Saint Cloud, MN to Scandia, MN is 89.2 miles and takes about 1h 47m via I 94, I 35W, and MN 610, with a fuel budget near $13 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This drive stays within Minnesota, connecting two points in the Midwest. It's a straightforward trip primarily on major highways, making it a convenient option for a quick journey. You'll be on the road for under two hours, so it's easily manageable as a single-day excursion. Consider this route if you're looking for efficiency and minimal complication.
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 52m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
I 94
41.2 mi
44m
I 35W
13.5 mi
14m
MN 610
12.9 mi
14m
Scandia Trail North
10.9 mi
14m
Roosevelt Road
3.9 mi
6m
US 10
3.4 mi
3m
Washington Memorial Drive
0.7 mi
1m
West Saint Germain Street
0.5 mi
1m
Longest stretch:
I 94
— 41.2 mi, about 44m
Traffic on I-94
Hour-of-day weekday pattern from 23 FHWA count stations on your route.
Peak
4 PM
~2,765 veh/hr typical
· worst 3,293
Quietest
2 AM
~147 veh/hr
Peak-to-quiet ratio
18.8×
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 Scandia, 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
41 mi·44 min·I 94
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
9
Take the exit onto MN 610
13 mi·14 min·MN 610
Exit 212Toward MN 610 EastUse the straight / slight right lanes.
10
Merge onto US 10
3.4 mi·3 min·US 10
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
11
Take the exit
0.8 mi·1 min
Exit 236Toward I 35W North: DuluthUse the straight / slight left lanes.
12
Merge onto I 35W
13 mi·14 min·I 35W
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
13
Take the exit
0.2 mi·29 sec
Exit 129Toward MN 97, CR 23Use the straight / slight right lanes.
14
Keep slight right at fork
318 ft·9 sec
Toward MN 97 EastUse the right lane.
15
Turn straight onto CR 23
0.2 mi·16 sec·Lake Drive Northeast
16
Continue on MN 97
1.6 mi·2 min·Scandia Trail North
17
Continue on US 97
0.1 mi·10 sec·Scanida Trail North
18
Enter roundabout onto US 61
238 ft·3 sec·Scandia Trail North
19
Continue on US 61
0.3 mi·21 sec·Scandia Trail North
20
Continue on US 97
0.4 mi·37 sec·Scandia Trail North
21
Enter roundabout onto MN 97
129 ft·2 sec·Scandia Trail North
22
Continue on MN 97
8.5 mi·11 min·Scandia Trail North
23
Turn right onto CR 52
0.3 mi·48 sec·Oakhill Road North
24
Turn left onto CH 3
168 ft·6 sec·Olinda Trail North
25
Turn right
87 ft·6 sec
26
Arrive at destination
Trip Plan
Given the short duration of 1 hour and 47 minutes, you have plenty of flexibility with your departure time. Leaving Saint Cloud in the morning or mid-afternoon are both viable options. You won't need to plan for extensive stops, but if you do need a break, rest areas are available along the interstates. Keep an eye on your fuel gauge, as the estimated cost is around $13, so you likely won't need to refuel mid-trip unless your vehicle is particularly inefficient. The longest stretch without needing to navigate a significant change in road type is 41.2 miles on I 94, so be prepared for that segment of consistent highway driving.
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 52m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 41.2 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 52m 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 Scandia, 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 47m.
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 41.2 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 77.7 — 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
7
46.8 mi into trip|~55m in|MN 610
Take the exit onto MN 610 toward MN 610 East
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Exit 212
Toward MN 610 East
7
63.2 mi into trip|~1h 13m in
Take the exit toward I 35W North: Duluth
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight left lanes.
Exit 236
Toward I 35W North: Duluth
8
77.5 mi into trip|~1h 30m in
Take the exit toward MN 97, CR 23
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 129
Toward MN 97, CR 23
8
77.7 mi into trip|~1h 30m in
Keep slight right at fork toward MN 97 East
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the right lane.
Toward MN 97 East
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$14.64 one way
$29.29 round trip
$4.17/gal25.4 MPG avg31 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.46
$15.66
$31.33
premium
$4.95
$17.38
$34.75
diesel
$5.35
$18.79
$37.58
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: 31.2 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-06-01.
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 May 28, 2026
Origin
Saint Cloud, MN
Afternoon
in Saint Cloud on Wednesday
Local time
3:54 PM
CDT
Current temp
86°F
Sunny
ESE 10 mph0% chanceLive forecast
Special Weather Statement
Special Weather Statement issued May 28 at 3:26AM CDT by NWS Duluth MN
Destination
Scandia, MN
Afternoon
in Scandia on Wednesday
Local time
3:54 PM
CDT
Current temp
82°F
Sunny
ESE 5 to 10 mph0% chanceLive forecast
Special Weather Statement
Special Weather Statement issued May 28 at 3:26AM CDT by NWS Duluth MN
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
4 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 47m 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 route is largely a highway-focused drive, with 80% of the journey utilizing major interstates. You'll experience a significant stretch of 41.2 miles on I 94, offering consistent speed and uninterrupted travel. The primary roads include I 94, I 35W, and MN 610, all of which are designed for efficient transit. Expect a driving experience characterized by multi-lane highways and predictable conditions for the majority of the trip. It's less about winding country roads and more about covering ground.
80% 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: 41.2 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 35W. 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 46.8 miles (MN 610): Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here; at 63.2 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here.
Elevation Profile
Mostly flat terrain
1,044 ft817 ft
Total Climb
270 ft
Total Descent
263 ft
Highest Point
1,044 ft
~89.2 mi in
Elevation Range
228 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 Scandia, MN, road signs begin pointing toward Cr 23 along the way.
Cr 23
77.5 mi in|~1h 30m
Detours Along the Way
Tagged by where each one fits in your drive — first break, midpoint, final stretch.
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 47m. Total distance: 89.2 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 0 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
1h 47m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (80%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 41.2 miles on I 94. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Yes — we found about 10 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.
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 Scandia, 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 46.8 miles (MN 610): Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here; at 63.2 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 Scandia, MN before heading back.
