How far is Thief River Falls, MN from Saint Paul, MN?

The driving distance from Thief River Falls, MN to Saint Paul, MN is about 303.5 miles (488.5 km), with a travel time of about 05h 10m by car.

  • The straight-line flight distance is about 263.9 miles (424.7 km).
  • For a round trip, plan for roughly 10h 21m of driving time before adding stops, traffic, or weather delays.
  • A comfortable departure window is usually 6:00 AM to 8:00 AM CDT.
Trip Tools

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.

Reverse Route
Quick Snapshot
Road
303.52 mi
05h 10m
Flight
263.88 mi
424.67 km direct

This drive is better planned with a longer stop or an overnight stay.

Learn Distance

Choose another destination from Thief River Falls.

Flight Distance

Direct air line
263.88 mi
Kilometers
424.67 km
Flight Time
00h 31m

Driving Distance

Road route
303.52 mi
Kilometers
488.47 km
Drive Time
05h 10m

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 10m.

Arrival Snapshot
Arrive in Saint Paul
Sun, May 31, 12:00 PM CDT
Return by in Thief River Falls
Sun, May 31, 5:11 PM CDT
Useful when you're deciding between a quick errand, a day trip, or a longer stop.
Leave Thief River Falls
2026-05-31T06:50
Arrive Saint Paul
Sun, May 31, 12:00 PM CDT
Route Timing
05h 10m
One way by road
Best Departure Window
6:00 AM to 8:00 AM CDT
Leave early for more breathing room
Arrive between
11:11 AM to 1:11 PM CDT

An early departure helps you fit a real stop into the day without turning the return into a late-night drive.

Leave by
6:38 AM CDT
Keeps a same-day return open with about 04h 00m at the destination.
Back in Thief River Falls
9:00 PM CDT
Early departure recommended

This departure sits inside the recommended comfort window for the route.

Halfway Point

A useful midpoint for breaks, coffee, or meeting in the middle.

Mid-route stop
Aldrich
MN

City in Wadena County, Minnesota, United States of America

From Thief River Falls
151.9 mi
02h 35m
To Saint Paul
151.6 mi
02h 35m

Route Weather Snapshot

Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.

Origin
84°F
Sunday

Partly Sunny

Starts
Sun, May 31 6:00 AM CDT
Wind
15 mph SE
Destination
82°F
Sunday

Partly Sunny

Starts
Sun, May 31 6:00 AM CDT
Wind
10 mph SE

Driving Route Map

The map below follows the saved road route between Thief River Falls and Saint Paul.

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between Thief River Falls and Saint Paul.

  1. 1

    Start on 3rd Street East

    9.5 mi · 12 min · 3rd Street East

  2. 2

    Turn left

    85 mi · 1 hr 37 min

  3. 3

    Turn left

    44.9 mi · 52 min

  4. 4

    Enter the roundabout and take exit 1 toward the route

    31 m · 2 sec

  5. 5

    Exit the roundabout

    20 m · 1 sec

  6. 6

    Turn straight onto Ash Avenue Northwest

    7.3 mi · 8 min · Ash Avenue Northwest

  7. 7

    Continue on West Mason Avenue

    78.4 mi · 1 hr 30 min · West Mason Avenue

  8. 8

    Keep slight left

    26.1 mi · 31 min

  9. 9

    Turn right onto 165th Avenue Southeast

    1.8 mi · 2 min · 165th Avenue Southeast

  10. 10

    Continue on Park Boulevard Southeast

    1.4 mi · 2 min · Park Boulevard Southeast

  11. 11

    Continue on County Road 11

    1.1 km · 58 sec · County Road 11

  12. 12

    Turn right onto State Highway 25

    540 ft · 12 sec · State Highway 25

  13. 13

    Continue on Pine Street

    1652 ft · 43 sec · Pine Street

  14. 14

    Turn left onto Broadway Street East

    1.5 mi · 3 min · Broadway Street East

  15. 15

    Turn right onto Fenning Avenue

    1727 ft · 40 sec · Fenning Avenue

  16. 16

    Take the ramp left

    1892 ft · 54 sec

  17. 17

    Merge slight left

    28 mi · 31 min

  18. 18

    Keep slight left

    11.7 mi · 13 min

  19. 19

    Keep slight right to continue on Voyageur Highway

    5.5 mi · 7 min · Voyageur Highway

  20. 20

    Keep slight left to continue on US 10 East, I 94 East, US 52 South: 10th Street, Wacouta Street

