How far is Saint Paul, MN from Dawson, MN?
The driving distance from Saint Paul, MN to Dawson, MN is about 154.5 miles (248.7 km), with a travel time of about 03h 29m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 144.8 miles (233.1 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 06h 59m 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 29m.
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.
Township in Meeker County, Minnesota
Route Weather Snapshot
Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.
Showers And Thunderstorms Likely
Chance Rain Showers
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Saint Paul and Dawson.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Saint Paul and Dawson.
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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 right
9 mi · 12 min
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14
Turn right onto Rolling Acres Road
1.2 mi · 2 min · Rolling Acres Road
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15
Turn left
3.2 mi · 5 min
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16
Enter the roundabout and take exit 2 toward the route
40 m · 2 sec
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17
Exit the roundabout
5.8 mi · 8 min
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18
Enter the roundabout and take exit 2 toward the route
46 m · 3 sec
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19
Exit the roundabout
2.5 mi · 3 min
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20
Enter the roundabout and take exit 2 toward the route
50 m · 3 sec
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21
Exit the roundabout
9 mi · 11 min
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22
Enter the roundabout and take exit 2 toward the route
37 m · 2 sec
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23
Exit the roundabout
50.6 mi · 1 hr 6 min
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24
Enter the roundabout and take exit 2 toward 195th Avenue
47 m · 2 sec · 195th Avenue
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25
Exit the roundabout onto 195th Avenue
34.7 mi · 45 min · 195th Avenue
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26
Continue straight
917 ft · 15 sec
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27
Turn right
16.2 mi · 24 min
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28
Turn left onto 5th Street
1419 ft · 41 sec · 5th Street
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29
Turn right onto Locust Street
112 m · 18 sec · Locust Street
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30
Turn right onto 6th Street
98 m · 9 sec · 6th Street
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31
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · 6th Street
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Saint Paul and Dawson.
Interchange-aware route
The drive includes several ramps, exits, or merges, so checking the next few maneuvers before busy interchanges is useful.
Rolling Acres Road
Exit the roundabout
50.6 mi · 01h 06m
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.
Showers And Thunderstorms Likely leaving Saint Paul and Chance Rain Showers near Dawson.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Saint Paul to Dawson?
The road trip is about 154.5 miles (248.7 km) and usually takes 03h 29m 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?
Cedar Mills is a useful midpoint, sitting about 77.1 miles from Saint Paul and 77.4 miles from Dawson.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 144.8 miles (233.1 km), while the road route adds roughly 9.7 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 10:00 AM CDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $19.45 one way or $38.90 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 48.4 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Showers And Thunderstorms Likely around Saint Paul and Chance Rain Showers near Dawson.
Stop Ideas Near Cedar Mills
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 Cedar Mills.
St. Cloud
Saint Paul Union Depot
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Saint Paul and Dawson. Straight-line distance: 144.82 mi (233.07 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 Dawson
Human settlement in Lac qui Parle County, Minnesota, United States of America
| Population | 1,378 |
| Coordinates | 44.9327400, -96.0544800 |
| Altitude | 319 |
| Country | United States |
End: Dawson (-96.05448, 44.93274)
Estimated Travel Time
Distance: 249 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 05h 08m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 03h 51m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 03h 05m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 02h 34m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 02h 12m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 01h 55m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $3.57 | $19.45 | $38.90 |
| Mid-grade | $3.92 | $21.37 | $42.74 |
| Premium | $4.39 | $23.94 | $47.87 |
| Diesel | $4.86 | $26.51 | $53.02 |
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 23, 2026
Distance to Other Cities
Planning a road trip? See the full trip guide on Trip.ovh — stops, fuel costs, weather, and departure timing.