Origin
Mendota Heights, MN
Late night in Mendota Heights on Wednesday
Local time
3:37 AM
CDT
Current temp
40°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Mendota Heights, MN to Saint Cloud, MN
Data updated 1 hour ago
Drive Time
1h 39m
Distance
78.2 mi
126 km
Drive Score
7/10
Good drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$12
one way
EV Charging
Loading...
station data
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
1h 32m
★
6 AM
1h 39m
8 AM
1h 54m
10 AM
1h 44m
12 PM
1h 43m
3 PM
1h 45m
5 PM
1h 53m
8 PM
1h 35m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Saint Cloud, MN
Wikimedia Commons
Trip Overview
The drive from Mendota Heights, MN to Saint Cloud, MN covers 78.2 miles and takes about 1h 39m behind the wheel. This route is realistic as a one-day drive if you keep your stops efficient.
The route leans on I 94, MN 55, I-94 W for much of the mileage, and the overall profile is highway-focused drive. The longest uninterrupted segment is about 28.6 miles on I 94. At current regular gas prices, budget about $11.64 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
39.1 miles from Mendota Heights, MN
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 51m into the drive .
Loading map...
Drive Character
This is a 1h 39m highway drive covering 78.2 miles, with most of the trip on I 94 and MN 55. The longest continuous stretch is about 28.6 miles on I 94.
Most of the miles stay on highways, which makes pacing and fuel planning easier than turn-by-turn city driving.
There are about 21 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.
I 94 is the longest continuous segment at about 28.6 miles.
Elevation Profile
Mostly flat terrain
1,037 ft
816 ft
Total Climb
306 ft
Total Descent
168 ft
Highest Point
1,037 ft
~78.2 mi in
Elevation Range
221 ft
How Hard Is This Drive?
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 94 and MN 55. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 4.5 miles in near MN 55.
Route Complexity
10/10
High effort - long or complex enough to need steady focus all day
This is a demanding drive. With 17 significant decision points across 78.2 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 4.5 miles (MN 55): Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 4.7 miles (MN 55): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 9.8 miles (MN 55): Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Critical Maneuvers
5 of 17 key pointsThese are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
8
4.5 mi into trip
|
~6m in
|
MN 55
Take the exit onto MN 55 toward MN 55 West: Minnehaha Avenue, Hiawatha Avenue
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Exit 115
Toward MN 55 West: Minnehaha Avenue, Hiawatha A...
8
4.7 mi into trip
|
~6m in
|
MN 55
Keep slight right at fork onto MN 55 toward MN 55 West: Hiawatha Avenue
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight left / slight right lanes.
Toward MN 55 West: Hiawatha Avenue
7
9.8 mi into trip
|
~16m in
|
MN 55
Take the exit onto MN 55 toward I 94 West, MN 55 West
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Toward I 94 West, MN 55 West
6
72.7 mi into trip
|
~1h 27m 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
78.1 mi into trip
|
~1h 38m 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 Mendota Heights, MN and Saint Cloud, MN, road signs point toward Cr 7 and Cr 75: Saint Augusta.
Cr 7
72.7 mi in
|
~1h 27m
Cr 75: Saint Augusta
72.7 mi in
|
~1h 27m
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| I 94 | 28.6 mi | 30m |
| MN 55 | 17.7 mi | 22m |
| I-94 W | 17.1 mi | 18m |
| Hiawatha Avenue | 4.9 mi | 9m |
| MN 62 | 4.5 mi | 6m |
| Roosevelt Road | 3.1 mi | 4m |
| 9th Avenue South | 0.9 mi | 2m |
| 11th Avenue South | 0.5 mi | 1m |
Longest stretch:
I 94
— 28.6 mi, about 30m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Mendota Heights, MN and Saint Cloud, MN.
1
Start on this road
10 ft
·
0 sec
·
this road
2
Merge onto MN 62
0.7 mi
·
59 sec
·
MN 62
3
Continue on MN 62
3.8 mi
·
5 min
·
MN 62
Use the left lane.
4
Take the exit onto MN 55
0.2 mi
·
23 sec
·
MN 55
Exit 115
Toward MN 55 West: Minnehaha Avenue, Hiawatha Avenue
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
5
Keep slight right at fork onto MN 55
0.3 mi
·
38 sec
·
MN 55
Toward MN 55 West: Hiawatha Avenue
Use the slight left / slight right lanes.
6
Merge onto MN 55
4.9 mi
·
9 min
·
Hiawatha Avenue
Use the left lane.
7
Take the exit onto MN 55
0.6 mi
·
1 min
·
MN 55
Toward I 94 West, MN 55 West
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
8
Continue on MN 55
17 mi
·
20 min
·
MN 55
Exit 17B
Toward I 94 West, MN 55 West
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
9
Continue on I 94
17 mi
·
18 min
·
I-94 W
Exit 27
Toward I 94 West: Saint Cloud
Use the straight / left lanes.
10
Keep slight left at fork onto I 94
29 mi
·
30 min
·
I 94
11
Take the exit
0.3 mi
·
42 sec
Exit 171
Toward CR 7, CR 75: Saint Augusta, Saint Cloud
12
Keep slight right at fork
521 ft
·
12 sec
13
Turn straight onto CR 75
3.1 mi
·
4 min
·
Roosevelt Road
14
Turn right onto 22nd Street South
127 ft
·
7 sec
·
22nd Street South
15
Turn left onto 11th Avenue South
0.5 mi
·
1 min
·
11th Avenue South
16
Turn right onto 15th Street South
0.1 mi
·
22 sec
·
15th Street South
17
At end of road, turn left onto 9th Avenue South
0.9 mi
·
2 min
·
9th Avenue South
18
Continue on 10th Avenue South
0.3 mi
·
49 sec
·
10th Avenue South
19
Turn right onto 1st Street North
0.1 mi
·
29 sec
·
1st Street North
20
At end of road, turn left onto Courthouse Square
270 ft
·
11 sec
·
Courthouse Square
21
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 39.1 miles from Mendota Heights, MN, or about 51m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 28.6 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 78.2 miles or 1h 39m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 39.1 miles or 51m 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 21m
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 Mendota Heights, 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 Mendota Heights, MN
This is one driving day of about 78.2 miles and 1h 39m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 80 miles from Mendota Heights, 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 I 94 for about 28.6 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 39.1 mi from Mendota Heights, MN · 51m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
39 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 78.2 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 39.1 miles from Mendota Heights, 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
$11.64 one way
$23.28 round trip
$3.78/gal
25.4 MPG avg
27 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.07 | $12.54 | $25.08 |
| premium | $4.53 | $13.95 | $27.91 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $17.27 | $34.53 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$12
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$37–$62
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 27.4 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $8 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 23.5 | 0 | $8.21 | $3.75 |
| Efficient EV | 19.6 | 0 | $6.84 | $3.13 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 31.3 | 0 | $10.95 | $5.00 |
Gas CO2
27 kg
EV CO2
9 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
Late night in Saint Cloud on Wednesday
Local time
3:37 AM
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
27 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
1h 39m 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 Mendota Heights, MN to Saint Cloud, MN covers 78.2 miles and takes about 1h 39m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are I 94, MN 55, 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 39.1 miles from Mendota Heights, MN. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $11.64 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 17 significant decision points across 78.2 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 4.5 miles (MN 55): Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 4.7 miles (MN 55): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 9.8 miles (MN 55): Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Between Mendota Heights, MN and Saint Cloud, MN, road signs point toward Cr 7 and Cr 75: Saint Augusta.
Mostly flat terrain. The route ranges from 816 ft to 1,037 ft elevation with about 306 ft of total climbing.
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