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Trip from Saint Paul Park, MN to Saint Cloud, MN

Compiled and reviewed by the Trip.ovh planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Apr 17, 2026 · Editorial standards

Drive Time

1h 46m

Distance

85.8 mi

138 km

Drive Score

7/10

Good drive

Same Day?

Yes, doable

Fuel Cost

$13

one way

EV Charging

Unknown

Best Time to Leave

Save up to 24 min
4 AM
1h 38m ★
6 AM
1h 46m
8 AM
2h 2m
10 AM
1h 52m
12 PM
1h 50m
3 PM
1h 52m
5 PM
2h 1m
8 PM
1h 41m

Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.

Downtown Saint Paul Park, MN, MN

Saint Paul Park, MN

Adriaan Greyling

city on tripoint of Benton, Sherburne and Stearns Counties in Minnesota, United States

Saint Cloud, MN

Wikimedia Commons

Trip Overview

This 85.8-mile drive from Saint Paul Park, MN, to Saint Cloud, MN, is a straightforward trip through the Midwest region, designed for a single day of travel. Expect to spend about 1 hour and 46 minutes on the road, covering most of the distance on highways like US 10 and I-94 W. With an estimated fuel cost of $13, this route is an economical option for a quick journey. Given its relatively short length and highway-focused profile, it's perfectly suited as a day trip, offering efficiency for those looking to get from point A to point B without extensive planning.

Trip Pace

Same-day drive is realistic

A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.

Midpoint

42.9 miles from Saint Paul Park, MN

A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 54m into the drive .

Who Is This Route For?

Weekend Trip

Doable as a same-day drive at 1h 46m. Total distance: 85.8 miles.

Family Friendly

Moderate complexity with 0 natural rest stops along the way.

Solo Traveler

1h 46m drive, comfortable solo distance.

First-Time Driver

Mostly highway driving (92%). Some complex stretches to watch for.

Drive Character

This is a highway-focused drive, with 92% of the route utilizing major roadways. You'll spend most of your time on efficient interstates like I-94 W, transitioning to US 10. The longest uninterrupted stretch you'll encounter is 31.6 miles on US 10, offering a solid period of consistent travel. The character of the road remains largely consistent, prioritizing speed and directness rather than varied scenery or winding paths. It's a drive built for covering ground efficiently.

Most of the miles stay on highways, which makes pacing and fuel planning easier than turn-by-turn city driving.
There are about 22 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.
US 10 is the longest continuous segment at about 31.6 miles.

How Hard Is This Drive?

This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on US 10 and I 94. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 0.6 miles in.

Driving Effort 10/10

Demanding - stay alert through the decision-heavy sections

Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.

This drive requires moderate attention. Across 85.8 miles you will encounter 18 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: at 0.6 miles: Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 10.7 miles (US 10): Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 15.8 miles (US 10): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.

Critical Maneuvers

5 of 18 key points

These are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.

8
0.6 mi into trip | ~2m in

Turn left toward US 10 West, US 61 North

Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one

Use the left lane. Toward US 10 West, US 61 North
8
10.7 mi into trip | ~15m in | US 10

Take the exit onto US 10 toward I 35E North, US 10 West

Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one

Use the slight right lane. Exit 242B Toward I 35E North, US 10 West
9
15.8 mi into trip | ~22m in | US 10

Keep slight right at fork onto US 10 toward US 10 West, I 694 West, I 694 East

Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one

Use the straight / slight right lanes. Exit 113-114 Toward US 10 West, I 694 West, I 694 East
6
80.3 mi into trip | ~1h 34m in

Take the exit toward CR 7, CR 75: Saint Augusta, Saint Cloud

Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one

Exit 171 Toward CR 7, CR 75: Saint Augusta, Saint Cloud
6
85.8 mi into trip | ~1h 45m in | Courthouse Square

At end of road, turn left onto Courthouse Square

Complex interchange - multiple decisions in a short stretch

Towns Mentioned on Route Signs

Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.

Between Saint Paul Park, MN and Saint Cloud, MN, road signs point toward Cr 7 and Cr 75: Saint Augusta.

Cr 7

80.3 mi in | ~1h 34m

Cr 75: Saint Augusta

80.3 mi in | ~1h 34m

Main Roads

Road Distance Duration
US 10 31.6 mi 39m
I 94 30.7 mi 33m
I-94 W 17.1 mi 18m
Roosevelt Road 3.1 mi 4m
9th Avenue South 0.9 mi 2m
Summit Avenue 0.6 mi 2m
11th Avenue South 0.5 mi 1m
10th Avenue South 0.3 mi <1m
Longest stretch: US 10 — 31.6 mi, about 39m

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between Saint Paul Park, MN and Saint Cloud, MN.

1

Start on 9th Avenue

35 ft · 3 sec · 9th Avenue
2

Turn right onto Summit Avenue

0.6 mi · 2 min · Summit Avenue
3

Turn left

0.4 mi · 49 sec
Toward US 10 West, US 61 North Use the left lane.
4

Merge onto US 10; US 61

7.0 mi · 8 min · US 10; US 61
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
5

Take the exit onto US 10; US 61

0.6 mi · 56 sec · US 10; US 61
6

Merge onto I 94

2.1 mi · 2 min · I 94
Use the straight / slight left lanes.
7

Take the exit onto US 10

5.1 mi · 6 min · US 10
Exit 242B Toward I 35E North, US 10 West Use the slight right lane.
8

Keep slight right at fork onto US 10

0.3 mi · 19 sec · US 10
Exit 113-114 Toward US 10 West, I 694 West, I 694 East Use the straight / slight right lanes.
9

Continue on US 10

19 mi · 22 min · US 10
Exit 113 Toward I 694 West, US 10 West Use the straight / slight right lanes.
10

