This 265.4-mile journey from International Falls, MN to Saint Cloud, MN is a solid day trip, estimated to take around 5 hours and 30 minutes. You'll primarily travel on Voyageur Highway, US 10, and State Highway 64 Southwest, with a highway share of 41%. The estimated fuel cost for this drive is about $40. Given the duration and distance, it's comfortably manageable in a single day, allowing for flexibility in your schedule. This route stays within the Midwest region, offering a consistent feel as you travel south.
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
132.7 miles from International Falls, MN
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 2h 48m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
Voyageur Highway
111.1 mi
2h 20m
US 10
64.2 mi
1h 13m
State Highway 64 Southwest
33.7 mi
42m
State 64
28.6 mi
35m
Washington Avenue South
13.7 mi
17m
State Highway 200
4.6 mi
5m
Paul Bunyan Expressway
4.5 mi
5m
Marie Avenue Southeast
0.9 mi
1m
Longest stretch:
Voyageur Highway
— 111.1 mi, about 2h 20m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between International Falls, MN and Saint Cloud, MN.
0.9 mi·1 min·State Highway 87 Southwest / State 64
21
Turn right onto MN 64
34 mi·42 min·State Highway 64 Southwest
22
At end of road, turn right onto MN 210
0.3 mi·20 sec·State Highway 210
23
At end of road, turn left onto US 10
60 mi·1 hr 8 min·US 10
Use the right lane.
24
Keep slight left at fork onto US 10
4.3 mi·5 min·US 10
25
Turn right onto East Saint Germain Street
0.7 mi·1 min·East Saint Germain Street
26
Continue on Veterans Bridge
0.2 mi·23 sec·Veterans Bridge
27
Continue on 1st Street North
0.2 mi·29 sec·1st Street North
28
Continue on 2nd Street North
393 ft·13 sec·2nd Street North
29
Turn left onto 8th Avenue North
253 ft·16 sec·8th Avenue North
30
Turn left onto Courthouse Square
7 ft·0 sec·Courthouse Square
31
Arrive at destination
Courthouse Square
Trip Plan
For this 5-hour, 30-minute drive, consider an early morning departure from International Falls to maximize daylight and avoid potential afternoon traffic as you approach Saint Cloud. With only one recommended stop, you have plenty of flexibility to break up the 265.4 miles as needed. Keep an eye on your fuel, especially during the 111.1-mile stretch on Voyageur Highway, as services might be more spread out. The $40 fuel estimate should give you a good baseline for budgeting.
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 132.7 miles from International Falls, MN, or about 2h 48m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 111.1 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 58 miles or 1h 14m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 132.7 miles or 2h 48m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 4h 33m
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 International Falls, 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 International Falls, MN
This is one driving day of about 265.4 miles and 5h 30m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 58 miles from International Falls, 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 Voyageur Highway for about 111.1 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 19
5 decision points cluster between mile 0 and 110.2 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
5
0 mi into trip|~0m in|8th Avenue
Turn left onto 8th Avenue
Navigation decision point
5
0 mi into trip|~0m in|5th Street
Turn right onto 5th Street
Navigation decision point
5
0.2 mi into trip|~0m in|CR 2 / 11th Avenue
At end of road, turn right onto CR 2 / 11th Avenue
Navigation decision point
5
0.3 mi into trip|~1m in|US 71; MN 11 / 3rd Street
Turn left onto US 71; MN 11 / 3rd Street
Navigation decision point
5
110.2 mi into trip|~2h 19m in|US 71 / Voyageur Highway
Enter roundabout onto US 71 / Voyageur Highway
Roundabout - know your exit number before entering
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$43.57 one way
$87.14 round trip
$4.17/gal25.4 MPG avg93 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.46
$46.60
$93.20
premium
$4.95
$51.70
$103.40
diesel
$5.35
$55.90
$111.80
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$44
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$69–$94
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 92.9 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-06-01.
Driving Electric?
