Origin
Saint Cloud, MN
Afternoon in Saint Cloud on Wednesday
Local time
4:33 PM
CDT
Current temp
43°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Saint Cloud, MN to Watertown, MN
Last recalculated Apr 15, 2026
Drive Time
1h 18m
Distance
56.3 mi
91 km
Drive Score
7/10
Good drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$8
one way
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
1h 12m
★
6 AM
1h 18m
8 AM
1h 30m
10 AM
1h 23m
12 PM
1h 21m
3 PM
1h 23m
5 PM
1h 30m
8 PM
1h 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
Trip Overview
The drive from Saint Cloud, MN to Watertown, MN covers 56.3 miles and takes about 1h 18m behind the wheel. This route is realistic as a one-day drive if you keep your stops efficient.
The route leans on 1st Street North, 9th Avenue North, West Saint Germain Street for much of the mileage, and the overall profile is turn-heavy local drive. At current regular gas prices, budget about $8.38 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
28.2 miles from Saint Cloud, MN
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 39m into the drive .
Drive Character
Expect a 1h 18m drive with frequent turns across 56.3 miles of local and secondary roads.
This route has more turning and local-road decision points than a simple highway run.
There are about 31 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 Watertown, MN is easy. At 1h 18m 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 Watertown, MN is straightforward, with well-signed roads and simple exits.
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| 1st Street North | — | — |
| 9th Avenue North | — | — |
| West Saint Germain Street | — | — |
| Washington Memorial Drive | — | — |
| Roosevelt Road | — | — |
| Highway 25 | — | — |
| Central Avenue | — | — |
| Lake Boulevard South | — | — |
Some road-level metrics are being recalculated.
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 Watertown, 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
22 mi
·
23 min
9
Take the exit slight right
0.4 mi
·
52 sec
10
Turn right onto State Highway 25
7.5 mi
·
10 min
·
State Highway 25
11
Continue on State Highway 25
1.5 mi
·
2 min
·
State Highway 25
12
Continue on Central Avenue
0.2 mi
·
25 sec
·
Central Avenue
13
Enter the roundabout and take exit 2 toward Central Avenue
112 ft
·
6 sec
·
Central Avenue
14
Exit the roundabout onto Central Avenue
0.5 mi
·
1 min
·
Central Avenue
15
Continue on Lake Boulevard South
0.7 mi
·
1 min
·
Lake Boulevard South
16
Continue straight
0.1 mi
·
20 sec
17
Enter the roundabout and take exit 1 toward State Highway 25
92 ft
·
5 sec
·
State Highway 25
18
Exit the rotary onto State Highway 25
0.3 mi
·
25 sec
·
State Highway 25
19
Continue on Southeast Ahern Avenue
0.8 mi
·
1 min
·
Southeast Ahern Avenue
20
Continue on State Highway 25
5.7 mi
·
7 min
·
State Highway 25
21
At the end of the road, turn right onto 60th Street Southeast
0.3 mi
·
21 sec
·
60th Street Southeast
22
Merge slight left onto US 12
1.3 mi
·
1 min
·
US 12
23
Continue on Nelson Boulevard
0.5 mi
·
1 min
·
Nelson Boulevard
24
Turn left onto Buffalo Avenue South
0.4 mi
·
53 sec
·
Buffalo Avenue South
25
Continue on State Highway 25
6.8 mi
·
9 min
·
State Highway 25
26
Continue on 18th Street
1.2 mi
·
1 min
·
18th Street
27
Turn right onto Jefferson Avenue Northwest
0.2 mi
·
25 sec
·
Jefferson Avenue Northwest
28
Turn left onto Territorial Street West
0.3 mi
·
44 sec
·
Territorial Street West
29
Enter the roundabout and take exit 1 toward Lewis Avenue South
20 ft
·
1 sec
·
Lewis Avenue South
30
Exit the roundabout onto Lewis Avenue South
30 ft
·
1 sec
·
Lewis Avenue South
31
Arrive at your destination
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 28.2 miles from Saint Cloud, MN, or about 39m 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 12 miles or 16m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 28.2 miles or 39m 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 6m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Watertown, 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.
Day 1
Settle into the route from Saint Cloud, MN
This is one driving day of about 56.3 miles and 1h 18m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 12 miles from Saint Cloud, MN.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 28.2 mi from Saint Cloud, MN · 39m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
28 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 12 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 28.2 miles from Saint Cloud, MN, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Arriving in Watertown, MN
The final approach into Watertown, MN usually feels slower than the middle of the drive, so avoid planning your tightest schedule at the very end.
These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$8.38 one way
$16.76 round trip
$3.78/gal
25.4 MPG avg
20 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.07 | $9.03 | $18.06 |
| premium | $4.53 | $10.05 | $20.09 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $12.43 | $24.86 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$8
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$33–$58
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 19.7 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $6 in charging · 0 stops · 65% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 16.9 | 0 | $5.91 | $2.70 |
| Efficient EV | 14.1 | 0 | $4.93 | $2.25 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 22.5 | 0 | $7.88 | $3.60 |
Gas CO2
20 kg
EV CO2
7 kg (65% 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
Watertown, MN
Afternoon in Watertown on Wednesday
Local time
4:33 PM
CDT
Current temp
71°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
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
28 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 18m 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 Watertown, MN covers 56.3 miles and takes about 1h 18m 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 28.2 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 $8.38 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 Watertown, MN is easy. At 1h 18m 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 Watertown, MN is straightforward, with well-signed roads and simple exits.
The route from Saint Cloud, MN to Watertown, MN does not surface many named destination signs beyond the main corridor.
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