Saint Cloud, MN to Cedar Lake, MN is 90 miles and takes about 1 hour 52 minutes via I 94 and US 169, with a fuel budget near $13 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This trip stays within Minnesota, traversing the Midwest region. Given its relatively short duration and highway focus, this route is best suited for a single-day excursion. You'll find the drive straightforward, primarily utilizing major roadways for most of the distance. Plan for a quick and efficient transit between these two points.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.
Midpoint
45 miles from Saint Cloud, MN
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 53m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
I 94
47.6 mi
51m
US 169
20.7 mi
25m
Panama Avenue
8.3 mi
11m
Roosevelt Road
3.9 mi
6m
Eagle Creek Avenue
3.2 mi
5m
Herrgott Memorial Drive
2.8 mi
3m
Washington Memorial Drive
0.7 mi
1m
West Saint Germain Street
0.5 mi
1m
Longest stretch:
I 94
— 47.6 mi, about 51m
Traffic on I-94
Hour-of-day weekday pattern from 18 FHWA count stations on your route.
Peak
4 PM
~2,736 veh/hr typical
· worst 3,292
Quietest
2 AM
~166 veh/hr
Peak-to-quiet ratio
16.5×
busier at peak than in the quiet hours
12a6anoon6p11p
Averaged across 47 weeks of 2023 FHWA Travel Monitoring Analysis System data. Weekday hours only (Mon–Fri).
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Saint Cloud, MN and Cedar Lake, MN.
1
Start on Courthouse Square
270 ft·13 sec·Courthouse Square
2
Turn right onto 1st Street North
215 ft·14 sec·1st Street North
3
Turn left onto 9th Avenue North
399 ft·13 sec·9th Avenue North
4
Turn right onto West Saint Germain Street
0.5 mi·1 min·West Saint Germain Street
5
Turn left onto Washington Memorial Drive
0.7 mi·1 min·Washington Memorial Drive
6
Turn left onto CR 75
3.9 mi·6 min·Roosevelt Road
7
Take the ramp
0.4 mi·49 sec
8
Merge onto I 94
48 mi·51 min·I 94
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
9
Take the exit
0.6 mi·1 min
Exit 29AToward US 169 SouthUse the slight right lane.
10
Merge onto US 169
21 mi·25 min·US 169
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
11
Take the exit
0.3 mi·56 sec
Exit 115Toward CR 21Use the straight / slight right lanes.
12
Continue on CR 21
2.8 mi·3 min·Herrgott Memorial Drive
Use the left lane.
13
Continue on CR 21
3.2 mi·5 min·Eagle Creek Avenue
14
Turn right onto Duluth Avenue Southeast
0.5 mi·1 min·Duluth Avenue Southeast
15
Turn right onto MN 13
0.2 mi·16 sec·Richard J. Ames Memorial Highway
16
Continue on MN 13
491 ft·14 sec·Langford Boulevard/Richard J. Ames Memorial Highway
17
Turn left onto CR 23
8.3 mi·11 min·Panama Avenue
18
Turn left onto CR 56
57 ft·2 sec·250th Street East
19
Arrive at destination
CR 56
Trip Plan
For this 90-mile trip, leaving anytime after a mid-morning start should give you ample time to arrive before evening, especially since it's a single-day drive. With only 1 hour and 52 minutes estimated travel time, you likely won't need many stops, but consider a brief break around the halfway point if desired. The $13 fuel cost suggests you won't need to worry too much about finding a gas station, but it’s always wise to top off before departing Saint Cloud. Since the longest stretch on I 94 is nearly 48 miles, be mindful of your fuel gauge as you transition to US 169.
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 45 miles from Saint Cloud, MN, or about 53m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 47.6 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 20 miles or 26m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 45 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 28m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Cedar Lake, MN than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving Saint Cloud, MN so your first major turns are already loaded.
