How far is Woodbury, MN from Cottonwood, MN?

The driving distance from Woodbury, MN to Cottonwood, MN is about 234.7 miles (377.7 km), with a travel time of about 04h 53m by car.

  • The straight-line flight distance is about 194 miles (312.2 km).
  • For a round trip, plan for roughly 09h 47m 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
234.69 mi
04h 53m
Flight
194.01 mi
312.23 km direct

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

Learn Distance

Choose another destination from Woodbury.

Flight Distance

Direct air line
194.01 mi
Kilometers
312.23 km
Flight Time
00h 23m

Driving Distance

Road route
234.69 mi
Kilometers
377.7 km
Drive Time
04h 53m

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 04h 53m.

Arrival Snapshot
Arrive in Cottonwood
Sun, Apr 19, 5:54 AM CDT
Return by in Woodbury
Sun, Apr 19, 10:48 AM CDT
Useful when you're deciding between a quick errand, a day trip, or a longer stop.
Leave Woodbury
2026-04-19T01:00
Arrive Cottonwood
Sun, Apr 19, 5:54 AM CDT
Route Timing
04h 53m
One way by road
Best Departure Window
6:00 AM to 8:00 AM CDT
Leave early for more breathing room
Arrive between
10:54 AM to 12:54 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
7:12 AM CDT
Keeps a same-day return open with about 04h 00m at the destination.
Back in Woodbury
9:00 PM CDT
Early departure recommended

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.

Mid-route stop
Saint Cloud
MN

City in Minnesota

From Woodbury
117.2 mi
02h 26m
To Cottonwood
117.5 mi
02h 26m

Route Weather Snapshot

Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.

Origin
43°F
Sunday

Mostly Sunny

Starts
Sun, Apr 19 6:00 AM CDT
Wind
10 mph NW
Destination
54°F
Sunday

Sunny

Starts
Sun, Apr 19 6:00 AM CDT
Wind
10 mph NW

Driving Route Map

The map below follows the saved road route between Woodbury and Cottonwood.

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between Woodbury and Cottonwood.

  1. 1

    Start on Gisler Road

    1011 ft · 30 sec · Gisler Road

  2. 2

    Turn right

    16.9 mi · 21 min

  3. 3

    Turn left onto State Highway 65

    53.3 mi · 1 hr 7 min · State Highway 65

  4. 4

    Turn right

    32.7 mi · 37 min

  5. 5

    Enter the roundabout and take exit 2 toward the route

    38 m · 2 sec

  6. 6

    Exit the roundabout

    18.6 mi · 26 min

  7. 7

    Turn left onto 10th Avenue South

    1423 ft · 35 sec · 10th Avenue South

  8. 8

    Turn right onto 2nd Street South

    18 mi · 22 min · 2nd Street South

  9. 9

    Continue on 4th Street West

    713 ft · 12 sec · 4th Street West

  10. 10

    Continue on 4th Street Southwest

    1.4 km · 1 min · 4th Street Southwest

  11. 11

    Continue on MN 23

    1.1 mi · 1 min · MN 23

  12. 12

    Continue straight

    35.1 mi · 42 min

  13. 13

    Keep slight left to continue on US 71, MN 23

    38.6 mi · 49 min

  14. 14

    Turn right

    3.2 mi · 4 min

  15. 15

    Turn left onto State Highway 23/67

    14.9 mi · 19 min · State Highway 23/67

  16. 16

    Turn right onto 390th Street

    627 ft · 20 sec · 390th Street

  17. 17

    At the end of the road, turn left onto Barstad Road

    3150 ft · 1 min · Barstad Road

  18. 18

    Turn right onto Main Street

    139 m · 12 sec · Main Street

  19. 19

    Arrive at your destination

    0 m · 1 sec · Main Street

Car Route Details

A richer read on the saved driving route between Woodbury and Cottonwood.

OSRM road route
Drive Character

Straightforward drive

The saved road route has a manageable number of maneuvers and should be easy to follow with normal attention to signs.

Directions
19 steps
12 turns on the saved route
Ramps & Exits
2
0 merges, 2 ramps or exits
Navigation Density
8.1 / 100 mi
Decision points by distance
Main Roads
State Highway 65
71.9 mi · 31%
US 71
38.6 mi · 16%
MN 23
36.2 mi · 15%
2nd Street South
18 mi · 8%
State Highway 23/67
14.9 mi · 6%
4th Street Southwest
0.88 mi
Longest Stretch

State Highway 65

Turn left onto State Highway 65

53.3 mi · 01h 07m

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
04h 53m
Long day trip
Same-Day Return
09h 48m
Round-trip wheel time
Road vs Air
+40.7 mi
194 mi direct line
Halfway Stop
Saint Cloud
02h 26m from Woodbury
Leave By
7:12 AM CDT
Early departure recommended
Weather Watch

Mostly Sunny leaving Woodbury and Sunny near Cottonwood.

Trip Questions

Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.

How long does it take to drive from Woodbury to Cottonwood?

The road trip is about 234.7 miles (377.7 km) and usually takes 04h 53m 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?

Saint Cloud is a useful midpoint, sitting about 117.2 miles from Woodbury and 117.5 miles from Cottonwood.

How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?

The direct path is about 194 miles (312.2 km), while the road route adds roughly 40.7 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 6:00 AM to 8:00 AM CDT. If you want a more comfortable same-day return, try to leave by 7:12 AM CDT.

How much will gas cost for this route?

Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $29.55 one way or $59.10 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 73.6 kg one way.

What should you check before leaving?

Before you leave, expect Mostly Sunny around Woodbury and Sunny near Cottonwood.

Stop Ideas Near Saint Cloud

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

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

RAIL

St. Cloud

1 mi away
555 East St. Germain Street
RAIL

Saint Paul Union Depot

101 mi away
Midway Station
RAIL

Staples

101 mi away
First & Fourth Aves

Flight Path Map

This map shows the direct air route between Woodbury and Cottonwood. Straight-line distance: 194.01 mi (312.23 km).

Woodbury

#1 Woodbury

The most populous city in Washington County, Minnesota.

Population74,255
Coordinates46.6791100, -92.9599300
Altitude402
CountryUnited States
Cottonwood

#2 Cottonwood

City in Lyon County, Minnesota, United States

Population1,223
Coordinates44.6088500, -95.6741900
Altitude329
CountryUnited States
Start: Woodbury (-92.95993, 46.67911)
End: Cottonwood (-95.67419, 44.60885)

Estimated Travel Time

Distance: 378 km by road

SpeedTime
30 mph (48.3 km/h)07h 49m
40 mph (64.37 km/h)05h 52m
50 mph (80.47 km/h)04h 41m
60 mph (96.56 km/h)03h 54m
70 mph (112.65 km/h)03h 21m
80 mph (129 km/h)02h 55m

Fuel, Round Trip and CO2

Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.

One-way fuel
8.28 gal
31.35 L · about $29.55
Round trip
$59.10
16.56 gal · 62.7 L
Estimated CO2
73.6 kg one way
Round trip: 147.2 kg / 325 lb CO2, using regular gasoline.
Fuel$/galOne wayRound trip
Regular gas $3.57 $29.55 $59.10
Mid-grade $3.92 $32.47 $64.93
Premium $4.39 $36.37 $72.73
Diesel $4.86 $40.27 $80.55

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 · Apr 19, 2026

There is no time difference between Woodbury and Cottonwood. The current time is 01:00:41.

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.