Origin
Gaylord, MN
Late night in Gaylord on Saturday
Local time
12:40 AM
CDT
Current temp
50°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Gaylord, MN to Saint Cloud, MN
Pin this tripCompiled and reviewed by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Sep 12, 2026 · Editorial standards
Drive Time
1h 52m
Distance
83 mi
134 km
Drive Score
7/10
Good drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$14
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
1h 45m
★
6 AM
1h 53m
8 AM
2h 9m
10 AM
1h 59m
12 PM
1h 57m
3 PM
2h 0m
5 PM
2h 9m
8 PM
1h 48m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Gaylord, MN
Ketut Subiyanto
Saint Cloud, MN
Wikimedia Commons
Trip Overview
Gaylord to Saint Cloud is 83 miles and takes about 1 hour 52 minutes via State Highway 15, State Highway 22, and US Highway 212, with a fuel budget near $13 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This trip stays within Minnesota, connecting two points in the Midwest region. With 92% of the route on highways, expect a straightforward drive. It's a short enough distance that you can easily complete it in a single day, making it a convenient option for a quick trip between these two locations.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.
Midpoint
41.5 miles from Gaylord, MN
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 57m into the drive .
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| State Highway 15 | 47.3 mi | 1h |
| State Highway 22 | 24.4 mi | 30m |
| US Highway 212 | 3.1 mi | 3m |
| State Highway 7 East | 1.6 mi | 2m |
| 3rd Street North | 1.6 mi | 3m |
| 7th Avenue | 1.1 mi | 2m |
| Main Street North | 1 mi | 2m |
| 6th Street | 0.8 mi | 2m |
Longest stretch:
State Highway 15
— 47.3 mi, about 1h
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Gaylord, MN and Saint Cloud, MN.
1
Start on MN 5; MN 19
0.1 mi
·
23 sec
·
Main Avenue
2
Turn right onto MN 22
0.8 mi
·
2 min
·
6th Street
3
Continue on MN 22
7.1 mi
·
8 min
·
State Highway 22
4
Continue on MN 22
0.5 mi
·
1 min
·
7th Avenue
5
Continue on MN 22
0.5 mi
·
55 sec
·
7th Avenue
6
Continue on MN 22
4.3 mi
·
5 min
·
State Highway 22
7
Take the ramp onto MN 22
0.2 mi
·
14 sec
·
State Highway 22
8
Merge onto US 212; MN 22
3.1 mi
·
3 min
·
US Highway 212
9
Turn left onto MN 22
0.4 mi
·
37 sec
·
Chandler Avenue North
10
Turn left onto Chandler Avenue North
0.2 mi
·
38 sec
·
Chandler Avenue North
11
Turn left onto MN 22
0.2 mi
·
24 sec
·
13th Street East
12
Continue on MN 22
6.8 mi
·
8 min
·
State Highway 22
13
Continue on MN 22
0.3 mi
·
44 sec
·
Front Street
14
Continue on MN 22
6.1 mi
·
7 min
·
State Highway 22
15
At end of road, turn left onto MN 7; MN 22
1.6 mi
·
2 min
·
State Highway 7 East
16
Continue on MN 7; MN 22
0.2 mi
·
20 sec
·
4th Avenue Northeast
17
Turn right onto MN 15
0.7 mi
·
1 min
·
Main Street North
18
Enter roundabout onto MN 15
106 ft
·
1 sec
·
Main Street North
19
Continue on MN 15
0.3 mi
·
32 sec
·
Main Street North
20
Continue on MN 15
47 mi
·
1 hr
·
State Highway 15
Use the straight lane.
21
Turn right onto 3rd Street North
1.6 mi
·
3 min
·
3rd Street North
22
Turn right onto 16th Avenue North
407 ft
·
16 sec
·
16th Avenue North
23
Turn left onto 2nd Street North
0.5 mi
·
1 min
·
2nd Street North
24
Turn right onto 8th Avenue North
253 ft
·
16 sec
·
8th Avenue North
25
Turn left onto Courthouse Square
7 ft
·
0 sec
·
Courthouse Square
26
Arrive at destination
Courthouse Square
Trip Plan
Given the manageable 1 hour 52 minute duration, this route is well-suited for a same-day trip. You can depart anytime and still have plenty of daylight to reach your destination. The longest stretch without a break is about 47 miles, so consider a brief stop around that point if you prefer. With only 83 miles total, you have the flexibility to leave later in the day or add a quick detour if time allows. Keep an eye on fuel levels, as the estimated cost is $13, and plan your stops accordingly, perhaps just before you get onto US Highway 212.
