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Trip from Saint Cloud, MN to Elko New Market, 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 54m

Distance

96.1 mi

155 km

Drive Score

7/10

Good drive

Same Day?

Yes, doable

Fuel Cost

$14

one way

EV Charging

Unknown

Best Time to Leave

Save up to 25 min
4 AM
1h 47m ★
6 AM
1h 55m
8 AM
2h 12m
10 AM
2h 1m
12 PM
1h 59m
3 PM
2h 2m
5 PM
2h 11m
8 PM
1h 50m

Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.

Best Time Drive vs Fly
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city on tripoint of Benton, Sherburne and Stearns Counties in Minnesota, United States

Saint Cloud, MN

Wikimedia Commons

Downtown Elko New Market, MN, MN

Elko New Market, MN

Tom Fisk

Trip Overview

Saint Cloud, MN to Elko New Market, MN is 96.1 miles and takes about 1h 54m via I 94, I 494, and I 35W, with a fuel budget near $14 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This drive keeps you within Minnesota, moving from the Midwest region to another part of the Midwest. It's a straightforward trip primarily on major interstates, making it a convenient option for a quick relocation or a visit to a different part of the state. Expect a very direct journey with minimal detours, ideal if you're looking for efficiency over a leisurely exploration.

Trip Pace

Same-day drive is realistic

A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.

Midpoint

48 miles from Saint Cloud, MN

A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 56m into the drive .

Main Roads

Road Distance Duration
I 94 45.4 mi 48m
I 494 21.9 mi 27m
I 35W 19.7 mi 21m
Roosevelt Road 3.9 mi 6m
260th Street East 1.4 mi 2m
Washington Memorial Drive 0.7 mi 1m
France Avenue 0.6 mi <1m
West Saint Germain Street 0.5 mi 1m
Longest stretch: I 94 — 45.4 mi, about 48m

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between Saint Cloud, MN and Elko New Market, 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

45 mi · 48 min · I 94
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
9

Take the exit

0.4 mi · 31 sec
Exit 216 Toward I 494 South Use the straight / slight right lanes.
10

Continue on I 494

22 mi · 27 min · I 494
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
11

Take the exit

0.2 mi · 25 sec
Exit 5B Toward I 35W South: Albert Lea Use the slight right lane.
12

Continue on this road

0.4 mi · 50 sec · this road
Exit 5B Toward I 35W South: Albert Lea
13

Merge onto I 35W

20 mi · 21 min · I 35W
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
14

Take the exit

0.3 mi · 33 sec
Exit 76 Toward CR 2: Elko, New Market Use the straight / slight right lanes.
15

Turn right onto CR 2

1.4 mi · 2 min · 260th Street East
16

Turn left onto France Avenue

0.6 mi · 50 sec · France Avenue
Use the left lane.
17

Continue on Main Street

479 ft · 20 sec · Main Street
18

Arrive at destination

Main Street

Trip Plan

Given the short 1h 54m duration, this trip is easily manageable in a single day, offering flexibility in your departure time. You'll want to factor in the $14 fuel cost for planning. While there are no designated stops in the data, planning for a brief pause around the halfway mark on I 94 might be helpful, especially if you're not accustomed to driving solo for over an hour. Keep an eye on traffic conditions, particularly as you approach the Minneapolis-Saint Paul metropolitan area, as congestion can impact your travel time.

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 48 miles from Saint Cloud, MN, or about 56m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 45.4 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 21 miles or 27m in

Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.

Halfway reset

Around 48 miles or 56m 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 34m

Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Elko New Market, 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 96.1 miles and 1h 54m.

Your first comfortable stop window is around 21 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 45.4 miles.

Where to Stop

Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.

city in Hennepin County, Minnesota, United States

Mid-route town

Meal stop

Maple Grove, MN

48 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

Big Lake, MN

Fuel and coffee

A short stop after about 21 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.

Maple Grove, MN

Meal break

The midpoint is around 48 miles from Saint Cloud, 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.

Nearby Places

Restaurants, cafes, gas stations and more along your route.

Top Restaurant

Maynard's Restaurant of Rogers

4.5 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Rogers, Minnesota

Around the midpoint, right off the route

1 mi from route ~2 min detour $20 to $30 mile 41.2

Hours: 11 am–11 pm

+17634280700

Visit website

Top Coffee Stop

Munkabeans Coffeehouse

4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Hopkins, Minnesota

Around the midpoint, short detour

2.3 mi from route ~6 min detour $10 to $20 mile 61.8

Hours: 6:30 am–5 pm

+19529389056

Visit website

District Coffee

4.9 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

St Cloud, Minnesota

2.9 mi

Maynard's Restaurant of Rogers

4.5 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Around the midpoint, right off the route

1 mi from route ~2 min detour $20 to $30 mile 41.2

Rogers, Minnesota

Hours: 11 am–11 pm

+17634280700

Visit website

Patrick's Bakery & Cafe

4.4 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Later in the drive, ~9 min detour

3.5 mi from route ~9 min detour $20 to $30 mile 75.5

Richfield, Minnesota

Hours: 7 am–10 pm

+16128617570

Visit website

Green Mill Restaurant & Bar

4.0 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Near the end, short detour

