Origin
Elmdale, MN
Evening in Elmdale on Wednesday
Local time
5:17 PM
CDT
Current temp
64°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Elmdale, MN to Saint Cloud, MN
Last recalculated Apr 15, 2026
Drive Time
48m
Distance
32 mi
51 km
Drive Score
6/10
Good drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$5
one way
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
0h 45m
★
6 AM
0h 49m
8 AM
0h 57m
10 AM
0h 51m
12 PM
0h 51m
3 PM
0h 52m
5 PM
0h 56m
8 PM
0h 46m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Elmdale, MN
Barnabas Davoti
Saint Cloud, MN
Wikimedia Commons
Trip Overview
The drive from Elmdale, MN to Saint Cloud, MN covers 32 miles and takes about 48m behind the wheel. This route is realistic as a one-day drive if you keep your stops efficient.
The route leans on Highway 238, 120th Avenue, Nature Road for much of the mileage, and the overall profile is turn-heavy local drive. At current regular gas prices, budget about $4.76 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
This drive is short enough that no stops are needed.
Midpoint
16 miles from Elmdale, MN
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 24m into the drive .
Drive Character
Expect a 48m drive with frequent turns across 32 miles of local and secondary roads.
This route has more turning and local-road decision points than a simple highway run.
There are about 13 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.
Highway 238 is one of the defining roads on this drive.
How Hard Is This Drive?
Expect a hands-on drive with frequent turns and local roads rather than long highway stretches. Navigation is very simple - set it and forget it for most of the drive.
Route Complexity
1/10
Very easy - short and simple to drive
The drive from Elmdale, MN to Saint Cloud, MN is easy. At 48m with 0% highway, most drivers will find it relaxed and low-stress.
Where does it get tricky?
This route does not have any notably tricky sections. Most of the drive from Elmdale, MN to Saint Cloud, MN is straightforward, with well-signed roads and simple exits.
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| Highway 238 | — | — |
| 120th Avenue | — | — |
| Nature Road | — | — |
| West Centre Street | — | — |
| East Saint Germain Street | — | — |
| Veterans Bridge | — | — |
| 1st Street North | — | — |
| 2nd Street North | — | — |
Some road-level metrics are being recalculated.
Longest stretch:
Highway 238
— detailed segment metrics are refreshing.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Elmdale, MN and Saint Cloud, MN.
1
Start on State Highway 238
4.0 mi
·
7 min
·
State Highway 238
2
Turn right onto 120th Avenue
0.5 mi
·
1 min
·
120th Avenue
3
Turn left onto Nature Road
5.4 mi
·
12 min
·
Nature Road
4
Continue on West Centre Street
0.3 mi
·
46 sec
·
West Centre Street
5
Turn right
16 mi
·
18 min
6
Keep slight left
4.3 mi
·
5 min
7
Turn right onto East Saint Germain Street
0.7 mi
·
1 min
·
East Saint Germain Street
8
Continue on Veterans Bridge
0.2 mi
·
23 sec
·
Veterans Bridge
9
Continue on 1st Street North
0.2 mi
·
29 sec
·
1st Street North
10
Continue on 2nd Street North
394 ft
·
14 sec
·
2nd Street North
11
Turn left onto 8th Avenue North
253 ft
·
16 sec
·
8th Avenue North
12
Turn left onto Courthouse Square
7 ft
·
Courthouse Square
13
Arrive at your destination
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 16 miles from Elmdale, MN, or about 24m into the drive.
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 32 miles or 48m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 16 miles or 24m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 41m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Saint Cloud, MN than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Have your navigation ready before leaving Elmdale, MN.
Day 1
Settle into the route from Elmdale, MN
This is one driving day of about 32 miles and 48m.
At 32 miles this is a quick drive — no planned stops needed.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 16 mi from Elmdale, MN · 24m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
16 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
Arriving in Saint Cloud, MN
Allow a few extra minutes for the final approach into Saint Cloud, MN if you are unfamiliar with the area.
These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$4.76 one way
$9.52 round trip
$3.78/gal
25.4 MPG avg
11 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.07 | $5.13 | $10.26 |
| premium | $4.53 | $5.71 | $11.42 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $7.07 | $14.13 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$5
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$30–$55
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 11.2 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $3 in charging · 0 stops · 64% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 9.6 | 0 | $3.36 | $1.54 |
| Efficient EV | 8 | 0 | $2.80 | $1.28 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 12.8 | 0 | $4.48 | $2.05 |
Gas CO2
11 kg
EV CO2
4 kg (64% 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 Wednesday
Local time
5:17 PM
CDT
Current temp
43°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
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
21 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
48m 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 Elmdale, MN to Saint Cloud, MN covers 32 miles and takes about 48m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are Highway 238, 120th Avenue, Nature Road. Expect a mix of highway and local road driving.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 16 miles from Elmdale, MN. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $4.76 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 Elmdale, MN to Saint Cloud, MN is easy. At 48m with 0% highway, most drivers will find it relaxed and low-stress.
This route does not have any notably tricky sections. Most of the drive from Elmdale, MN to Saint Cloud, MN is straightforward, with well-signed roads and simple exits.
The route from Elmdale, MN to Saint Cloud, MN does not surface many named destination signs beyond the main corridor.
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