Origin
Lakewood, MN
Night in Lakewood on Tuesday
Local time
10:52 PM
CDT
Current temp
31°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Lakewood, MN to Saint Cloud, MN
Data updated 1 minute ago
Drive Time
3h
Distance
153.2 mi
247 km
Drive Score
8/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$23
one way
EV Charging
Loading...
station data
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
2h 49m
★
6 AM
3h 0m
8 AM
3h 23m
10 AM
3h 8m
12 PM
3h 6m
3 PM
3h 10m
5 PM
3h 22m
8 PM
2h 54m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Lakewood, MN
Tom Fisk
Saint Cloud, MN
Wikimedia Commons
Trip Overview
Embark on a straightforward 153.2-mile journey from Lakewood to Saint Cloud, Minnesota, a trip that can comfortably be completed in about 3 hours. This route is primarily highway-focused, with 89% of the drive utilizing major roads like I-35 and MN 23, including Veterans' Evergreen Memorial Drive. With a fuel cost estimated at $23 and only one recommended stop, this makes for an ideal single-day trip. You'll be traversing within the Midwest region throughout your drive, experiencing a consistent landscape. The overall feel is practical and efficient, perfect for those looking to get from point A to point B with minimal fuss.
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
76.6 miles from Lakewood, MN
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h 30m into the drive .
Loading map...
Drive Character
This drive leans heavily into its highway-focused profile, with a substantial 89% of the route on high-speed roads. Expect long stretches of efficient travel, including a significant 79-mile segment on I-35. While Veterans' Evergreen Memorial Drive offers a slightly different feel, the majority of your time will be spent on interstates and well-maintained state highways. The character is one of steady progress, allowing you to cover ground quickly and reliably. You'll experience the rhythm of consistent speeds for the bulk of the 3-hour duration.
Most of the miles stay on highways, which makes pacing and fuel planning easier than turn-by-turn city driving.
There are about 16 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 79 miles.
How Hard Is This Drive?
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 35 and MN 23. There are only a few real navigation decisions along the way. The trickiest moment comes early in the drive near Lakewood Road.
Route Complexity
3/10
Easy - simple navigation with a manageable amount of wheel time
This is a straightforward 3h drive. You will face about 9 decision points, but nothing that requires special attention if you follow navigation.
Where does it get tricky?
The main spots that need attention: near the start (Lakewood Road): Sharp turn - reduce speed on approach; at 0.2 miles (MN 61): Sharp turn - reduce speed on approach; at 85.6 miles (MN 23 / Veterans' Evergreen Memorial Drive): Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Critical Maneuvers
5 of 9 key pointsThese are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
6
0 mi into trip
|
~0m in
|
Lakewood Road
Turn sharp right onto Lakewood Road
Sharp turn - reduce speed on approach
5
0.2 mi into trip
|
~0m in
|
MN 61
Turn sharp left onto MN 61
Sharp turn - reduce speed on approach
5
85.6 mi into trip
|
~1h 40m 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
5
137.8 mi into trip
|
~2h 40m in
|
MN 23
Enter roundabout onto MN 23
Roundabout - know your exit number before entering
5
153.1 mi into trip
|
~2h 59m 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 Lakewood, MN to Saint Cloud, MN, road signs begin pointing toward Cr 61: Mora along the way.
Cr 61: Mora
85.6 mi in
|
~1h 40m
|
via MN 23
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| I 35 | 79 mi | 1h 27m |
| MN 23 | 50.7 mi | 1h |
| Veterans' Evergreen Memorial Drive | 16.6 mi | 19m |
| MN 61 | 6.4 mi | 12m |
| 7th Avenue South | 0.2 mi | <1m |
| Lakewood Road | 0.2 mi | <1m |
| Courthouse Square | 0.1 mi | <1m |
| East Superior Street | <0.1 mi | <1m |
Longest stretch:
I 35
— 79 mi, about 1h 27m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Lakewood, MN and Saint Cloud, MN.
