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Trip from Saint Cloud, MN to Scandia, 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 47m

Distance

89.2 mi

144 km

Drive Score

8/10

Great drive

Same Day?

Yes, doable

Fuel Cost

$13

one way

EV Charging

Unknown

Best Time to Leave

Save up to 24 min
4 AM
1h 39m ★
6 AM
1h 47m
8 AM
2h 3m
10 AM
1h 53m
12 PM
1h 51m
3 PM
1h 53m
5 PM
2h 2m
8 PM
1h 42m

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 Scandia, MN, MN

Scandia, MN

Efrem Efre

Trip Overview

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

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 212 Toward MN 610 East Use 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 236 Toward I 35W North: Duluth Use 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 129 Toward MN 97, CR 23 Use the straight / slight right lanes.
14

Keep slight right at fork

318 ft · 9 sec
Toward MN 97 East Use 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.

Downtown West Co on Rapids, MN, MN

Mid-route town

Meal stop

West Co on Rapids, MN

45 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 20 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.

Maple Grove, MN

Meal break

The midpoint is around 44.6 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.

Nearby Places

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

Top Restaurant

Lynde’s Restaurant & Catering

4.5 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Osseo, Minnesota

Around the midpoint, short detour

1.6 mi from route ~4 min detour $10 to $20 mile 51

Hours: 6 am–2 pm

+17634243696

Visit website

Maynard's Restaurant of Rogers

4.5 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Rogers, Minnesota

2.6 mi

Adagio's Pizza Factory

4.2 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

New Brighton, Minnesota

2.6 mi

Top Coffee Stop

District Coffee

4.9 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

St Cloud, Minnesota

Near the start, short detour

2.7 mi from route ~7 min detour $10 to $20 mile 6.4

Hours: 6:30 am–2:30 pm

+13203422040

Visit website

Cairo Cafe

5.0 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Blaine, Minnesota

2.3 mi

Lynde’s Restaurant & Catering

4.5 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Around the midpoint, short detour

1.6 mi from route ~4 min detour $10 to $20 mile 51

Osseo, Minnesota

Hours: 6 am–2 pm

+17634243696

Visit website

Maynard's Restaurant of Rogers

4.5 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Around the midpoint, short detour

2.6 mi from route ~6 min detour $20 to $30 mile 44.6

Rogers, Minnesota

Hours: 11 am–11 pm

+17634280700

Visit website

Adagio's Pizza Factory

4.2 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Later in the drive, short detour

2.6 mi from route ~7 min detour $20 to $30 mile 63.7

New Brighton, Minnesota

Hours: 11 am–9 pm

+16512373486

Visit website

El Loro Mexican Restaurant

4.3 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Around the midpoint, ~9 min detour

3.6 mi from route ~9 min detour $10 to $20 mile 57.4

Coon Rapids, Minnesota

Hours: 11 am–9 pm

+17637549065

Visit website

District Coffee

4.9 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, short detour

2.7 mi from route ~7 min detour $10 to $20 mile 6.4

St Cloud, Minnesota

Hours: 6:30 am–2:30 pm

+13203422040

Visit website

Cairo Cafe

5.0 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Around the midpoint, short detour

2.3 mi from route ~6 min detour mile 57.4

Blaine, Minnesota

Coffeesmith

4.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, short detour

3.3 mi from route ~8 min detour $1 to $10 mile 82.9

Forest Lake, Minnesota

Hours: 6 am–7 pm

+16513009039

Visit website

Metta Coffee Cafe

4.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Around the midpoint, ~12 min detour

5 mi from route ~12 min detour $1 to $10 mile 51

Anoka, Minnesota

Hours: 7 am–5 pm

+17634215036

Visit website

Rest Area

0 mi from route

Rest Area

0.1 mi from route

Love's Travel Stop

0.1 mi from route

Pilot Travel Center

0.1 mi from route

Petro Stopping Centers

0.1 mi from route

Service Plaza

0.1 mi from route

TA

0.2 mi from route

Rest Area

0.7 mi from route

Forest Lake Rest Area

1.2 mi from route

Elm Creek Rest Area

1.8 mi from route

Playground Plaza

4.3 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Around the midpoint, right off the route

0.4 mi from route ~1 min detour mile 51

Maple Grove, Minnesota

Hours: 7 am–9 pm

+17632283833

Visit website

Golden Lake Park

4.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Later in the drive, short detour

2.2 mi from route ~6 min detour mile 63.7

Circle Pines, Minnesota

Hours: 6 am–9 pm

+17637845898

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

Joyer Adventure Farm at Waldoch Farm

4.8 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Later in the drive, short detour

1.9 mi from route ~5 min detour mile 70.1

Lino Lakes, Minnesota

+16517801207

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 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

$13.27 one way

$26.55 round trip

$3.78/gal 25.4 MPG avg 31 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

11:36 PM

CDT

Current temp

67°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

Destination

Scandia, MN

Night in Scandia on Saturday

Local time

11:36 PM

CDT

Current temp

64°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

3 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

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 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 Effort 8/10

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.

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

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 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.

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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