Woodbury, MN to Saint Cloud, MN is 118.6 miles and takes about 2h 25m via State Highway 65 and MN 23, with a fuel budget near $18 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This trip stays within Minnesota, traversing the Midwest region. It's a straightforward drive that should feel familiar if you've driven similar routes in the area. Consider this a practical option when you need to get from point A to point B efficiently without much fuss. The primary roads are well-maintained state highways, making for a predictable journey.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.
Midpoint
59.3 miles from Woodbury, MN
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 1h 14m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
State Highway 65
53.3 mi
1h 7m
MN 23
47.8 mi
56m
MN 210
16.9 mi
20m
7th Avenue South
0.2 mi
<1m
Gisler Road
0.2 mi
<1m
Courthouse Square
0.1 mi
<1m
Longest stretch:
State Highway 65
— 53.3 mi, about 1h 7m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Woodbury, MN and Saint Cloud, MN.
1
Start on CR 127
0.2 mi·29 sec·Gisler Road
2
Turn right onto MN 210
17 mi·20 min·MN 210
3
Turn left onto MN 65
53 mi·1 hr 7 min·State Highway 65
4
Turn right onto MN 23
33 mi·37 min·MN 23
5
Enter roundabout onto MN 23
125 ft·1 sec·MN 23
6
Continue on MN 23
15 mi·19 min·MN 23
7
Turn right onto 7th Avenue South
0.2 mi·38 sec·7th Avenue South
8
Turn left onto Courthouse Square
222 ft·11 sec·Courthouse Square
9
Continue on Courthouse Square
363 ft·16 sec·Courthouse Square
10
Arrive at destination
Courthouse Square
Trip Plan
Since this drive is just under 2.5 hours, you have a lot of flexibility with your departure time. Leaving mid-morning should allow you to avoid peak commute times in the Woodbury area. There are no specific stops recommended, so feel free to take a break when you feel the need, perhaps after that longest stretch of 53.3 miles on State Highway 65. With a fuel cost estimated around $18, you won't need to worry too much about budgeting for gas, but it's always wise to start with a full tank. Keep an eye out for signs directing you onto MN 23 and MN 210 as you approach 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 59.3 miles from Woodbury, MN, or about 1h 14m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 53.3 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 26 miles or 32m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 59.3 miles or 1h 14m 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 58m
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 Woodbury, 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 Woodbury, MN
This is one driving day of about 118.6 miles and 2h 25m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 26 miles from Woodbury, MN.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
The longest stretch is on State Highway 65 for about 53.3 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Place data sourced from public business listings. Hours and availability may vary.
Heads-up: tricky spots
5 of 7
5 decision points cluster between mile 17.1 and 118.4 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
4
17.1 mi into trip|~21m in|MN 65 / State Highway 65
Turn left onto MN 65 / State Highway 65
Navigation decision point
4
70.4 mi into trip|~1h 28m in|MN 23
Turn right onto MN 23
Navigation decision point
5
103.2 mi into trip|~2h 5m in|MN 23
Enter roundabout onto MN 23
Roundabout - know your exit number before entering
4
118.2 mi into trip|~2h 24m in|7th Avenue South
Turn right onto 7th Avenue South
Navigation decision point
5
118.4 mi into trip|~2h 25m in|Courthouse Square
Turn left onto Courthouse Square
Navigation decision point
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$17.64 one way
$35.27 round trip
$3.78/gal25.4 MPG avg42 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.07
$19.00
$38.00
premium
$4.53
$21.14
$42.29
diesel
$5.61
$26.16
$52.33
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$18
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$43–$68
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 41.5 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Station data from NREL Alternative Fuel Stations database.
Driving Electric?
About $12 in charging
· 0 stops
· 66% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
35.6
0
$12.45
$5.69
Efficient EV
29.7
0
$10.38
$4.74
EV Truck/SUV
47.4
0
$16.60
$7.59
Gas CO2
41 kg
EV CO2
14 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.
Forecast as of Apr 15, 2026
Origin
Woodbury, MN
Afternoon
in Woodbury on Saturday
Local time
2:05 PM
CDT
Current temp
63°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
Saint Cloud, MN
Afternoon
in Saint Cloud on Saturday
Local time
2:05 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
4 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
2h 25m 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.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
This is a 100% highway-focused drive, meaning you'll be on well-established state routes for the entire 118.6 miles. You can expect a consistent driving experience without much variation in road type. The longest uninterrupted stretch is 53.3 miles on State Highway 65, so you'll have a good period of steady cruising. The route progresses primarily along these state highways, offering a direct path between your starting and ending points. It’s designed for efficient travel rather than dramatic scenic shifts.
Most of the miles stay on highways, which makes pacing and fuel planning easier than turn-by-turn city driving.
There are about 10 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.
State Highway 65 is the longest continuous segment at about 53.3 miles.
How Hard Is This Drive?
1/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on State Highway 65 and MN 23. Navigation is very simple - set it and forget it for most of the drive. The trickiest moment comes around 17.1 miles in near MN 65 / State Highway 65.
Driving Effort1/10
Very easy - short and simple to drive
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
The drive from Woodbury, MN to Saint Cloud, MN is easy. At 2h 25m with 100% highway, most drivers will find it relaxed and low-stress.
Where does it get tricky?
The main spots that need attention: at 17.1 miles (MN 65 / State Highway 65): Navigation decision point; at 70.4 miles (MN 23): Navigation decision point; at 103.2 miles (MN 23): Roundabout - know your exit number before entering.
Saint Cloud is a city in Central Minnesota with a population of 68,000 (2018). Although it may have few attractions to draw the tourist, it is a nexus of medical advances, particularly in orthopedics (St. Cloud Orthopedics Associates, for example). It is also a college town as it is home to St. Cloud State University and St Cloud Technical College. The College of St. Benedict and St. John's University are nearby.
The drive from Woodbury, MN to Saint Cloud, MN covers 118.6 miles and takes about 2h 25m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are State Highway 65, MN 23, MN 210. Most of the drive stays on highways, so watch for ramps and exits.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 59.3 miles from Woodbury, MN. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $17.65 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 Woodbury, MN to Saint Cloud, MN is easy. At 2h 25m with 100% highway, most drivers will find it relaxed and low-stress.
The main spots that need attention: at 17.1 miles (MN 65 / State Highway 65): Navigation decision point; at 70.4 miles (MN 23): Navigation decision point; at 103.2 miles (MN 23): Roundabout - know your exit number before entering.
The route from Woodbury, MN to Saint Cloud, 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, EIA for fuel prices, NREL for EV charging, and NPS for national parks. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.