1
Start on East Superior Street
35 ft
·
7 sec
·
East Superior Street
2
Turn sharp right onto Lakewood Road
0.2 mi
·
33 sec
·
Lakewood Road
3
Turn sharp left onto MN 61
6.4 mi
·
12 min
·
MN 61
4
Turn left onto I 35
4.0 mi
·
5 min
·
I 35
5
Keep slight left at fork onto I 35
75 mi
·
1 hr 22 min
·
I 35
6
Take the exit onto MN 23
0.2 mi
·
27 sec
·
Veterans' Evergreen Memorial Drive
Toward MN 23 West, CR 61: Mora
7
Continue on MN 23; CR 61
16 mi
·
18 min
·
Veterans' Evergreen Memorial Drive
8
Continue on MN 23; CR 11
1.2 mi
·
1 min
·
MN 23; CR 11
9
Turn left onto MN 23; MN 65
1.7 mi
·
2 min
·
MN 23; MN 65
10
Turn right onto MN 23
33 mi
·
37 min
·
MN 23
11
Enter roundabout onto MN 23
125 ft
·
1 sec
·
MN 23
12
Continue on MN 23
15 mi
·
19 min
·
MN 23
13
Turn right onto 7th Avenue South
0.2 mi
·
38 sec
·
7th Avenue South
14
Turn left onto Courthouse Square
222 ft
·
11 sec
·
Courthouse Square
15
Continue on Courthouse Square
363 ft
·
16 sec
·
Courthouse Square
16
Arrive at destination
Courthouse Square
Trip Plan
Given the 3-hour duration and 153.2-mile distance, this trip is perfectly suited for a single day, offering flexibility in your departure time. Aim to leave in the morning to enjoy daylight driving and arrive in Saint Cloud with plenty of time. With a fuel cost of around $23, it's a budget-friendly excursion. The longest stretch without a major change in road type is 79 miles on I-35, so plan your comfort breaks accordingly. A good tip is to utilize the single recommended stop strategically, perhaps for a quick stretch or to top off your tank before the final leg into Saint Cloud.
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 76.6 miles from Lakewood, MN, or about 1h 30m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 79 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 34m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 76.6 miles or 1h 30m 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 26m
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 Lakewood, 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 Lakewood, MN
This is one driving day of about 153.2 miles and 3h.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 80 miles from Lakewood, 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.
The longest stretch is on I 35 for about 79 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 76.6 mi from Lakewood, MN · 1h 30m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
77 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 76.6 miles from Lakewood, MN, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Before the longest stretch
Fuel checkTop up before I 35 if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 79 miles.
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
$22.80 one way
$45.60 round trip
$3.78/gal
25.4 MPG avg
54 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.07 | $24.57 | $49.13 |
| premium | $4.53 | $27.33 | $54.67 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $33.82 | $67.65 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$23
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$48–$73
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 53.6 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $16 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 46 | 0 | $16.09 | $7.35 |
| Efficient EV | 38.3 | 0 | $13.40 | $6.13 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 61.3 | 0 | $21.45 | $9.80 |
Gas CO2
54 kg
EV CO2
18 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
Night in Saint Cloud on Tuesday
Local time
10:52 PM
CDT
Current temp
67°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
36 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 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 Lakewood, MN to Saint Cloud, MN covers 153.2 miles and takes about 3h 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 76.6 miles from Lakewood, MN. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $22.80 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.
This is a straightforward 3h drive. You will face about 9 decision points, but nothing that requires special attention if you follow navigation.
The main spots that need attention: near the start (Lakewood Road): Sharp turn - reduce speed on approach; at 0.2 miles (MN 61): Sharp turn - reduce speed on approach; at 85.6 miles (MN 23 / Veterans' Evergreen Memorial Drive): Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
On the drive from Lakewood, MN to Saint Cloud, MN, road signs begin pointing toward Cr 61: Mora along the way.
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