Origin
Lakefield, MN
Evening in Lakefield on Sunday
Local time
6:39 PM
CDT
Current temp
59°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Lakefield, MN to Saint Cloud, MN
Drive Time
3h 41m
Distance
170.2 mi
274 km
Drive Score
8/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$24
one way
EV Charging
Loading...
station data
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
3h 29m
★
6 AM
3h 41m
8 AM
4h 6m
10 AM
3h 50m
12 PM
3h 48m
3 PM
3h 51m
5 PM
4h 5m
8 PM
3h 34m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Saint Cloud, MN
Tom Fisk
Trip Overview
The drive from Lakefield, MN to Saint Cloud, MN covers 170.2 miles and takes about 3h 41m behind the wheel. This route is realistic as a one-day drive if you keep your stops efficient.
The route leans on Highway 86, MN 60 E, Highway 60 for much of the mileage, and the overall profile is turn-heavy local drive. At current regular gas prices, budget about $24.34 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
85.1 miles from Lakefield, MN
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h 50m into the drive .
Drive Character
Expect a 3h 41m drive with frequent turns across 170.2 miles of local and secondary roads.
This route has more turning and local-road decision points than a simple highway run.
There are about 29 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.
Highway 86 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 Lakefield, MN to Saint Cloud, MN is easy. At 3h 41m 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 Lakefield, MN to Saint Cloud, MN is straightforward, with well-signed roads and simple exits.
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| Highway 86 | Unavailable | Refreshing |
| MN 60 E | Unavailable | Refreshing |
| Highway 60 | Unavailable | Refreshing |
| 2nd Avenue North | Unavailable | Refreshing |
| MN 15 | Unavailable | Refreshing |
| 20th South Street | Unavailable | Refreshing |
| Highway 37 | Unavailable | Refreshing |
| County Road 37 | Unavailable | Refreshing |
Per-road distance and duration are being refreshed from OSRM for this route.
Longest stretch:
Highway 86
— detailed segment metrics are refreshing.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Lakefield, MN and Saint Cloud, MN.
1
Start on 2nd Avenue North
0.1 mi
·
24 sec
·
2nd Avenue North
2
At the end of the road, turn right onto North Highway 86
0.8 mi
·
1 min
·
North Highway 86
3
Continue on 450th Ave; State Highway 86
9.8 mi
·
12 min
·
450th Ave; State Highway 86
4
Turn right onto MN 60 E
3.8 mi
·
4 min
·
MN 60 E
5
Continue on State Highway 60
0.3 mi
·
37 sec
·
State Highway 60
6
Continue on 2nd Avenue North
0.4 mi
·
1 min
·
2nd Avenue North
7
Continue on State Highway 60
42 mi
·
49 min
·
State Highway 60
8
Take the exit slight right toward MN 15: New Ulm
18 mi
·
23 min
·
MN 15: New Ulm
9
Take the exit slight right
272 ft
·
8 sec
10
Turn straight onto 20th South Street
0.4 mi
·
1 min
·
20th South Street
11
Continue on Highway 37
0.4 mi
·
39 sec
·
Highway 37
12
Turn straight onto County Road 37
0.2 mi
·
19 sec
·
County Road 37
13
Continue on County Road 37
0.2 mi
·
18 sec
·
County Road 37
14
Take the ramp straight toward US 14 West
0.2 mi
·
35 sec
·
US 14 West
15
Merge slight left
1.6 mi
·
2 min
16
Take the exit slight right toward MN 15 North
0.3 mi
·
45 sec
·
MN 15 North
17
Merge slight left onto State Highway 15
38 mi
·
48 min
·
State Highway 15
18
Enter the roundabout and take exit 2 toward State Highway 15
118 ft
·
5 sec
·
State Highway 15
19
Exit the roundabout onto State Highway 15
1.5 mi
·
3 min
·
State Highway 15
20
Continue on Main Street South
1.7 mi
·
4 min
·
Main Street South
21
Enter the roundabout and take exit 2 toward Main Street North
105 ft
·
1 sec
·
Main Street North
22
Exit the roundabout onto Main Street North
0.3 mi
·
33 sec
·
Main Street North
23
Continue on State Highway 15
47 mi
·
1 hr
·
State Highway 15
24
Turn right onto 3rd Street North
1.6 mi
·
3 min
·
3rd Street North
25
Turn right onto 16th Avenue North
407 ft
·
17 sec
·
16th Avenue North
26
Turn left onto 2nd Street North
0.5 mi
·
1 min
·
2nd Street North
27
Turn right onto 8th Avenue North
253 ft
·
16 sec
·
8th Avenue North
28
Turn left onto Courthouse Square
7 ft
·
Courthouse Square
29
Arrive at your destination
Trip Plan
Morning Departure
An early start around 7-8 AM gets you there with plenty of daylight left.
Evening Departure
A late afternoon start means arriving after dark. Morning is better.
You can normally do this drive in one day.
Plan roughly 1 meaningful break for fuel, food, and rest.
The halfway point lands around 85.1 miles from Lakefield, MN, or about 1h 50m 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 80 miles or 1h 44m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 85.1 miles or 1h 50m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 3h 1m
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 Lakefield, 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 Lakefield, MN
This is one driving day of about 170.2 miles and 3h 41m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 80 miles from Lakefield, MN.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
Plan about 1 real break rather than only quick fuel stops.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 85.1 mi from Lakefield, MN · 1h 50m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
85 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 85.1 miles from Lakefield, 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
$24.34 one way
$48.69 round trip
$3.63/gal
25.4 MPG avg
60 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $3.92 | $26.27 | $52.55 |
| premium | $4.39 | $29.43 | $58.86 |
| diesel | $5.64 | $37.81 | $75.63 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$24
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$49–$74
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 59.5 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-06.
Driving Electric?
About $18 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 51.1 | 0 | $17.87 | $8.17 |
| Efficient EV | 42.6 | 0 | $14.89 | $6.81 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 68.1 | 0 | $23.83 | $10.89 |
Gas CO2
60 kg
EV CO2
20 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
6:39 PM
CDT
Current temp
67°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Along the Route
39°F
Plymouth, MN
85 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
Same local time
Origin and destination are on the same clock, so arrival timing is easier to judge at a glance.
Temperature spread
8 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
3h 41m 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 Lakefield, MN to Saint Cloud, MN covers 170.2 miles and takes about 3h 41m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are Highway 86, MN 60 E, Highway 60. Expect a mix of highway and local road driving.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 85.1 miles from Lakefield, MN. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $24.34 one way. This estimate uses 25.4 MPG — your actual cost will vary with your vehicle's fuel efficiency and current gas prices.
An early start around 7-8 AM gets you there with plenty of daylight left. A late afternoon start means arriving after dark. Morning is better.
Plan about 1 meaningful break for fuel, food, or rest. A short stop every 2 to 3 hours is enough for this drive.
The drive from Lakefield, MN to Saint Cloud, MN is easy. At 3h 41m 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 Lakefield, MN to Saint Cloud, MN is straightforward, with well-signed roads and simple exits.
The route from Lakefield, MN to Saint Cloud, MN does not surface many named destination signs beyond the main corridor.
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 Lakefield, MN or browse trips ending in Saint Cloud, MN.
Looking for more statewide routes? Browse MN road trips.
Explore maps for Lakefield, MN or Saint Cloud, MN on MapSof.net.