Origin
Afton, MN
Evening in Afton on Sunday
Local time
6:43 PM
CDT
Current temp
71°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Afton, MN to Saint Cloud, MN
Drive Time
1h 56m
Distance
94.8 mi
153 km
Drive Score
8/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$14
one way
EV Charging
Loading...
station data
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
1h 48m
★
6 AM
1h 57m
8 AM
2h 13m
10 AM
2h 2m
12 PM
2h 1m
3 PM
2h 3m
5 PM
2h 13m
8 PM
1h 51m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Afton, MN
Tom Fisk
Saint Cloud, MN
Tom Fisk
Trip Overview
If you are planning a trip from Afton to Saint Cloud, you can expect a straightforward journey covering 94.8 miles. The drive typically takes about 1 hour and 56 minutes, making it a perfect candidate for a single-day excursion. You will primarily navigate via I-694 and I-94 W, staying within the Midwest region for the duration of the trip. Budgeting approximately $14 for fuel will cover your transit costs comfortably. Since the entire route is well under two hours, there is no need to worry about overnight logistics; it is an efficient connection between these two Minnesota locales.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.
Break Rhythm
0 planned breaks
A short stop every 2 to 3 hours is enough for this drive.
Midpoint
47.4 miles from Afton, MN
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 59m into the drive .
Drive Character
This trip is a highway-focused drive, with 80% of your time spent cruising on major interstates. You will find yourself behind the wheel for a longest uninterrupted stretch of 29.9 miles while traveling along I-694. Because the route relies heavily on I-94, the experience is consistent and fast-paced rather than winding or technical. Expect a steady, direct commute that prioritizes speed and efficiency over backroad exploration. Navigating these multi-lane highways allows you to maintain a reliable pace for nearly the entire 94.8-mile distance.
Most of the miles stay on highways, which makes pacing and fuel planning easier than turn-by-turn city driving.
There are about 26 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.
I 694 is the longest continuous segment at about 29.9 miles.
How Hard Is This Drive?
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 694 and I 94. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 4.3 miles in.
Route Complexity
8/10
Demanding - plan breaks and stay ahead of the key maneuvers
This is a demanding drive. With 22 significant decision points across 94.8 miles, you will need to stay alert — especially through interchange areas and urban stretches. Consider splitting it into segments if you are not comfortable with fast highway navigation.
Where does it get tricky?
The main spots that need attention: at 4.3 miles: Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 13.1 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 13.4 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
Critical Maneuvers
5 of 22 key pointsThese are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
8
4.3 mi into trip
|
~7m in
Turn left toward I 94 West, US 12 West, MN 95 South: Saint Paul
Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the left lane.
Toward I 94 West, US 12 West, MN 95 South: Sain...
8
13.1 mi into trip
|
~17m in
Take the exit toward I 694 North, I 494 South
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the slight right lane.
Exit 249
Toward I 694 North, I 494 South
7
13.4 mi into trip
|
~17m in
Keep slight right at fork toward I 694 North
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight right lane.
Toward I 694 North
6
25.3 mi into trip
|
~33m in
|
I 694
Keep slight right at fork onto I 694
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight right lane.
6
89.3 mi into trip
|
~1h 45m in
Take the exit toward CR 7, CR 75: Saint Augusta, Saint Cloud
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Exit 171
Toward CR 7, CR 75: Saint Augusta, Saint Cloud
Towns Along This Route
Between Afton, MN and Saint Cloud, MN, road signs point toward Cr 7 and Cr 75: Saint Augusta.
Cr 7
89.3 mi in
|
~1h 45m
Cr 75: Saint Augusta
89.3 mi in
|
~1h 45m
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| I 694 | 29.9 mi | 37m |
| I 94 | 28.6 mi | 30m |
| I-94 W | 17.1 mi | 18m |
| Saint Croix Trail South | 3.4 mi | 5m |
| Roosevelt Road | 3.1 mi | 4m |
| Saint Croix Trail North | 1 mi | 1m |
| 9th Avenue South | 0.9 mi | 2m |
| 11th Avenue South | 0.5 mi | 1m |
Longest stretch:
I 694
— 29.9 mi, about 37m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Afton, MN and Saint Cloud, MN.
