Spanning 201.9 miles across the Minnesota landscape, this journey from Hoyt Lakes to Saint Cloud takes approximately 4 hours and 5 minutes to complete. It is a straightforward trip that is well-suited for a single-day excursion, as it does not require an overnight stay. You should budget roughly $29 for fuel to cover the distance. Navigating through the heart of the Midwest, you will rely primarily on I-35, MN-23, and US-53 to reach your destination. Since the entire route stays within Minnesota, the transition between these two points is consistent and easy to manage for any driver.
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
100.9 miles from Hoyt Lakes, MN
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 2h 9m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
I 35
56.6 mi
1h
MN 23
50.7 mi
1h
US 53
27.4 mi
31m
MN 33
19.7 mi
26m
Veterans' Evergreen Memorial Drive
16.6 mi
19m
MN 135
11.3 mi
17m
MN 37
8.8 mi
10m
State Highway 37
1.9 mi
2m
Longest stretch:
I 35
— 56.6 mi, about 1h
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Hoyt Lakes, MN and Saint Cloud, MN.
1
Start on CH 110; FH 11
1.8 mi·3 min·Kennedy Memorial Drive
2
Continue on CH 110; FH 11
1.0 mi·1 min·County Highway 110
3
Continue on CH 110; FH 11
1.8 mi·3 min·Highway 110
4
Turn right onto CR 100; FH 11
0.9 mi·1 min·Main Street
5
Turn left onto CR 100; FH 11
0.8 mi·1 min·West 3rd Avenue North
6
Continue on CR 100; FH 11
0.4 mi·41 sec·County Highway 100
7
Continue on MN 135; FH 11
11 mi·17 min·MN 135; FH 11
Use the straight / left lanes.
8
Turn left onto MN 37; FH 11
1.9 mi·3 min·North Broadway
Use the left lane.
9
Continue on MN 37
1.9 mi·2 min·State Highway 37
Use the straight lane.
10
Take the ramp onto MN 37
8.8 mi·10 min·MN 37
Toward US 53 SouthUse the straight lane.
11
Continue on US 53
27 mi·31 min·US 53
12
Take the exit onto MN 33
15 mi·18 min·MN 33
Use the straight lane.
13
Continue on MN 33
3.9 mi·7 min·MN 33
Use the straight lane.
14
Enter roundabout onto MN 33
77 ft·1 sec·MN 33
Toward I 35 South
15
Continue on MN 33
0.5 mi·40 sec·MN 33
Toward I 35 South
16
Merge onto I 35
57 mi·1 hr·I 35
17
Take the exit onto MN 23
0.2 mi·27 sec·Veterans' Evergreen Memorial Drive
Toward MN 23 West, CR 61: Mora
18
Continue on MN 23; CR 61
16 mi·18 min·Veterans' Evergreen Memorial Drive
19
Continue on MN 23; CR 11
1.2 mi·1 min·MN 23; CR 11
20
Turn left onto MN 23; MN 65
1.7 mi·2 min·MN 23; MN 65
21
Turn right onto MN 23
33 mi·37 min·MN 23
22
Enter roundabout onto MN 23
125 ft·1 sec·MN 23
23
Continue on MN 23
15 mi·19 min·MN 23
24
Turn right onto 7th Avenue South
0.2 mi·38 sec·7th Avenue South
25
Turn left onto Courthouse Square
222 ft·11 sec·Courthouse Square
26
Continue on Courthouse Square
363 ft·16 sec·Courthouse Square
27
Arrive at destination
Courthouse Square
Trip Plan
To make the most of your 4-hour and 5-minute trek, plan for at least one dedicated stop to stretch your legs and refresh. Because this is a relatively short trip, you have the flexibility to depart whenever fits your schedule best, though mid-morning starts often help avoid peak congestion near busier intersections. Keep an eye on your fuel gauge during the longer segments to ensure you aren't caught off guard by the $29 estimated cost. A practical tip for this specific drive is to keep your navigation tools ready for the transition between I-35 and the state highways, as the shift in road types can sometimes catch drivers off guard.
