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Trip from Babbitt, MN to Saint Cloud, MN

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Compiled and reviewed by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Jul 18, 2026 · Editorial standards

Drive Time

4h 32m

Distance

224.9 mi

362 km

Drive Score

8/10

Great drive

Same Day?

Yes, doable

Fuel Cost

$34

one way

EV Charging

Excellent

22 DC fast

Best Time to Leave

Save up to 40 min
4 AM
4h 19m ★
6 AM
4h 32m
8 AM
4h 59m
10 AM
4h 42m
12 PM
4h 39m
3 PM
4h 43m
5 PM
4h 58m
8 PM
4h 24m

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

Best Time
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city in St. Louis County, Minnesota, United States

Babbitt, MN

Wikimedia Commons

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

Saint Cloud, MN

Wikimedia Commons

Trip Overview

This 224.9-mile journey from Babbitt, MN, to Saint Cloud, MN, is designed for a single day of travel, taking approximately 4 hours and 32 minutes. You'll primarily navigate Babbitt Road, Highway 70, and Ely-Babbitt Road, with no highway driving, making it a more local experience. The estimated fuel cost for this trip is around $32. Given its manageable length and the absence of extensive highway stretches, this route is well-suited for a day trip, allowing for a relaxed pace. You'll traverse the Midwest region throughout your drive, staying within Minnesota.

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

112.4 miles from Babbitt, MN

A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 2h 24m into the drive .

Main Roads

Road Distance Duration
I 35 56.6 mi 1h
MN 23 50.7 mi 1h
US 53 42 mi 50m
Highway 21 24.5 mi 33m
MN 33 19.7 mi 26m
Veterans' Evergreen Memorial Drive 16.6 mi 19m
State Highway 169 6.1 mi 8m
Speaker Irvin N. Anderson Memorial Highway 5.5 mi 7m
Longest stretch: I 35 — 56.6 mi, about 1h

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

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

1

Start on South Drive

0.3 mi · 47 sec · South Drive
2

Turn right onto Babbitt Road

0.4 mi · 1 min · Babbitt Road
3

At end of road, turn left onto CH 70

0.2 mi · 16 sec · County Highway 70
4

Continue on CH 70

0.7 mi · 1 min · Ely-Babbitt Road
5

Continue on CH 21

13 mi · 18 min · Highway 21
6

Continue on CH 21

0.4 mi · 54 sec · County Highway 21
7

Continue on CH 21

11 mi · 15 min · Highway 21
8

At end of road, turn left onto MN 169

6.1 mi · 8 min · State Highway 169
9

Keep slight left at fork

0.6 mi · 1 min
Toward US 53 South: Virginia
10

Continue on MN 169

0.3 mi · 21 sec · MN 169
Toward US 53 South: Virginia
11

Merge onto US 53

5.5 mi · 7 min · Speaker Irvin N. Anderson Memorial Highway
Use the straight lane.
12

Continue on US 53

4.6 mi · 6 min · US 53
Use the straight lane.
13

Enter roundabout onto US 53

114 ft · 1 sec · US 53
14

Continue on US 53

37 mi · 43 min · US 53
Use the straight lane.
15

Take the exit onto MN 33

15 mi · 18 min · MN 33
Use the straight lane.
16

Continue on MN 33

3.9 mi · 7 min · MN 33
Use the straight lane.
17

Enter roundabout onto MN 33

77 ft · 1 sec · MN 33
Toward I 35 South
18

Continue on MN 33

0.5 mi · 40 sec · MN 33
Toward I 35 South
19

Merge onto I 35

57 mi · 1 hr · I 35
20

Take the exit onto MN 23

0.2 mi · 27 sec · Veterans' Evergreen Memorial Drive
Toward MN 23 West, CR 61: Mora
21

