Origin
Saint Cloud, MN
Late night in Saint Cloud on Saturday
Local time
1:34 AM
CDT
Current temp
50°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Saint Cloud, MN to Starbuck, 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 40m
Distance
74.2 mi
119 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 33m
★
6 AM
1h 41m
8 AM
1h 56m
10 AM
1h 46m
12 PM
1h 44m
3 PM
1h 47m
5 PM
1h 55m
8 PM
1h 36m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Saint Cloud, MN
Wikimedia Commons
Starbuck, MN
Wikimedia Commons
Trip Overview
Saint Cloud to Starbuck is 74.2 miles and takes about 1h 40m via MN 28 and I-94 W, with a fuel budget near $12 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This trip stays within Minnesota, moving from the Midwest region to the same region. Expect a mostly highway experience with minimal time commitment, making it an easy option for a quick getaway or a day trip. The route is straightforward, ideal if you're looking for a simple drive without complex navigation.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.
Midpoint
37.1 miles from Saint Cloud, MN
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 46m into the drive .
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| MN 28 | 32 mi | 47m |
| I-94 W | 30.6 mi | 32m |
| County Road 75 | 5.8 mi | 8m |
| 3rd Street North | 1.6 mi | 3m |
| Division Street | 1.5 mi | 2m |
| 2nd Street North | 0.5 mi | 1m |
| Main Street South | 0.4 mi | <1m |
| MN-15 S | 0.4 mi | <1m |
Longest stretch:
MN 28
— 32 mi, about 47m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Saint Cloud, MN and Starbuck, MN.
1
Start on Courthouse Square
7 ft
·
2 sec
·
Courthouse Square
2
Turn right onto 8th Avenue North
253 ft
·
16 sec
·
8th Avenue North
3
Turn left onto 2nd Street North
0.5 mi
·
1 min
·
2nd Street North
4
Turn right onto 16th Avenue North
407 ft
·
16 sec
·
16th Avenue North
5
Turn left onto 3rd Street North
1.6 mi
·
3 min
·
3rd Street North
6
Turn left onto MN 15
0.4 mi
·
36 sec
·
MN-15 S
7
Turn right onto CR 75
1.5 mi
·
2 min
·
Division Street
8
Continue on CR 75
5.8 mi
·
8 min
·
County Road 75
9
Take the exit
0.9 mi
·
2 min
10
Merge onto I 94
31 mi
·
32 min
·
I-94 W
11
Take the exit
0.4 mi
·
54 sec
Toward US 71, MN 28: Glenwood, Sauk Centre
12
Turn left onto US 71; MN 28
0.4 mi
·
46 sec
·
Main Street South
13
Turn right onto MN 28
32 mi
·
47 min
·
MN 28
14
Turn left onto MN 29
32 ft
·
0 sec
·
North Main Street
15
Arrive at destination
MN 29
Trip Plan
Given the short duration of about 1 hour and 40 minutes, this trip is easily done in a single day. You could leave Saint Cloud in the morning and arrive in Starbuck with plenty of time for activities. With a fuel cost estimated around $12, it's an economical drive. Since you won't need to stop for gas frequently, plan your stops for breaks or meals at your leisure, perhaps midway through the 32-mile stretch on MN 28. The flexibility of a short drive means you can depart whenever suits you best.
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 37.1 miles from Saint Cloud, MN, or about 46m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 32 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 16 miles or 24m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 37.1 miles or 46m 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 24m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Starbuck, 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 74.2 miles and 1h 40m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 16 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 28 for about 32 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Mid-route town
Meal stop
37 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 16 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 37.1 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 125 decision points cluster between mile 0 and 41.5 — 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
4
0 mi into trip
|
~0m in
|
2nd Street North
Turn left onto 2nd Street North
Navigation decision point
4
0.6 mi into trip
|
~1m in
|
16th Avenue North
Turn right onto 16th Avenue North
Navigation decision point
4
2.2 mi into trip
|
~5m in
|
MN 15 / MN-15 S
Turn left onto MN 15 / MN-15 S
Navigation decision point
5
41.5 mi into trip
|
~51m in
Take the exit toward US 71, MN 28: Glenwood, Sauk Centre
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Toward US 71, MN 28: Glenwood, Sauk Centre
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$12.11 one way
$24.22 round trip
$4.15/gal
25.4 MPG avg
26 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.46 | $13.03 | $26.07 |
| premium | $4.95 | $14.47 | $28.94 |
| diesel | $5.97 | $17.43 | $34.86 |
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: 26 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 | 22.3 | 0 | $7.79 | $3.56 |
| Efficient EV | 18.6 | 0 | $6.49 | $2.97 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 29.7 | 0 | $10.39 | $4.75 |
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
Starbuck, MN
Late night in Starbuck on Saturday
Local time
1:34 AM
CDT
Current temp
49°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
48°F
Albany, MN
37 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
1 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 40m 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?
You'll be on highways for about 85% of this 74.2-mile drive. Expect to cruise for a longest stretch of 32 miles on MN 28 before transitioning. The majority of your time will be spent on I-94 W, offering a consistent highway pace. This means you'll experience more rural cruising than frequent stops or urban merging.
85% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
15 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 32 mi on MN 28.
How Hard Is This Drive?
3/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on MN 28 and I-94 W. There are only a few real navigation decisions along the way. The trickiest moment comes early in the drive near 8th Avenue North.
Driving Effort
3/10
Easy - simple navigation with a manageable amount of wheel time
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This is a straightforward 1h 40m drive. You will face about 12 decision points, but nothing that requires special attention if you follow navigation.
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 0.6 miles (16th Avenue North): Navigation decision point.
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 Starbuck, MN, road signs begin pointing toward Sauk Centre along the way.
Sauk Centre
41.5 mi in
|
~51m
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 Starbuck, 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 40m. Total distance: 74.2 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 0 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
1h 40m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (85%). Straightforward navigation.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 32 miles on MN 28. 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: near the start (8th Avenue North): Navigation decision point; near the start (2nd Street North): Navigation decision point; at 0.6 miles (16th Avenue North): Navigation decision point.
Yes. A round trip is manageable in a single day if you plan a break at Starbuck, 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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