Origin
Carlos, MN
Late night in Carlos on Tuesday
Local time
5:27 AM
CDT
Current temp
52°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Carlos, MN to Saint Cloud, MN
Pin this tripCompiled and reviewed by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Apr 21, 2026 · Editorial standards
Drive Time
1h 37m
Distance
70.5 mi
114 km
Drive Score
8/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$10
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
1h 30m
★
6 AM
1h 37m
8 AM
1h 52m
10 AM
1h 42m
12 PM
1h 41m
3 PM
1h 43m
5 PM
1h 51m
8 PM
1h 33m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Carlos, MN
Tom Fisk
Saint Cloud, MN
Wikimedia Commons
Trip Overview
Carlos, MN to Saint Cloud, MN is 70.5 miles and takes about 1h 37m via I 94 and County Road 9 Northeast, with a fuel budget near $10 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This trip stays within Minnesota, connecting two points in the Midwest region. It's a straightforward drive that's easy to manage for a single day. You'll find the journey practical, with most of your time spent on the interstate. Plan for a quick and efficient travel day.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.
Midpoint
35.3 miles from Carlos, MN
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 52m into the drive .
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| I 94 | 43.4 mi | 46m |
| County Road 9 Northeast | 6.4 mi | 15m |
| County Road 75 | 5.8 mi | 8m |
| Douglas County Highway 82 | 4.6 mi | 6m |
| 3rd Street Northeast | 2 mi | 3m |
| State Highway 27 | 1.9 mi | 2m |
| Division Street | 1.1 mi | 2m |
| West Nokomis Street | 1.1 mi | 2m |
Longest stretch:
I 94
— 43.4 mi, about 46m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Carlos, MN and Saint Cloud, MN.
1
Start on 2nd Street
68 ft
·
6 sec
·
2nd Street
2
Turn right onto CR 9
0.4 mi
·
54 sec
·
Douglas Avenue
3
Continue on CR 9
2.3 mi
·
5 min
·
County Road 9 Northeast
4
At end of road, turn left onto CR 9
4.1 mi
·
9 min
·
County Road 9 Northeast
5
Continue on CR 9
0.9 mi
·
2 min
·
Nelson Street North
6
Turn left onto CR 82
4.6 mi
·
6 min
·
Douglas County Highway 82
7
Continue on CR 82
1.1 mi
·
2 min
·
West Nokomis Street
8
Turn right onto CR 3
0.6 mi
·
1 min
·
1st Avenue East
9
At end of road, turn right onto MN 27
1.9 mi
·
2 min
·
State Highway 27
10
Take the ramp
0.3 mi
·
41 sec
11
Merge onto I 94
43 mi
·
46 min
·
I 94
12
Take the exit
1.1 mi
·
2 min
Toward CR 75: Saint Cloud
13
Continue on CR 75
5.8 mi
·
8 min
·
County Road 75
14
Continue on CR 75
1.1 mi
·
2 min
·
Division Street
15
Turn left onto 44th Avenue North
0.4 mi
·
45 sec
·
44th Avenue North
16
Turn right onto 3rd Street Northeast
2.0 mi
·
3 min
·
3rd Street Northeast
17
Turn right onto 16th Avenue North
407 ft
·
16 sec
·
16th Avenue North
18
Turn left onto 2nd Street North
0.5 mi
·
1 min
·
2nd Street North
19
Turn right onto 8th Avenue North
253 ft
·
16 sec
·
8th Avenue North
20
Turn left onto Courthouse Square
7 ft
·
0 sec
·
Courthouse Square
21
Arrive at destination
Courthouse Square
Trip Plan
Given the short duration of 1 hour and 37 minutes, this trip is ideal for a same-day excursion. You have the flexibility to leave whenever suits your schedule. With only 70.5 miles and a fuel cost estimated at $10, you won't need to worry much about frequent stops for gas. Consider leaving mid-morning to avoid any potential rush hour traffic on I 94 as you approach Saint Cloud. Keep an eye out for the transition from interstate to county roads as you near your destination.
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 35.3 miles from Carlos, MN, or about 52m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 43.4 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 16 miles or 31m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 35.3 miles or 52m 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 18m
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 Carlos, MN so your first major turns are already loaded.