Continue on MN 23; CR 61

16 mi · 18 min · Veterans' Evergreen Memorial Drive
22

Continue on MN 23; CR 11

1.2 mi · 1 min · MN 23; CR 11
23

Turn left onto MN 23; MN 65

1.7 mi · 2 min · MN 23; MN 65
24

Turn right onto MN 23

33 mi · 37 min · MN 23
25

Enter roundabout onto MN 23

125 ft · 1 sec · MN 23
26

Continue on MN 23

15 mi · 19 min · MN 23
27

Turn right onto 7th Avenue South

0.2 mi · 38 sec · 7th Avenue South
28

Turn left onto Courthouse Square

222 ft · 11 sec · Courthouse Square
29

Continue on Courthouse Square

363 ft · 16 sec · Courthouse Square
30

Arrive at destination

Courthouse Square

Trip Plan

For this 4-hour and 32-minute drive, consider an early morning departure to maximize daylight and allow for a leisurely pace. With only one recommended stop, you have flexibility in how you manage your time. Keep an eye on your fuel levels, as the estimated cost is $32, and plan your refueling stops accordingly, especially since this is a local road-heavy route. The turn-heavy nature of the drive means you should be prepared for frequent adjustments, so staying alert is key. Enjoy the local scenery as you make your way across Minnesota.

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 112.4 miles from Babbitt, MN, or about 2h 24m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 56.6 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 49 miles or 1h 7m in

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

Halfway reset

Around 112.4 miles or 2h 24m 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 43m

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 Babbitt, 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 Babbitt, MN

This is one driving day of about 224.9 miles and 4h 32m.

Your first comfortable stop window is around 49 miles from Babbitt, 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 I 35 for about 56.6 miles.

Where to Stop

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

Downtown Esko, MN, MN

Mid-route town

Meal stop

Esko, MN

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

Gilbert, MN

Fuel and coffee

A short stop after about 49 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.

Bruno, MN

Meal break

The midpoint is around 112.4 miles from Babbitt, MN, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.

These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.

Stops Along Your Drive

Picked by where they fit in your drive — first break, midpoint reset, final stretch.

Best meal stop · early in the drive

Wilbert Cafe & El Toro Lounge

4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Cotton, Minnesota

Early in the drive, short detour

Early stretch · 1h 18m in 1.8 mi from route ~4 min detour $10 to $20

Hours: 7 am–9 pm

+12184823318

Visit website

Bearaboo Coffee Escape

4.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Cloquet, Minnesota

2.7 mi

Best coffee break · home stretch

District Coffee

4.9 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

St Cloud, Minnesota

Near the end, short detour

Home stretch · 0min to go 2.9 mi from route ~7 min detour $10 to $20

Hours: 6:30 am–2:30 pm

+13203422040

Visit website

Wilbert Cafe & El Toro Lounge

4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Early in the drive, short detour

Early stretch 1.8 mi from route ~4 min detour $10 to $20

Cotton, Minnesota

Hours: 7 am–9 pm

+12184823318

Visit website

Bearaboo Coffee Escape

4.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Around the midpoint, short detour

Halfway reset 2.7 mi from route ~7 min detour $1 to $10

Cloquet, Minnesota

Hours: 6:30 am–3 pm

+12188795051

Saigon Cafe

4.5 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, ~12 min detour

First break 4.7 mi from route ~12 min detour $10 to $20

Virginia, Minnesota

Hours: 11 am–8 pm

+12187416465

Visit website

District Coffee

4.9 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, short detour

Home stretch 2.9 mi from route ~7 min detour $10 to $20

St Cloud, Minnesota

Hours: 6:30 am–2:30 pm

+13203422040

Visit website

Miigwitches Brew

5.0 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Around the midpoint, ~10 min detour

Halfway reset 4.1 mi from route ~10 min detour $1 to $10

Cloquet, Minnesota

Hours: 6 am–2 pm

+12189007959

Wayside Rest & Embarrass Visitors Center

0 mi from route

US-53: Independence Rest Area

0 mi from route

Laurentian Divide Rest Area

0.1 mi from route

Service Plaza

0.1 mi from route

Anchor Lake Rest Area

0.1 mi from route

General Andrews Rest Area

0.2 mi from route

Kettle River Rest Area

0.2 mi from route

Service Plaza

0.2 mi from route

Culkin Rest Area

0.3 mi from route

Gas station designed by Frank Lloyd Wright

4.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Around the midpoint, short detour

