How far is Saint Paul, MN from Elbow Lake, MN?
The driving distance from Saint Paul, MN to Elbow Lake, MN is about 171.7 miles (276.4 km), with a travel time of about 03h 15m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 157.4 miles (253.3 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 06h 30m 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 15m.
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.
Urban township in Stearns County, Minnesota, United States
Route Weather Snapshot
Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.
Showers And Thunderstorms Likely
Chance Light Rain
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Saint Paul and Elbow Lake.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Saint Paul and Elbow Lake.
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1
Start on Wabasha Street North
1641 ft · 1 min · Wabasha Street North
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2
Turn right onto 7th Street East
1140 ft · 44 sec · 7th Street East
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3
Turn left onto Robert Street North
1071 ft · 40 sec · Robert Street North
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4
Turn right onto 11th Street East
137 m · 18 sec · 11th Street East
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5
Keep slight left to continue on I 35E North, US 10 West
1156 ft · 30 sec
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6
Continue straight
4.9 mi · 6 min
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7
Keep slight right to continue on US 10 West, I 694 West, I 694 East
1620 ft · 20 sec
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8
Continue on I 694 West, US 10 West
18.5 mi · 23 min
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9
Continue on I-94 W
17.1 mi · 19 min · I-94 W
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10
Keep slight left
117.5 mi · 2 hr 6 min
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11
Take the exit slight right toward MN 79, CR 41: Elbow Lake, Evansville
1030 ft · 29 sec
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12
Turn left onto State Hwy 79
696 ft · 14 sec · State Hwy 79
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13
Continue on State Highway 79
8.5 mi · 12 min · State Highway 79
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14
Continue on Viking Trail
3.1 mi · 5 min · Viking Trail
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15
Continue on 2nd Street Northeast
1055 ft · 21 sec · 2nd Street Northeast
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16
Continue on State Highway 79
1328 ft · 32 sec · State Highway 79
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17
Turn left onto Central Avenue
27 m · 2 sec · Central Avenue
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18
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · Central Avenue
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Saint Paul and Elbow Lake.
Highway-focused drive
Most of the mileage stays on named highways, so the important moments are ramps, exits, merges, and the final local approach.
I-94 W
Keep slight left
118 mi · 02h 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 Light Rain near Elbow Lake.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Saint Paul to Elbow Lake?
The road trip is about 171.7 miles (276.4 km) and usually takes 03h 15m 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?
Collegeville is a useful midpoint, sitting about 85.7 miles from Saint Paul and 86.1 miles from Elbow Lake.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 157.4 miles (253.3 km), while the road route adds roughly 14.3 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 6:00 AM to 8:00 AM CDT. If you want a more comfortable same-day return, try to leave by 10:30 AM CDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $21.63 one way or $43.26 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 53.9 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Showers And Thunderstorms Likely around Saint Paul and Chance Light Rain near Elbow Lake.
Stop Ideas Near Collegeville
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 Collegeville.
St. Cloud
Staples
Saint Paul Union Depot
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Saint Paul and Elbow Lake. Straight-line distance: 157.41 mi (253.32 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 Elbow Lake
City in and county seat of Grant County, Minnesota, United Statesn
| Population | 1,144 |
| Coordinates | 45.9941300, -95.9767200 |
| Altitude | 372 |
| Country | United States |
End: Elbow Lake (-95.97672, 45.99413)
Estimated Travel Time
Distance: 276 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 05h 43m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 04h 17m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 03h 26m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 02h 51m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 02h 27m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 02h 08m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $3.57 | $21.63 | $43.26 |
| Mid-grade | $3.92 | $23.76 | $47.52 |
| Premium | $4.39 | $26.62 | $53.23 |
| Diesel | $4.86 | $29.48 | $58.95 |
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.