How far is Saint Paul, MN from Thief River Falls, MN?
The driving distance from Saint Paul, MN to Thief River Falls, MN is about 304.2 miles (489.6 km), with a travel time of about 05h 55m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 263.9 miles (424.7 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 11h 50m 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 05h 55m.
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 Wadena County, Minnesota, United States of America
Route Weather Snapshot
Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.
Partly Sunny
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Saint Paul and Thief River Falls.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Saint Paul and Thief River Falls.
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1
Start on Wabasha Street North
1641 ft · 1 min · Wabasha Street North
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2
Turn right onto 7th Street East
1140 ft · 44 sec · 7th Street East
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3
Turn left onto Robert Street North
1071 ft · 40 sec · Robert Street North
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4
Turn right onto 11th Street East
137 m · 18 sec · 11th Street East
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5
Keep slight left to continue on I 35E North, US 10 West
1156 ft · 30 sec
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6
Continue straight
4.9 mi · 6 min
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7
Keep slight right to continue on US 10 West, I 694 West, I 694 East
1620 ft · 20 sec
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8
Continue on I 694 West, US 10 West
18.5 mi · 23 min
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9
Continue on I-94 W
17.1 mi · 19 min · I-94 W
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10
Keep slight left
6 mi · 6 min
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11
Take the exit slight right
2016 ft · 53 sec
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12
Turn right onto Pine Street
1.3 km · 2 min · Pine Street
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13
Continue on State Highway 25
540 ft · 19 sec · State Highway 25
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14
Turn left onto County Road 11
1.1 km · 54 sec · County Road 11
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15
Continue on Park Boulevard Southeast
1.4 mi · 2 min · Park Boulevard Southeast
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16
Continue on 165th Avenue Southeast
1.8 mi · 2 min · 165th Avenue Southeast
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17
Turn left
54.4 mi · 1 hr 4 min
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18
Keep slight left
38 mi · 43 min
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19
Turn straight
8.5 mi · 10 min
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20
Continue straight
10.9 mi · 12 min
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21
Turn slight right
20 m · 2 sec
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22
Enter the roundabout and take exit 2 toward the route
30 m · 2 sec
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23
Exit the roundabout
29 m · 1 sec
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24
Turn straight
44.9 mi · 52 min
-
25
Turn right
85 mi · 1 hr 37 min
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26
Turn left
147 m · 6 sec
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27
Merge slight left
9.4 mi · 12 min
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28
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · 3rd Street East
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Saint Paul and Thief River Falls.
Long-distance drive
This route is long enough that fuel, rest stops, weather, and timing matter more than any single maneuver.
Longest stretch
Turn right
85 mi · 01h 37m
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.
Partly Sunny leaving Saint Paul and Partly Sunny near Thief River Falls.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Saint Paul to Thief River Falls?
The road trip is about 304.2 miles (489.6 km) and usually takes 05h 55m 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?
Aldrich is a useful midpoint, sitting about 152 miles from Saint Paul and 152.3 miles from Thief River Falls.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 263.9 miles (424.7 km), while the road route adds roughly 40.3 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 5:10 AM CDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $38.33 one way or $76.66 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 95.4 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Partly Sunny around Saint Paul and Partly Sunny near Thief River Falls.
Stop Ideas Near Aldrich
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 Aldrich.
Staples
Detroit Lakes
St. Cloud
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Saint Paul and Thief River Falls. Straight-line distance: 263.88 mi (424.67 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 Thief River Falls
City in Pennington County, Minnesota, USA
| Population | 8,688 |
| Coordinates | 48.1191400, -96.1811500 |
| Altitude | 345 |
| Country | United States |
End: Thief River Falls (-96.18115, 48.11914)
Estimated Travel Time
Distance: 490 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 10h 08m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 07h 36m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 06h 05m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 05h 04m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 04h 20m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 03h 47m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $3.57 | $38.33 | $76.66 |
| Mid-grade | $3.92 | $42.11 | $84.22 |
| Premium | $4.39 | $47.17 | $94.34 |
| Diesel | $4.86 | $52.24 | $104.48 |
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 31, 2026
Distance to Other Cities
Planning a road trip? See the full trip guide on Trip.ovh — stops, fuel costs, weather, and departure timing.