Day 1
Settle into the route from Saint Cloud, MN
This is one driving day of about 90 miles and 1h 52m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 20 miles from Saint Cloud, MN.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
The longest stretch is on I 94 for about 47.6 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 12
5 decision points cluster between mile 0.1 and 74.5 — 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|1st Street North
Turn right onto 1st Street North
Navigation decision point
5
0.1 mi into trip|~0m in|9th Avenue North
Turn left onto 9th Avenue North
Navigation decision point
5
5.7 mi into trip|~11m in|I 94
Merge onto I 94
Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
7
53.2 mi into trip|~1h 2m in
Take the exit toward US 169 South
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight right lane.
Exit 29A
Toward US 169 South
7
74.5 mi into trip|~1h 29m in
Take the exit toward CR 21
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Exit 115
Toward CR 21
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$15.14 one way
$30.28 round trip
$4.27/gal25.4 MPG avg32 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.60
$16.31
$32.61
premium
$5.04
$17.84
$35.69
diesel
$5.64
$19.98
$39.96
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$15
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$40–$65
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 31.5 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-05-11.
Driving Electric?
About $9 in charging
· 0 stops
· 65% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
27
0
$9.45
$4.32
Efficient EV
22.5
0
$7.88
$3.60
EV Truck/SUV
36
0
$12.60
$5.76
Gas CO2
31 kg
EV CO2
11 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.
Forecast as of May 10, 2026
Origin
Saint Cloud, MN
Afternoon
in Saint Cloud on Friday
Local time
1:14 PM
CDT
Current temp
57°F
Sunny
NNW 5 to 10 mph0% chanceLive forecast
Special Weather Statement
Special Weather Statement issued May 10 at 5:26AM CDT by NWS Duluth MN
Freeze Warning
Freeze Warning issued May 10 at 3:37AM CDT until May 10 at 9:00AM CDT by NWS Grand Forks ND
Destination
Cedar Lake, MN
Afternoon
in Cedar Lake on Friday
Local time
1:14 PM
CDT
Current temp
59°F
Mostly Sunny
NW 5 to 15 mph0% chanceLive forecast
Special Weather Statement
Special Weather Statement issued May 10 at 5:26AM CDT by NWS Duluth MN
Freeze Warning
Freeze Warning issued May 10 at 3:37AM CDT until May 10 at 9:00AM CDT by NWS Grand Forks ND
67°F
Plymouth, MN
45 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
2 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 52m on the road
The weather snapshot is not static. If you are leaving later, give both cities one more quick forecast check before departure.
Weather data from the National Weather Service. Conditions may change; check closer to your travel date.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
This drive is predominantly highway, with 76% of the 90 miles on major roads like I 94. You'll experience a longest stretch of 47.6 miles on I 94 before transitioning to surface roads. Expect a generally open cruising feel for most of your travel time. The shift to US 169 and Panama Avenue will bring a more local feel with potentially more frequent exits as you approach your destination.
76% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
19 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 47.6 mi on I 94.
How Hard Is This Drive?
5/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 94 and US 169. You will hit about 12 points where you need to pay attention to lane position or signs. The trickiest moment comes around 0.1 miles in near 1st Street North.
Driving Effort5/10
Moderate - straightforward overall, but long enough or busy enough to require pacing
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This drive requires moderate attention. Across 90 miles you will encounter 12 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 (1st Street North): Navigation decision point; at 0.1 miles (9th Avenue North): Navigation decision point; at 5.7 miles (I 94): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here.
Elevation Profile
Mostly flat terrain
1,037 ft826 ft
Total Climb
244 ft
Total Descent
336 ft
Highest Point
1,037 ft
Elevation Range
211 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 Saint Cloud, MN to Cedar Lake, MN, road signs begin pointing toward Cr 21 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.
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
Doable as a same-day drive at 1h 52m. Total distance: 90 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 0 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
1h 52m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (76%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 47.6 miles on I 94. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Yes — we found about 8 rest areas or service plazas within a short detour of the route (from OpenStreetMap). See the Rest Stops tab under Nearby Places for locations and mile markers. Plan to stretch, use the bathroom, and top off fluids every 2–3 hours on longer drives.
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 (1st Street North): Navigation decision point; at 0.1 miles (9th Avenue North): Navigation decision point; at 5.7 miles (I 94): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here.
Yes. A round trip is manageable in a single day if you plan a break at Cedar Lake, MN before heading back.
