How far is Saint Paul, MN from Lakefield, MN?
The driving distance from Saint Paul, MN to Lakefield, MN is about 163 miles (262.4 km), with a travel time of about 03h 27m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 135 miles (217.2 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 06h 55m 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 27m.
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.
City in Nicollet County, Minnesota, United States of America
Route Weather Snapshot
Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.
Slight Chance Rain Showers then Sunny
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Saint Paul and Lakefield.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Saint Paul and Lakefield.
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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
3.1 mi · 5 min · Shepard Road
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8
Take the exit left toward I 35E South
1294 ft · 35 sec
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9
Merge slight left
13.8 mi · 16 min
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10
Take the exit slight right toward CR 42
2405 ft · 1 min
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11
Turn right onto County Road 42 West
2.6 mi · 5 min · County Road 42 West
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12
Continue on Egan Drive
2.5 mi · 4 min · Egan Drive
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13
Turn left onto Highway 13 South
3.3 mi · 5 min · Highway 13 South
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14
Enter the roundabout and take exit 2 toward Richard J. Ames Memorial Highway
44 m · 3 sec · Richard J. Ames Memorial Highway
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15
Exit the roundabout onto Richard J. Ames Memorial Highway
1.3 km · 1 min · Richard J. Ames Memorial Highway
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16
Continue on Langford Boulevard/Richard J. Ames Memorial Highway
2659 ft · 49 sec · Langford Boulevard/Richard J. Ames Memorial Highway
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17
Continue on Langford Boulevard /Richard J. Ames Memorial Highway
2.9 mi · 4 min · Langford Boulevard /Richard J. Ames Memorial Highway
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18
Turn slight right
674 ft · 10 sec
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19
Continue on Country Trail East /Richard J. Ames Memorial Highway
1.3 mi · 2 min · Country Trail East /Richard J. Ames Memorial Highway
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20
Continue on Country Trail West /Richard J. Ames Memorial Highway
5 mi · 6 min · Country Trail West /Richard J. Ames Memorial Highway
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21
Continue on East 2nd Street /Richard J. Ames Memorial Highway
2566 ft · 50 sec · East 2nd Street /Richard J. Ames Memorial Highway
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22
Continue on 2nd Street East
3224 ft · 2 min · 2nd Street East
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23
Enter the roundabout and take exit 2 toward 2nd Street West
33 m · 2 sec · 2nd Street West
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24
Exit the roundabout onto 2nd Street West
1196 ft · 22 sec · 2nd Street West
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25
Turn left
5.8 mi · 7 min
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26
Continue straight
3.8 mi · 4 min
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27
Continue straight
23.7 mi · 29 min
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28
Continue straight
14.3 mi · 18 min
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29
Continue straight
61.6 mi · 1 hr 13 min
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30
Continue on 2nd Avenue North
2369 ft · 1 min · 2nd Avenue North
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31
Continue on State Highway 60
1564 ft · 35 sec · State Highway 60
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32
Continue on MN 60 W
3.8 mi · 5 min · MN 60 W
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33
Turn left onto 450th Ave; State Highway 86
9.8 mi · 12 min · 450th Ave; State Highway 86
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34
Continue on North Highway 86
1.3 km · 2 min · North Highway 86
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35
Turn left onto 2nd Avenue North
784 ft · 22 sec · 2nd Avenue North
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36
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · 2nd Avenue North
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Saint Paul and Lakefield.
Interchange-aware route
The drive includes several ramps, exits, or merges, so checking the next few maneuvers before busy interchanges is useful.
2nd Street West
Continue straight
61.6 mi · 01h 13m
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.
Sunny leaving Saint Paul and Slight Chance Rain Showers then Sunny near Lakefield.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Saint Paul to Lakefield?
The road trip is about 163 miles (262.4 km) and usually takes 03h 27m 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?
North Mankato is a useful midpoint, sitting about 81.4 miles from Saint Paul and 81.6 miles from Lakefield.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 135 miles (217.2 km), while the road route adds roughly 28 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 10:04 AM CDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $20.52 one way or $41.04 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 51.1 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Sunny around Saint Paul and Slight Chance Rain Showers then Sunny near Lakefield.
Stop Ideas Near North Mankato
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 North Mankato.
Saint Paul Union Depot
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Saint Paul and Lakefield. Straight-line distance: 134.98 mi (217.23 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 Lakefield
City in Jackson County, Minnesota, United States
| Population | 1,602 |
| Coordinates | 43.6774600, -95.1716600 |
| Altitude | 452 |
| Country | United States |
End: Lakefield (-95.17166, 43.67746)
Estimated Travel Time
Distance: 262 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 05h 25m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 04h 04m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 03h 15m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 02h 43m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 02h 19m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 02h 02m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $3.57 | $20.52 | $41.04 |
| Mid-grade | $3.92 | $22.55 | $45.09 |
| Premium | $4.39 | $25.25 | $50.51 |
| Diesel | $4.86 | $27.97 | $55.94 |
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 13, 2026
Distance to Other Cities
Planning a road trip? See the full trip guide on Trip.ovh — stops, fuel costs, weather, and departure timing.