Halfway reset 1.5 mi from route ~4 min detour

Cloquet, Minnesota

Hours: 8 am–5 pm

+12188792279

Granite City Jump

4.4 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Near the end, short detour

Home stretch 1.9 mi from route ~5 min detour

St Cloud, Minnesota

Hours: 10 am–8 pm

+13203422148

Visit website

Summerland Family Fun Park

4.4 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Near the end, short detour

Home stretch 3.2 mi from route ~8 min detour

Sauk Rapids, Minnesota

Hours: Closed

+13202510940

Visit website

United States Hockey Hall of Fame

4.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Early in the drive, ~10 min detour

Early stretch 4.1 mi from route ~10 min detour

Eveleth, Minnesota

Hours: Closed

+12187445167

Visit website

Discover the Range

4.4 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Early in the drive, ~9 min detour

Early stretch 3.5 mi from route ~9 min detour

Eveleth, Minnesota

Hours: 8 am–4 pm

+12187498161

Visit website

Place data sourced from public business listings. Hours and availability may vary.

Heads-up: tricky spots

5 of 16

5 decision points cluster between mile 32.5 and 157.3 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.

5
32.5 mi into trip | ~46m in

Keep slight left at fork toward US 53 South: Virginia

Highway fork - watch signs carefully

Toward US 53 South: Virginia
5
33.4 mi into trip | ~47m in | US 53 / Speaker Irvin N. Anderson Memorial Highway

Merge onto US 53 / Speaker Irvin N. Anderson Memorial Highway

Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here

Use the straight lane.
5
80.9 mi into trip | ~1h 44m in | MN 33

Take the exit onto MN 33

Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here

Use the straight lane.
5
100.1 mi into trip | ~2h 10m in | MN 33

Enter roundabout onto MN 33 toward I 35 South

Roundabout - know your exit number before entering

Toward I 35 South
5
157.3 mi into trip | ~3h 12m in | MN 23 / Veterans' Evergreen Memorial Drive

Take the exit onto MN 23 / Veterans' Evergreen Memorial Drive toward MN 23 West, CR 61: Mora

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

Toward MN 23 West, CR 61: Mora

Fuel & Cost

Regular Gas

$33.78 one way

$67.56 round trip

$3.82/gal 25.4 MPG avg 79 kg CO2
Fuel Type $/gal One Way Round Trip
midgrade $4.12 $36.47 $72.94
premium $4.60 $40.74 $81.48
diesel $4.80 $42.47 $84.93

No toll roads detected on this route.

Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)

Fuel

$34

Meals

$25–$50

Total

$59–$84

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

Estimated CO2 emission: 78.7 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-07-13.

EV Charging Along Route

22 DC fast chargers · Coverage: excellent

Carlton, MN - Tesla Supercharger

Carlton, MN

Tesla

8 DCFC

Hinckley, MN - Tesla Supercharger

Hinckley, MN

Tesla

8 DCFC

Kwik Trip #166

Moose Lake, MN

KWIK_CHARGE

4 DCFC

CircleK - St Cloud

St. Cloud, MN

CIRCLE_K

4 DCFC

St. Cloud Hyundai

Waite Park, MN

Blink Network

4 DCFC

Tenvoorde Ford

St. Cloud, MN

FORD_CHARGE

4 DCFC

Gilleland Chevrolet Cadillac

St. Cloud, MN

EV Connect

3 DCFC

Virginia Sawmill Saloon & Restaurant

Virginia, MN

ZEFNET

2 DCFC

ZEFNET: 7 EV Connect: 3 ChargePoint Network: 2 Tesla: 2 Blink Network: 2 FORD_CHARGE: 2 NAYAX_ENERGY: 1 VIALYNK: 1 KWIK_CHARGE: 1 CIRCLE_K: 1

Station data from NREL Alternative Fuel Stations database.

Driving Electric?

About $24 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO2

Vehicle Type kWh Stops DC Fast Home Charge
Average EV 67.5 0 $23.61 $10.80
Efficient EV 56.2 0 $19.68 $9.00
EV Truck/SUV 90 1 $31.49 $14.39

Gas CO2

79 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.

