How far is Mountain Iron, MN from Saint Paul, MN?

The driving distance from Mountain Iron, MN to Saint Paul, MN is about 196 miles (315.5 km), with a travel time of about 03h 06m by car.

  • The straight-line flight distance is about 180.2 miles (290 km).
  • For a round trip, plan for roughly 06h 12m of driving time before adding stops, traffic, or weather delays.
  • A comfortable departure window is usually 6:00 AM to 8:00 AM CDT.
Trip Tools

Reverse, save, or send this route

This drive is better planned with a longer stop or an overnight stay. Copy the route link, send it to another device, or print a clean version before you head out.

Reverse Route
Quick Snapshot
Road
196.07 mi
03h 06m
Flight
180.22 mi
290.03 km direct

This drive is better planned with a longer stop or an overnight stay.

Learn Distance

Choose another destination from Mountain Iron.

Flight Distance

Direct air line
180.22 mi
Kilometers
290.03 km
Flight Time
00h 21m

Driving Distance

Road route
196.07 mi
Kilometers
315.55 km
Drive Time
03h 06m

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 03h 06m.

Arrival Snapshot
Arrive in Saint Paul
Mon, Jun 1, 4:09 PM CDT
Return by in Mountain Iron
Mon, Jun 1, 7:16 PM CDT
Useful when you're deciding between a quick errand, a day trip, or a longer stop.
Leave Mountain Iron
2026-06-01T13:03
Arrive Saint Paul
Mon, Jun 1, 4:09 PM CDT
Route Timing
03h 06m
One way by road
Best Departure Window
6:00 AM to 8:00 AM CDT
Leave early for more breathing room
Arrive between
9:06 AM to 11:06 AM CDT

An early departure helps you fit a real stop into the day without turning the return into a late-night drive.

Leave by
10:48 AM CDT
Keeps a same-day return open with about 04h 00m at the destination.
Back in Mountain Iron
9:00 PM CDT
Early departure recommended

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
Willow River
MN

City in Minnesota, United States

From Mountain Iron
99 mi
01h 33m
To Saint Paul
97.1 mi
01h 33m

Route Weather Snapshot

Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.

Origin
82°F
Monday

Mostly Sunny

Starts
Mon, Jun 1 6:00 AM CDT
Wind
0 to 10 mph E
Destination
83°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 Mountain Iron and Saint Paul.

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between Mountain Iron and Saint Paul.

  1. 1

    Start on Mesabi Avenue

    8 m · 3 sec · Mesabi Avenue

  2. 2

    Turn right onto Main Street

    966 ft · 29 sec · Main Street

  3. 3

    Turn right onto Mineral Avenue

    1.3 km · 1 min · Mineral Avenue

  4. 4

    At the end of the road, turn right onto Mineral Avenue

    1333 ft · 33 sec · Mineral Avenue

  5. 5

    Take the ramp left

    1760 ft · 48 sec

  6. 6

    Merge slight left

    2.2 mi · 3 min

  7. 7

    Take the exit right toward US 53 South

    1193 ft · 23 sec

  8. 8

    Merge slight left

    1.4 km · 2 min

  9. 9

    Continue straight

    4.6 mi · 7 min

  10. 10

    Enter the roundabout and take exit 2 toward the route

    35 m · 1 sec

  11. 11

    Exit the roundabout

    37.3 mi · 43 min

  12. 12

    Take the exit slight right

    15.3 mi · 19 min

  13. 13

    Continue straight

    3.9 mi · 7 min

  14. 14

    Enter the roundabout and take exit 2 toward I 35 South

    24 m · 1 sec

  15. 15

    Exit the roundabout onto I 35 South

    2829 ft · 40 sec

  16. 16

    Merge slight left

    109.7 mi · 1 hr 58 min

  17. 17

    Keep slight left to continue on Saint Paul

    9.9 mi · 11 min

  18. 18

    Take the exit slight right toward CR 96

    1444 ft · 39 sec

  19. 19

    Turn right

    150 m · 12 sec

  20. 20

    Turn left onto Centerville Road

    2.3 mi · 5 min · Centerville Road

  21. 21

    Turn left onto County Road E

    2230 ft · 1 min · County Road E

  22. 22

    Take the ramp slight right toward I 35E South: Saint Paul

    69 m · 5 sec

  23. 23

    Keep slight left to continue on I 35E South

    1455 ft · 38 sec

  24. 24

    Merge slight right

    1.6 mi · 2 min

  25. 25

    Keep slight left to continue on I 35E South, US 10 East: St Paul

    5.5 mi · 7 min

  26. 26

    Keep slight left to continue on US 10 East, I 94 East, US 52 South: 10th Street, Wacouta Street