About $28 in charging
· 0 stops
· 67% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
79.6
0
$27.87
$12.74
Efficient EV
66.4
0
$23.22
$10.62
EV Truck/SUV
106.2
1
$37.16
$16.99
Gas CO2
93 kg
EV CO2
31 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 Jun 1, 2026
Origin
International Falls, MN
Afternoon
in International Falls on Wednesday
Local time
2:03 PM
CDT
Current temp
84°F
Sunny
E 5 to 10 mph0% chanceLive forecast
Special Weather Statement
Special Weather Statement issued June 1 at 2:20AM CDT by NWS Duluth MN
Beach Hazards Statement
Beach Hazards Statement issued June 1 at 2:17AM CDT until June 1 at 10:00PM CDT by NWS Duluth MN
Destination
Saint Cloud, MN
Afternoon
in Saint Cloud on Wednesday
Local time
2:03 PM
CDT
Current temp
78°F
Partly Sunny
ESE 5 mph13% chanceLive forecast
Special Weather Statement
Special Weather Statement issued June 1 at 2:20AM CDT by NWS Duluth MN
Beach Hazards Statement
Beach Hazards Statement issued June 1 at 2:17AM CDT until June 1 at 10:00PM CDT by NWS Duluth MN
59°F
Sylvan, MN
133 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
6 degrees cooler at arrival
A meaningful temperature swing is a good cue to rethink layers, water, and how soon you want to arrive.
Road read
5h 30m 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.
National Parks Near This Route
Worth a detour if your schedule allows.
Voyageurs National Park
National Park
Voyageurs National Park spans 218,000 acres of lakes, forests, and streams in northern Minnesota. Established in 1975, the park is named after the French-Canadian Voyageurs who once navigated these ab...
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
Expect a mixed drive on this route, with 41% of the journey on highways. The longest uninterrupted stretch you'll encounter is 111.1 miles along Voyageur Highway, providing a good opportunity to settle in. As you progress, the road character will likely shift from the Voyageur Highway to US 10 and then State Highway 64 Southwest, offering a varied driving experience. This isn't a monotonous interstate grind; rather, it's a blend of open road and potentially more localized travel.
41% highway, the rest on surface roads — varied driving throughout.
31 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 111.1 mi on Voyageur Highway.
How Hard Is This Drive?
3/10
This route mixes highway mileage with some local-road sections near the start or finish. There are only a few real navigation decisions along the way. The trickiest moment comes early in the drive near 8th Avenue.
Driving Effort3/10
Easy - simple navigation with a manageable amount of wheel time
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This is a straightforward 5h 30m drive. You will face about 19 decision points, but nothing that requires special attention if you follow navigation.
Where does it get tricky?
The main spots that need attention: near the start (8th Avenue): Navigation decision point; near the start (5th Street): Navigation decision point; at 0.2 miles (CR 2 / 11th Avenue): Navigation decision point.
Elevation Profile
Mostly flat terrain
1,435 ft1,037 ft
Total Climb
368 ft
Total Descent
451 ft
Highest Point
1,435 ft
~170.6 mi in
Elevation Range
398 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 International Falls, MN to Saint Cloud, MN, road signs begin pointing toward Bemidji along the way.
International Falls is a city in Minnesota. The city is nicknamed "Frostbite Falls" or "Icebox of the Nation". According to Forbes magazine, it is the coldest city in the Lower 48 United States.
Top landmarks
•Koochiching County Courthouse — courthouse in International Falls, Minnesota
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
Mixed highway & surface route profile with national parks nearby.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 111.1 miles on Voyageur Highway. 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.
Only with planning. This is a long drive for kids — consider splitting it into two days rather than pushing through. Plan at least 1 meaningful breaks. Dedicated rest areas are limited, so plan gas or food stops as your bathroom breaks.
The main spots that need attention: near the start (8th Avenue): Navigation decision point; near the start (5th Street): Navigation decision point; at 0.2 miles (CR 2 / 11th Avenue): Navigation decision point.
Yes — Voyageurs National Park. See the National Parks section for detour distances and tips on detours.
Not recommended in a single day. At 5.5 hours each way, a round trip means 11.0 hours of driving — that is an unsafe level of fatigue for most drivers. Plan at least one night at Saint Cloud, MN before the return drive.
