This straightforward 79.9-mile drive from Grant, MN to Saint Cloud, MN is easily manageable as a single-day trip, taking approximately 1 hour and 41 minutes. You'll primarily be on I-94, with a brief section on MN-610, making for a highly highway-focused experience. With an estimated fuel cost of just $12, this route is an economical choice for a quick regional journey within the Midwest. The direct nature of this drive means you can focus on your destination without extensive detours or needing to break up the trip with an overnight stay. It’s a practical option for a quick visit or transit.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.
Midpoint
40 miles from Grant, MN
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 53m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
I 94
28.6 mi
30m
MN-610
12.8 mi
14m
I-94 W
12.6 mi
13m
US 10
6.3 mi
7m
County Highway 96
4.9 mi
7m
Dellwood Road
3.8 mi
6m
Roosevelt Road
3.1 mi
4m
CH 96
2.9 mi
5m
Longest stretch:
I 94
— 28.6 mi, about 30m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Grant, MN and Saint Cloud, MN.
1
Start on MN 96
3.8 mi·6 min·Dellwood Road
2
Continue on MN 96
1.2 mi·2 min·Lake Avenue
3
At end of road, turn left onto US 61
1.1 mi·1 min·North Highway 61
Use the left lane.
4
Turn right onto CH 96
2.4 mi·4 min·CH 96
Use the straight lane.
5
Continue on CH 96
0.6 mi·53 sec·CH 96
Use the left / straight lanes.
6
Continue on CR 96
4.9 mi·7 min·County Highway 96
Use the left lane.
7
Take the ramp
0.3 mi·18 sec
Toward US 10 West
8
Merge onto US 10
0.7 mi·57 sec·US 10
9
Keep slight right at fork onto US 10
1.4 mi·1 min·US 10
Toward I 35W North, US 10 WestUse the straight / slight left lanes.
10
Keep slight right at fork onto US 10
4.2 mi·4 min·US 10
Toward US 10 WestUse the slight right lane.
11
Keep slight right at fork onto MN 610
13 mi·14 min·MN-610
Use the slight right lane.
12
Merge onto I 94
13 mi·13 min·I-94 W
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
13
Keep slight left at fork onto I 94
29 mi·30 min·I 94
14
Take the exit
0.3 mi·42 sec
Exit 171Toward CR 7, CR 75: Saint Augusta, Saint Cloud
15
Keep slight right at fork
521 ft·12 sec
16
Turn straight onto CR 75
3.1 mi·4 min·Roosevelt Road
17
Turn right onto 22nd Street South
127 ft·7 sec·22nd Street South
18
Turn left onto 11th Avenue South
0.5 mi·1 min·11th Avenue South
19
Turn right onto 15th Street South
0.1 mi·22 sec·15th Street South
20
At end of road, turn left onto 9th Avenue South
0.9 mi·2 min·9th Avenue South
21
Continue on 10th Avenue South
0.3 mi·49 sec·10th Avenue South
22
Turn right onto 1st Street North
0.1 mi·29 sec·1st Street North
23
At end of road, turn left onto Courthouse Square
270 ft·11 sec·Courthouse Square
24
Arrive at destination
Courthouse Square
Trip Plan
Given the short 1 hour and 41-minute duration, this drive from Grant to Saint Cloud offers great flexibility; you can leave whenever suits you best. With a low fuel cost of around $12, you won't need to worry excessively about refueling stops. Consider leaving earlier in the day to maximize your time at your destination. Since the longest stretch without a change in major road is 28.6 miles, you can easily plan a quick stop at any of the service areas along I-94 if needed. Keep an eye out for the transition onto I-94 W as you head towards 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 40 miles from Grant, 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 18 miles or 28m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 40 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 23m
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 Grant, MN so your first major turns are already loaded.
Day 1
Settle into the route from Grant, MN
This is one driving day of about 79.9 miles and 1h 41m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 18 miles from Grant, 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.
Place data sourced from public business listings. Hours and availability may vary.
Heads-up: tricky spots
5 of 17
5 decision points cluster between mile 14.8 and 79.9 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
8
14.8 mi into trip|~25m in|US 10
Keep slight right at fork onto US 10 toward I 35W North, US 10 West
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the straight / slight left lanes.
Toward I 35W North, US 10 West
7
16.2 mi into trip|~26m in|US 10
Keep slight right at fork onto US 10 toward US 10 West
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight right lane.
Toward US 10 West
6
20.4 mi into trip|~31m 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
74.4 mi into trip|~1h 30m 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
6
79.9 mi into trip|~1h 41m in|Courthouse Square
At end of road, turn left onto Courthouse Square
Complex interchange - multiple decisions in a short stretch
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$11.89 one way
$23.78 round trip
$3.78/gal25.4 MPG avg28 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.07
$12.81
$25.62
premium
$4.53
$14.26
$28.51
diesel
$5.61
$17.64
$35.28
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$12
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$37–$62
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 28 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $8 in charging
· 0 stops
· 68% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
24
0
$8.39
$3.84
Efficient EV
20
0
$6.99
$3.20
EV Truck/SUV
32
0
$11.19
$5.11
Gas CO2
28 kg
EV CO2
9 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
Grant, MN
Night
in Grant on Saturday
Local time
11:35 PM
CDT
Current temp
44°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
Saint Cloud, MN
Night
in Saint Cloud on Saturday
Local time
11:35 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
23 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 41m 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?
Expect a predominantly highway-focused experience, with 87% of the drive utilizing major interstates like I-94 and MN-610. The longest uninterrupted stretch you'll encounter is 28.6 miles on I-94, offering a consistent pace. The road character is largely defined by its interstate nature, providing a smooth and efficient journey for most of the trip. While not particularly varied, the consistent highway conditions make for predictable driving.
87% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
24 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 28.6 mi on I 94.
How Hard Is This Drive?
10/10
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 14.8 miles in near US 10.
Driving Effort10/10
Demanding - stay alert through the decision-heavy sections
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This drive requires moderate attention. Across 79.9 miles you will encounter 17 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 14.8 miles (US 10): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 16.2 miles (US 10): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 20.4 miles (MN 610 / MN-610): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
Between Grant, MN and Saint Cloud, MN, road signs point toward Cr 7 and Cr 75: Saint Augusta.
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.
Doable as a same-day drive at 1h 41m. Total distance: 79.9 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 0 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
1h 41m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (87%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 28.6 miles on I 94. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
It helps. This route has a higher-than-average number of complex decision points, which get harder in the dark. If the last hour of the trip is on surface roads or mountain grades, aim to arrive at Saint Cloud, MN before sunset when you can. Check the Trip Plan for departure windows that land you in daylight.
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 14.8 miles (US 10): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 16.2 miles (US 10): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 20.4 miles (MN 610 / MN-610): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
Yes. A round trip is manageable in a single day if you plan a break at Saint Cloud, MN before heading back.