1
Start on CH 18
80 ft
·
7 sec
·
Afton Boulevard
2
Turn left onto CH 18; CH 21
2.9 mi
·
4 min
·
Saint Croix Trail South
Use the straight lane.
3
Enter roundabout onto CH 18
99 ft
·
1 sec
·
Saint Croix Trail South
4
Continue on CH 18
0.4 mi
·
48 sec
·
Saint Croix Trail South
Use the straight lane.
5
Enter roundabout onto CH 18
104 ft
·
2 sec
·
Saint Croix Trail North
6
Continue on CH 18
0.4 mi
·
41 sec
·
Saint Croix Trail North
Use the straight lane.
7
Enter roundabout onto CH 18
116 ft
·
2 sec
·
Saint Croix Trail North
8
Continue on CH 18
0.6 mi
·
1 min
·
Saint Croix Trail North
Use the straight lane.
9
Turn left
8.8 mi
·
9 min
Toward I 94 West, US 12 West, MN 95 South: Saint Paul
Use the left lane.
10
Take the exit
0.3 mi
·
38 sec
Exit 249
Toward I 694 North, I 494 South
Use the slight right lane.
11
Keep slight right at fork
0.4 mi
·
49 sec
Toward I 694 North
Use the slight right lane.
12
Merge onto I 694
12 mi
·
14 min
·
I 694
Use the none lane.
13
Keep slight right at fork onto I 694
18 mi
·
22 min
·
I 694
Use the slight right lane.
14
Continue on I 94
17 mi
·
18 min
·
I-94 W
Exit 27
Toward I 94 West: Saint Cloud
Use the straight / left lanes.
15
Keep slight left at fork onto I 94
29 mi
·
30 min
·
I 94
16
Take the exit
0.3 mi
·
42 sec
Exit 171
Toward CR 7, CR 75: Saint Augusta, Saint Cloud
17
Keep slight right at fork
521 ft
·
12 sec
18
Turn straight onto CR 75
3.1 mi
·
4 min
·
Roosevelt Road
19
Turn right onto 22nd Street South
127 ft
·
7 sec
·
22nd Street South
20
Turn left onto 11th Avenue South
0.5 mi
·
1 min
·
11th Avenue South
21
Turn right onto 15th Street South
0.1 mi
·
22 sec
·
15th Street South
22
At end of road, turn left onto 9th Avenue South
0.9 mi
·
2 min
·
9th Avenue South
23
Continue on 10th Avenue South
0.3 mi
·
49 sec
·
10th Avenue South
24
Turn right onto 1st Street North
0.1 mi
·
29 sec
·
1st Street North
25
At end of road, turn left onto Courthouse Square
270 ft
·
11 sec
·
Courthouse Square
26
Arrive at destination
Courthouse Square
Trip Plan
Because this is a relatively short trip, you have plenty of flexibility in your departure time to avoid potential congestion on the interstate. You can easily complete the drive in one go without needing scheduled stops, though taking a break remains a personal preference. Since you are spending roughly $14 on gas, consider topping off your tank before you leave Afton to ensure a smooth, worry-free ride. Keep a close eye on traffic patterns as you merge onto I-94 W, as this corridor is the backbone of your journey. Using this direct highway path allows you to reach Saint Cloud quickly, leaving you the rest of the day to settle in once you arrive.
Morning Departure
Leave by 9 AM and you'll arrive before lunch.
Evening Departure
Even a 4 PM departure gets you there before dark in summer.
You can normally do this drive in one day.
You may only need one short stretch break if traffic stays light.
The halfway point lands around 47.4 miles from Afton, MN, or about 59m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 29.9 miles.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
Departure
Before you leave
Start with fuel, water, and navigation already sorted so the first hour feels easy.
First stop
Around 80 miles or 1h 35m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 47.4 miles or 59m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 1h 32m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Saint Cloud, MN than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving Afton, MN so your first major turns are already loaded.
