Origin
Saint Cloud, MN
Afternoon in Saint Cloud on Saturday
Local time
12:49 PM
CDT
Current temp
67°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Saint Cloud, MN to La Crescent, MN
Compiled and reviewed by the Trip.ovh planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Apr 18, 2026 · Editorial standards
Drive Time
4h 23m
Distance
224.1 mi
361 km
Drive Score
8/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$33
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
4h 10m
★
6 AM
4h 23m
8 AM
4h 50m
10 AM
4h 33m
12 PM
4h 30m
3 PM
4h 34m
5 PM
4h 49m
8 PM
4h 15m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Saint Cloud, MN
Wikimedia Commons
La Crescent, MN
Tom Fisk
Trip Overview
The drive from Saint Cloud, MN to La Crescent, MN covers 224.1 miles and takes about 4h 23m behind the wheel. This route is realistic as a one-day drive if you keep your stops efficient.
The route leans on US 52, I 90, I 94 for much of the mileage, and the overall profile is mostly highway. The longest uninterrupted segment is about 64.7 miles on US 52. At current regular gas prices, budget about $33.35 one way before food or hotel costs.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is possible, but it will make for a full day on the road.
Break Rhythm
1 planned break
Plan on a short reset every 3 to 4 hours to stay fresh behind the wheel.
Midpoint
112 miles from Saint Cloud, MN
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 2h 13m into the drive .
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| US 52 | 64.7 mi | 1h 15m |
| I 90 | 56.7 mi | 1h |
| I 94 | 52.3 mi | 57m |
| Lafayette Freeway | 13.3 mi | 16m |
| I 694 | 11.7 mi | 12m |
| County 14 Boulevard | 5.8 mi | 9m |
| Voyageur Highway | 5.5 mi | 6m |
| County 9 Boulevard | 4.1 mi | 5m |
Longest stretch:
US 52
— 64.7 mi, about 1h 15m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Saint Cloud, MN and La Crescent, MN.
1
Start on Courthouse Square
270 ft
·
13 sec
·
Courthouse Square
2
Turn right onto 1st Street North
215 ft
·
14 sec
·
1st Street North
3
Turn left onto 9th Avenue North
399 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 CR 75
3.9 mi
·
6 min
·
Roosevelt Road
7
Take the ramp
0.4 mi
·
49 sec
8
Merge onto I 94
52 mi
·
57 min
·
I 94
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
9
Keep slight left at fork onto I 694
12 mi
·
12 min
·
I 694
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
10
Keep slight right at fork onto US 10
5.5 mi
·
6 min
·
Voyageur Highway
Exit 46
Toward US 10 East, I 35 South: St Paul
Use the slight right lane.
11
Keep slight left at fork onto US 10
0.6 mi
·
36 sec
·
US 10
Exit 107A
Toward US 10 East, I 94 East, US 52 South: 10th Street, Wacouta Street
Use the slight left / straight lanes.
12
Take the exit onto US 52
0.3 mi
·
38 sec
·
US 52
Exit 242D
Toward US 52
Use the slight right lane.
13
Merge onto US 52
13 mi
·
16 min
·
Lafayette Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
14
Keep slight right at fork onto US 52
21 mi
·
24 min
·
US 52
Toward Rochester
Use the straight lane.
15
Take the exit
0.3 mi
·
40 sec
Exit 96
Toward CR 24: Cannon Falls
16
Enter roundabout onto CR 24
26 ft
·
0 sec
·
County 24 Boulevard
17
Continue on CR 24
0.1 mi
·
19 sec
·
County 24 Boulevard
18
Enter roundabout onto CR 14
221 ft
·
6 sec
·
County 14 Boulevard
19
Continue on CR 14
5.8 mi
·
9 min
·
County 14 Boulevard
20
Turn left onto CR 9
4.1 mi
·
5 min
·
County 9 Boulevard
21
Take the ramp
0.2 mi
·
42 sec
Toward US 52 South
22
Merge onto US 52
17 mi
·
19 min
·
US 52
Use the straight lane.
23
Continue on US 52
27 mi
·
31 min
·
US 52
Use the straight lane.
24
Turn left
0.3 mi
·
40 sec
Toward I 90 East: La Crosse
Use the left lane.
