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

The driving distance from Saint Paul, MN to Buffalo, MN is about 45.8 miles (73.7 km), with a travel time of about 01h 08m by car.

  • The straight-line flight distance is about 41.3 miles (66.4 km).
  • For a round trip, plan for roughly 02h 16m 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
45.77 mi
01h 08m
Flight
41.25 mi
66.39 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
41.25 mi
Kilometers
66.39 km
Flight Time
00h 04m

Driving Distance

Road route
45.77 mi
Kilometers
73.66 km
Drive Time
01h 08m

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 08m.

Arrival Snapshot
Arrive in Buffalo
Thu, May 14, 8:34 PM CDT
Return by in Saint Paul
Thu, May 14, 9:43 PM CDT
Useful when you're deciding between a quick errand, a day trip, or a longer stop.
Leave Saint Paul
2026-05-14T19:26
Arrive Buffalo
Thu, May 14, 8:34 PM CDT
Route Timing
01h 08m
One way by road
Best Departure Window
8:00 AM to 10:00 AM CDT
Aim for a morning departure
Arrive between
9:08 AM to 11:08 AM CDT

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

Leave by
4:14 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
Plymouth
MN

The second most populous city in Hennepin County, Minnesota.

From Saint Paul
22.9 mi
00h 34m
To Buffalo
22.9 mi
00h 34m

Route Weather Snapshot

Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.

Origin
78°F
Thursday

Sunny

Starts
Thu, May 14 6:00 AM CDT
Wind
5 to 15 mph SSE
Destination
75°F
Thursday

Mostly Sunny then Chance Showers And Thunderstorms

Starts
Thu, May 14 6:00 AM CDT
Wind
10 to 15 mph SSE

Driving Route Map

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

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

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

  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

    1.9 mi · 2 min

  7. 7

    Take the exit slight right toward MN 100 South, MN 100 North: Park Place-Xenia

    837 ft · 12 sec

  8. 8

    Keep slight right to continue on MN 100 North

    2678 ft · 1 min

  9. 9

    Merge slight left

    2766 ft · 39 sec

  10. 10

    Take the exit slight right toward MN 55 West, MN 55 East

    867 ft · 21 sec

  11. 11

    Keep slight left to continue on MN 55 West

    723 ft · 18 sec

  12. 12

    Merge slight right onto Olson Memorial Highway

    25.6 mi · 38 min · Olson Memorial Highway

  13. 13

    Continue straight

    3.9 mi · 5 min

  14. 14

    Continue straight

    3151 ft · 1 min

  15. 15

    Turn left onto 2nd Street South

    1798 ft · 51 sec · 2nd Street South

  16. 16

    Continue on 1st Street South

    2251 ft · 1 min · 1st Street South

  17. 17

    Turn right onto 1st Avenue South

    107 m · 10 sec · 1st Avenue South

  18. 18

    Arrive at your destination

    0 m · 1 sec · 1st Avenue South

Car Route Details

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

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
18 steps
2 turns on the saved route
Ramps & Exits
8
4 merges, 4 ramps or exits
Navigation Density
39.3 / 100 mi
Decision points by distance
Main Roads
Olson Memorial Highway
30.1 mi · 66%
Purple Heart Memorial Highway
9.86 mi · 22%
I 394 West
2.52 mi · 6%
MN 100 North
1.03 mi · 2%
Wabasha Street North
0.58 mi · 1%
1st Street South
0.43 mi · 1%
Longest Stretch

Olson Memorial Highway

Merge slight right onto Olson Memorial Highway

25.6 mi · 00h 38m

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 08m
Day trip friendly
Same-Day Return
02h 16m
Round-trip wheel time
Road vs Air
+4.5 mi
41.3 mi direct line
Halfway Stop
Plymouth
00h 34m from Saint Paul
Leave By
4:14 PM CDT
Morning start is best
Weather Watch

Sunny leaving Saint Paul and Mostly Sunny then Chance Showers And Thunderstorms near Buffalo.

Trip Questions

Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.

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

The road trip is about 45.8 miles (73.7 km) and usually takes 01h 08m 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?

Plymouth is a useful midpoint, sitting about 22.9 miles from Saint Paul and 22.9 miles from Buffalo.

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

The direct path is about 41.3 miles (66.4 km), while the road route adds roughly 4.5 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 4:14 PM CDT.

How much will gas cost for this route?

Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $5.75 one way or $11.49 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 14.3 kg one way.

What should you check before leaving?

Before you leave, expect Sunny around Saint Paul and Mostly Sunny then Chance Showers And Thunderstorms near Buffalo.

Stop Ideas Near Plymouth

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

Mid-route Guidance
These suggestions come from reviewed places and nearby services around Plymouth and the surrounding midpoint area.
Minneapolis City Hall
Scenic stop 11.6 mi away

Minneapolis City Hall

Minneapolis , MN
350 S 5th St, Minneapolis, MN 55415
Rating 4.3/5 28 reviews City Hall,Tourist attraction
St. Louis Park City Hall
Meeting point 9 mi away

St. Louis Park City Hall

Saint Louis Park , MN
5005 Minnetonka Blvd, St Louis Park, MN 55416
Rating 2.9/5 21 reviews City government office
Champlin Utility Billing
Nearby stop 11.3 mi away

Champlin Utility Billing

Champlin , MN
11955 Champlin Dr, Champlin, MN 55316
Rating 5.0/5 1 reviews Urban planning department

Transit and Meeting Points

Useful pickup, handoff, or rendezvous points close to Plymouth.

RAIL

Saint Paul Union Depot

22 mi away
Midway Station
RAIL

St. Cloud

82 mi away
555 East St. Germain Street
RAIL

Red Wing station

88 mi away
420 Levee Street

Flight Path Map

This map shows the direct air route between Saint Paul and Buffalo. Straight-line distance: 41.25 mi (66.39 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
Buffalo

#2 Buffalo

City in Wright County, Minnesota, US

Population1,898
Coordinates45.1719100, -93.8746900
Altitude283
CountryUnited States
Start: Saint Paul (-93.09327, 44.94441)
End: Buffalo (-93.87469, 45.17191)

Estimated Travel Time

Distance: 74 km by road

SpeedTime
30 mph (48.3 km/h)01h 31m
40 mph (64.37 km/h)01h 08m
50 mph (80.47 km/h)00h 54m
60 mph (96.56 km/h)00h 45m
70 mph (112.65 km/h)00h 39m
80 mph (129 km/h)00h 34m

Fuel, Round Trip and CO2

Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.

One-way fuel
1.61 gal
6.11 L · about $5.75
Round trip
$11.49
3.22 gal · 12.22 L
Estimated CO2
14.3 kg one way
Round trip: 28.6 kg / 63 lb CO2, using regular gasoline.
Fuel$/galOne wayRound trip
Regular gas $3.57 $5.75 $11.49
Mid-grade $3.92 $6.31 $12.63
Premium $4.39 $7.07 $14.14
Diesel $4.86 $7.83 $15.66

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 · May 15, 2026

There is no time difference between Saint Paul and Buffalo. The current time is 19:26:14.

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.