Drive Time
2h 29m
Distance
116.7 mi
188 km
Drive Score
9/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$17
one way
Photo: Tom Fisk
The drive from Saint Cloud, MN to Cottonwood, MN covers 116.7 miles and takes about 2h 29m behind the wheel. This route is realistic as a one-day drive if you keep your stops efficient.
The route leans on US 71, MN 23, 2nd Street South for much of the mileage, and the overall profile is highway-focused drive. The longest uninterrupted segment is about 38.6 miles on US 71. At current regular gas prices, budget about $16.69 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
58.4 miles from Saint Cloud, MN
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h 14m into the drive .
This is a 2h 29m highway drive covering 116.7 miles, with most of the trip on US 71 and MN 23. The longest continuous stretch is about 38.6 miles on US 71.
Mostly flat terrain
Total Climb
400 ft
Total Descent
357 ft
Highest Point
1,242 ft
~43.8 mi in
Elevation Range
308 ft
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on US 71 and MN 23. You will hit about 14 points where you need to pay attention to lane position or signs. The trickiest moment comes early in the drive near 8th Avenue North.
Moderate - straightforward overall, but long enough or busy enough to require pacing
This drive requires moderate attention. Across 116.7 miles you will encounter 14 spots where lane choice or exit timing matters. Not difficult for experienced highway drivers, but worth previewing the tricky sections before you go.
Where does it get tricky?
The main spots that need attention: near the start (8th Avenue North): Navigation decision point; near the start (2nd Street North): Navigation decision point; at 0.6 miles (16th Avenue North): Navigation decision point.
These are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
Turn right onto 8th Avenue North
Navigation decision point
Turn left onto 2nd Street North
Navigation decision point
Turn right onto 16th Avenue North
Navigation decision point
Turn right onto MN 23 / 2nd Street South
Lane positioning matters here
Keep slight left at fork onto US 71; MN 23 toward US 71, MN 23
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| US 71 | 38.6 mi | 48m |
| MN 23 | 36.2 mi | 43m |
| 2nd Street South | 18 mi | 22m |
| State Highway 23/67 | 14.9 mi | 18m |
| US 212 | 3.2 mi | 4m |
| 3rd Street North | 1.6 mi | 3m |
| Division Street | 1.2 mi | 1m |
| 4th Street Southwest | 0.9 mi | 1m |
Step-by-step road directions between Saint Cloud, MN and Cottonwood, MN.
Start on Courthouse Square
Turn right onto 8th Avenue North
Turn left onto 2nd Street North
Turn right onto 16th Avenue North
Turn left onto 3rd Street North
Turn left onto MN 15
Turn right onto CR 75
Turn left onto 10th Avenue South
Turn right onto MN 23
Continue on MN 23
Continue on MN 23
Continue on MN 23
Continue on MN 23
Keep slight left at fork onto US 71; MN 23
Turn right onto US 212; MN 23
Turn left onto MN 23; MN 67
Turn right onto CR 10
At end of road, turn left onto CR 32
Turn right onto CR 10
Arrive at destination
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.
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 58.4 miles or 1h 14m 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 1m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Cottonwood, MN than in the middle of the route.
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 116.7 miles and 2h 29m.
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 58.4 mi from Saint Cloud, MN · 1h 14m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
58 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.
The final approach into Cottonwood, 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 Cottonwood, MN.
These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.
Regular Gas
$16.69 one way
$33.38 round trip
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $3.92 | $18.01 | $36.03 |
| premium | $4.39 | $20.18 | $40.36 |
| diesel | $5.64 | $25.93 | $51.85 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$17
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$42–$67
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 40.8 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-06.
Driving Electric?
About $12 in charging · 0 stops · 66% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 35 | 0 | $12.25 | $5.60 |
| Efficient EV | 29.2 | 0 | $10.21 | $4.67 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 46.7 | 0 | $16.34 | $7.47 |
Gas CO2
41 kg
EV CO2
14 kg (66% 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. If you're planning ahead, check the forecast closer to your travel date.
Origin
Morning in Saint Cloud on Sunday
Local time
9:01 AM
CDT
Current temp
45°F
Chance Showers And Thunderstorms
Flood Watch
Flood Watch issued April 11 at 1:05PM CDT by NWS Grand Forks ND
Flood Watch
Flood Watch issued April 11 at 1:04PM CDT by NWS Grand Forks ND
Destination
Morning in Cottonwood on Sunday
Local time
9:01 AM
CDT
Current temp
50°F
Slight Chance Drizzle then Slight Chance Rain Showers
Flood Watch
Flood Watch issued April 11 at 1:05PM CDT by NWS Grand Forks ND
Flood Watch
Flood Watch issued April 11 at 1:04PM CDT by NWS Grand Forks ND
Along the Route
37°F
Avon, MN
58 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
Origin and destination are on the same clock, so arrival timing is easier to judge at a glance.
Temperature spread
A meaningful temperature swing is a good cue to rethink layers, water, and how soon you want to arrive.
Road read
The weather snapshot is not static. If you are leaving later, give both cities one more quick forecast check before departure.
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