Origin
Inver Grove Heights, MN
Morning in Inver Grove Heights on Sunday
Local time
9:52 AM
CDT
Current temp
47°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Inver Grove Heights, MN to Saint Cloud, MN
Compiled and reviewed by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Apr 19, 2026 · Editorial standards
Drive Time
1h 43m
Distance
84 mi
135 km
Drive Score
7/10
Good drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$13
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
1h 36m
★
6 AM
1h 44m
8 AM
1h 59m
10 AM
1h 49m
12 PM
1h 47m
3 PM
1h 50m
5 PM
1h 58m
8 PM
1h 39m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Inver Grove Heights, MN
Tom Fisk
Saint Cloud, MN
Wikimedia Commons
Trip Overview
Inver Grove Heights to Saint Cloud is 84 miles and takes about 1 hour 43 minutes via I 94 and US 10, with a fuel budget near $13 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This is a straightforward drive primarily through the Midwest, connecting two points within Minnesota. Given its relatively short distance and focus on major highways, it’s a practical choice for a quick trip or a segment of a larger journey. Expect a functional, highway-focused experience for the entirety of the 84 miles, making it an efficient transit rather than a destination-focused scenic tour.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.
Midpoint
42 miles from Inver Grove Heights, MN
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 52m into the drive .
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| I 94 | 28.8 mi | 30m |
| US 10 | 24 mi | 29m |
| I-94 W | 17.1 mi | 18m |
| US 52 | 7.7 mi | 10m |
| Roosevelt Road | 3.1 mi | 4m |
| 9th Avenue South | 0.9 mi | 2m |
| 70th Street East | 0.8 mi | 1m |
| 11th Avenue South | 0.5 mi | 1m |
Longest stretch:
I 94
— 28.8 mi, about 30m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Inver Grove Heights, MN and Saint Cloud, MN.
1
Start on CH 26
24 ft
·
9 sec
·
70th Street East
2
Continue on CH 26
0.8 mi
·
1 min
·
70th Street East
3
Take the ramp
0.3 mi
·
35 sec
Toward US 52 North
Use the right lane.
4
Merge onto US 52
7.1 mi
·
9 min
·
US 52
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
5
Keep slight right at fork onto US 52
0.5 mi
·
1 min
·
US 52
6
Merge onto I 94; US 10
0.2 mi
·
15 sec
·
I 94; US 10
7
Take the exit onto US 10
5.1 mi
·
6 min
·
US 10
Exit 242B
Toward I 35E North, US 10 West
Use the slight right lane.
8
Keep slight right at fork onto US 10
0.3 mi
·
19 sec
·
US 10
Exit 113-114
Toward US 10 West, I 694 West, I 694 East
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
9
Continue on US 10
19 mi
·
22 min
·
US 10
Exit 113
Toward I 694 West, US 10 West
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
10
Continue on I 94
17 mi
·
18 min
·
I-94 W
Exit 27
Toward I 94 West: Saint Cloud
Use the straight / left lanes.
11
Keep slight left at fork onto I 94
29 mi
·
30 min
·
I 94
12
Take the exit
0.3 mi
·
42 sec
Exit 171
Toward CR 7, CR 75: Saint Augusta, Saint Cloud
13
Keep slight right at fork
521 ft
·
12 sec
14
Turn straight onto CR 75
3.1 mi
·
4 min
·
Roosevelt Road
15
Turn right onto 22nd Street South
127 ft
·
7 sec
·
22nd Street South
16
Turn left onto 11th Avenue South
0.5 mi
·
1 min
·
11th Avenue South
17
Turn right onto 15th Street South
0.1 mi
·
22 sec
·
15th Street South
18
At end of road, turn left onto 9th Avenue South
0.9 mi
·
2 min
·
9th Avenue South
19
Continue on 10th Avenue South
0.3 mi
·
49 sec
·
10th Avenue South
20
Turn right onto 1st Street North
0.1 mi
·
29 sec
·
1st Street North
21
At end of road, turn left onto Courthouse Square
270 ft
·
11 sec
·
Courthouse Square
22
Arrive at destination
Courthouse Square
Trip Plan
With a duration of just under two hours and a modest fuel cost of around $13, this route offers considerable flexibility. You can comfortably depart anytime, as the 84 miles can easily be covered before dark. Given the highway-centric nature, you won't need frequent stops, though planning for a quick break around the halfway point or after the longest 28.8-mile stretch on I 94 is advisable. Keep an eye on your fuel gauge, especially as you transition between I 94 and US 10, to ensure you have ample gas for the remainder of the trip.
