Origin
Saint Cloud, MN
Morning in Saint Cloud on Saturday
Local time
9:50 AM
CDT
Current temp
67°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Saint Cloud, MN to Duluth, MN
Compiled and reviewed by the Trip.ovh planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Apr 18, 2026 · Editorial standards
Drive Time
2h 46m
Distance
144 mi
232 km
Drive Score
9/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$21
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
2h 35m
★
6 AM
2h 46m
8 AM
3h 8m
10 AM
2h 54m
12 PM
2h 51m
3 PM
2h 55m
5 PM
3h 7m
8 PM
2h 40m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Saint Cloud, MN
Wikimedia Commons
Duluth, MN
Wikimedia Commons
Trip Overview
The drive from Saint Cloud, MN to Duluth, MN covers 144 miles and takes about 2h 46m behind the wheel. This route is realistic as a one-day drive if you keep your stops efficient.
The route leans on I 35, Veterans' Evergreen Memorial Drive, MN 23 for much of the mileage, and the overall profile is mixed drive. The longest uninterrupted segment is about 39.5 miles on I 35. At current regular gas prices, budget about $21.43 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
72 miles from Saint Cloud, MN
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h 25m into the drive .
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 2h 46m. Total distance: 144 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
2h 46m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (52%). Straightforward navigation.
Drive Character
The drive from Saint Cloud, MN to Duluth, MN covers 144 miles and takes about 2h 46m, using a mix of highways and local roads.
Expect a mix of faster highway mileage and slower local approaches near the beginning or end.
There are about 20 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 39.5 miles.
How Hard Is This Drive?
This route mixes highway mileage with some local-road sections near the start or finish. There are only a few real navigation decisions along the way. The trickiest moment comes early in the drive near 2nd Street North.
Driving Effort
3/10
Easy - simple navigation with a manageable amount of wheel time
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This is a straightforward 2h 46m drive. You will face about 12 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 (2nd Street North): Navigation decision point; at 0.3 miles (5th Avenue North): Navigation decision point; at 67.5 miles (MN 23 / Veterans' Evergreen Memorial Drive): Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early.
Critical Maneuvers
5 of 12 key pointsThese are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
5
0 mi into trip
|
~0m in
|
2nd Street North
Turn right onto 2nd Street North
Navigation decision point
5
0.3 mi into trip
|
~0m in
|
5th Avenue North
Turn right onto 5th Avenue North
Navigation decision point
5
67.5 mi into trip
|
~1h 20m in
|
MN 23 / Veterans' Evergreen Memorial Drive
Take the exit onto MN 23 / Veterans' Evergreen Memorial Drive toward Interstate 35 North: Duluth
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early
Toward Interstate 35 North: Duluth
5
143.5 mi into trip
|
~2h 44m in
|
MN 194
Keep slight left at fork onto MN 194
Highway fork - watch signs carefully
5
143.9 mi into trip
|
~2h 45m in
|
Priley Drive
Turn left onto Priley Drive
Navigation decision point
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| I 35 | 39.5 mi | 44m |
| Veterans' Evergreen Memorial Drive | 36.2 mi | 38m |
| MN 23 | 34.4 mi | 39m |
| Forest Avenue East | 17.7 mi | 20m |
| 3rd Street Southeast | 14.6 mi | 18m |
| MN 194 | 0.6 mi | <1m |
| 5th Avenue North | 0.2 mi | <1m |
| 2nd Street South | 0.2 mi | <1m |
Longest stretch:
I 35
— 39.5 mi, about 44m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Saint Cloud, MN and Duluth, MN.
1
Start on Courthouse Square
7 ft
·
2 sec
·
Courthouse Square
2
Turn right onto 8th Avenue North
253 ft
·
13 sec
·
8th Avenue North
3
Turn right onto 2nd Street North
393 ft
·
9 sec
·
2nd Street North
4
Continue on 1st Street North
0.1 mi
·
21 sec
·
1st Street North
5
Turn right onto 5th Avenue North
0.2 mi
·
39 sec
·
5th Avenue North
6
Turn left onto MN 23
0.2 mi
·
31 sec
·
2nd Street South
7
Continue on MN 23
0.2 mi
·
21 sec
·
Granite City Crossing
8
Continue on MN 23
15 mi
·
18 min
·
3rd Street Southeast
9
Enter roundabout onto MN 23
114 ft
·
1 sec
·
MN 23
10
Continue on MN 23
33 mi
·
37 min
·
MN 23
11
Turn left onto MN 23; MN 65
1.6 mi
·
2 min
·
MN 23; MN 65
12
Continue on MN 23
18 mi
·
20 min
·
Forest Avenue East
13
Take the exit onto MN 23
36 mi
·
38 min
·
Veterans' Evergreen Memorial Drive
Toward Interstate 35 North: Duluth
14
Continue on I 35
39 mi
·
44 min
·
I 35
15
Take the exit onto MN 194
0.3 mi
·
38 sec
·
MN 194
16
Keep slight left at fork onto MN 194
0.3 mi
·
18 sec
·
MN 194
17
Turn right onto West 1st Street
0.2 mi
·
37 sec
·
West 1st Street
18
Turn left onto Priley Drive
88 ft
·
9 sec
·
Priley Drive
19
Continue on Priley Drive
448 ft
·
32 sec
·
Priley Drive
20
Arrive at destination
Priley Drive
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.
Plan roughly 1 meaningful break for fuel, food, and rest.
The halfway point lands around 72 miles from Saint Cloud, MN, or about 1h 25m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 39.5 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 32 miles or 39m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 72 miles or 1h 25m 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 15m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Duluth, 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 144 miles and 2h 46m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 32 miles from Saint Cloud, 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 39.5 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 72 mi from Saint Cloud, MN · 1h 25m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
72 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 32 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 72 miles from Saint Cloud, MN, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Arriving in Duluth, MN
The final approach into Duluth, 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 Duluth, 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
$21.43 one way
$42.86 round trip
$3.78/gal
25.4 MPG avg
50 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.07 | $23.09 | $46.18 |
| premium | $4.53 | $25.69 | $51.39 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $31.79 | $63.59 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$21
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$46–$71
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 50.4 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $15 in charging · 0 stops · 66% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 43.2 | 0 | $15.12 | $6.91 |
| Efficient EV | 36 | 0 | $12.60 | $5.76 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 57.6 | 0 | $20.16 | $9.22 |
Gas CO2
50 kg
EV CO2
17 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.
Destination
Duluth, MN
Morning in Duluth on Saturday
Local time
9:50 AM
CDT
Current temp
37°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
30 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 46m 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 Duluth, MN covers 144 miles and takes about 2h 46m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are I 35, Veterans' Evergreen Memorial Drive, MN 23. Expect a mix of highway and local road driving.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 72 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 $21.43 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.
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 2h 46m drive. You will face about 12 decision points, but nothing that requires special attention if you follow navigation.
The main spots that need attention: near the start (2nd Street North): Navigation decision point; at 0.3 miles (5th Avenue North): Navigation decision point; at 67.5 miles (MN 23 / Veterans' Evergreen Memorial Drive): Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early.
The route from Saint Cloud, MN to Duluth, MN does not surface many named destination signs beyond the main corridor.
How this page is built
Compiled by the Trip.ovh planning team at COD Solutions Oy from open government datasets — OSRM over OpenStreetMap for geometry, and EIA for fuel prices. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.
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