Forecast as of Jul 18, 2026

Origin

Babbitt, MN

Evening in Babbitt on Saturday

Local time

8:29 PM

CDT

Current temp

82°F

Patchy Smoke

NW 5 to 10 mph 0% chance Live forecast

Special Weather Statement

Special Weather Statement issued July 18 at 11:59AM CDT by NWS Duluth MN

Special Weather Statement

Special Weather Statement issued July 18 at 4:03AM CDT by NWS Grand Forks ND

Destination

Saint Cloud, MN

Evening in Saint Cloud on Saturday

Local time

8:29 PM

CDT

Current temp

88°F

Sunny

N 5 mph 0% chance Live forecast

Special Weather Statement

Special Weather Statement issued July 18 at 11:59AM CDT by NWS Duluth MN

Special Weather Statement

Special Weather Statement issued July 18 at 4:03AM 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

6 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

4h 32m 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?

Expect a turn-heavy local drive on this route, with 0% highway share. The experience is defined by its frequent turns and local road navigation rather than long, uninterrupted stretches. The longest continuous segment isn't specified, but the overall profile suggests a route that requires your attention with its winding nature. This isn't a high-speed journey; instead, it offers a more engaging driving experience as you transition through different local terrains. You'll likely find yourself adjusting your speed and direction often.

89% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
30 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 56.6 mi on I 35.

How Hard Is This Drive?

5/10

This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 35 and MN 23. You will hit about 16 points where you need to pay attention to lane position or signs. The trickiest moment comes around 32.5 miles in.

Driving Effort 5/10

Moderate - straightforward overall, but long enough or busy enough to require pacing

Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.

This drive requires moderate attention. Across 224.9 miles you will encounter 16 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 32.5 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully; at 33.4 miles (US 53 / Speaker Irvin N. Anderson Memorial Highway): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here; at 80.9 miles (MN 33): Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here.

Elevation Profile

Mostly flat terrain

1,516 ft 991 ft

Total Climb

270 ft

Total Descent

717 ft

Highest Point

1,516 ft

~32.1 mi in

Elevation Range

525 ft

Towns Mentioned on Route Signs

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

On the drive from Babbitt, MN to Saint Cloud, MN, road signs begin pointing toward Cr 61: Mora along the way.

Cr 61: Mora

157.3 mi in | ~3h 12m | via MN 23

About the Cities

Starting in Babbitt, MN

Full guide →

Founded 1944

Arriving in Saint Cloud, MN

Full guide →

Founded 1856

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.

Top landmarks

  • • Michael Majerus House — House in St. Cloud, Minnesota, United States
  • • Carter Block — building in St. Cloud, Minnesota, United States
  • • First National Bank — historic bank building in St. Cloud, Minnesota, United States

City content from Wikivoyage (CC BY-SA 4.0) and Wikidata (CC0).

Who Is This Route For?

Weekend Trip

Doable as a same-day drive at 4h 32m. Total distance: 224.9 miles.

Family Friendly

Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.

Solo Traveler

4h 32m drive, comfortable solo distance.

First-Time Driver

Mostly highway driving (89%). Some complex stretches to watch for.

Frequently Asked Questions

The longest stretch is about 56.6 miles on I 35. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.

Yes — we found about 9 rest areas or service plazas within a short detour of the route (from OpenStreetMap). See the Rest Stops tab under Nearby Places for locations and mile markers. Plan to stretch, use the bathroom, and top off fluids every 2–3 hours on longer drives.

Yes, with realistic expectations. Build in a stop roughly every 2 hours, have snacks and activities ready, and check the Nearby Places tabs for kid-friendly stops along the way.

The main spots that need attention: at 32.5 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully; at 33.4 miles (US 53 / Speaker Irvin N. Anderson Memorial Highway): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here; at 80.9 miles (MN 33): Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here.

Possible but tiring. At 4.5 hours each way, an in-and-out day trip would put you behind the wheel for 9.1 hours — manageable with a long break at Saint Cloud, MN, but most travelers stay overnight.

How this page is built

Compiled by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy from open government datasets — OSRM over OpenStreetMap for geometry, EIA for fuel prices, USGS 3DEP for elevation, NREL for EV charging, and NPS for national parks. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.

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