How far is Saint Paul, MN from Empire, MN?
The driving distance from Saint Paul, MN to Empire, MN is about 21.9 miles (35.2 km), with a travel time of about 00h 29m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 20.1 miles (32.3 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 00h 58m of driving time before adding stops, traffic, or weather delays.
- A comfortable departure window is usually 7:00 AM to 7:00 PM CDT.
Reverse, save, or send this route
This is an easy same-day return drive. Copy the route link, send it to another device, or print a clean version before you head out.
This is an easy same-day return drive.
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 00h 29m.
This is a short drive, so your comfort window is wide. Traffic and current weather matter more than the clock.
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.
City in Dakota County, Minnesota, United States
Route Weather Snapshot
Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.
Mostly Sunny
Areas Of Frost then Mostly Sunny
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Saint Paul and Empire.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Saint Paul and Empire.
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1
Start on Wabasha Street North
60 m · 11 sec · Wabasha Street North
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2
Turn right onto 4th Street East
119 m · 17 sec · 4th Street East
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3
Turn right onto Cedar Street
111 m · 14 sec · Cedar Street
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4
Turn left onto Kellogg Boulevard East
696 ft · 31 sec · Kellogg Boulevard East
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5
Turn right onto Robert Street North
3166 ft · 1 min · Robert Street North
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6
Turn left onto Plato Boulevard
1777 ft · 46 sec · Plato Boulevard
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7
Turn right onto West Lafayette Frontage Road
1906 ft · 1 min · West Lafayette Frontage Road
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8
Take the ramp straight toward US 52 South
838 ft · 21 sec
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9
Merge slight left onto Lafayette Freeway
12 mi · 15 min · Lafayette Freeway
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10
Keep slight right to continue on Rochester
7.7 mi · 9 min
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11
Take the exit slight right toward CR 66 West
32 m · 3 sec
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12
Turn right onto 200th Street East
2172 ft · 44 sec · 200th Street East
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13
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · 200th Street East
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Saint Paul and Empire.
Turn-heavy local drive
The route has frequent decision points for its length, so lane choice and turn timing will matter more than cruising speed.
Lafayette Freeway
Merge slight left onto Lafayette Freeway
12 mi · 00h 15m
Route Summary
A quick read on whether this route feels easy, ambitious, or worth planning around.
A short regional drive
This route is short enough to handle as a quick errand, commute, or easy same-day return without much planning overhead.
Mostly Sunny leaving Saint Paul and Areas Of Frost then Mostly Sunny near Empire.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Saint Paul to Empire?
The road trip is about 21.9 miles (35.2 km) and usually takes 00h 29m in normal driving conditions.
Is this a same-day trip or an overnight route?
This route is short enough to handle as a quick errand, commute, or easy same-day return without much planning overhead.
What is the halfway point on this route?
Inver Grove Heights is a useful midpoint, sitting about 10.9 miles from Saint Paul and 10.9 miles from Empire.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 20.1 miles (32.3 km), while the road route adds roughly 1.8 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 7:00 AM to 7:00 PM CDT. If you want a more comfortable same-day return, try to leave by 7:32 PM CDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $2.75 one way or $5.50 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 6.8 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Mostly Sunny around Saint Paul and Areas Of Frost then Mostly Sunny near Empire.
Stop Ideas Near Inver Grove Heights
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 Inver Grove Heights.
Saint Paul Union Depot
Red Wing station
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Eau Claire, WI
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Saint Paul and Empire. Straight-line distance: 20.08 mi (32.32 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 Empire
Township in Dakota County, Minnesota
| Population | 3,071 |
| Coordinates | 44.6591300, -93.0146600 |
| Altitude | 260 |
| Country | United States |
End: Empire (-93.01466, 44.65913)
Estimated Travel Time
Distance: 35 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 00h 43m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 00h 32m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 00h 26m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 00h 21m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 00h 18m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 00h 16m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $3.57 | $2.75 | $5.50 |
| Mid-grade | $3.92 | $3.02 | $6.04 |
| Premium | $4.39 | $3.38 | $6.76 |
| Diesel | $4.86 | $3.75 | $7.49 |
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 01, 2026
Distance to Other Cities
Planning a road trip? See the full trip guide on Trip.ovh — stops, fuel costs, weather, and departure timing.