Origin
Saint Cloud, MN
Late night in Saint Cloud on Tuesday
Local time
5:36 AM
CDT
Current temp
56°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Saint Cloud, MN to Prior Lake, MN
Pin this tripCompiled and reviewed by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Apr 21, 2026 · Editorial standards
Drive Time
1h 39m
Distance
81.2 mi
131 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 32m
★
6 AM
1h 40m
8 AM
1h 55m
10 AM
1h 45m
12 PM
1h 44m
3 PM
1h 46m
5 PM
1h 54m
8 PM
1h 35m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Saint Cloud, MN
Wikimedia Commons
Prior Lake, MN
Wikimedia Commons
Trip Overview
Saint Cloud, MN to Prior Lake, MN is 81.2 miles and takes about 1h 39m via I 94, US 169, and Roosevelt Road, with a fuel budget near $12 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This trip stays within the Midwest region, specifically in Minnesota. Expect a largely highway-focused drive, making it a straightforward and efficient journey. It's a great option for a single-day trip, allowing you to reach your destination without needing an overnight stay. Consider this route if you're looking for a practical and quick connection between these two points.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.
Midpoint
40.6 miles from Saint Cloud, MN
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 49m into the drive .
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| I 94 | 47.6 mi | 51m |
| US 169 | 20.7 mi | 25m |
| Roosevelt Road | 3.9 mi | 6m |
| Eagle Creek Avenue | 3.3 mi | 5m |
| Herrgott Memorial Drive | 2.8 mi | 3m |
| Washington Memorial Drive | 0.7 mi | 1m |
| West Saint Germain Street | 0.5 mi | 1m |
| Eagle Creek Avenue Southeast | 0.2 mi | <1m |
Longest stretch:
I 94
— 47.6 mi, about 51m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Saint Cloud, MN and Prior 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 29A
Toward US 169 South
Use 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 115
Toward CR 21
Use 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
3.3 mi
·
5 min
·
Eagle Creek Avenue
14
Enter roundabout onto CR 21
95 ft
·
1 sec
·
Eagle Creek Avenue Southeast
15
Continue on CR 21
0.2 mi
·
24 sec
·
Eagle Creek Avenue Southeast
16
Enter roundabout
133 ft
·
2 sec
17
Arrive at destination
Trip Plan
Given the relatively short duration of 1 hour and 39 minutes, this trip is easily manageable in a single day. You could leave Saint Cloud in the morning and arrive in Prior Lake with plenty of daylight remaining. With a fuel cost estimated at $12, it's an economical choice. While there are no designated stops mentioned, keep in mind that the longest stretch without a significant road change is 47.6 miles on I 94, so plan for a brief break before or after that segment if needed. The flexibility of a shorter drive means you can depart at your convenience.
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 40.6 miles from Saint Cloud, MN, or about 49m 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 18 miles or 24m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 40.6 miles or 49m 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 22m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Prior 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 81.2 miles and 1h 39m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 18 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.
Mid-route town
Meal stop
41 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 18 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 40.6 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 0.1 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
$12.08 one way
$24.17 round trip
$3.78/gal
25.4 MPG avg
28 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.07 | $13.02 | $26.04 |
| premium | $4.53 | $14.49 | $28.98 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $17.93 | $35.86 |
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: 28.4 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $9 in charging · 0 stops · 64% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 24.4 | 0 | $8.53 | $3.90 |
| Efficient EV | 20.3 | 0 | $7.10 | $3.25 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 32.5 | 0 | $11.37 | $5.20 |
Gas CO2
28 kg
EV CO2
10 kg (64% 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
Prior Lake, MN
Late night in Prior Lake on Tuesday
Local time
5:36 AM
CDT
Current temp
40°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
16 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 39m 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 predominantly a highway-focused drive, with 84% of the journey utilizing major roadways. You'll spend a significant portion of your time on I 94, including the longest stretch of continuous driving at 47.6 miles. The use of US 169 and Roosevelt Road indicates a transition to more arterial roads as you approach your destination. The drive is characterized by its efficiency rather than dramatic scenic shifts, offering a consistent pace for most of the 81.2 miles.
84% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
17 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 10 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 Effort
5/10
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 81.2 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 5.7 miles (I 94): Merge point - match speed before joining. 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.
On the drive from Saint Cloud, MN to Prior Lake, MN, road signs begin pointing toward Cr 21 along the way.
Cr 21
74.5 mi in
|
~1h 29m
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 Prior Lake, MN
Full guide →Founded 1891
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 39m. Total distance: 81.2 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 0 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
1h 39m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (84%). 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. 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 Prior Lake, 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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