Origin
Saint Cloud, MN
Late night in Saint Cloud on Saturday
Local time
1:19 AM
CDT
Current temp
50°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Saint Cloud, MN to Nisswa, MN
Pin this tripCompiled and reviewed by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Sep 12, 2026 · Editorial standards
Drive Time
1h 31m
Distance
75 mi
121 km
Drive Score
7/10
Good drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$12
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
1h 25m
★
6 AM
1h 32m
8 AM
1h 45m
10 AM
1h 36m
12 PM
1h 35m
3 PM
1h 37m
5 PM
1h 45m
8 PM
1h 27m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Saint Cloud, MN
Wikimedia Commons
Nisswa, MN
Tom Fisk
Trip Overview
Saint Cloud to Nisswa is 75 miles and takes about 1h 31m via MN 371 and US 10, with a fuel budget near $12 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This trip stays within Minnesota, traversing the Midwest region. Expect mostly highway driving for this relatively short connection. It's a straightforward drive, perfect for a quick getaway or a convenient link between these two points without significant time commitment. You should have plenty of time to get on the road and still reach your destination with daylight to spare.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.
Midpoint
37.5 miles from Saint Cloud, MN
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 45m into the drive .
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| MN 371 | 40.9 mi | 49m |
| US 10 | 32.6 mi | 38m |
| East Saint Germain Street | 0.7 mi | 1m |
| 1st Street North | 0.2 mi | <1m |
| Veterans Bridge | 0.2 mi | <1m |
| Nisswa Avenue | 0.1 mi | <1m |
| Main Street | <0.1 mi | <1m |
| 2nd Street North | <0.1 mi | <1m |
Longest stretch:
MN 371
— 40.9 mi, about 49m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Saint Cloud, MN and Nisswa, MN.
1
Start on Courthouse Square
7 ft
·
2 sec
·
Courthouse Square
2
Turn right onto 8th Avenue North
253 ft
·
13 sec
·
8th Avenue North
3
Turn right onto 2nd Street North
393 ft
·
9 sec
·
2nd Street North
4
Continue on 1st Street North
0.2 mi
·
27 sec
·
1st Street North
5
Continue on Veterans Bridge
0.2 mi
·
23 sec
·
Veterans Bridge
6
Continue on East Saint Germain Street
0.7 mi
·
1 min
·
East Saint Germain Street
7
Turn left onto US 10
33 mi
·
38 min
·
US 10
8
Keep slight right at fork onto MN 371
32 mi
·
38 min
·
MN 371
9
Keep slight right at fork onto MN 371
0.4 mi
·
30 sec
·
MN 371
10
Keep slight right at fork onto MN 371
1.0 mi
·
1 min
·
MN 371
11
Keep slight right at fork onto MN 371
7.0 mi
·
8 min
·
MN 371
12
Turn right onto Nisswa Avenue
0.1 mi
·
17 sec
·
Nisswa Avenue
13
Turn right onto Main Street
406 ft
·
17 sec
·
Main Street
14
Turn left onto Lakers Lane
65 ft
·
4 sec
·
Lakers Lane
15
Turn right
165 ft
·
12 sec
16
Arrive at destination
Trip Plan
Since this drive is only about 1.5 hours, you have a lot of flexibility with your departure time. Leaving mid-morning allows you to avoid rush hour in Saint Cloud and arrive in Nisswa with plenty of the afternoon free. With a fuel cost estimated at $12, you won't need to worry too much about frequent fill-ups, but it’s always wise to start with a full tank. Plan for one brief stop if needed, perhaps around the halfway point. Keep an eye on your navigation as you get closer to Nisswa, as the road changes from highway to surface streets.
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 37.5 miles from Saint Cloud, MN, or about 45m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 40.9 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 17 miles or 21m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 37.5 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 16m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Nisswa, 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 75 miles and 1h 31m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 17 miles from Saint Cloud, MN.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
The longest stretch is on MN 371 for about 40.9 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Mid-route town
Meal stop
38 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 17 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 37.5 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.
Heads-up: tricky spots
5 of 105 decision points cluster between mile 0 and 75 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
4
0 mi into trip
|
~0m in
|
8th Avenue North
Turn right onto 8th Avenue North
Navigation decision point
5
0 mi into trip
|
~0m in
|
2nd Street North
Turn right onto 2nd Street North
Navigation decision point
4
33.9 mi into trip
|
~41m in
|
MN 371
Keep slight right at fork onto MN 371
Highway fork - watch signs carefully
5
75 mi into trip
|
~1h 31m in
|
Lakers Lane
Turn left onto Lakers Lane
Navigation decision point
5
75 mi into trip
|
~1h 31m in
Turn right
Navigation decision point
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$12.24 one way
$24.48 round trip
$4.15/gal
25.4 MPG avg
26 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.46 | $13.18 | $26.35 |
| premium | $4.95 | $14.63 | $29.25 |
| diesel | $5.97 | $17.62 | $35.24 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$12
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$37–$62
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 26.2 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-09-07.
Driving Electric?
About $8 in charging · 0 stops · 65% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 22.5 | 0 | $7.88 | $3.60 |
| Efficient EV | 18.8 | 0 | $6.56 | $3.00 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 30 | 0 | $10.50 | $4.80 |
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
Nisswa, MN
Late night in Nisswa on Saturday
Local time
1:19 AM
CDT
Current temp
48°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
2 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 31m 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 route is 98% highway, meaning you'll spend almost the entire 75 miles on high-speed roads. The longest continuous stretch on MN 371 is 40.9 miles. You'll transition to surface roads, specifically East Saint Germain Street, closer to Nisswa. The drive will feel like continuous cruising with frequent exits as you approach your destination, rather than rural backroads.
98% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
16 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 40.9 mi on MN 371.
How Hard Is This Drive?
6/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on MN 371 and US 10. You will hit about 10 points where you need to pay attention to lane position or signs. The trickiest moment comes early in the drive near 8th Avenue North.
Driving Effort
6/10
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 75 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: near the start (8th Avenue North): Navigation decision point; near the start (2nd Street North): Navigation decision point; at 33.9 miles (MN 371): Highway fork - watch signs carefully.
About the Cities
Starting in Saint Cloud, MN
Full guide →Founded 1856
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
Arriving in Nisswa, MN
Full guide →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 31m. Total distance: 75 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 0 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
1h 31m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (98%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 40.9 miles on MN 371. 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 Nisswa, 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: near the start (8th Avenue North): Navigation decision point; near the start (2nd Street North): Navigation decision point; at 33.9 miles (MN 371): Highway fork - watch signs carefully.
Yes. A round trip is manageable in a single day if you plan a break at Nisswa, 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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