How far is Watertown, MN from Minneapolis, MN?
The driving distance from Watertown, MN to Minneapolis, MN is about 31.6 miles (50.9 km), with a travel time of about 00h 42m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 28.5 miles (45.9 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 01h 24m of driving time before adding stops, traffic, or weather delays.
- A comfortable departure window is usually 7:00 AM to 7:00 PM CDT.
Reverse, save, or send this route
This is an easy same-day return drive. Copy the route link, send it to another device, or print a clean version before you head out.
This is an easy same-day return drive.
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 00h 42m.
This is a short drive, so your comfort window is wide. Traffic and current weather matter more than the clock.
This departure sits inside the recommended comfort window for the route.
Halfway Point
A useful midpoint for breaks, coffee, or meeting in the middle.
City in Hennepin County, Minnesota, United States
Route Weather Snapshot
Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.
Mostly Cloudy
Sunny
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Watertown and Minneapolis.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Watertown and Minneapolis.
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1
Start on Lewis Avenue South
20 m · 10 sec · Lewis Avenue South
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2
Continue on Lewis Avenue South
29 m · 4 sec · Lewis Avenue South
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3
Enter the roundabout and take exit 1 toward Territorial Street East
5 m · 1 sec · Territorial Street East
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4
Exit the roundabout onto Territorial Street East
971 ft · 27 sec · Territorial Street East
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5
Enter the roundabout and take exit 2 toward County Road 20
49 m · 5 sec · County Road 20
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6
Exit the roundabout onto County Road 20
1.2 km · 1 min · County Road 20
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7
Enter the roundabout and take exit 2 toward County Road 20
37 m · 4 sec · County Road 20
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8
Exit the roundabout onto County Road 20
3.4 mi · 5 min · County Road 20
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9
Continue on Watertown Road
6.9 mi · 11 min · Watertown Road
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10
Continue on 6th Avenue North
1.5 km · 2 min · 6th Avenue North
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11
Take the ramp slight right toward US 12 East
1518 ft · 37 sec
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12
Merge slight left
8.3 mi · 10 min
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13
Merge slight right
9.3 mi · 12 min
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14
Turn left onto 2nd Avenue North
861 ft · 36 sec · 2nd Avenue North
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15
Turn right onto North Washington Avenue
3167 ft · 2 min · North Washington Avenue
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16
Continue on Washington Avenue South
798 ft · 32 sec · Washington Avenue South
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17
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · Washington Avenue South
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Watertown and Minneapolis.
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.
US 12 East
Merge slight right
9.31 mi · 00h 12m
Route Summary
A quick read on whether this route feels easy, ambitious, or worth planning around.
A short regional drive
This route is short enough to handle as a quick errand, commute, or easy same-day return without much planning overhead.
Mostly Cloudy leaving Watertown and Sunny near Minneapolis.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Watertown to Minneapolis?
The road trip is about 31.6 miles (50.9 km) and usually takes 00h 42m in normal driving conditions.
Is this a same-day trip or an overnight route?
This route is short enough to handle as a quick errand, commute, or easy same-day return without much planning overhead.
What is the halfway point on this route?
Long Lake is a useful midpoint, sitting about 15.5 miles from Watertown and 16.2 miles from Minneapolis.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 28.5 miles (45.9 km), while the road route adds roughly 3.1 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 7:00 AM to 7:00 PM CDT. If you want a more comfortable same-day return, try to leave by 7:06 PM CDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $3.96 one way or $7.92 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 9.9 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Mostly Cloudy around Watertown and Sunny near Minneapolis.
Stop Ideas Near Long Lake
Useful break, food, and waypoint ideas within about 15 miles of the route midpoint.
Minneapolis City Hall
Chanhassen City Adm
Wayzata Village Hall
Transit and Meeting Points
Useful pickup, handoff, or rendezvous points close to Long Lake.
Saint Paul Union Depot
St. Cloud
Red Wing station
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Watertown and Minneapolis. Straight-line distance: 28.54 mi (45.93 km).
#1 Watertown
Township in Carver County, Minnesota
| Population | 1,189 |
| Coordinates | 44.9635700, -93.8471900 |
| Altitude | 285 |
| Country | United States |
#2 Minneapolis
The largest city in Minnesota, Minneapolis is a major center for business, finance, and culture.
| Population | 433,111 |
| Coordinates | 44.9799700, -93.2638400 |
| Altitude | 253 |
| Country | United States |
End: Washington Avenue South (-93.263838, 44.979973)
Estimated Travel Time
Distance: 51 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 01h 03m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 00h 47m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 00h 37m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 00h 31m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 00h 27m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 00h 23m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $3.57 | $3.96 | $7.92 |
| Mid-grade | $3.92 | $4.35 | $8.70 |
| Premium | $4.39 | $4.88 | $9.75 |
| Diesel | $4.86 | $5.40 | $10.80 |
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.