How far is Saint Paul, MN from Atwater, MN?

The driving distance from Saint Paul, MN to Atwater, MN is about 89.6 miles (144.2 km), with a travel time of about 02h 01m by car.

  • The straight-line flight distance is about 83.3 miles (134.1 km).
  • For a round trip, plan for roughly 04h 03m 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
89.6 mi
02h 01m
Flight
83.34 mi
134.12 km direct

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

Learn Distance

Choose another destination from Saint Paul.

Flight Distance

Direct air line
83.34 mi
Kilometers
134.12 km
Flight Time
00h 10m

Driving Distance

Road route
89.6 mi
Kilometers
144.2 km
Drive Time
02h 01m

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 02h 01m.

Arrival Snapshot
Arrive in Atwater
Sun, Apr 19, 6:03 AM CDT
Return by in Saint Paul
Sun, Apr 19, 8:04 AM CDT
Useful when you're deciding between a quick errand, a day trip, or a longer stop.
Leave Saint Paul
2026-04-19T04:01
Arrive Atwater
Sun, Apr 19, 6:03 AM CDT
Route Timing
02h 01m
One way by road
Best Departure Window
8:00 AM to 10:00 AM CDT
Aim for a morning departure
Arrive between
10:02 AM to 12:02 PM CDT

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

Leave by
2:26 PM CDT
Keeps a same-day return open with about 03h 00m at the destination.
Back in Saint Paul
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
Montrose
MN

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

From Saint Paul
44.7 mi
01h 00m
To Atwater
44.9 mi
01h 00m

Route Weather Snapshot

Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.

Origin
47°F
Sunday

Mostly Sunny

Starts
Sun, Apr 19 6:00 AM CDT
Wind
10 to 15 mph WNW
Destination
49°F
Sunday

Sunny

Starts
Sun, Apr 19 6:00 AM CDT
Wind
5 to 15 mph NW

Driving Route Map

The map below follows the saved road route between Saint Paul and Atwater.

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between Saint Paul and Atwater.

