Rest Area
0 mi from route
Trip from Saint Cloud, MN to Shieldsville, MN
Pin this tripCompiled and reviewed by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed May 15, 2026 · Editorial standards
Drive Time
2h 20m
Distance
118.7 mi
191 km
Drive Score
8/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$20
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
2h 11m
★
6 AM
2h 21m
8 AM
2h 40m
10 AM
2h 27m
12 PM
2h 25m
3 PM
2h 28m
5 PM
2h 39m
8 PM
2h 15m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Saint Cloud, MN
Wikimedia Commons
Shieldsville, MN
Tom Fisk
Trip Overview
Saint Cloud, MN to Shieldsville, MN is 118.7 miles and takes about 2h 20m via I 94, I 35W, and I 494, with a fuel budget near $18 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This trip stays within Minnesota, moving you through the Midwest region. The route is almost entirely highway driving, making it a straightforward and efficient option for a quick trip. Given its short duration and manageable fuel cost, this is a solid choice for a same-day excursion.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.
Midpoint
59.3 miles from Saint Cloud, MN
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h 10m into the drive .
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| I 94 | 45.4 mi | 48m |
| I 35W | 37.7 mi | 41m |
| I 494 | 21.9 mi | 27m |
| State Highway 21 | 5.7 mi | 7m |
| Roosevelt Road | 3.9 mi | 6m |
| Shieldsville Boulevard | 0.9 mi | 1m |
| Washington Memorial Drive | 0.7 mi | 1m |
| West Saint Germain Street | 0.5 mi | 1m |
Longest stretch:
I 94
— 45.4 mi, about 48m
Traffic on I-35
Hour-of-day weekday pattern from 25 FHWA count stations on your route.
Peak
4 PM
~4,290 veh/hr typical
Quietest
2 AM
~243 veh/hr
Peak-to-quiet ratio
17.7×
busier at peak than in the quiet hours
12a
6a
noon
6p
11p
Averaged across 34 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 Shieldsville, 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 216
Toward I 494 South
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
10
Continue on I 494
22 mi
·
27 min
·
I 494
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
11
Take the exit
0.2 mi
·
25 sec
Exit 5B
Toward I 35W South: Albert Lea
Use the slight right lane.
12
Continue on this road
0.4 mi
·
50 sec
·
this road
Exit 5B
Toward I 35W South: Albert Lea
13
Merge onto I 35W
38 mi
·
41 min
·
I 35W
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
14
Take the exit
296 ft
·
3 sec
Toward MN 21
15
Continue on I 35 Business
0.2 mi
·
25 sec
·
I 35 Business
Toward MN 21, I 35 Business
16
At end of road, turn left onto MN 21; I 35 ALT
0.9 mi
·
1 min
·
Shieldsville Boulevard
17
Continue on MN 21
5.7 mi
·
7 min
·
State Highway 21
18
Turn left onto 153rd Street West
0.2 mi
·
40 sec
·
153rd Street West
19
At end of road, turn left onto CR 10
39 ft
·
1 sec
·
Geneva Avenue
20
Arrive at destination
CR 10
Trip Plan
To maximize daylight and avoid heavier traffic, aim to depart Saint Cloud in the morning. Since this is a relatively short drive at just over two hours, you have the flexibility to leave when convenient. You likely won't need to plan for extensive stops, but a quick break around the halfway point is always a good idea. Keep your fuel tank topped off, especially before heading out, as the $18 estimate is based on the full trip distance and current average prices. Pay attention to the exit numbers as you approach Shieldsville to ensure you take the correct turn off the main highway.
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 59.3 miles from Saint Cloud, MN, or about 1h 10m 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 26 miles or 33m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 59.3 miles or 1h 10m 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 54m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Shieldsville, 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.
+
Leave with enough water and a charging cable within reach, not packed away.
+
Check your fuel range against the first long segment, especially if you are starting outside city service areas.
