Scandia, MN to Saint Cloud, MN is 88.5 miles and takes about 1h 46m via I 94 and I-94 W, with a fuel budget near $13 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This drive keeps you within Minnesota, moving from the Midwest region to another part of the Midwest. It's a straightforward, highway-focused journey that's perfect for a single-day trip, allowing you to reach your destination without feeling rushed. You'll spend most of your time on major interstates, making for a predictable and efficient travel experience.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.
Midpoint
44.2 miles from Scandia, MN
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 53m into the drive
.
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 1h 46m. Total distance: 88.5 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 (80%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Drive Character
This route is primarily a highway-focused drive, with 80% of the journey on interstates like I 94 and MN-610. Expect mostly fast-paced driving with limited opportunities for spontaneous stops off the main thoroughfare. The longest uninterrupted stretch you'll encounter is 28.6 miles on I 94, offering a solid period of consistent travel. As you progress, the character remains largely consistent, maintaining its interstate feel throughout the 88.5-mile trip.
Most of the miles stay on highways, which makes pacing and fuel planning easier than turn-by-turn city driving.
There are about 28 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.
I 94 is the longest continuous segment at about 28.6 miles.
How Hard Is This Drive?
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 94 and MN-610. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 11.8 miles in.
Driving Effort10/10
Demanding - stay alert through the decision-heavy sections
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This drive requires moderate attention. Across 88.5 miles you will encounter 21 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 11.8 miles: Lane positioning matters here; at 13.7 miles (I 35W): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 25 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here.
Critical Maneuvers
5 of 21 key points
These are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
7
11.8 mi into trip|~16m in
Take the ramp toward I 35 South
Lane positioning matters here
Use the left / straight lanes.
Toward I 35 South
7
13.7 mi into trip|~19m in|I 35W
Keep slight right at fork onto I 35W toward I 35W: Minneapolis
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / right lanes.
Toward I 35W: Minneapolis
7
25 mi into trip|~31m in
Take the exit toward US 10 West
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight right lane.
Exit 30
Toward US 10 West
6
29 mi into trip|~35m in|MN 610 / MN-610
Keep slight right at fork onto MN 610 / MN-610
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight right lane.
6
83 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
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
Between Scandia, MN and Saint Cloud, MN, road signs point toward Cr 7 and Cr 75: Saint Augusta.
Cr 7
83 mi in|~1h 34m
Cr 75: Saint Augusta
83 mi in|~1h 34m
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
I 94
28.6 mi
30m
MN-610
12.8 mi
14m
I-94 W
12.6 mi
13m
I 35W
11.3 mi
12m
Scandia Trail North
11.3 mi
15m
US 10
3.5 mi
3m
Roosevelt Road
3.1 mi
4m
I 35
1.8 mi
1m
Longest stretch:
I 94
— 28.6 mi, about 30m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Scandia, MN and Saint Cloud, MN.
1
Start on this road
87 ft·8 sec·this road
2
Turn right onto CH 3
0.2 mi·29 sec·Olinda Trail North
3
Turn left onto MN 97
8.8 mi·12 min·Scandia Trail North
4
Enter roundabout onto MN 97
115 ft·2 sec·Scandia Trail North
5
Continue on MN 97
0.4 mi·33 sec·Scandia Trail North
6
Enter roundabout onto US 61
250 ft·4 sec·Scandia Trail North
7
Continue on US 61
0.3 mi·22 sec·Scandia Trail North
8
Keep slight right at fork onto US 61
1.8 mi·2 min·Scandia Trail North
9
Continue on CR 23
0.3 mi·30 sec·Lake Drive Northeast
Use the straight / right lanes.
10
Take the ramp
0.2 mi·26 sec
Toward I 35 SouthUse the left / straight lanes.
11
Merge onto I 35
1.8 mi·1 min·I 35
Use the straight / right lanes.
12
Keep slight right at fork onto I 35W
11 mi·12 min·I 35W
Toward I 35W: MinneapolisUse the straight / right lanes.
13
Take the exit
0.5 mi·59 sec
Exit 30Toward US 10 WestUse the slight right lane.
14
Merge onto US 10
3.5 mi·3 min·US 10
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
15
Keep slight right at fork onto MN 610
13 mi·14 min·MN-610
Use the slight right lane.
16
Merge onto I 94
13 mi·13 min·I-94 W
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
17
Keep slight left at fork onto I 94
29 mi·30 min·I 94
18
Take the exit
0.3 mi·42 sec
Exit 171Toward CR 7, CR 75: Saint Augusta, Saint Cloud
19
Keep slight right at fork
521 ft·12 sec
20
Turn straight onto CR 75
3.1 mi·4 min·Roosevelt Road
21
Turn right onto 22nd Street South
127 ft·7 sec·22nd Street South
22
Turn left onto 11th Avenue South
0.5 mi·1 min·11th Avenue South
23
Turn right onto 15th Street South
0.1 mi·22 sec·15th Street South
24
At end of road, turn left onto 9th Avenue South
0.9 mi·2 min·9th Avenue South
25
Continue on 10th Avenue South
0.3 mi·49 sec·10th Avenue South
26
Turn right onto 1st Street North
0.1 mi·29 sec·1st Street North
27
At end of road, turn left onto Courthouse Square
270 ft·11 sec·Courthouse Square
28
Arrive at destination
Courthouse Square
Trip Plan
Given the short duration of 1 hour and 46 minutes, you have a lot of flexibility with this trip. Leaving anytime in the morning should allow you to arrive with plenty of daylight. With a fuel cost estimated around $13, you won't need to worry excessively about budgeting for gas on this relatively short hop. Since the longest stretch is just under 30 miles, you can easily plan for a quick stop every hour or so if needed, though it's not strictly necessary for this route. Keep an eye out for the transition onto I-94 W as it's a key point in reaching 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 44.2 miles from Scandia, MN, or about 53m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 28.6 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 24m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 44.2 miles or 53m 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 Scandia, MN so your first major turns are already loaded.
Day 1
Settle into the route from Scandia, MN
This is one driving day of about 88.5 miles and 1h 46m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 19 miles from Scandia, MN.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
The longest stretch is on I 94 for about 28.6 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 44.2 mi from Scandia, MN
· 53m into the drive
Place data sourced from public business listings. Hours and availability may vary.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$13.17 one way
$26.34 round trip
$3.78/gal25.4 MPG avg31 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.07
$14.19
$28.38
premium
$4.53
$15.79
$31.58
diesel
$5.61
$19.54
$39.08
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: 31 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $9 in charging
· 0 stops
· 68% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
26.6
0
$9.29
$4.25
Efficient EV
22.1
0
$7.74
$3.54
EV Truck/SUV
35.4
0
$12.39
$5.66
Gas CO2
31 kg
EV CO2
10 kg (68% 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 15, 2026
Origin
Scandia, MN
Morning
in Scandia on Friday
Local time
9:53 AM
CDT
Current temp
64°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
Saint Cloud, MN
Morning
in Saint Cloud on Friday
Local time
9:53 AM
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
3 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
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 Scandia, MN to Saint Cloud, MN covers 88.5 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 I 94, MN-610, 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 44.2 miles from Scandia, MN. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $13.17 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 88.5 miles you will encounter 21 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 11.8 miles: Lane positioning matters here; at 13.7 miles (I 35W): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 25 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here.
Between Scandia, MN and Saint Cloud, MN, road signs point toward Cr 7 and Cr 75: Saint Augusta.
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, EIA for fuel prices, and NPS for national parks. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.