  1. 1

    Start on Wabasha Street North

    3073 ft · 2 min · Wabasha Street North

  2. 2

    Take the ramp left toward I 35E South, I 94 West

    106 m · 8 sec

  3. 3

    Keep slight right to continue on I 94 West

    1645 ft · 40 sec

  4. 4

    Merge slight right onto Purple Heart Memorial Highway

    9.9 mi · 13 min · Purple Heart Memorial Highway

  5. 5

    Take the exit slight right toward I 394 West, US 12 West

    3151 ft · 60 sec

  6. 6

    Merge slight left

    8 mi · 10 min

  7. 7

    Keep slight left

    12.3 mi · 16 min

  8. 8

    Enter the roundabout and take exit 2 toward Babcock Boulevard;County Road 90

    41 m · 2 sec · Babcock Boulevard

  9. 9

    Exit the rotary onto Babcock Boulevard

    2 mi · 3 min · Babcock Boulevard

  10. 10

    Keep slight right to continue on Babcock Boulevard

    4.1 mi · 6 min · Babcock Boulevard

  11. 11

    Continue on US 12

    3.6 mi · 5 min · US 12

  12. 12

    Continue on 60th Street Southeast

    1234 ft · 19 sec · 60th Street Southeast

  13. 13

    Continue on US 12

    1 km · 51 sec · US 12

  14. 14

    Turn slight right onto 60th Street Southeast

    2418 ft · 39 sec · 60th Street Southeast

  15. 15

    Merge slight left onto US 12

    1.3 mi · 2 min · US 12

  16. 16

    Continue on Nelson Boulevard

    1.1 mi · 2 min · Nelson Boulevard

  17. 17

    Continue on US 12

    1.9 mi · 3 min · US 12

  18. 18

    Continue on Pacific Avenue

    1.1 km · 1 min · Pacific Avenue

  19. 19

    Continue on US 12

    4.1 mi · 6 min · US 12

  20. 20

    Continue on 6th Street

    1.5 km · 2 min · 6th Street

  21. 21

    Continue on 60th Street Southwest

    3.5 mi · 5 min · 60th Street Southwest

  22. 22

    Continue on US 12

    1.9 mi · 3 min · US 12

  23. 23

    Continue on Cokato Street

    1.1 mi · 1 min · Cokato Street

  24. 24

    Continue on 50th Street Southwest

    2.7 mi · 3 min · 50th Street Southwest

  25. 25

    Continue on US 12

    2 mi · 2 min · US 12

  26. 26

    Continue on Parker Avenue East

    11.8 mi · 13 min · Parker Avenue East

  27. 27

    Turn right onto North Sibley Avenue

    1.4 km · 2 min · North Sibley Avenue

  28. 28

    Continue on US Highway 12

    12.8 mi · 17 min · US Highway 12

  29. 29

    Turn left onto Main Street North

    44 m · 6 sec · Main Street North

  30. 30

    Turn right onto Minnesota Avenue

    47 m · 9 sec · Minnesota Avenue

  31. 31

    Turn right

    41 m · 10 sec

  32. 32

    Arrive at your destination

    0 m · 1 sec

Car Route Details

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

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
32 steps
7 turns on the saved route
Ramps & Exits
7
3 merges, 4 ramps or exits
Navigation Density
35.7 / 100 mi
Decision points by distance
Main Roads
I 394 West
20.9 mi · 23%
US 12
15.4 mi · 17%
US Highway 12
12.8 mi · 14%
Parker Avenue East
11.8 mi · 13%
Purple Heart Memorial Highway
9.86 mi · 11%
Babcock Boulevard
6.1 mi · 7%
Longest Stretch

US Highway 12

Continue on US Highway 12

12.8 mi · 00h 17m

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
02h 01m
Day trip friendly
Same-Day Return
04h 04m
Round-trip wheel time
Road vs Air
+6.3 mi
83.3 mi direct line
Halfway Stop
Montrose
01h 00m from Saint Paul
Leave By
2:26 PM CDT
Morning start is best
Weather Watch

Mostly Sunny leaving Saint Paul and Sunny near Atwater.

Trip Questions

Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.

How long does it take to drive from Saint Paul to Atwater?

The road trip is about 89.6 miles (144.2 km) and usually takes 02h 01m 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?

Montrose is a useful midpoint, sitting about 44.7 miles from Saint Paul and 44.9 miles from Atwater.

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

The direct path is about 83.3 miles (134.1 km), while the road route adds roughly 6.3 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 2:26 PM CDT.

How much will gas cost for this route?

Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $11.28 one way or $22.56 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 28.1 kg one way.

What should you check before leaving?

Before you leave, expect Mostly Sunny around Saint Paul and Sunny near Atwater.

Stop Ideas Near Montrose

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

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

RAIL

Saint Paul Union Depot

58 mi away
Midway Station
RAIL

St. Cloud

59 mi away
555 East St. Germain Street

Flight Path Map

This map shows the direct air route between Saint Paul and Atwater. Straight-line distance: 83.34 mi (134.12 km).

Saint Paul

#1 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
Photo coming soon

#2 Atwater

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

Population1,113
Coordinates45.1388500, -94.7780600
Altitude372
CountryUnited States
Start: Saint Paul (-93.09327, 44.94441)
End: Atwater (-94.77806, 45.13885)

Estimated Travel Time

Distance: 144 km by road

SpeedTime
30 mph (48.3 km/h)02h 59m
40 mph (64.37 km/h)02h 14m
50 mph (80.47 km/h)01h 47m
60 mph (96.56 km/h)01h 29m
70 mph (112.65 km/h)01h 16m
80 mph (129 km/h)01h 07m

Fuel, Round Trip and CO2

Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.

One-way fuel
3.16 gal
11.97 L · about $11.28
Round trip
$22.56
6.32 gal · 23.94 L
Estimated CO2
28.1 kg one way
Round trip: 56.2 kg / 124 lb CO2, using regular gasoline.
Fuel$/galOne wayRound trip
Regular gas $3.57 $11.28 $22.56
Mid-grade $3.92 $12.39 $24.78
Premium $4.39 $13.88 $27.76
Diesel $4.86 $15.37 $30.74

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 19, 2026

There is no time difference between Saint Paul and Atwater. The current time is 04:01:23.

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.