Origin
Saint Cloud, MN
Evening in Saint Cloud on Sunday
Local time
5:37 PM
CDT
Current temp
67°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Saint Cloud, MN to Lonsdale, MN
Drive Time
2h 4m
Distance
97.8 mi
157 km
Drive Score
7/10
Good drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$14
one way
EV Charging
Loading...
station data
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
1h 55m
★
6 AM
2h 4m
8 AM
2h 22m
10 AM
2h 10m
12 PM
2h 8m
3 PM
2h 11m
5 PM
2h 21m
8 PM
1h 59m
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
Traveling from Saint Cloud to Lonsdale covers 97.8 miles and typically takes about 2 hours and 4 minutes. Because this is a relatively short trip through the Minnesota Midwest, it is perfectly suited for a single-day excursion. You should budget approximately $14 for fuel to complete the journey. Since the route relies entirely on local roads rather than interstate travel, you won't be dealing with high-speed highway traffic. It is a straightforward, manageable drive that allows you to reach your destination without the need for an overnight stay.
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
48.9 miles from Saint Cloud, MN
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h 2m into the drive .
Drive Character
Expect a turn-heavy local drive as you navigate through the heart of the region. You will spend your time on surface streets like 1st Street North, 9th Avenue North, and West Saint Germain Street rather than high-speed interstates, which account for 0% of this trip. Because there is no highway travel, there is no single long, uninterrupted stretch to settle into; instead, the route requires your full attention as you transition between local roads. The personality of this drive is defined by its focus on regional connectivity rather than speed, making for a hands-on experience behind the wheel.
This route has more turning and local-road decision points than a simple highway run.
There are about 22 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.
1st Street North 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 Saint Cloud, MN to Lonsdale, MN is easy. At 2h 4m 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 Saint Cloud, MN to Lonsdale, MN is straightforward, with well-signed roads and simple exits.
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| 1st Street North | Unavailable | Refreshing |
| 9th Avenue North | Unavailable | Refreshing |
| West Saint Germain Street | Unavailable | Refreshing |
| Washington Memorial Drive | Unavailable | Refreshing |
| Roosevelt Road | Unavailable | Refreshing |
| US 169 South | Unavailable | Refreshing |
| CR 21 | Unavailable | Refreshing |
| Herrgott Memorial Drive | Unavailable | Refreshing |
Per-road distance and duration are being refreshed from OSRM for this route.
Longest stretch:
1st Street North
— detailed segment metrics are refreshing.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Saint Cloud, MN and Lonsdale, MN.
1
Start on Courthouse Square
269 ft
·
14 sec
·
Courthouse Square
2
Turn right onto 1st Street North
217 ft
·
15 sec
·
1st Street North
3
Turn left onto 9th Avenue North
400 ft
·
13 sec
·
9th Avenue North
4
Turn right onto West Saint Germain Street
0.5 mi
·
1 min
·
West Saint Germain Street
5
Turn left onto Washington Memorial Drive
0.7 mi
·
1 min
·
Washington Memorial Drive
6
Turn left onto Roosevelt Road
3.9 mi
·
6 min
·
Roosevelt Road
7
Take the ramp straight
0.4 mi
·
49 sec
8
Merge slight left
48 mi
·
51 min
9
Take the exit slight right toward US 169 South
0.6 mi
·
1 min
·
US 169 South
10
Merge slight left
21 mi
·
25 min
11
Take the exit slight right toward CR 21
0.3 mi
·
56 sec
·
CR 21
12
Continue on Herrgott Memorial Drive
2.8 mi
·
3 min
·
Herrgott Memorial Drive
13
Continue on Eagle Creek Avenue
3.2 mi
·
5 min
·
Eagle Creek Avenue
14
Turn right onto Duluth Avenue Southeast
0.5 mi
·
1 min
·
Duluth Avenue Southeast
15
Turn right onto Richard J. Ames Memorial Highway
0.2 mi
·
16 sec
·
Richard J. Ames Memorial Highway
16
Continue on Langford Boulevard/Richard J. Ames Memorial Highway
492 ft
·
15 sec
·
Langford Boulevard/Richard J. Ames Memorial Highway
17
Turn left onto Panama Avenue
11 mi
·
15 min
·
Panama Avenue
18
Enter the roundabout and take exit 2 toward State Highway 19
105 ft
·
6 sec
·
State Highway 19
19
Exit the roundabout onto State Highway 19
4.0 mi
·
4 min
·
State Highway 19
20
Continue on Central Street West
0.8 mi
·
1 min
·
Central Street West
21
Turn right onto South Main Street
121 ft
·
3 sec
·
South Main Street
22
Arrive at your destination
Trip Plan
Since this is a turn-heavy route without any dedicated highway stretches, you should plan for a steady pace rather than rushing. Flexibility is your biggest advantage here, as the lack of highway congestion means you can easily adjust your departure time to avoid local peak traffic hours. Keep a close eye on your navigation, as the reliance on 1st Street North and similar local roads requires frequent adjustments. With no scheduled stops required for a trip of this duration, you can easily complete the drive in one go, but be prepared to stay alert for turns throughout the entire 2-hour journey.
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 48.9 miles from Saint Cloud, MN, or about 1h 2m 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 41m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 48.9 miles or 1h 2m 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 41m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Lonsdale, MN than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving Saint Cloud, 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 Saint Cloud, MN
This is one driving day of about 97.8 miles and 2h 4m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 80 miles from Saint Cloud, 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.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 48.9 mi from Saint Cloud, MN · 1h 2m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
49 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 48.9 miles from Saint Cloud, MN, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Arriving in Lonsdale, MN
The final approach into Lonsdale, 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 Lonsdale, 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
$13.99 one way
$27.98 round trip
$3.63/gal
25.4 MPG avg
34 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $3.92 | $15.10 | $30.19 |
| premium | $4.39 | $16.91 | $33.82 |
| diesel | $5.64 | $21.73 | $43.46 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$14
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$39–$64
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 34.2 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-06.
Driving Electric?
About $10 in charging · 0 stops · 68% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 29.3 | 0 | $10.27 | $4.69 |
| Efficient EV | 24.5 | 0 | $8.56 | $3.91 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 39.1 | 0 | $13.69 | $6.26 |
Gas CO2
34 kg
EV CO2
11 kg (68% 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
Lonsdale, MN
Evening in Lonsdale on Sunday
Local time
5:37 PM
CDT
Current temp
45°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
22 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
2h 4m 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 Saint Cloud, MN to Lonsdale, MN covers 97.8 miles and takes about 2h 4m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are 1st Street North, 9th Avenue North, West Saint Germain Street. Expect a mix of highway and local road driving.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 48.9 miles from Saint Cloud, MN. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $13.99 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 Saint Cloud, MN to Lonsdale, MN is easy. At 2h 4m 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 Saint Cloud, MN to Lonsdale, MN is straightforward, with well-signed roads and simple exits.
The route from Saint Cloud, MN to Lonsdale, MN does not surface many named destination signs beyond the main corridor.
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