+
Leave with enough water and a charging cable within reach, not packed away.
+
Check your fuel range against the first long segment, especially if you are starting outside city service areas.
Day 1
Settle into the route from Afton, MN
This is one driving day of about 94.8 miles and 1h 56m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 80 miles from Afton, MN.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
You may only need one short stretch stop if conditions stay smooth.
The longest stretch is on I 694 for about 29.9 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 47.4 mi from Afton, MN · 59m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
47 mi into the route
Best for: Lunch, fuel, and a longer reset
This sits close to the middle of the route, so it works well for the longest stop of the day.
Pacing Suggestions
Fuel and coffee
A short stop after about 80 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 47.4 miles from Afton, MN, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Arriving in Saint Cloud, MN
The final approach into Saint Cloud, MN usually feels slower than the middle of the drive, so avoid planning your tightest schedule at the very end.
Try to arrive with enough fuel left to skip an immediate station stop unless you already know the area around Saint Cloud, MN.
These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$13.56 one way
$27.12 round trip
$3.63/gal
25.4 MPG avg
33 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $3.92 | $14.63 | $29.27 |
| premium | $4.39 | $16.39 | $32.78 |
| diesel | $5.64 | $21.06 | $42.12 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$14
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$39–$64
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 33.2 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-06.
Driving Electric?
About $10 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 28.4 | 0 | $9.95 | $4.55 |
| Efficient EV | 23.7 | 0 | $8.30 | $3.79 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 37.9 | 0 | $13.27 | $6.07 |
Gas CO2
33 kg
EV CO2
11 kg (67% less)
This trip is well within single-charge range for most EVs. No charging stops needed if you start fully charged.
DC fast charging avg $0.35/kWh. Home charging avg $0.16/kWh. US grid CO2: 0.39 kg/kWh.
Travel Intel
Current conditions at both ends of the drive.
Destination
Saint Cloud, MN
Evening in Saint Cloud on Sunday
Local time
6:43 PM
CDT
Current temp
67°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Seasonal Notes
Summer travel usually means heavier construction, hotter rest stops, and busier weekend traffic around major cities.
Winter travel shortens daylight, so a route that looks manageable on paper can feel much longer after dark.
Holiday weekends tend to make both departure and arrival windows slower than the raw route time suggests.
Time zone
Same local time
Origin and destination are on the same clock, so arrival timing is easier to judge at a glance.
Temperature spread
4 degrees cooler at arrival
A meaningful temperature swing is a good cue to rethink layers, water, and how soon you want to arrive.
Road read
1h 56m on the road
Use the two city cards together: check the sky where you start, then compare it with the local time and temperature at arrival.
Weather data from the National Weather Service. Conditions may change; check closer to your travel date.
Frequently Asked Questions
The drive from Afton, MN to Saint Cloud, MN covers 94.8 miles and takes about 1h 56m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are I 694, I 94, I-94 W. Most of the drive stays on highways, so watch for ramps and exits.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 47.4 miles from Afton, MN. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $13.56 one way. This estimate uses 25.4 MPG — your actual cost will vary with your vehicle's fuel efficiency and current gas prices.
Leave by 9 AM and you'll arrive before lunch. Even a 4 PM departure gets you there before dark in summer.
This is a demanding drive. With 22 significant decision points across 94.8 miles, you will need to stay alert — especially through interchange areas and urban stretches. Consider splitting it into segments if you are not comfortable with fast highway navigation.
The main spots that need attention: at 4.3 miles: Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 13.1 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 13.4 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
Between Afton, MN and Saint Cloud, MN, road signs point toward Cr 7 and Cr 75: Saint Augusta.
Was this route helpful?
Thanks for your feedback!
Your tip has been submitted. Thanks!
/500
Recent Tips
·
Explore More
Continue From Saint Cloud, MN
More trips to Saint Cloud, MN
Explore more options from Afton, MN or browse trips ending in Saint Cloud, MN.
Looking for more statewide routes? Browse MN road trips.
Explore maps for Afton, MN or Saint Cloud, MN on MapSof.net.