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 100.9 miles from Hoyt Lakes, MN, or about 2h 9m 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 44 miles or 1h 1m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 100.9 miles or 2h 9m 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 21m
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 Hoyt Lakes, 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 Hoyt Lakes, MN
This is one driving day of about 201.9 miles and 4h 5m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 44 miles from Hoyt Lakes, 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.
Place data sourced from public business listings. Hours and availability may vary.
Heads-up: tricky spots
5 of 13
5 decision points cluster between mile 18.1 and 134.3 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
5
18.1 mi into trip|~29m in|MN 37; FH 11 / North Broadway
Turn left onto MN 37; FH 11 / North Broadway
Lane positioning matters here
Use the left lane.
7
21.8 mi into trip|~35m in|MN 37
Take the ramp onto MN 37 toward US 53 South
Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight lane.
Toward US 53 South
5
57.9 mi into trip|~1h 17m 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
77.1 mi into trip|~1h 44m in|MN 33
Enter roundabout onto MN 33 toward I 35 South
Roundabout - know your exit number before entering
Toward I 35 South
5
134.3 mi into trip|~2h 45m 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
$30.05 one way
$60.09 round trip
$3.78/gal25.4 MPG avg71 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.07
$32.38
$64.75
premium
$4.53
$36.02
$72.05
diesel
$5.61
$44.58
$89.15
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$30
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$55–$80
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 70.6 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $21 in charging
· 0 stops
· 66% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
60.6
0
$21.20
$9.69
Efficient EV
50.5
0
$17.67
$8.08
EV Truck/SUV
80.8
1
$28.27
$12.92
Gas CO2
71 kg
EV CO2
24 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 16, 2026
Origin
Hoyt Lakes, MN
Evening
in Hoyt Lakes on Saturday
Local time
8:30 PM
CDT
Current temp
62°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
Saint Cloud, MN
Evening
in Saint Cloud on Saturday
Local time
8:30 PM
CDT
Current temp
78°F
Sunny
S 10 to 15 mph1% chanceLive forecast
Red Flag Warning
Red Flag Warning issued April 16 at 12:02PM CDT until April 16 at 8:00PM CDT by NWS Sioux Falls SD
Red Flag Warning
Red Flag Warning issued April 16 at 11:43AM CDT until April 16 at 8:00PM 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
16 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 5m 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.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
Expect a highway-focused experience, as 89% of this route consists of high-speed travel. You will spend a significant portion of your time on major thoroughfares, including a long, uninterrupted 56.6-mile stretch on I-35. The road moves quickly, shifting between controlled interstate transit and state highway travel as you head toward Saint Cloud. While the pace is steady and efficient, you should be prepared for the consistent hum of highway driving that defines the majority of your time behind the wheel.
89% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
27 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?
4/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 35 and MN 23. There are only a few real navigation decisions along the way. The trickiest moment comes around 18.1 miles in near MN 37; FH 11 / North Broadway.
Driving Effort4/10
Easy - simple navigation with a manageable amount of wheel time
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This is a straightforward 4h 5m drive. You will face about 13 decision points, but nothing that requires special attention if you follow navigation.
Where does it get tricky?
The main spots that need attention: at 18.1 miles (MN 37; FH 11 / North Broadway): Lane positioning matters here; at 21.8 miles (MN 37): Lane positioning matters here; at 57.9 miles (MN 33): Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here.
Elevation Profile
Mostly flat terrain
1,447 ft1,018 ft
Total Climb
234 ft
Total Descent
643 ft
Highest Point
1,447 ft
~16.8 mi in
Elevation Range
429 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 Hoyt Lakes, MN to Saint Cloud, MN, road signs begin pointing toward Cr 61: Mora along the way.
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 longest stretch is about 56.6 miles on I 35. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
We did not find dedicated rest areas on this route. For a drive this long, plan bathroom and stretch breaks around gas stations, fast-food stops, or small-town downtowns — check the Nearby Places section for options.
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 18.1 miles (MN 37; FH 11 / North Broadway): Lane positioning matters here; at 21.8 miles (MN 37): Lane positioning matters here; at 57.9 miles (MN 33): Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here.
Possible but tiring. At 4.1 hours each way, an in-and-out day trip would put you behind the wheel for 8.2 hours — manageable with a long break at Saint Cloud, MN, but most travelers stay overnight.
