How far is Minneapolis, MN from Waite Park, MN?

The driving distance from Minneapolis, MN to Waite Park, MN is about 70.2 miles (112.9 km), with a travel time of about 01h 22m by car.

  • The straight-line flight distance is about 61.4 miles (98.8 km).
  • For a round trip, plan for roughly 02h 45m 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
70.15 mi
01h 22m
Flight
61.41 mi
98.83 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
61.41 mi
Kilometers
98.83 km
Flight Time
00h 07m

Driving Distance

Road route
70.15 mi
Kilometers
112.89 km
Drive Time
01h 22m

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 22m.

Arrival Snapshot
Arrive in Waite Park
Mon, Jun 1, 1:57 PM CDT
Return by in Minneapolis
Mon, Jun 1, 3:19 PM CDT
Useful when you're deciding between a quick errand, a day trip, or a longer stop.
Leave Minneapolis
2026-06-01T12:34
Arrive Waite Park
Mon, Jun 1, 1:57 PM CDT
Route Timing
01h 22m
One way by road
Best Departure Window
8:00 AM to 10:00 AM CDT
Aim for a morning departure
Arrive between
9:23 AM to 11:23 AM CDT

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

Leave by
3:44 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
Monticello
MN

City in Jefferson County, Florida, United States

From Minneapolis
35 mi
00h 41m
To Waite Park
35.1 mi
00h 41m

Route Weather Snapshot

Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.

Origin
83°F
Monday

Chance Rain Showers

Starts
Mon, Jun 1 6:00 AM CDT
Wind
5 mph ESE
Destination
81°F
Monday

Chance Rain Showers

Starts
Mon, Jun 1 6:00 AM CDT
Wind
0 to 5 mph ESE

Driving Route Map

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

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between Minneapolis and Waite Park.

  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

    32.9 mi · 35 min

  8. 8

    Take the exit slight right toward MN 15 North: Saint Cloud

    2788 ft · 1 min

  9. 9

    Merge slight left onto MN-15 N

    3.8 mi · 5 min · MN-15 N

  10. 10

    Turn left onto Division Street

    1.5 km · 1 min · Division Street

  11. 11

    Turn right onto 6th Avenue North

    1305 ft · 36 sec · 6th Avenue North

  12. 12

    Arrive at your destination

    0 m · 1 sec · 6th Avenue North

Car Route Details

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

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
12 steps
4 turns on the saved route
Ramps & Exits
4
2 merges, 2 ramps or exits
Navigation Density
17.1 / 100 mi
Decision points by distance
Main Roads
I-94 W
50 mi · 71%
I 94 West
14.1 mi · 20%
MN-15 N
3.8 mi · 5%
Division Street
0.94 mi · 1%
MN 15 North
0.53 mi · 1%
Washington Avenue South
0.37 mi · 1%
Longest Stretch

I-94 W

Keep slight left

32.9 mi · 00h 35m

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 22m
Day trip friendly
Same-Day Return
02h 46m
Round-trip wheel time
Road vs Air
+8.8 mi
61.4 mi direct line
Halfway Stop
Monticello
00h 41m from Minneapolis
Leave By
3:44 PM CDT
Morning start is best
Weather Watch

Chance Rain Showers leaving Minneapolis and Chance Rain Showers near Waite Park.

Trip Questions

Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.

How long does it take to drive from Minneapolis to Waite Park?

The road trip is about 70.2 miles (112.9 km) and usually takes 01h 22m 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?

Monticello is a useful midpoint, sitting about 35 miles from Minneapolis and 35.1 miles from Waite Park.

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

The direct path is about 61.4 miles (98.8 km), while the road route adds roughly 8.8 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 3:44 PM CDT.

How much will gas cost for this route?

Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $8.85 one way or $17.70 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 22 kg one way.

What should you check before leaving?

Before you leave, expect Chance Rain Showers around Minneapolis and Chance Rain Showers near Waite Park.

Stop Ideas Near Monticello

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

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

RAIL

St. Cloud

40 mi away
555 East St. Germain Street
RAIL

Saint Paul Union Depot

61 mi away
Midway Station

Flight Path Map

This map shows the direct air route between Minneapolis and Waite Park. Straight-line distance: 61.41 mi (98.83 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
Waite Park

#2 Waite Park

City in Stearns County, Minnesota, United States

Population7,796
Coordinates45.5571900, -94.2241600
Altitude327
CountryUnited States
Start: Minneapolis (-93.26384, 44.97997)
End: Waite Park (-94.22416, 45.55719)

Estimated Travel Time

Distance: 113 km by road

SpeedTime
30 mph (48.3 km/h)02h 20m
40 mph (64.37 km/h)01h 45m
50 mph (80.47 km/h)01h 24m
60 mph (96.56 km/h)01h 10m
70 mph (112.65 km/h)01h 00m
80 mph (129 km/h)00h 52m

Fuel, Round Trip and CO2

Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.

One-way fuel
2.48 gal
9.37 L · about $8.85
Round trip
$17.70
4.96 gal · 18.74 L
Estimated CO2
22 kg one way
Round trip: 44.1 kg / 97 lb CO2, using regular gasoline.
Fuel$/galOne wayRound trip
Regular gas $3.57 $8.85 $17.70
Mid-grade $3.92 $9.72 $19.45
Premium $4.39 $10.89 $21.78
Diesel $4.86 $12.06 $24.13

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 · Jun 01, 2026

There is no time difference between Minneapolis and Waite Park. The current time is 12:34:30.

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.