If you are planning to travel from Saint Cloud to Jordan, expect a straightforward 89.2-mile journey that typically takes about 1 hour and 50 minutes. This trip is perfectly suited for a single-day excursion, as it does not require an overnight stay. You will primarily navigate via I-94, I-494, and US-212, moving through the heart of the Midwest. Budgeting approximately $13 for fuel makes this an economical choice for a quick regional getaway. Since the entire route stays within Minnesota, the transition between these two locations is seamless and familiar. It is a highly practical drive for those looking to reach their destination efficiently without the need for multiple stops.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.
Midpoint
44.6 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
45.4 mi
48m
I 494
15.5 mi
19m
US 212
12.7 mi
14m
County Road 11
5.4 mi
7m
Roosevelt Road
3.9 mi
6m
Jonathan Carver Parkway
2 mi
3m
2nd Street West
0.7 mi
1m
Washington Memorial Drive
0.7 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 Jordan, 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 216Toward I 494 SouthUse the straight / slight right lanes.
10
Continue on I 494
15 mi·19 min·I 494
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
11
Take the exit
0.5 mi·59 sec
Exit 11CToward MN 5 West, US 212 WestUse the straight / slight right lanes.
12
Merge onto US 212; MN 5
1.1 mi·1 min·US 212; MN 5
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
13
Keep slight left at fork onto US 212
12 mi·13 min·US 212
Use the slight left lane.
14
Take the exit
0.4 mi·54 sec
Toward CR 11: Jonathan Carver ParkwayUse the straight / slight right lanes.
15
Turn left onto CR 11
310 ft·5 sec·County Road 11
16
Continue on CR 11
1.1 mi·1 min·Jonathan Carver Parkway
17
Enter roundabout onto CR 11
111 ft·2 sec·Jonathan Carver Parkway
18
Continue on CR 11
0.9 mi·1 min·Jonathan Carver Parkway
19
Continue on CR 11; CR 40
0.6 mi·55 sec·County Road 40
20
Turn left onto CR 11
5.4 mi·7 min·County Road 11
21
Continue on MN 282
0.2 mi·21 sec·2nd Street West
22
Enter roundabout onto MN 282
99 ft·1 sec·2nd Street West
23
Continue on MN 282
0.4 mi·1 min·2nd Street West
24
Turn right onto Rice Street South
193 ft·13 sec·Rice Street South
25
Turn left
141 ft·10 sec
26
Arrive at destination
Trip Plan
Because this is a relatively short drive, you have plenty of flexibility regarding your departure time, though avoiding peak traffic hours is always a smart move. Since there are no mandatory stops scheduled for the 89.2-mile distance, you can easily complete the trip in one go without needing to plan for extended breaks. Keep in mind that the majority of your time is spent on major thoroughfares, so stay alert for merging traffic when transitioning between I-94, I-494, and US-212. To keep your costs near the estimated $13, consider filling your tank in Saint Cloud before you head out. Enjoy the simplicity of this direct route and use the saved time to get a head start on your plans once you arrive in Jordan.
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 44.6 miles from Saint Cloud, MN, or about 53m 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 20 miles or 26m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 44.6 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 30m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Jordan, 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 89.2 miles and 1h 50m.
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 45.4 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 16
5 decision points cluster between mile 0.1 and 80.1 — 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|1st Street North
Turn right onto 1st Street 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
8
67 mi into trip|~1h 19m in
Take the exit toward MN 5 West, US 212 West
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 11C
Toward MN 5 West, US 212 West
6
68.6 mi into trip|~1h 22m in|US 212
Keep slight left at fork onto US 212
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight left lane.
6
80.1 mi into trip|~1h 35m in
Take the exit toward CR 11: Jonathan Carver Parkway
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Toward CR 11: Jonathan Carver Parkway
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$13.27 one way
$26.55 round trip
$3.78/gal25.4 MPG avg31 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.07
$14.30
$28.61
premium
$4.53
$15.92
$31.83
diesel
$5.61
$19.69
$39.39
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: 31.2 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $9 in charging
· 0 stops
· 68% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
26.8
0
$9.37
$4.28
Efficient EV
22.3
0
$7.81
$3.57
EV Truck/SUV
35.7
0
$12.49
$5.71
Gas CO2
31 kg
EV CO2
10 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
11:34 PM
CDT
Current temp
67°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
Jordan, MN
Night
in Jordan on Saturday
Local time
11:34 PM
CDT
Current temp
47°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 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 50m 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.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
Expect a highway-focused experience, as 85% of this route consists of high-speed travel. You will spend your longest uninterrupted stint covering 45.4 miles on I-94, which sets a steady pace for the first half of your trip. The road feels like a consistent interstate grind, prioritizing speed and connectivity over winding backroads. As you transition from the interstate system onto US-212, the character of the drive remains functional and direct. Prepare for a focused, no-nonsense commute that gets you from point A to point B with minimal technical maneuvering.
85% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
26 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?
8/10
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 Effort8/10
Demanding - plan breaks and stay ahead of the key maneuvers
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This drive requires moderate attention. Across 89.2 miles you will encounter 16 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 51.1 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here; at 67 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
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.
Doable as a same-day drive at 1h 50m. Total distance: 89.2 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 0 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
1h 50m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (85%). 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 Jordan, 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 51.1 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here; at 67 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. 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 Jordan, MN before heading back.