3.3 mi from route ~8 min detour $10 to $20 mile 82.4

Lakeville, Minnesota

Hours: 11 am–10 pm

+19524358100

Visit website

Nawal Restaurant

4.4 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Near the end, ~9 min detour

3.5 mi from route ~9 min detour $10 to $20 mile 82.4

Burnsville, Minnesota

Hours: 6 am–9 pm

+19524566701

Lynde’s Restaurant & Catering

4.5 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Around the midpoint, ~11 min detour

4.3 mi from route ~11 min detour $10 to $20 mile 48

Osseo, Minnesota

Hours: 6 am–2 pm

+17634243696

Visit website

Munkabeans Coffeehouse

4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Around the midpoint, short detour

2.3 mi from route ~6 min detour $10 to $20 mile 61.8

Hopkins, Minnesota

Hours: 6:30 am–5 pm

+19529389056

Visit website

District Coffee

4.9 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, short detour

2.9 mi from route ~7 min detour $10 to $20

St Cloud, Minnesota

Hours: 6:30 am–2:30 pm

+13203422040

Visit website

Wild Things Indoor Playground

4.5 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, right off the route

0.9 mi from route ~2 min detour mile 89.2

Lakeville, Minnesota

Hours: 8 am–8 pm

+19529608796

Visit website

Missing Pieces Escape Games

4.9 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Later in the drive, short detour

2.4 mi from route ~6 min detour mile 68.6

Edina, Minnesota

Hours: 12–7:30 pm

+19526588974

Visit website

Granite City Jump

4.4 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Near the start, short detour

1.9 mi from route ~5 min detour

St Cloud, Minnesota

Hours: 10 am–8 pm

+13203422148

Visit website

Playground Plaza

4.3 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Around the midpoint, short detour

2.8 mi from route ~7 min detour mile 48

Maple Grove, Minnesota

Hours: 7 am–9 pm

+17632283833

Visit website

Summerland Family Fun Park

4.4 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Near the start, short detour

3.2 mi from route ~8 min detour

Sauk Rapids, Minnesota

Hours: Closed

+13202510940

Visit website

Place data sourced from public business listings. Hours and availability may vary.

Heads-up: tricky spots

5 of 10

5 decision points cluster between mile 0.1 and 93.7 — 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

7
51.1 mi into trip | ~1h in

Take the exit toward I 494 South

Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here

Use the straight / slight right lanes. Exit 216 Toward I 494 South
7
73.4 mi into trip | ~1h 28m in

Take the exit toward I 35W South: Albert Lea

Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here

Use the slight right lane. Exit 5B Toward I 35W South: Albert Lea
8
93.7 mi into trip | ~1h 51m in

Take the exit toward CR 2: Elko, New Market

Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one

Use the straight / slight right lanes. Exit 76 Toward CR 2: Elko, New Market

Fuel & Cost

Regular Gas

$14.30 one way

$28.60 round trip

$3.78/gal 25.4 MPG avg 34 kg CO2
Fuel Type $/gal One Way Round Trip
midgrade $4.07 $15.41 $30.82
premium $4.53 $17.15 $34.29
diesel $5.61 $21.22 $42.44

No toll roads detected on this route.

Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)

Fuel

$14

Meals

$25–$50

Total

$39–$64

Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.

Estimated CO2 emission: 33.6 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.

Driving Electric?

About $10 in charging · 0 stops · 68% less CO2

Vehicle Type kWh Stops DC Fast Home Charge
Average EV 28.8 0 $10.09 $4.61
Efficient EV 24 0 $8.41 $3.84
EV Truck/SUV 38.4 0 $13.45 $6.15

Gas CO2

34 kg

EV CO2

11 kg (68% 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

Saint Cloud, MN

Night in Saint Cloud on Saturday

Local time

11:48 PM

CDT

Current temp

67°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

Destination

Elko New Market, MN

Night in Elko New Market on Saturday

Local time

11:48 PM

CDT

Current temp

44°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

23 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

1h 54m 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 is a highway-focused drive, with 91% of the route utilizing major interstates. You'll spend the majority of your time on I 94, I 494, and I 35W, experiencing a consistent, high-speed travel environment. The longest uninterrupted stretch you'll encounter is 45.4 miles on I 94, offering a solid period of continuous driving. The character of the road remains largely consistent, designed for efficient travel rather than scenic meandering.

91% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
18 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 45.4 mi on I 94.

How Hard Is This Drive?

7/10

This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 94 and I 494. 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 1st Street North.

Driving Effort 7/10

Demanding - plan breaks and stay ahead of the key maneuvers

Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.

This drive requires moderate attention. Across 96.1 miles you will encounter 10 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 51.1 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here.

About the Cities

Starting 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 54m. Total distance: 96.1 miles.

Family Friendly

Moderate complexity with 0 natural rest stops along the way.

Solo Traveler

1h 54m drive, comfortable solo distance.

First-Time Driver

Mostly highway driving (91%). Some complex stretches to watch for.

Frequently Asked Questions

The longest stretch is about 45.4 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 Elko New Market, 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 (1st Street North): Navigation decision point; at 0.1 miles (9th Avenue North): Navigation decision point; at 51.1 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 Elko New Market, 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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