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

The driving distance from Saint Paul, MN to Benson, MN is about 154 miles (247.8 km), with a travel time of about 03h 05m by car.

  • The straight-line flight distance is about 125 miles (201.1 km).
  • For a round trip, plan for roughly 06h 10m 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
153.98 mi
03h 05m
Flight
124.96 mi
201.1 km direct

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

Learn Distance

Choose another destination from Saint Paul.

Flight Distance

Direct air line
124.96 mi
Kilometers
201.1 km
Flight Time
00h 15m

Driving Distance

Road route
153.98 mi
Kilometers
247.81 km
Drive Time
03h 05m

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 05m.

Arrival Snapshot
Arrive in Benson
Wed, Apr 15, 11:48 AM CDT
Return by in Saint Paul
Wed, Apr 15, 2:53 PM CDT
Useful when you're deciding between a quick errand, a day trip, or a longer stop.
Leave Saint Paul
2026-04-15T08:42
Arrive Benson
Wed, Apr 15, 11:48 AM CDT
Route Timing
03h 05m
One way by road
Best Departure Window
6:00 AM to 8:00 AM CDT
Leave early for more breathing room
Arrive between
9:05 AM to 11:05 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
10:50 AM CDT
Keeps a same-day return open with about 04h 00m at the destination.
Back in Saint Paul
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
Luxemburg
MN

Township in Stearns County, Minnesota

From Saint Paul
76.9 mi
01h 32m
To Benson
77.1 mi
01h 32m

Route Weather Snapshot

Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.

Origin
46°F
Overnight

Partly Cloudy

Starts
Wed, Apr 15 12:00 AM CDT
Wind
0 to 5 mph N
Destination
60°F
Wednesday

Chance Rain Showers

Starts
Wed, Apr 15 6:00 AM CDT
Wind
10 mph NNW

Driving Route Map

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

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

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

  1. 1

    Start on Wabasha Street North

    1641 ft · 1 min · Wabasha Street North

  2. 2

    Turn right onto 7th Street East

    1140 ft · 44 sec · 7th Street East

  3. 3

    Turn left onto Robert Street North

    1071 ft · 40 sec · Robert Street North

  4. 4

    Turn right onto 11th Street East

    137 m · 18 sec · 11th Street East

  5. 5

    Keep slight left to continue on I 35E North, US 10 West

    1156 ft · 30 sec

  6. 6

    Continue straight

    4.9 mi · 6 min

  7. 7

    Keep slight right to continue on US 10 West, I 694 West, I 694 East

    1620 ft · 20 sec

  8. 8

    Continue on I 694 West, US 10 West

    18.5 mi · 23 min

  9. 9

    Continue on I-94 W

    17.1 mi · 19 min · I-94 W

  10. 10

    Keep slight left

    36 mi · 39 min

  11. 11

    Take the exit slight right toward MN 23 West: Paynesville

    865 ft · 21 sec

  12. 12

    Merge slight left

    15.4 mi · 19 min

  13. 13

    Continue on MN 23

    1.1 mi · 1 min · MN 23

  14. 14

    Continue straight

    23.5 mi · 27 min

  15. 15

    Turn right

    35.8 mi · 47 min

  16. 16

    Turn right onto Atlantic Avenue

    673 ft · 27 sec · Atlantic Avenue

  17. 17

    Turn left

    40 m · 10 sec

  18. 18

    Arrive at your destination

    0 m · 1 sec

Car Route Details

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

OSRM road route
Drive Character

Straightforward drive

The saved road route has a manageable number of maneuvers and should be easy to follow with normal attention to signs.

Directions
18 steps
6 turns on the saved route
Ramps & Exits
2
1 merges, 1 ramps or exits
Navigation Density
11.7 / 100 mi
Decision points by distance
Main Roads
I-94 W
53.1 mi · 34%
MN 23
24.6 mi · 16%
I 694 West
18.5 mi · 12%
MN 23 West
15.5 mi · 10%
I 35E North
5.11 mi · 3%
Wabasha Street North
0.31 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 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 05m
Long day trip
Same-Day Return
06h 10m
Round-trip wheel time
Road vs Air
+29 mi
125 mi direct line
Halfway Stop
Luxemburg
01h 32m from Saint Paul
Leave By
10:50 AM CDT
Early departure recommended
Weather Watch

Partly Cloudy leaving Saint Paul and Chance Rain Showers near Benson.

Trip Questions

Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.

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

The road trip is about 154 miles (247.8 km) and usually takes 03h 05m 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?

Luxemburg is a useful midpoint, sitting about 76.9 miles from Saint Paul and 77.1 miles from Benson.

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

The direct path is about 125 miles (201.1 km), while the road route adds roughly 29 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 10:50 AM CDT.

How much will gas cost for this route?

Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $19.38 one way or $38.76 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 48.3 kg one way.

What should you check before leaving?

Before you leave, expect Partly Cloudy around Saint Paul and Chance Rain Showers near Benson.

Stop Ideas Near Luxemburg

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

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

RAIL

St. Cloud

15 mi away
555 East St. Germain Street
RAIL

Saint Paul Union Depot

99 mi away
Midway Station
RAIL

Staples

109 mi away
First & Fourth Aves

Flight Path Map

This map shows the direct air route between Saint Paul and Benson. Straight-line distance: 124.96 mi (201.1 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 Benson

Benson is a place in Minnesota, United States.

Population0
Coordinates45.3150000, -95.6025000
Altitude319
CountryUnited States
Start: Saint Paul (-93.09327, 44.94441)
End: Benson (-95.6025, 45.315)

Estimated Travel Time

Distance: 248 km by road

SpeedTime
30 mph (48.3 km/h)05h 07m
40 mph (64.37 km/h)03h 50m
50 mph (80.47 km/h)03h 04m
60 mph (96.56 km/h)02h 33m
70 mph (112.65 km/h)02h 11m
80 mph (129 km/h)01h 55m

Fuel, Round Trip and CO2

Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.

One-way fuel
5.43 gal
20.57 L · about $19.38
Round trip
$38.76
10.86 gal · 41.14 L
Estimated CO2
48.3 kg one way
Round trip: 96.5 kg / 213 lb CO2, using regular gasoline.
Fuel$/galOne wayRound trip
Regular gas $3.57 $19.38 $38.76
Mid-grade $3.92 $21.29 $42.58
Premium $4.39 $23.85 $47.70
Diesel $4.86 $26.41 $52.82

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 15, 2026

There is no time difference between Saint Paul and Benson. The current time is 08:42:37.

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.