How far is Saint Paul, MN from Cottonwood, MN?
The driving distance from Saint Paul, MN to Cottonwood, MN is about 145.5 miles (234.1 km), with a travel time of about 03h 09m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 128.7 miles (207.1 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 06h 19m of driving time before adding stops, traffic, or weather delays.
- A comfortable departure window is usually 6:00 AM to 8:00 AM CDT.
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.
This drive is better planned with a longer stop or an overnight stay.
Flight Distance
Driving Distance
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 09m.
An early departure helps you fit a real stop into the day without turning the return into a late-night drive.
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.
Human settlement in McLeod County, Minnesota, United States of America
Route Weather Snapshot
Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.
Chance Rain And Snow Showers
Mostly Sunny
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Saint Paul and Cottonwood.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Saint Paul and Cottonwood.
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1
Start on Wabasha Street North
60 m · 14 sec · Wabasha Street North
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2
Turn left onto 4th Street West
769 ft · 36 sec · 4th Street West
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3
Turn left onto Market Street
81 m · 13 sec · Market Street
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4
Turn right onto Kellogg Boulevard West
80 m · 9 sec · Kellogg Boulevard West
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5
Turn slight left onto Exchange Street South
1169 ft · 40 sec · Exchange Street South
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6
Turn left onto Eagle Parkway
1077 ft · 44 sec · Eagle Parkway
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7
Turn right onto Shepard Road
5.1 mi · 8 min · Shepard Road
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8
Continue on South Mississippi River Boulevard
81 m · 8 sec · South Mississippi River Boulevard
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9
Take the exit slight right toward MN 5 West
1357 ft · 33 sec
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10
Merge slight left
13.4 mi · 17 min
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11
Keep slight left
1777 ft · 25 sec
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12
Take the exit slight right toward MN 5 West, US 212 West
1.8 mi · 2 min
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13
Keep slight left
36.4 mi · 43 min
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14
Enter the roundabout and take exit 2 toward US Highway 212
44 m · 2 sec · US Highway 212
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15
Exit the roundabout onto US Highway 212
71.8 mi · 1 hr 34 min · US Highway 212
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16
Turn left onto State Highway 23/67
14.9 mi · 19 min · State Highway 23/67
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17
Turn right onto 390th Street
627 ft · 20 sec · 390th Street
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18
At the end of the road, turn left onto Barstad Road
3150 ft · 1 min · Barstad Road
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19
Turn right onto Main Street
139 m · 12 sec · Main Street
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20
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · Main Street
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Saint Paul and Cottonwood.
Highway-focused drive
Most of the mileage stays on named highways, so the important moments are ramps, exits, merges, and the final local approach.
US Highway 212
Exit the roundabout onto US Highway 212
71.8 mi · 01h 34m
Route Summary
A quick read on whether this route feels easy, ambitious, or worth planning around.
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.
Chance Rain And Snow Showers leaving Saint Paul and Mostly Sunny near Cottonwood.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Saint Paul to Cottonwood?
The road trip is about 145.5 miles (234.1 km) and usually takes 03h 09m 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?
Brownton is a useful midpoint, sitting about 72.6 miles from Saint Paul and 72.9 miles from Cottonwood.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 128.7 miles (207.1 km), while the road route adds roughly 16.8 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 10:40 AM CDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $18.31 one way or $36.62 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 45.6 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Chance Rain And Snow Showers around Saint Paul and Mostly Sunny near Cottonwood.
Stop Ideas Near Brownton
Useful break, food, and waypoint ideas within about 15 miles of the route midpoint.
Transit and Meeting Points
Useful pickup, handoff, or rendezvous points close to Brownton.
St. Cloud
Saint Paul Union Depot
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Saint Paul and Cottonwood. Straight-line distance: 128.69 mi (207.1 km).
#1 Saint Paul
The second most populous city in Minnesota and the center of the Minneapolis-Saint Paul metropolitan area.
| Population | 306,717 |
| Coordinates | 44.9444100, -93.0932700 |
| Altitude | 242 |
| Country | United States |
#2 Cottonwood
City in Lyon County, Minnesota, United States
| Population | 1,223 |
| Coordinates | 44.6088500, -95.6741900 |
| Altitude | 329 |
| Country | United States |
End: Cottonwood (-95.67419, 44.60885)
Estimated Travel Time
Distance: 234 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 04h 50m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 03h 38m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 02h 54m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 02h 25m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 02h 04m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 01h 48m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $3.57 | $18.31 | $36.62 |
| Mid-grade | $3.92 | $20.11 | $40.23 |
| Premium | $4.39 | $22.53 | $45.06 |
| Diesel | $4.86 | $24.95 | $49.90 |
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
Distance to Other Cities
Planning a road trip? See the full trip guide on Trip.ovh — stops, fuel costs, weather, and departure timing.