Continue on I 94

17 mi · 18 min · I-94 W
Exit 27 Toward I 94 West: Saint Cloud Use the straight / left lanes.
11

Keep slight left at fork onto I 94

29 mi · 30 min · I 94
12

Take the exit

0.3 mi · 42 sec
Exit 171 Toward CR 7, CR 75: Saint Augusta, Saint Cloud
13

Keep slight right at fork

521 ft · 12 sec
14

Turn straight onto CR 75

3.1 mi · 4 min · Roosevelt Road
15

Turn right onto 22nd Street South

127 ft · 7 sec · 22nd Street South
16

Turn left onto 11th Avenue South

0.5 mi · 1 min · 11th Avenue South
17

Turn right onto 15th Street South

0.1 mi · 22 sec · 15th Street South
18

At end of road, turn left onto 9th Avenue South

0.9 mi · 2 min · 9th Avenue South
19

Continue on 10th Avenue South

0.3 mi · 49 sec · 10th Avenue South
20

Turn right onto 1st Street North

0.1 mi · 29 sec · 1st Street North
21

At end of road, turn left onto Courthouse Square

270 ft · 11 sec · Courthouse Square
22

Arrive at destination

Courthouse Square

Trip Plan

Plan to depart Saint Paul Park when traffic is lightest, likely mid-morning, to maximize your time on the road. Since this is a shorter, 1-hour-and-46-minute drive, you have the flexibility to leave whenever suits you best. With only 85.8 miles to cover and a minimal fuel cost of $13, you won't need many stops. However, be mindful of the 31.6-mile stretch on US 10; ensure you have enough fuel before embarking on that segment to maintain a smooth journey to Saint Cloud.

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 42.9 miles from Saint Paul Park, MN, or about 54m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 31.6 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 19 miles or 26m in

Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.

Halfway reset

Around 42.9 miles or 54m 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 26m

Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Saint Cloud, MN than in the middle of the route.

Before You Leave

+

Open the route before leaving Saint Paul Park, MN so your first major turns are already loaded.

Day 1

Settle into the route from Saint Paul Park, MN

This is one driving day of about 85.8 miles and 1h 46m.

Your first comfortable stop window is around 19 miles from Saint Paul Park, MN.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
The longest stretch is on US 10 for about 31.6 miles.

Where to Stop

Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.

Halfway Point

Midpoint

About 42.9 mi from Saint Paul Park, MN · 54m into the drive

suburb city of Minneapolis, located in Hennepin County, Minnesota, United States

Mid-route town

Meal stop

Brooklyn Park, MN

43 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

Roseville, MN

Fuel and coffee

A short stop after about 19 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.

Otsego, MN

Meal break

The midpoint is around 42.9 miles from Saint Paul Park, MN, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.

Arriving in Saint Cloud, MN

The final approach into Saint Cloud, 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

$12.77 one way

$25.54 round trip

$3.78/gal 25.4 MPG avg 30 kg CO2
Fuel Type $/gal One Way Round Trip
midgrade $4.07 $13.76 $27.52
premium $4.53 $15.31 $30.62
diesel $5.61 $18.94 $37.89

No toll roads detected on this route.

Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)

Fuel

$13

Meals

$25–$50

Total

$38–$63

Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.

Estimated CO2 emission: 30 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.

Driving Electric?

About $9 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO2

Vehicle Type kWh Stops DC Fast Home Charge
Average EV 25.7 0 $9.01 $4.12
Efficient EV 21.5 0 $7.51 $3.43
EV Truck/SUV 34.3 0 $12.01 $5.49

Gas CO2

30 kg

EV CO2

10 kg (67% 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.

Forecast as of Apr 16, 2026

Origin

Saint Paul Park, MN

Morning in Saint Paul Park on Friday

Local time

8:08 AM

CDT

Current temp

45°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

Destination

Saint Cloud, MN

Morning in Saint Cloud on Friday

Local time

8:08 AM

CDT

Current temp

78°F

Sunny

S 10 to 15 mph 1% chance Live forecast

Red Flag Warning

Red Flag Warning issued April 16 at 12:02PM CDT until April 16 at 8:00PM CDT by NWS Sioux Falls SD

Red Flag Warning

Red Flag Warning issued April 16 at 11:43AM CDT until April 16 at 8:00PM CDT by NWS Grand Forks ND

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

33 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 46m on the road

The weather snapshot is not static. If you are leaving later, give both cities one more quick forecast check before departure.

Weather data from the National Weather Service. Conditions may change; check closer to your travel date.

Frequently Asked Questions

The drive from Saint Paul Park, MN to Saint Cloud, MN covers 85.8 miles and takes about 1h 46m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.

The main roads are US 10, I 94, I-94 W. Most of the drive stays on highways, so watch for ramps and exits.

This is a comfortable same-day trip.

The midpoint is about 42.9 miles from Saint Paul Park, MN. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.

At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $12.77 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.

This drive requires moderate attention. Across 85.8 miles you will encounter 18 spots where lane choice or exit timing matters. Not difficult for experienced highway drivers, but worth previewing the tricky sections before you go.

The main spots that need attention: at 0.6 miles: Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 10.7 miles (US 10): Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 15.8 miles (US 10): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.

Between Saint Paul Park, MN and Saint Cloud, MN, road signs point toward Cr 7 and Cr 75: Saint Augusta.

How this page is built

Compiled and maintained by the Trip.ovh planning team at COD Solutions Oy (Helsinki). Each route is built from authoritative open government and mapping datasets rather than crowdsourced reviews. Distances and geometry come from OSRM over OpenStreetMap. Fuel cost uses EIA weekly regional averages. Pages are published only after passing our data-quality checks; our methodology page documents refresh cadence, editorial standards, and known limitations.

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