    602 ft · 7 sec

  21. 21

    Take the exit slight right toward 10th Street, Wacouta Street

    1132 ft · 27 sec

  22. 22

    Keep slight right to continue on 10th Street

    125 m · 10 sec

  23. 23

    Continue on 10th Street East

    951 ft · 44 sec · 10th Street East

  24. 24

    Turn left onto Robert Street North

    2471 ft · 1 min · Robert Street North

  25. 25

    Turn right onto Kellogg Boulevard East

    1134 ft · 45 sec · Kellogg Boulevard East

  26. 26

    Turn right onto Wabasha Street North

    50 m · 6 sec · Wabasha Street North

  27. 27

    Arrive at your destination

    0 m · 1 sec · Wabasha Street North

Car Route Details

A richer read on the saved driving route between Thief River Falls and Saint Paul.

OSRM road route
Drive Character

Long-distance drive

This route is long enough that fuel, rest stops, weather, and timing matter more than any single maneuver.

Directions
27 steps
12 turns on the saved route
Ramps & Exits
5
1 merges, 4 ramps or exits
Navigation Density
8.9 / 100 mi
Decision points by distance
Main Roads
West Mason Avenue
105 mi · 34%
Fenning Avenue
40.3 mi · 13%
3rd Street East
9.54 mi · 3%
Ash Avenue Northwest
7.26 mi · 2%
Voyageur Highway
5.51 mi · 2%
165th Avenue Southeast
1.8 mi · 1%
Longest Stretch

Longest stretch

Turn left

85 mi · 01h 37m

Route Summary

A quick read on whether this route feels easy, ambitious, or worth planning around.

Trip Read

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.

Drive Time
05h 10m
Long day trip
Same-Day Return
10h 22m
Round-trip wheel time
Road vs Air
+39.6 mi
263.9 mi direct line
Halfway Stop
Aldrich
02h 35m from Thief River Falls
Leave By
6:38 AM CDT
Early departure recommended
Weather Watch

Partly Sunny leaving Thief River Falls and Partly Sunny near Saint Paul.

Trip Questions

Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.

How long does it take to drive from Thief River Falls to Saint Paul?

The road trip is about 303.5 miles (488.5 km) and usually takes 05h 10m 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 151.9 miles from Thief River Falls and 151.6 miles from Saint Paul.

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 39.6 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 6:00 AM to 8:00 AM CDT. If you want a more comfortable same-day return, try to leave by 6:38 AM CDT.

How much will gas cost for this route?

Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $38.22 one way or $76.45 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 95.2 kg one way.

What should you check before leaving?

Before you leave, expect Partly Sunny around Thief River Falls and Partly Sunny near Saint Paul.

Stop Ideas Near Aldrich

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

Mid-route Guidance
Local place coverage is thin around Aldrich, 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 Aldrich.

RAIL

Staples

11 mi away
First & Fourth Aves
RAIL

Detroit Lakes

85 mi away
116 Pioneer Street
RAIL

St. Cloud

109 mi away
555 East St. Germain Street

Flight Path Map

This map shows the direct air route between Thief River Falls and Saint Paul. Straight-line distance: 263.88 mi (424.67 km).

Thief River Falls

#1 Thief River Falls

City in Pennington County, Minnesota, USA

Population8,688
Coordinates48.1191400, -96.1811500
Altitude345
CountryUnited States
Saint Paul

#2 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
Start: 3rd Street East (-96.18115, 48.119121)
End: Wabasha Street North (-93.093258, 44.944416)

Estimated Travel Time

Distance: 488 km by road

SpeedTime
30 mph (48.3 km/h)10h 06m
40 mph (64.37 km/h)07h 35m
50 mph (80.47 km/h)06h 04m
60 mph (96.56 km/h)05h 03m
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.

One-way fuel
10.71 gal
40.54 L · about $38.22
Round trip
$76.45
21.42 gal · 81.08 L
Estimated CO2
95.2 kg one way
Round trip: 190.4 kg / 420 lb CO2, using regular gasoline.
Fuel$/galOne wayRound trip
Regular gas $3.57 $38.22 $76.45
Mid-grade $3.92 $41.99 $83.99
Premium $4.39 $47.04 $94.08
Diesel $4.86 $52.09 $104.19

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

There is no time difference between Thief River Falls and Saint Paul. The current time is 06:50:12.

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.