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 42 miles from Inver Grove Heights, MN, or about 52m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 28.8 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 24m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 42 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 24m
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 Inver Grove Heights, MN so your first major turns are already loaded.
Day 1
Settle into the route from Inver Grove Heights, MN
This is one driving day of about 84 miles and 1h 43m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 18 miles from Inver Grove Heights, MN.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
The longest stretch is on I 94 for about 28.8 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 42 miles from Inver Grove Heights, 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 175 decision points cluster between mile 0.8 and 84 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
6
0.8 mi into trip
|
~1m in
Take the ramp toward US 52 North
Lane positioning matters here
Use the right lane.
Toward US 52 North
8
8.9 mi into trip
|
~13m in
|
US 10
Take the exit onto US 10 toward I 35E North, US 10 West
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the slight right lane.
Exit 242B
Toward I 35E North, US 10 West
9
14 mi into trip
|
~19m in
|
US 10
Keep slight right at fork onto US 10 toward US 10 West, I 694 West, I 694 East
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Exit 113-114
Toward US 10 West, I 694 West, I 694 East
6
78.5 mi into trip
|
~1h 32m 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
84 mi into trip
|
~1h 43m in
|
Courthouse Square
At end of road, turn left onto Courthouse Square
Complex interchange - multiple decisions in a short stretch
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$12.50 one way
$25.00 round trip
$3.78/gal
25.4 MPG avg
29 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.07 | $13.47 | $26.94 |
| premium | $4.53 | $14.99 | $29.98 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $18.55 | $37.09 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$13
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$38–$63
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 29.4 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $9 in charging · 0 stops · 66% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 25.2 | 0 | $8.82 | $4.03 |
| Efficient EV | 21 | 0 | $7.35 | $3.36 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 33.6 | 0 | $11.76 | $5.38 |
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
Morning in Saint Cloud on Sunday
Local time
9:52 AM
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
20 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 43m 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 trip is overwhelmingly a highway-focused drive, with 92% of the journey utilizing major roadways like I 94 and US 10. You'll experience long, uninterrupted stretches, including a notable segment of 28.8 miles on I 94. The character of the drive remains consistent, prioritizing efficient travel over varied scenery. It’s designed for covering ground quickly, so don't anticipate significant shifts in the road's nature; prepare for a steady pace on well-maintained highways.
92% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
22 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 28.8 mi on I 94.
How Hard Is This Drive?
9/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 94 and US 10. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 0.8 miles in.
Driving Effort
9/10
Demanding - stay alert through the decision-heavy sections
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This drive requires moderate attention. Across 84 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 0.8 miles: Lane positioning matters here; at 8.9 miles (US 10): Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 14 miles (US 10): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
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.
Between Inver Grove Heights, MN and Saint Cloud, MN, road signs point toward Cr 7 and Cr 75: Saint Augusta.
Cr 7
78.5 mi in
|
~1h 32m
Cr 75: Saint Augusta
78.5 mi in
|
~1h 32m
About the Cities
Arriving in Saint Cloud, MN
Full guide →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.
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 43m. Total distance: 84 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 0 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
1h 43m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (92%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 28.8 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 0.8 miles: Lane positioning matters here; at 8.9 miles (US 10): Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 14 miles (US 10): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
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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