How far is Saint Paul, MN from Grand Lake, MN?

The driving distance from Saint Paul, MN to Grand Lake, MN is about 144.3 miles (232.2 km), with a travel time of about 02h 43m by car.

  • The straight-line flight distance is about 136.1 miles (219.1 km).
  • For a round trip, plan for roughly 05h 26m 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
144.28 mi
02h 43m
Flight
136.17 mi
219.14 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
136.17 mi
Kilometers
219.14 km
Flight Time
00h 16m

Driving Distance

Road route
144.28 mi
Kilometers
232.19 km
Drive Time
02h 43m

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 02h 43m.

Arrival Snapshot
Arrive in Grand Lake
Thu, Apr 23, 6:59 AM CDT
Return by in Saint Paul
Thu, Apr 23, 9:42 AM CDT
Useful when you're deciding between a quick errand, a day trip, or a longer stop.
Leave Saint Paul
2026-04-23T04:16
Arrive Grand Lake
Thu, Apr 23, 6:59 AM CDT
Route Timing
02h 43m
One way by road
Best Departure Window
8:00 AM to 10:00 AM CDT
Aim for a morning departure
Arrive between
10:43 AM to 12:43 PM CDT

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

Leave by
1:04 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
Mission Creek
MN

Township in Pine County, Minnesota

From Saint Paul
72.1 mi
01h 21m
To Grand Lake
72.1 mi
01h 21m

Route Weather Snapshot

Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.

Origin
77°F
Thursday

Showers And Thunderstorms Likely

Starts
Thu, Apr 23 6:00 AM CDT
Wind
15 to 20 mph S
Destination
68°F
Thursday

Rain Showers Likely

Starts
Thu, Apr 23 6:00 AM CDT
Wind
10 to 15 mph SE

Driving Route Map

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

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between Saint Paul and Grand Lake.

  1. 1

    Start on Wabasha Street North

    1641 ft · 1 min · Wabasha Street North

  2. 2

    Turn right onto 7th Street East

    1140 ft · 44 sec · 7th Street East

  3. 3

    Turn left onto Robert Street North

    1071 ft · 40 sec · Robert Street North

  4. 4

    Turn right onto 11th Street East

    137 m · 18 sec · 11th Street East

  5. 5

    Keep slight left to continue on I 35E North, US 10 West

    1156 ft · 30 sec

  6. 6

    Continue straight

    4.9 mi · 6 min

  7. 7

    Keep slight right to continue on US 10 West, I 694 West, I 694 East

    1620 ft · 20 sec

  8. 8

    Take the exit slight right toward I 35E North, I 694 East

    2496 ft · 35 sec

  9. 9

    Merge slight left

    1.3 km · 60 sec

  10. 10

    Keep slight left to continue on I 35E North: Duluth

    18 mi · 19 min

  11. 11

    Keep slight left

    105 mi · 1 hr 52 min

  12. 12

    Take the exit slight right toward MN 33: Cloquet, Iron Range

    2915 ft · 58 sec

  13. 13

    Enter the roundabout and take exit 2 toward the route

    39 m · 2 sec

  14. 14

    Exit the roundabout

    12.6 mi · 17 min

  15. 15

    Take the exit right

    1165 ft · 35 sec

  16. 16

    Turn right onto Saginaw Road

    2185 ft · 60 sec · Saginaw Road

  17. 17

    Arrive at your destination

    0 m · 1 sec · Saginaw Road

Car Route Details

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

OSRM road route
Drive Character

Interchange-aware route

The drive includes several ramps, exits, or merges, so checking the next few maneuvers before busy interchanges is useful.

Directions
17 steps
6 turns on the saved route
Ramps & Exits
6
1 merges, 5 ramps or exits
Navigation Density
11.8 / 100 mi
Decision points by distance
Main Roads
I 35E North
129 mi · 90%
MN 33
13.4 mi · 9%
Saginaw Road
0.41 mi
Wabasha Street North
0.31 mi
US 10 West
0.31 mi
7th Street East
0.22 mi
Longest Stretch

I 35E North

Keep slight left

105 mi · 01h 52m

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
02h 43m
Day trip friendly
Same-Day Return
05h 26m
Round-trip wheel time
Road vs Air
+8.2 mi
136.1 mi direct line
Halfway Stop
Mission Creek
01h 21m from Saint Paul
Leave By
1:04 PM CDT
Morning start is best
Weather Watch

Showers And Thunderstorms Likely leaving Saint Paul and Rain Showers Likely near Grand Lake.

Trip Questions

Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.

How long does it take to drive from Saint Paul to Grand Lake?

The road trip is about 144.3 miles (232.2 km) and usually takes 02h 43m 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?

Mission Creek is a useful midpoint, sitting about 72.1 miles from Saint Paul and 72.1 miles from Grand Lake.

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

The direct path is about 136.1 miles (219.1 km), while the road route adds roughly 8.2 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 1:04 PM CDT.

How much will gas cost for this route?

Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $18.17 one way or $36.33 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 45.2 kg one way.

What should you check before leaving?

Before you leave, expect Showers And Thunderstorms Likely around Saint Paul and Rain Showers Likely near Grand Lake.

Stop Ideas Near Mission Creek

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

Mid-route Guidance
Local place coverage is thin around Mission Creek, so nearby transit and meeting points are shown instead.
Reviewed stop coverage is still thin around this midpoint, so practical transit waypoints are shown on the right.

Transit and Meeting Points

Useful pickup, handoff, or rendezvous points close to Mission Creek.

RAIL

St. Cloud

103 mi away
555 East St. Germain Street
BUS

Duluth (Greyhound Station), Minnesota

109 mi away
4426 Grand Ave.
RAIL

Saint Paul Union Depot

113 mi away
Midway Station
BUS

Duluth (University of Minnesota), Minnesota

115 mi away
175 Kirby Student Union

Flight Path Map

This map shows the direct air route between Saint Paul and Grand Lake. Straight-line distance: 136.17 mi (219.14 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
Photo coming soon

#2 Grand Lake

Township in St.

Population2,790
Coordinates46.8666100, -92.4679700
Altitude408
CountryUnited States
Start: Saint Paul (-93.09327, 44.94441)
End: Grand Lake (-92.46797, 46.86661)

Estimated Travel Time

Distance: 232 km by road

SpeedTime
30 mph (48.3 km/h)04h 48m
40 mph (64.37 km/h)03h 36m
50 mph (80.47 km/h)02h 53m
60 mph (96.56 km/h)02h 24m
70 mph (112.65 km/h)02h 03m
80 mph (129 km/h)01h 47m

Fuel, Round Trip and CO2

Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.

One-way fuel
5.09 gal
19.27 L · about $18.17
Round trip
$36.33
10.18 gal · 38.54 L
Estimated CO2
45.2 kg one way
Round trip: 90.5 kg / 200 lb CO2, using regular gasoline.
Fuel$/galOne wayRound trip
Regular gas $3.57 $18.17 $36.33
Mid-grade $3.92 $19.96 $39.92
Premium $4.39 $22.36 $44.71
Diesel $4.86 $24.76 $49.52

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

There is no time difference between Saint Paul and Grand Lake. The current time is 04:16:39.

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.