Origin
Richfield, MN
Late night in Richfield on Sunday
Local time
2:28 AM
CDT
Current temp
48°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Richfield, 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 30m
Distance
73.2 mi
118 km
Drive Score
7/10
Good drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$11
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
1h 24m
★
6 AM
1h 31m
8 AM
1h 44m
10 AM
1h 35m
12 PM
1h 34m
3 PM
1h 36m
5 PM
1h 44m
8 PM
1h 26m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Richfield, MN
Wikimedia Commons
Saint Cloud, MN
Wikimedia Commons
Trip Overview
This straightforward 73.2-mile drive from Richfield, MN, to Saint Cloud, MN, is easily manageable in about 1 hour and 30 minutes. It's a perfect candidate for a day trip, requiring no overnight stops. The route is primarily highway-focused, with an estimated fuel cost of $11. You'll be traveling within the Midwest region, entirely within Minnesota. This journey offers a practical and efficient way to get from point A to point B, making it ideal for those looking for a simple commute or a quick excursion.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.
Midpoint
36.6 miles from Richfield, MN
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 45m into the drive .
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| I 94 | 30.6 mi | 33m |
| I-94 W | 17.1 mi | 18m |
| US 169 | 13.1 mi | 16m |
| Crosstown Highway | 5.1 mi | 6m |
| Roosevelt Road | 3.1 mi | 4m |
| 9th Avenue South | 0.9 mi | 2m |
| Lyndale Avenue South | 0.5 mi | 1m |
| 11th Avenue South | 0.5 mi | 1m |
Longest stretch:
I 94
— 30.6 mi, about 33m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Richfield, MN and Saint Cloud, MN.
1
Start on CR 53
269 ft
·
14 sec
·
West 66th Street
2
Continue on CR 53
0.2 mi
·
37 sec
·
West 66th Street
Use the left lane.
3
Enter roundabout onto Lyndale Avenue South
7 ft
·
0 sec
·
Lyndale Avenue South
4
Continue on Lyndale Avenue South
0.1 mi
·
21 sec
·
Lyndale Avenue South
5
Enter roundabout onto Lyndale Avenue South
116 ft
·
5 sec
·
Lyndale Avenue South
6
Continue on Lyndale Avenue South
0.4 mi
·
1 min
·
Lyndale Avenue South
7
Take the ramp
0.3 mi
·
32 sec
Toward MN 62 West
8
Merge onto MN 62
5.1 mi
·
6 min
·
Crosstown Highway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
9
Take the exit
0.5 mi
·
58 sec
Exit 105B
Toward US 169 North
Use the slight right lane.
10
Merge onto US 169
13 mi
·
16 min
·
US 169
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
11
Take the exit
0.2 mi
·
27 sec
Toward I 94 West
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
12
Merge onto I 94; I 694; US 52
2.0 mi
·
2 min
·
I 94; I 694; US 52
13
Continue on I 94
17 mi
·
18 min
·
I-94 W
Exit 27
Toward I 94 West: Saint Cloud
Use the straight / left lanes.
14
Keep slight left at fork onto I 94
29 mi
·
30 min
·
I 94
15
Take the exit
0.3 mi
·
42 sec
Exit 171
Toward CR 7, CR 75: Saint Augusta, Saint Cloud
16
Keep slight right at fork
521 ft
·
12 sec
17
Turn straight onto CR 75
3.1 mi
·
4 min
·
Roosevelt Road
18
Turn right onto 22nd Street South
127 ft
·
7 sec
·
22nd Street South
19
Turn left onto 11th Avenue South
0.5 mi
·
1 min
·
11th Avenue South
20
Turn right onto 15th Street South
0.1 mi
·
22 sec
·
15th Street South
21
At end of road, turn left onto 9th Avenue South
0.9 mi
·
2 min
·
9th Avenue South
22
Continue on 10th Avenue South
0.3 mi
·
49 sec
·
10th Avenue South
23
Turn right onto 1st Street North
0.1 mi
·
29 sec
·
1st Street North
24
At end of road, turn left onto Courthouse Square
270 ft
·
11 sec
·
Courthouse Square
25
Arrive at destination
Courthouse Square
Trip Plan
Given the short 1 hour and 30-minute duration, this drive offers plenty of flexibility. You can leave Richfield whenever suits you best, as there's no need to rush or break up the journey. With a fuel cost estimated at $11, planning for gas is minimal. Keep an eye on traffic conditions, especially as you approach the Minneapolis-Saint Paul metropolitan area, before merging onto I-94 West. While there are no mandated stops, you'll find service areas along I-94 should you need a break or fuel.
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 36.6 miles from Richfield, MN, or about 45m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 30.6 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 16 miles or 22m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 36.6 miles or 45m 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 13m
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 Richfield, MN so your first major turns are already loaded.
Day 1
Settle into the route from Richfield, MN
This is one driving day of about 73.2 miles and 1h 30m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 16 miles from Richfield, MN.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
The longest stretch is on I 94 for about 30.6 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Mid-route town
Meal stop
37 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 16 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 36.6 miles from Richfield, 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 195 decision points cluster between mile 0.1 and 73.1 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
5
0.1 mi into trip
|
~0m in
|
CR 53 / West 66th Street
Continue onto CR 53 / West 66th Street
Lane positioning matters here
Use the left lane.
7
6.2 mi into trip
|
~9m in
Take the exit toward US 169 North
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight right lane.
Exit 105B
Toward US 169 North
6
19.8 mi into trip
|
~27m in
Take the exit toward I 94 West
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Toward I 94 West
6
67.7 mi into trip
|
~1h 19m 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
73.1 mi into trip
|
~1h 30m in
|
Courthouse Square
At end of road, turn left onto Courthouse Square
Complex interchange - multiple decisions in a short stretch
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$10.89 one way
$21.79 round trip
$3.78/gal
25.4 MPG avg
26 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.07 | $11.74 | $23.48 |
| premium | $4.53 | $13.06 | $26.12 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $16.16 | $32.32 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$11
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$36–$61
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 25.6 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $8 in charging · 0 stops · 65% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 22 | 0 | $7.69 | $3.51 |
| Efficient EV | 18.3 | 0 | $6.41 | $2.93 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 29.3 | 0 | $10.25 | $4.68 |
Gas CO2
26 kg
EV CO2
9 kg (65% 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 Sunday
Local time
2:28 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
19 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 30m 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?
Expect a largely highway-focused experience on this route, with 83% of the journey taking place on major interstates like I-94 and US 169. The longest stretch without a major turn or exit is a solid 30.6 miles on I-94, allowing for steady progress. This drive emphasizes efficiency over scenic detours, so prepare for a consistent pace. The road character remains largely the same throughout, prioritizing speed and directness.
83% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
25 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 30.6 mi on I 94.
How Hard Is This Drive?
10/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 94 and I-94 W. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 0.1 miles in near CR 53 / West 66th Street.
Driving Effort
10/10
Demanding - stay alert through the decision-heavy sections
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This drive requires moderate attention. Across 73.2 miles you will encounter 19 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 0.1 miles (CR 53 / West 66th Street): Lane positioning matters here; at 6.2 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here; at 19.8 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. 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.
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
Between Richfield, MN and Saint Cloud, MN, road signs point toward Cr 7 and Cr 75: Saint Augusta.
Cr 7
67.7 mi in
|
~1h 19m
Cr 75: Saint Augusta
67.7 mi in
|
~1h 19m
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 30m. Total distance: 73.2 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 0 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
1h 30m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (83%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 30.6 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 0.1 miles (CR 53 / West 66th Street): Lane positioning matters here; at 6.2 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here; at 19.8 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. 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.
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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