How far is Saint Paul, MN from Lester Prairie, MN?
The driving distance from Saint Paul, MN to Lester Prairie, MN is about 53.6 miles (86.2 km), with a travel time of about 01h 17m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 46.6 miles (75 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 02h 35m of driving time before adding stops, traffic, or weather delays.
- A comfortable departure window is usually 8:00 AM to 10:00 AM CDT.
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.
This route works well as a day trip with time at the destination.
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 01h 17m.
A morning start gives you useful time at the destination and keeps the return out of the late evening.
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 Minnesota, United States
Route Weather Snapshot
Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.
Sunny
Sunny
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Saint Paul and Lester Prairie.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Saint Paul and Lester Prairie.
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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
8 mi · 10 min
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22
Turn left onto County Highway 9
1.5 mi · 4 min · County Highway 9
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23
Turn right onto Central Avenue
2993 ft · 2 min · Central Avenue
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24
Turn left onto Juniper Street South
84 m · 17 sec · Juniper Street South
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25
Turn left onto 1st Avenue South
27 m · 4 sec · 1st Avenue South
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26
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · 1st Avenue South
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Saint Paul and Lester Prairie.
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.
MN 5 West
Merge slight left
13.4 mi · 00h 17m
Route Summary
A quick read on whether this route feels easy, ambitious, or worth planning around.
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.
Sunny leaving Saint Paul and Sunny near Lester Prairie.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Saint Paul to Lester Prairie?
The road trip is about 53.6 miles (86.2 km) and usually takes 01h 17m 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?
Chanhassen is a useful midpoint, sitting about 26.7 miles from Saint Paul and 26.8 miles from Lester Prairie.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 46.6 miles (75 km), while the road route adds roughly 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 8:00 AM to 10:00 AM CDT. If you want a more comfortable same-day return, try to leave by 3:54 PM CDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $6.75 one way or $13.49 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 16.8 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Sunny around Saint Paul and Sunny near Lester Prairie.
Stop Ideas Near Chanhassen
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 Chanhassen.
Saint Paul Union Depot
Red Wing station
St. Cloud
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Saint Paul and Lester Prairie. Straight-line distance: 46.59 mi (74.98 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 Lester Prairie
City in McLeod County, Minnesota, United States of America
| Population | 1,724 |
| Coordinates | 44.8838500, -94.0416400 |
| Altitude | 299 |
| Country | United States |
End: Lester Prairie (-94.04164, 44.88385)
Estimated Travel Time
Distance: 86 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 01h 47m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 01h 20m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 01h 04m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 00h 53m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 00h 45m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 00h 40m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $3.57 | $6.75 | $13.49 |
| Mid-grade | $3.92 | $7.41 | $14.82 |
| Premium | $4.39 | $8.30 | $16.60 |
| Diesel | $4.86 | $9.19 | $18.39 |
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 26, 2026
Distance to Other Cities
Planning a road trip? See the full trip guide on Trip.ovh — stops, fuel costs, weather, and departure timing.