Day 1
Settle into the route from Saint Cloud, MN
This is one driving day of about 118.7 miles and 2h 20m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 26 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.
Mid-route town
Meal stop
59 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 26 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 59.3 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.
Stops Along Your Drive
Picked by where they fit in your drive — first break, midpoint reset, final stretch.
Flying J Travel Center
0.1 mi from route
Rest Area
0.1 mi from route
New Market Rest Area - Southbound
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
Elm Creek Rest Area
0.2 mi from route
TA
0.2 mi from route
Heath Creek Rest Area - Northbound
0.4 mi from route
Rest Area
0.7 mi from route
Place data sourced from public business listings. Hours and availability may vary.
Heads-up: tricky spots
5 of 125 decision points cluster between mile 0.1 and 73.4 — 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
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
7
73.4 mi into trip
|
~1h 28m in
Take the exit toward I 35W South: Albert Lea
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight right lane.
Exit 5B
Toward I 35W South: Albert Lea
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$19.97 one way
$39.94 round trip
$4.27/gal
25.4 MPG avg
42 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.60 | $21.51 | $43.01 |
| premium | $5.04 | $23.53 | $47.07 |
| diesel | $5.64 | $26.35 | $52.70 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$20
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$45–$70
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 41.5 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-05-11.
Driving Electric?
About $12 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 35.6 | 0 | $12.46 | $5.70 |
| Efficient EV | 29.7 | 0 | $10.39 | $4.75 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 47.5 | 0 | $16.62 | $7.60 |
Gas CO2
42 kg
EV CO2
14 kg (67% 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.
Origin
Saint Cloud, MN
Afternoon in Saint Cloud on Friday
Local time
1:12 PM
CDT
Current temp
57°F
Sunny
NNW 5 to 10 mph
0% chance
Live forecast
Special Weather Statement
Special Weather Statement issued May 10 at 5:26AM CDT by NWS Duluth MN
Freeze Warning
Freeze Warning issued May 10 at 3:37AM CDT until May 10 at 9:00AM CDT by NWS Grand Forks ND
Destination
Shieldsville, MN
Afternoon in Shieldsville on Friday
Local time
1:12 PM
CDT
Current temp
59°F
Mostly Sunny
NW 5 to 15 mph
0% chance
Live forecast
Special Weather Statement
Special Weather Statement issued May 10 at 5:26AM CDT by NWS Duluth MN
Freeze Warning
Freeze Warning issued May 10 at 3:37AM CDT until May 10 at 9:00AM CDT by NWS Grand Forks ND
67°F
Plymouth, MN
59 mi in
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 warmer at arrival
A meaningful temperature swing is a good cue to rethink layers, water, and how soon you want to arrive.
Road read
2h 20m 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.
What kind of drive is this?
Expect to spend 93% of your time on major highways, covering 118.7 miles. The longest continuous stretch on a highway is 45.4 miles on I 94. You'll experience mostly highway cruising until the final leg of your trip, where you'll transition to surface roads closer to Shieldsville. Keep an eye out for the dense pattern of exits and merges as you navigate the urban and suburban areas around the Twin Cities.
93% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
20 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?
6/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 94 and I 35W. You will hit about 12 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
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 118.7 miles you will encounter 12 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.
Elevation Profile
Mostly flat terrain
1,096 ft
810 ft
Total Climb
379 ft
Total Descent
320 ft
Highest Point
1,096 ft
~118.7 mi in
Elevation Range
286 ft
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 Shieldsville, 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 2h 20m. Total distance: 118.7 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 0 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
2h 20m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (93%). 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.
Yes — we found about 11 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 Shieldsville, MN before sunset when you can. Check the Trip Plan for departure windows that land you in daylight.
Only with planning. This is a long drive for kids — consider splitting it into two days rather than pushing through. There are 11 rest areas along the route for bathroom stops.
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 Shieldsville, 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, EIA for fuel prices, USGS 3DEP for elevation, and FHWA TMAS for hourly traffic volumes. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.
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