    602 ft · 7 sec

  27. 27

    Take the exit slight right toward 10th Street, Wacouta Street

    1132 ft · 27 sec

  28. 28

    Keep slight right to continue on 10th Street

    125 m · 10 sec

  29. 29

    Continue on 10th Street East

    951 ft · 44 sec · 10th Street East

  30. 30

    Turn left onto Robert Street North

    2471 ft · 1 min · Robert Street North

  31. 31

    Turn right onto Kellogg Boulevard East

    1134 ft · 45 sec · Kellogg Boulevard East

  32. 32

    Turn right onto Wabasha Street North

    50 m · 6 sec · Wabasha Street North

  33. 33

    Arrive at your destination

    0 m · 1 sec · Wabasha Street North

Car Route Details

A richer read on the saved driving route between Mountain Iron and Saint Paul.

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
33 steps
13 turns on the saved route
Ramps & Exits
14
4 merges, 10 ramps or exits
Navigation Density
16.8 / 100 mi
Decision points by distance
Main Roads
I 35 South
120 mi · 61%
US 53 South
62.3 mi · 32%
I 35E South
7.41 mi · 4%
Mineral Avenue
3.58 mi · 2%
Centerville Road
2.3 mi · 1%
Robert Street North
0.47 mi
Longest Stretch

I 35 South

Merge slight left

110 mi · 01h 58m

Route Summary

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

Trip Read

A longer out-and-back drive

This is still possible in one day, but it becomes a long driving day. Leaving early and planning your stop window matters more here.

Drive Time
03h 06m
Long day trip
Same-Day Return
06h 12m
Round-trip wheel time
Road vs Air
+15.8 mi
180.2 mi direct line
Halfway Stop
Willow River
01h 33m from Mountain Iron
Leave By
10:48 AM CDT
Early departure recommended
Weather Watch

Mostly Sunny leaving Mountain Iron and Chance Rain Showers near Saint Paul.

Trip Questions

Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.

How long does it take to drive from Mountain Iron to Saint Paul?

The road trip is about 196 miles (315.5 km) and usually takes 03h 06m in normal driving conditions.

Is this a same-day trip or an overnight route?

This is still possible in one day, but it becomes a long driving day. Leaving early and planning your stop window matters more here.

What is the halfway point on this route?

Willow River is a useful midpoint, sitting about 99 miles from Mountain Iron and 97.1 miles from Saint Paul.

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

The direct path is about 180.2 miles (290 km), while the road route adds roughly 15.8 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 6:00 AM to 8:00 AM CDT. If you want a more comfortable same-day return, try to leave by 10:48 AM CDT.

How much will gas cost for this route?

Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $24.70 one way or $49.39 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 61.5 kg one way.

What should you check before leaving?

Before you leave, expect Mostly Sunny around Mountain Iron and Chance Rain Showers near Saint Paul.

Stop Ideas Near Willow River

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

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

BUS

Duluth (Greyhound Station), Minnesota

74 mi away
4426 Grand Ave.
BUS

Duluth (University of Minnesota), Minnesota

80 mi away
175 Kirby Student Union

Flight Path Map

This map shows the direct air route between Mountain Iron and Saint Paul. Straight-line distance: 180.22 mi (290.03 km).

Mountain Iron

#1 Mountain Iron

City in St.

Population2,816
Coordinates47.5324300, -92.6235100
Altitude452
CountryUnited States
Saint Paul

#2 Saint Paul

The second most populous city in Minnesota and the center of the Minneapolis-Saint Paul metropolitan area.

Population306,717
Coordinates44.9444100, -93.0932700
Altitude242
CountryUnited States
Start: Mesabi Avenue (-92.623497, 47.53243)
End: Wabasha Street North (-93.093258, 44.944416)

Estimated Travel Time

Distance: 316 km by road

SpeedTime
30 mph (48.3 km/h)06h 31m
40 mph (64.37 km/h)04h 54m
50 mph (80.47 km/h)03h 55m
60 mph (96.56 km/h)03h 16m
70 mph (112.65 km/h)02h 48m
80 mph (129 km/h)02h 26m

Fuel, Round Trip and CO2

Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.

One-way fuel
6.92 gal
26.19 L · about $24.70
Round trip
$49.39
13.84 gal · 52.38 L
Estimated CO2
61.5 kg one way
Round trip: 123 kg / 271 lb CO2, using regular gasoline.
Fuel$/galOne wayRound trip
Regular gas $3.57 $24.70 $49.39
Mid-grade $3.92 $27.13 $54.27
Premium $4.39 $30.39 $60.79
Diesel $4.86 $33.66 $67.32

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 Mountain Iron and Saint Paul. The current time is 13:03:38.

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.