Day 1
Settle into the route from Carlos, MN
This is one driving day of about 70.5 miles and 1h 37m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 16 miles from Carlos, MN.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
The longest stretch is on I 94 for about 43.4 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Mid-route town
Meal stop
35 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 16 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 35.3 miles from Carlos, 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.
Heads-up: tricky spots
5 of 145 decision points cluster between mile 2.7 and 59.5 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
5
2.7 mi into trip
|
~6m in
|
CR 9 / County Road 9 Northeast
At end of road, turn left onto CR 9 / County Road 9 Northeast
Navigation decision point
4
13.3 mi into trip
|
~27m in
|
CR 3 / 1st Avenue East
Turn right onto CR 3 / 1st Avenue East
Navigation decision point
4
13.9 mi into trip
|
~28m in
|
MN 27 / State Highway 27
At end of road, turn right onto MN 27 / State Highway 27
Navigation decision point
4
15.8 mi into trip
|
~30m in
Take the ramp
Navigation decision point
4
59.5 mi into trip
|
~1h 18m in
Take the exit toward CR 75: Saint Cloud
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early
Toward CR 75: Saint Cloud
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$10.49 one way
$20.98 round trip
$3.78/gal
25.4 MPG avg
25 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.07 | $11.30 | $22.61 |
| premium | $4.53 | $12.58 | $25.16 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $15.57 | $31.13 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$10
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$35–$60
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 24.7 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $7 in charging · 0 stops · 68% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 21.2 | 0 | $7.40 | $3.38 |
| Efficient EV | 17.6 | 0 | $6.17 | $2.82 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 28.2 | 0 | $9.87 | $4.51 |
Gas CO2
25 kg
EV CO2
8 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.
Destination
Saint Cloud, MN
Late night in Saint Cloud on Tuesday
Local time
5:27 AM
CDT
Current temp
78°F
Sunny
S 10 to 15 mph
1% chance
Live forecast
54°F
Albany, MN
35 mi in
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
26 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 37m 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.
What kind of drive is this?
This drive is predominantly highway-focused, with 71% of the route utilizing major roads like I 94. You'll experience a long, uninterrupted stretch of 43.4 miles on I 94, offering a consistent pace. While the interstate dominates, there are also segments on County Road 9 Northeast and County Road 75, which may offer a slight change of scenery. Expect a driving experience that prioritizes getting you to your destination efficiently rather than extensive scenic detours.
71% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
21 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 43.4 mi on I 94.
How Hard Is This Drive?
3/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 94 and County Road 9 Northeast. There are only a few real navigation decisions along the way. The trickiest moment comes around 2.7 miles in near CR 9 / County Road 9 Northeast.
Driving Effort
3/10
Easy - simple navigation with a manageable amount of wheel time
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This is a straightforward 1h 37m drive. You will face about 14 decision points, but nothing that requires special attention if you follow navigation.
Where does it get tricky?
The main spots that need attention: at 2.7 miles (CR 9 / County Road 9 Northeast): Navigation decision point; at 13.3 miles (CR 3 / 1st Avenue East): Navigation decision point; at 13.9 miles (MN 27 / State Highway 27): Navigation decision point.
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
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 Carlos, MN to Saint Cloud, MN, road signs begin pointing toward Cr 75: Saint Cloud along the way.
Cr 75: Saint Cloud
59.5 mi in
|
~1h 18m
About the Cities
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 1h 37m. Total distance: 70.5 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 0 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
1h 37m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (71%). Straightforward navigation.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 43.4 miles on I 94. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Yes. At under 2 hours behind the wheel, this works well for families — plan one quick stop if you have younger kids.
The main spots that need attention: at 2.7 miles (CR 9 / County Road 9 Northeast): Navigation decision point; at 13.3 miles (CR 3 / 1st Avenue East): Navigation decision point; at 13.9 miles (MN 27 / State Highway 27): Navigation decision point.
Yes. A round trip is manageable in a single day if you plan a break at Saint Cloud, MN before heading back.
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, and EIA for fuel prices. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.
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