Origin
Cottage Grove, MN
Morning in Cottage Grove on Wednesday
Local time
11:07 AM
CDT
Current temp
45°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Cottage Grove, MN to Saint Cloud, MN
Data updated 5 hours ago
Drive Time
1h 49m
Distance
88.4 mi
142 km
Drive Score
7/10
Good drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$13
one way
EV Charging
Loading...
station data
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
1h 41m
★
6 AM
1h 49m
8 AM
2h 6m
10 AM
1h 55m
12 PM
1h 54m
3 PM
1h 56m
5 PM
2h 5m
8 PM
1h 45m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Cottage Grove, MN
Tom Fisk
Saint Cloud, MN
Wikimedia Commons
Trip Overview
The drive from Cottage Grove, MN to Saint Cloud, MN covers 88.4 miles and takes about 1h 49m behind the wheel. This route is realistic as a one-day drive if you keep your stops efficient.
The route leans on US 10, I 94, I-94 W for much of the mileage, and the overall profile is highway-focused drive. The longest uninterrupted segment is about 33.5 miles on US 10. At current regular gas prices, budget about $13.16 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.
Break Rhythm
0 planned breaks
A short stop every 2 to 3 hours is enough for this drive.
Midpoint
44.2 miles from Cottage Grove, MN
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 56m into the drive .
Loading map...
Drive Character
This is a 1h 49m highway drive covering 88.4 miles, with most of the trip on US 10 and I 94. The longest continuous stretch is about 33.5 miles on US 10.
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.
US 10 is the longest continuous segment at about 33.5 miles.
How Hard Is This Drive?
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on US 10 and I 94. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 1.4 miles in.
Route Complexity
10/10
High effort - long or complex enough to need steady focus all day
This is a demanding drive. With 21 significant decision points across 88.4 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 1.4 miles: Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 13.2 miles (US 10): Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 18.4 miles (US 10): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Critical Maneuvers
5 of 21 key pointsThese are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
7
1.4 mi into trip
|
~3m in
Take the ramp toward US 10 West, US 61 North
Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the right lane.
Toward US 10 West, US 61 North
8
13.2 mi into trip
|
~19m in
|
US 10
Take the exit onto US 10 toward I 35E North, US 10 West
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 242B
Toward I 35E North, US 10 West
9
18.4 mi into trip
|
~25m in
|
US 10
Keep slight right at fork onto US 10 toward US 10 West, I 694 West, I 694 East
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Exit 113-114
Toward US 10 West, I 694 West, I 694 East
6
82.9 mi into trip
|
~1h 38m 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
6
88.3 mi into trip
|
~1h 49m in
|
Courthouse Square
At end of road, turn left onto Courthouse Square
Complex interchange - multiple decisions in a short stretch
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
Between Cottage Grove, MN and Saint Cloud, MN, road signs point toward Cr 7 and Cr 75: Saint Augusta.
Cr 7
82.9 mi in
|
~1h 38m
Cr 75: Saint Augusta
82.9 mi in
|
~1h 38m
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| US 10 | 33.5 mi | 41m |
| I 94 | 30.7 mi | 33m |
| I-94 W | 17.1 mi | 18m |
| Roosevelt Road | 3.1 mi | 4m |
| 9th Avenue South | 0.9 mi | 2m |
| Hillside Trail | 0.7 mi | 1m |
| 11th Avenue South | 0.5 mi | 1m |
| East Point Douglas Road South | 0.4 mi | 1m |
Longest stretch:
US 10
— 33.5 mi, about 41m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Cottage Grove, MN and Saint Cloud, MN.
1
Start on Hyde Avenue South
60 ft
·
7 sec
·
Hyde Avenue South
2
Turn left onto Hillside Trail
0.7 mi
·
1 min
·
Hillside Trail
3
At end of road, turn right onto East Point Douglas Road South
0.3 mi
·
37 sec
·
East Point Douglas Road South
4
Turn slight right
219 ft
·
11 sec
Use the right lane.
5
Turn straight onto East Point Douglas Road South
0.2 mi
·
29 sec
·
East Point Douglas Road South
6
Turn left onto 80th Street South
0.2 mi
·
35 sec
·
80th Street South
Use the straight lane.
7
Take the ramp
0.3 mi
·
37 sec
Toward US 10 West, US 61 North
Use the right lane.
8
Merge onto US 10; US 61
8.9 mi
·
11 min
·
US 10; US 61
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
9
Take the exit onto US 10; US 61
0.6 mi
·
56 sec
·
US 10; US 61
10
Merge onto I 94
2.1 mi
·
2 min
·
I 94
Use the straight / slight left lanes.
11
Take the exit onto US 10
5.1 mi
·
6 min
·
US 10
Exit 242B
Toward I 35E North, US 10 West
Use the slight right lane.
12
Keep slight right at fork onto US 10
0.3 mi
·
19 sec
·
US 10
Exit 113-114
Toward US 10 West, I 694 West, I 694 East
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
13
Continue on US 10
19 mi
·
22 min
·
US 10
Exit 113
Toward I 694 West, US 10 West
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
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
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 44.2 miles from Cottage Grove, MN, or about 56m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 33.5 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 44.2 miles or 56m 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 29m
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 Cottage Grove, 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 Cottage Grove, MN
This is one driving day of about 88.4 miles and 1h 49m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 80 miles from Cottage Grove, 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 US 10 for about 33.5 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 44.2 mi from Cottage Grove, MN · 56m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
44 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 44.2 miles from Cottage Grove, 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
$13.16 one way
$26.31 round trip
$3.78/gal
25.4 MPG avg
31 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.07 | $14.18 | $28.35 |
| premium | $4.53 | $15.77 | $31.55 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $19.52 | $39.04 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$13
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$38–$63
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 30.9 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $9 in charging · 0 stops · 68% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 26.5 | 0 | $9.28 | $4.24 |
| Efficient EV | 22.1 | 0 | $7.74 | $3.54 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 35.4 | 0 | $12.38 | $5.66 |
Gas CO2
31 kg
EV CO2
10 kg (68% 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
Morning in Saint Cloud on Wednesday
Local time
11:07 AM
CDT
Current temp
43°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
2 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 49m 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 Cottage Grove, MN to Saint Cloud, MN covers 88.4 miles and takes about 1h 49m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are US 10, 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 44.2 miles from Cottage Grove, MN. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $13.16 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 21 significant decision points across 88.4 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 1.4 miles: Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 13.2 miles (US 10): Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 18.4 miles (US 10): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Between Cottage Grove, MN and Saint Cloud, MN, road signs point toward Cr 7 and Cr 75: Saint Augusta.
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