Drive Time
2h 30m
Distance
116.6 mi
188 km
Drive Score
8/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$17
one way
Photo: Tom Fisk
The drive from Cottonwood, MN to Saint Cloud, MN covers 116.6 miles and takes about 2h 30m behind the wheel. This route is realistic as a one-day drive if you keep your stops efficient.
The route leans on MN 23, State Highway 23, US 212 for much of the mileage, and the overall profile is highway-focused drive. The longest uninterrupted segment is about 93.7 miles on MN 23. At current regular gas prices, budget about $16.68 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
1 planned break
A short stop every 2 to 3 hours is enough for this drive.
Midpoint
58.3 miles from Cottonwood, MN
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h 14m into the drive .
This is a 2h 30m highway drive covering 116.6 miles, with most of the trip on MN 23 and State Highway 23. The longest continuous stretch is about 93.7 miles on MN 23.
Mostly flat terrain
Total Climb
361 ft
Total Descent
403 ft
Highest Point
1,238 ft
~77.7 mi in
Elevation Range
309 ft
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on MN 23 and State Highway 23. There are only a few real navigation decisions along the way. The trickiest moment comes around 0.8 miles in near MN 23 / State Highway 23.
Easy - simple navigation with a manageable amount of wheel time
This is a straightforward 2h 30m drive. You will face about 12 decision points, but nothing that requires special attention if you follow navigation.
Where does it get tricky?
The main spots that need attention: at 0.8 miles (MN 23 / State Highway 23): Navigation decision point; at 18.9 miles (MN 23): Lane positioning matters here; at 112.6 miles (10th Avenue South): Navigation decision point.
These are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
Turn left onto MN 23 / State Highway 23
Navigation decision point
Turn left onto MN 23
Lane positioning matters here
Turn left onto 10th Avenue South
Navigation decision point
Turn left onto 44th Avenue North
Navigation decision point
Turn right onto 3rd Street Northeast
Navigation decision point
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| MN 23 | 93.7 mi | 1h 56m |
| State Highway 23 | 14.9 mi | 18m |
| US 212 | 3.2 mi | 4m |
| 3rd Street Northeast | 2 mi | 3m |
| Division Street | 0.8 mi | 1m |
| Barstad Road | 0.6 mi | 1m |
| 2nd Street North | 0.5 mi | 1m |
| 44th Avenue North | 0.4 mi | <1m |
Step-by-step road directions between Cottonwood, MN and Saint Cloud, MN.
Start on CR 10
Turn left onto CR 32
Turn right onto CR 10
Turn left onto MN 23
Turn right onto US 212; MN 23
Turn left onto MN 23
Turn left onto 10th Avenue South
Turn right onto CR 75
Turn left onto 44th Avenue North
Turn right onto 3rd Street Northeast
Turn right onto 16th Avenue North
Turn left onto 2nd Street North
Turn right onto 8th Avenue North
Turn left onto Courthouse Square
Arrive at destination
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.
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 41m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 58.3 miles or 1h 14m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 2h
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Saint Cloud, MN than in the middle of the route.
Open the route before leaving Cottonwood, 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 Cottonwood, MN
This is one driving day of about 116.6 miles and 2h 30m.
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 58.3 mi from Cottonwood, MN · 1h 14m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
58 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.
A short stop after about 80 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
The midpoint is around 58.3 miles from Cottonwood, MN, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Before the longest stretch
Fuel checkTop up before MN 23 if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 93.7 miles.
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.
Regular Gas
$16.68 one way
$33.35 round trip
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $3.92 | $18.00 | $36.00 |
| premium | $4.39 | $20.16 | $40.32 |
| diesel | $5.64 | $25.90 | $51.81 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$17
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$42–$67
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 40.8 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-06.
Driving Electric?
About $12 in charging · 0 stops · 66% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 35 | 0 | $12.24 | $5.60 |
| Efficient EV | 29.2 | 0 | $10.20 | $4.66 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 46.6 | 0 | $16.32 | $7.46 |
Gas CO2
41 kg
EV CO2
14 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. If you're planning ahead, check the forecast closer to your travel date.
Origin
Morning in Cottonwood on Sunday
Local time
9:01 AM
CDT
Current temp
71°F
Forecast unavailable right now
Destination
Morning in Saint Cloud on Sunday
Local time
9:01 AM
CDT
Current temp
67°F
Forecast unavailable right now
Along the Route
37°F
Avon, MN
58 mi in
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
Origin and destination are on the same clock, so arrival timing is easier to judge at a glance.
Temperature spread
A meaningful temperature swing is a good cue to rethink layers, water, and how soon you want to arrive.
Road read
Use the two city cards together: check the sky where you start, then compare it with the local time and temperature at arrival.
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