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 41.5 miles from Gaylord, MN, or about 57m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 47.3 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 18 miles or 25m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 41.5 miles or 57m 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 34m
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 Gaylord, MN so your first major turns are already loaded.
Day 1
Settle into the route from Gaylord, MN
This is one driving day of about 83 miles and 1h 52m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 18 miles from Gaylord, MN.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
The longest stretch is on State Highway 15 for about 47.3 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Mid-route town
Meal stop
42 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 18 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 41.5 miles from Gaylord, 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 125 decision points cluster between mile 0.1 and 82.5 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
4
0.1 mi into trip
|
~0m in
|
MN 22 / 6th Street
Turn right onto MN 22 / 6th Street
Navigation decision point
5
17.3 mi into trip
|
~24m in
|
MN 22 / 13th Street East
Turn left onto MN 22 / 13th Street East
Navigation decision point
4
30.6 mi into trip
|
~41m in
|
MN 7; MN 22 / State Highway 7 East
At end of road, turn left onto MN 7; MN 22 / State Highway 7 East
Navigation decision point
4
33.1 mi into trip
|
~46m in
|
MN 15 / Main Street North
Enter roundabout onto MN 15 / Main Street North
Roundabout - know your exit number before entering
4
82.5 mi into trip
|
~1h 51m in
|
2nd Street North
Turn left onto 2nd Street North
Navigation decision point
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$13.55 one way
$27.10 round trip
$4.15/gal
25.4 MPG avg
29 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.46 | $14.58 | $29.16 |
| premium | $4.95 | $16.19 | $32.37 |
| diesel | $5.97 | $19.50 | $39.00 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$14
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$39–$64
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 29 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-09-07.
Driving Electric?
About $9 in charging · 0 stops · 66% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 24.9 | 0 | $8.72 | $3.98 |
| Efficient EV | 20.8 | 0 | $7.26 | $3.32 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 33.2 | 0 | $11.62 | $5.31 |
Gas CO2
29 kg
EV CO2
10 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.
Destination
Saint Cloud, MN
Late night in Saint Cloud on Saturday
Local time
12:40 AM
CDT
Current temp
50°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
Very similar conditions
Both ends of the route are sitting at about the same temperature right now.
Road read
1h 52m 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.
What kind of drive is this?
This drive is predominantly highway cruising, with 92% of the 83 miles on major roads. You'll experience the longest uninterrupted stretch at 47.3 miles on State Highway 15. The transition to surface roads occurs around mile 76. Expect a steady pace for most of the trip, with minimal need to slow down for frequent intersections or town centers.
92% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
26 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 47.3 mi on State Highway 15.
How Hard Is This Drive?
3/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on State Highway 15 and State Highway 22. There are only a few real navigation decisions along the way. The trickiest moment comes around 0.1 miles in near MN 22 / 6th Street.
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 52m drive. You will face about 12 decision points, but nothing that requires special attention if you follow navigation.
Where does it get tricky?
The main spots that need attention: at 0.1 miles (MN 22 / 6th Street): Navigation decision point; at 17.3 miles (MN 22 / 13th Street East): Navigation decision point; at 30.6 miles (MN 7; MN 22 / State Highway 7 East): Navigation decision point.
About the Cities
Starting in Gaylord, MN
Full guide →Top landmarks
- • Gaylord City Park — historic park in Minnesota, United States
- • Sibley County Courthouse and Sheriff's Residence and Jail — government buildings in Minnesota, United States
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 52m. Total distance: 83 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 0 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
1h 52m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (92%). Straightforward navigation.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 47.3 miles on State Highway 15. 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 0.1 miles (MN 22 / 6th Street): Navigation decision point; at 17.3 miles (MN 22 / 13th Street East): Navigation decision point; at 30.6 miles (MN 7; MN 22 / State Highway 7 East): 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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