25
Merge onto I 90
57 mi
·
1 hr
·
I 90
26
Keep slight right at fork onto US 14; US 61
2.6 mi
·
3 min
·
US 14; US 61
27
Turn slight right
478 ft
·
18 sec
Toward Main Street
28
Turn right onto Main Street
319 ft
·
19 sec
·
Main Street
29
Turn left onto South Walnut Street
384 ft
·
19 sec
·
South Walnut Street
30
Turn right onto South 1st Street
54 ft
·
2 sec
·
South 1st Street
31
Arrive at destination
South 1st Street
Trip Plan
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 112 miles from Saint Cloud, MN, or about 2h 13m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 64.7 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 49 miles or 58m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 112 miles or 2h 13m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 3h 38m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near La Crescent, 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 224.1 miles and 4h 23m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 49 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 US 52 for about 64.7 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Mid-route town
Meal stop
112 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 49 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 112 miles from Saint Cloud, MN, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Before the longest stretch
Fuel checkTop up before US 52 if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 64.7 miles.
These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.
Heads-up: tricky spots
5 of 235 decision points cluster between mile 57.9 and 89.3 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
6
57.9 mi into trip
|
~1h 8m in
|
I 694
Keep slight left at fork onto I 694
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
9
69.6 mi into trip
|
~1h 21m in
|
US 10 / Voyageur Highway
Keep slight right at fork onto US 10 / Voyageur Highway toward US 10 East, I 35 South: St Paul
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the slight right lane.
Exit 46
Toward US 10 East, I 35 South: St Paul
9
75.1 mi into trip
|
~1h 28m in
|
US 10
Keep slight left at fork onto US 10 toward US 10 East, I 94 East, US 52 South: 10th Street, Wacouta Street
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the slight left / straight lanes.
Exit 107A
Toward US 10 East, I 94 East, US 52 South: 10th...
7
75.6 mi into trip
|
~1h 28m in
|
US 52
Take the exit onto US 52 toward US 52
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight right lane.
Exit 242D
Toward US 52
7
89.3 mi into trip
|
~1h 45m in
|
US 52
Keep slight right at fork onto US 52 toward Rochester
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight lane.
Toward Rochester
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$33.35 one way
$66.70 round trip
$3.78/gal
25.4 MPG avg
78 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.07 | $35.94 | $71.87 |
| premium | $4.53 | $39.99 | $79.97 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $49.48 | $98.96 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$33
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$58–$83
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 78.4 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $24 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 67.2 | 0 | $23.53 | $10.76 |
| Efficient EV | 56 | 0 | $19.61 | $8.96 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 89.6 | 1 | $31.37 | $14.34 |
Gas CO2
78 kg
EV CO2
26 kg (67% less)
Plan for 0 charging stops, roughly every 270 miles. Allow 25-40 minutes per stop at a DC fast charger.
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
La Crescent, MN
Afternoon in La Crescent on Saturday
Local time
12:49 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
Very similar conditions
Both ends of the route are sitting at about the same temperature right now.
Road read
4h 23m on the road
An early start around 7-8 AM gets you there with plenty of daylight left.
Weather data from the National Weather Service. Conditions may change; check closer to your travel date.
What kind of drive is this?
224.1 mi in 4h 23m, mostly highway — 64.7 mi of that is on US 52.
90% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
31 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 64.7 mi on US 52.
How Hard Is This Drive?
9/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on US 52 and I 90. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 57.9 miles in near I 694.
Driving Effort
9/10
High effort - long or complex enough to need steady focus all day
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This is a demanding drive. With 23 significant decision points across 224.1 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 57.9 miles (I 694): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 69.6 miles (US 10 / Voyageur Highway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 75.1 miles (US 10): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
Between Saint Cloud, MN and La Crescent, MN, road signs point toward Rochester and Cr 24: Cannon Falls.
Rochester
89.3 mi in
|
~1h 45m
|
via US 52
Cr 24: Cannon Falls
110.2 mi in
|
~2h 10m
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 4h 23m. Total distance: 224.1 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
4h 23m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (90%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 64.7 miles on US 52. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
We did not find dedicated rest areas on this route. For a drive this long, plan bathroom and stretch breaks around gas stations, fast-food stops, or small-town downtowns — check the Nearby Places section for options.
It helps. This route has a higher-than-average number of complex decision points, which get harder in the dark. If the last hour of the trip is on surface roads or mountain grades, aim to arrive at La Crescent, MN before sunset when you can. Check the Trip Plan for departure windows that land you in daylight.
Only with planning. This is a long drive for kids — consider splitting it into two days rather than pushing through. Plan at least 1 meaningful breaks. Dedicated rest areas are limited, so plan gas or food stops as your bathroom breaks.
The main spots that need attention: at 57.9 miles (I 694): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 69.6 miles (US 10 / Voyageur Highway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 75.1 miles (US 10): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Possible but tiring. At 4.4 hours each way, an in-and-out day trip would put you behind the wheel for 8.8 hours — manageable with a long break at La Crescent, MN, but most travelers stay overnight.
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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