How far is Minneapolis, MN from Paynesville, MN?

The driving distance from Minneapolis, MN to Paynesville, MN is about 94.4 miles (151.9 km), with a travel time of about 01h 51m by car.

  • The straight-line flight distance is about 75.7 miles (121.9 km).
  • For a round trip, plan for roughly 03h 43m 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
94.36 mi
01h 51m
Flight
75.76 mi
121.93 km direct

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

Learn Distance

Choose another destination from Minneapolis.

Flight Distance

Direct air line
75.76 mi
Kilometers
121.93 km
Flight Time
00h 09m

Driving Distance

Road route
94.36 mi
Kilometers
151.86 km
Drive Time
01h 51m

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 51m.

Arrival Snapshot
Arrive in Paynesville
Thu, Apr 30, 1:02 PM CDT
Return by in Minneapolis
Thu, Apr 30, 2:54 PM CDT
Useful when you're deciding between a quick errand, a day trip, or a longer stop.
Leave Minneapolis
2026-04-30T11:10
Arrive Paynesville
Thu, Apr 30, 1:02 PM CDT
Route Timing
01h 51m
One way by road
Best Departure Window
8:00 AM to 10:00 AM CDT
Aim for a morning departure
Arrive between
9:52 AM to 11:52 AM CDT

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

Leave by
2:46 PM CDT
Keeps a same-day return open with about 03h 00m at the destination.
Back in Minneapolis
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
Becker
MN

City in Sherburne County, Minnesota, United States of America

From Minneapolis
47.1 mi
00h 55m
To Paynesville
47.3 mi
00h 55m

Route Weather Snapshot

Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.

Origin
53°F
Thursday

Areas Of Frost then Mostly Sunny

Starts
Thu, Apr 30 6:00 AM CDT
Wind
5 to 10 mph NNW
Destination
49°F
Thursday

Widespread Frost then Mostly Sunny

Starts
Thu, Apr 30 6:00 AM CDT
Wind
5 to 15 mph NNW

Driving Route Map

The map below follows the saved road route between Minneapolis and Paynesville.

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between Minneapolis and Paynesville.

  1. 1

    Start on Washington Avenue South

    1977 ft · 1 min · Washington Avenue South

  2. 2

    Turn left onto North 1st Avenue

    130 m · 18 sec · North 1st Avenue

  3. 3

    Turn right onto North 3rd Street

    127 m · 16 sec · North 3rd Street

  4. 4

    Take the ramp straight toward I 94 West

    1.8 mi · 4 min

  5. 5

    Merge slight left

    12.3 mi · 15 min

  6. 6

    Continue on I-94 W

    17.1 mi · 19 min · I-94 W

  7. 7

    Keep slight left

    36 mi · 39 min

  8. 8

    Take the exit slight right toward MN 23 West: Paynesville

    865 ft · 21 sec

  9. 9

    Merge slight left

    15.4 mi · 19 min

  10. 10

    Continue on MN 23

    1.1 mi · 1 min · MN 23

  11. 11

    Continue straight

    9.2 mi · 11 min

  12. 12

    Turn left onto Lake Avenue North

    2711 ft · 1 min · Lake Avenue North

  13. 13

    Turn slight left onto Washburne Avenue

    1026 ft · 37 sec · Washburne Avenue

  14. 14

    Turn left onto Business 23

    159 m · 11 sec · Business 23

  15. 15

    Turn right onto Lake Avenue South

    2 m · 1 sec · Lake Avenue South

  16. 16

    Arrive at your destination

    0 m · 1 sec · Lake Avenue South

Car Route Details

A richer read on the saved driving route between Minneapolis and Paynesville.

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
16 steps
6 turns on the saved route
Ramps & Exits
4
2 merges, 2 ramps or exits
Navigation Density
16.9 / 100 mi
Decision points by distance
Main Roads
I-94 W
53.1 mi · 56%
MN 23 West
15.5 mi · 16%
I 94 West
14.1 mi · 15%
MN 23
10.3 mi · 11%
Lake Avenue North
0.51 mi · 1%
Washington Avenue South
0.37 mi
Longest Stretch

I-94 W

Keep slight left

36 mi · 00h 39m

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 51m
Day trip friendly
Same-Day Return
03h 44m
Round-trip wheel time
Road vs Air
+18.7 mi
75.7 mi direct line
Halfway Stop
Becker
00h 55m from Minneapolis
Leave By
2:46 PM CDT
Morning start is best
Weather Watch

Areas Of Frost then Mostly Sunny leaving Minneapolis and Widespread Frost then Mostly Sunny near Paynesville.

Trip Questions

Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.

How long does it take to drive from Minneapolis to Paynesville?

The road trip is about 94.4 miles (151.9 km) and usually takes 01h 51m 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?

Becker is a useful midpoint, sitting about 47.1 miles from Minneapolis and 47.3 miles from Paynesville.

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

The direct path is about 75.7 miles (121.9 km), while the road route adds roughly 18.7 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 2:46 PM CDT.

How much will gas cost for this route?

Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $11.88 one way or $23.77 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 29.6 kg one way.

What should you check before leaving?

Before you leave, expect Areas Of Frost then Mostly Sunny around Minneapolis and Widespread Frost then Mostly Sunny near Paynesville.

Stop Ideas Near Becker

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

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

RAIL

St. Cloud

29 mi away
555 East St. Germain Street
RAIL

Saint Paul Union Depot

72 mi away
Midway Station

Flight Path Map

This map shows the direct air route between Minneapolis and Paynesville. Straight-line distance: 75.76 mi (121.93 km).

Minneapolis

#1 Minneapolis

The largest city in Minnesota, Minneapolis is a major center for business, finance, and culture.

Population433,111
Coordinates44.9799700, -93.2638400
Altitude253
CountryUnited States
Paynesville

#2 Paynesville

City in Stearns County, Minnesota, United States

Population1,527
Coordinates45.3805200, -94.7119500
Altitude357
CountryUnited States
Start: Minneapolis (-93.26384, 44.97997)
End: Paynesville (-94.71195, 45.38052)

Estimated Travel Time

Distance: 152 km by road

SpeedTime
30 mph (48.3 km/h)03h 08m
40 mph (64.37 km/h)02h 21m
50 mph (80.47 km/h)01h 53m
60 mph (96.56 km/h)01h 34m
70 mph (112.65 km/h)01h 20m
80 mph (129 km/h)01h 10m

Fuel, Round Trip and CO2

Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.

One-way fuel
3.33 gal
12.6 L · about $11.88
Round trip
$23.77
6.66 gal · 25.2 L
Estimated CO2
29.6 kg one way
Round trip: 59.2 kg / 131 lb CO2, using regular gasoline.
Fuel$/galOne wayRound trip
Regular gas $3.57 $11.88 $23.77
Mid-grade $3.92 $13.06 $26.11
Premium $4.39 $14.63 $29.25
Diesel $4.86 $16.20 $32.39

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 30, 2026

There is no time difference between Minneapolis and Paynesville. The current time is 11:10:52.

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.