The drive from Cloquet, MN to Saint Cloud, MN covers 127 miles and takes about 2h 25m behind the wheel.
This route is realistic as a one-day drive if you keep your stops efficient.
The route leans on I 35, MN 23, Veterans' Evergreen Memorial Drive for much of the mileage,
and the overall profile is highway-focused drive.
The longest uninterrupted segment is about 56.6 miles on I 35.
At current regular gas prices, budget about $18.90 one way before food or hotel costs.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.
Midpoint
63.5 miles from Cloquet, MN
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 1h 10m into the drive
.
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 2h 25m. Total distance: 127 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 0 natural rest stops along the way.
This is a 2h 25m highway drive covering 127 miles, with most of the trip on I 35 and MN 23. The longest continuous stretch is about 56.6 miles on I 35.
Most of the miles stay on highways, which makes pacing and fuel planning easier than turn-by-turn city driving.
There are about 17 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.
I 35 is the longest continuous segment at about 56.6 miles.
How Hard Is This Drive?
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 35 and MN 23. Navigation is very simple - set it and forget it for most of the drive. The trickiest moment comes around 2.2 miles in near MN 33.
Driving Effort2/10
Very easy - short and simple to drive
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
The drive from Cloquet, MN to Saint Cloud, MN is easy. At 2h 25m with 87% highway, most drivers will find it relaxed and low-stress.
Where does it get tricky?
The main spots that need attention: at 2.2 miles (MN 33): Roundabout - know your exit number before entering; at 59.4 miles (MN 23 / Veterans' Evergreen Memorial Drive): Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 78.8 miles (MN 23): Navigation decision point.
Critical Maneuvers
5 of 9 key points
These are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
5
2.2 mi into trip|~4m in|MN 33
Enter roundabout onto MN 33 toward I 35 South
Roundabout - know your exit number before entering
Toward I 35 South
5
59.4 mi into trip|~1h 5m in|MN 23 / Veterans' Evergreen Memorial Drive
Take the exit onto MN 23 / Veterans' Evergreen Memorial Drive toward MN 23 West, CR 61: Mora
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Toward MN 23 West, CR 61: Mora
4
78.8 mi into trip|~1h 28m in|MN 23
Turn right onto MN 23
Navigation decision point
5
111.6 mi into trip|~2h 5m in|MN 23
Enter roundabout onto MN 23
Roundabout - know your exit number before entering
5
126.9 mi into trip|~2h 25m in|Courthouse Square
Turn left onto Courthouse Square
Navigation decision point
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
On the drive from Cloquet, MN to Saint Cloud, MN, road signs begin pointing toward Cr 61: Mora along the way.
Cr 61: Mora
59.4 mi in|~1h 5m|via MN 23
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
I 35
56.6 mi
1h
MN 23
50.7 mi
1h
Veterans' Evergreen Memorial Drive
16.6 mi
19m
MN 33
2.7 mi
4m
7th Avenue South
0.2 mi
<1m
Courthouse Square
0.1 mi
<1m
Cloquet Avenue
<0.1 mi
<1m
4th Street
<0.1 mi
<1m
Longest stretch:
I 35
— 56.6 mi, about 1h
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Cloquet, MN and Saint Cloud, MN.
1
Start on 4th Street
26 ft·1 sec·4th Street
2
Turn left onto CR 45
519 ft·22 sec·Cloquet Avenue
3
Turn left onto MN 33
2.1 mi·3 min·MN 33
4
Enter roundabout onto MN 33
77 ft·1 sec·MN 33
Toward I 35 South
5
Continue on MN 33
0.5 mi·40 sec·MN 33
Toward I 35 South
6
Merge onto I 35
57 mi·1 hr·I 35
7
Take the exit onto MN 23
0.2 mi·27 sec·Veterans' Evergreen Memorial Drive
Toward MN 23 West, CR 61: Mora
8
Continue on MN 23; CR 61
16 mi·18 min·Veterans' Evergreen Memorial Drive
9
Continue on MN 23; CR 11
1.2 mi·1 min·MN 23; CR 11
10
Turn left onto MN 23; MN 65
1.7 mi·2 min·MN 23; MN 65
11
Turn right onto MN 23
33 mi·37 min·MN 23
12
Enter roundabout onto MN 23
125 ft·1 sec·MN 23
13
Continue on MN 23
15 mi·19 min·MN 23
14
Turn right onto 7th Avenue South
0.2 mi·38 sec·7th Avenue South
15
Turn left onto Courthouse Square
222 ft·11 sec·Courthouse Square
16
Continue on Courthouse Square
363 ft·16 sec·Courthouse Square
17
Arrive at destination
Courthouse Square
Trip Plan
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 63.5 miles from Cloquet, MN, or about 1h 10m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 56.6 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 28 miles or 31m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 63.5 miles or 1h 10m 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 57m
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 Cloquet, 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 Cloquet, MN
This is one driving day of about 127 miles and 2h 25m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 28 miles from Cloquet, MN.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
The longest stretch is on I 35 for about 56.6 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 63.5 mi from Cloquet, MN
· 1h 10m into the drive
Place data sourced from public business listings. Hours and availability may vary.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$18.90 one way
$37.80 round trip
$3.78/gal25.4 MPG avg44 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.07
$20.37
$40.73
premium
$4.53
$22.66
$45.32
diesel
$5.61
$28.04
$56.08
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$19
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$44–$69
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 44.4 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $13 in charging
· 0 stops
· 66% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
38.1
0
$13.33
$6.10
Efficient EV
31.8
0
$11.11
$5.08
EV Truck/SUV
50.8
0
$17.78
$8.13
Gas CO2
44 kg
EV CO2
15 kg (66% 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.
Forecast as of Apr 16, 2026
Origin
Cloquet, MN
Evening
in Cloquet on Friday
Local time
5:57 PM
CDT
Current temp
38°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
Saint Cloud, MN
Evening
in Saint Cloud on Friday
Local time
5:57 PM
CDT
Current temp
50°F
Mostly Clear
SSE 10 to 15 mph3% chanceLive 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
12 degrees warmer at arrival
A meaningful temperature swing is a good cue to rethink layers, water, and how soon you want to arrive.
Road read
2h 25m on the road
The weather snapshot is not static. If you are leaving later, give both cities one more quick forecast check before departure.
Weather data from the National Weather Service. Conditions may change; check closer to your travel date.
Frequently Asked Questions
The drive from Cloquet, MN to Saint Cloud, MN covers 127 miles and takes about 2h 25m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are I 35, MN 23, Veterans' Evergreen Memorial Drive. Most of the drive stays on highways, so watch for ramps and exits.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 63.5 miles from Cloquet, MN. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $18.90 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.
The drive from Cloquet, MN to Saint Cloud, MN is easy. At 2h 25m with 87% highway, most drivers will find it relaxed and low-stress.
The main spots that need attention: at 2.2 miles (MN 33): Roundabout - know your exit number before entering; at 59.4 miles (MN 23 / Veterans' Evergreen Memorial Drive): Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 78.8 miles (MN 23): Navigation decision point.
On the drive from Cloquet, MN to Saint Cloud, MN, road signs begin pointing toward Cr 61: Mora along the way.
