How far is Saint Paul, MN from Rochester, MN?
The driving distance from Saint Paul, MN to Rochester, MN is about 80.4 miles (129.4 km), with a travel time of about 01h 43m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 70.8 miles (113.9 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 03h 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.
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 43m.
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 Goodhue and Rice counties, 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 Rochester.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Saint Paul and Rochester.
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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
21 mi · 24 min
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11
Take the exit slight right toward CR 24: Cannon Falls
1601 ft · 39 sec
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12
Enter the roundabout and take exit 1 toward County 24 Boulevard
8 m · 1 sec · County 24 Boulevard
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13
Exit the roundabout onto County 24 Boulevard
681 ft · 19 sec · County 24 Boulevard
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14
Enter the roundabout and take exit 3 toward County 14 Boulevard
67 m · 6 sec · County 14 Boulevard
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15
Exit the roundabout onto County 14 Boulevard
5.8 mi · 9 min · County 14 Boulevard
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16
Turn left onto County 9 Boulevard
4.1 mi · 6 min · County 9 Boulevard
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17
Take the ramp left toward US 52 South
1133 ft · 42 sec
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18
Merge slight left
16.9 mi · 19 min
-
19
Continue straight
16.9 mi · 20 min
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20
Take the exit slight right toward 2nd Street SW
1192 ft · 31 sec
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21
Turn left onto 2nd Street Southwest
1.4 km · 2 min · 2nd Street Southwest
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22
Turn right
57 m · 5 sec
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23
Turn straight onto 6th Avenue Southwest
75 m · 12 sec · 6th Avenue Southwest
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24
Turn left onto 3rd Street Southwest
132 m · 18 sec · 3rd Street Southwest
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25
Turn left onto 5th Avenue Southwest
123 m · 14 sec · 5th Avenue Southwest
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26
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · 5th Avenue Southwest
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Saint Paul and Rochester.
Highway-focused drive
Most of the mileage stays on named highways, so the important moments are ramps, exits, merges, and the final local approach.
Lafayette Freeway
Keep slight right to continue on Rochester
21 mi · 00h 24m
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 Rochester.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Saint Paul to Rochester?
The road trip is about 80.4 miles (129.4 km) and usually takes 01h 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?
Dennison is a useful midpoint, sitting about 40.2 miles from Saint Paul and 40.2 miles from Rochester.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 70.8 miles (113.9 km), while the road route adds roughly 9.6 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 3:04 PM CDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $10.14 one way or $20.27 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 25.2 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Sunny around Saint Paul and Sunny near Rochester.
Stop Ideas Near Dennison
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 Dennison.
Red Wing station
Saint Paul Union Depot
Menomonie, WI
Winona station
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Saint Paul and Rochester. Straight-line distance: 70.77 mi (113.9 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 Rochester
City in Minnesota, United States of America
| Population | 1,909 |
| Coordinates | 44.0216300, -92.4699000 |
| Altitude | 312 |
| Country | United States |
End: Rochester (-92.4699, 44.02163)
Estimated Travel Time
Distance: 129 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 02h 40m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 02h 00m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 01h 36m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 01h 20m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 01h 08m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 01h 00m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $3.57 | $10.14 | $20.27 |
| Mid-grade | $3.92 | $11.14 | $22.27 |
| Premium | $4.39 | $12.47 | $24.95 |
| Diesel | $4.86 | $13.81 | $27.63 |
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 30, 2026
Distance to Other Cities
Planning a road trip? See the full trip guide on Trip.ovh — stops, fuel costs, weather, and departure timing.