · State Highway 47

  5. 5

    Turn right onto 400th Avenue

    3073 ft · 1 min · 400th Avenue

  6. 6

    Turn left onto Voyageur Highway

    2447 ft · 42 sec · Voyageur Highway

  7. 7

    Continue on 2nd Street Northeast

    1.1 km · 2 min · 2nd Street Northeast

  8. 8

    Arrive at your destination

    0 m · 1 sec · 2nd Street Northwest

Car Route Details

A richer read on the saved driving route between McGrath and Aitkin.

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
8 steps
5 turns on the saved route
Ramps & Exits
0
0 merges, 0 ramps or exits
Navigation Density
19.7 / 100 mi
Decision points by distance
Main Roads
State Highway 65
16.8 mi · 41%
Dam Lake Street
14.4 mi · 35%
State Highway 47
7.74 mi · 19%
2nd Street Northeast
0.69 mi · 2%
400th Avenue
0.58 mi · 1%
Voyageur Highway
0.46 mi · 1%
Longest Stretch

State Highway 65

Turn right onto State Highway 65

16.8 mi · 00h 21m

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
00h 48m
Day trip friendly
Same-Day Return
01h 38m
Round-trip wheel time
Road vs Air
+11.6 mi
29.1 mi direct line
Halfway Stop
Kimberly
00h 24m from McGrath
Leave By
4:52 PM CST
Morning start is best
Weather Watch

Mostly Cloudy leaving McGrath and Mostly Cloudy near Aitkin.

Trip Questions

Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.

How long does it take to drive from McGrath to Aitkin?

The road trip is about 40.7 miles (65.5 km) and usually takes 00h 48m 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?

Kimberly is a useful midpoint, sitting about 20.3 miles from McGrath and 20.4 miles from Aitkin.

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

The direct path is about 29.1 miles (46.8 km), while the road route adds roughly 11.6 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 8:00 AM to 10:00 AM CST. If you want a more comfortable same-day return, try to leave by 4:52 PM CST.

How much will gas cost for this route?

Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $5.80 one way or $11.60 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 12.7 kg one way.

What should you check before leaving?

Before you leave, expect Mostly Cloudy around McGrath and Mostly Cloudy near Aitkin.

Stop Ideas Near Kimberly

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

Mid-route Guidance
Local place coverage is thin around Kimberly, 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 Kimberly.

RAIL

Staples

104 mi away
First & Fourth Aves
BUS

Duluth (Greyhound Station), Minnesota

105 mi away
4426 Grand Ave.
BUS

Duluth (University of Minnesota), Minnesota

110 mi away
175 Kirby Student Union

Flight Path Map

This map shows the direct air route between McGrath and Aitkin. Straight-line distance: 29.07 mi (46.79 km).

Photo coming soon

#1 McGrath

Human settlement in Aitkin County, Minnesota, United States of America

Population73
Coordinates46.2399500, -93.2724500
Altitude381
CountryUnited States
Aitkin

#2 Aitkin

City in and county seat of Aitkin County, Minnesota, United States

Population877
Coordinates46.5330100, -93.7102500
Altitude369
CountryUnited States
Start: South 1st Street (-93.272392, 46.239951)
End: MN 210 (-93.71025, 46.533383)

Estimated Travel Time

Distance: 65 km by road

SpeedTime
30 mph (48.3 km/h)01h 21m
40 mph (64.37 km/h)01h 01m
50 mph (80.47 km/h)00h 48m
60 mph (96.56 km/h)00h 40m
70 mph (112.65 km/h)00h 34m
80 mph (129 km/h)00h 30m

Fuel, Round Trip and CO2

Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.

One-way fuel
1.43 gal
5.43 L · about $5.80
Round trip
$11.60
2.86 gal · 10.86 L
Estimated CO2
12.7 kg one way
Round trip: 25.4 kg / 56 lb CO2, using regular gasoline.
Fuel$/galOne wayRound trip
Regular gas $4.06 $5.80 $11.60
Mid-grade $4.53 $6.47 $12.94
Premium $5.07 $7.24 $14.49
Diesel $6.15 $8.79 $17.59

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 04, 2026

There is no time difference between McGrath and Aitkin. The current time is 02:45:51.

Distance to Other Cities

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