Saint Cloud, MN to Winona, MN is 184.1 miles and takes about 3h 56m via Route 61, I 94, and US 10, with a fuel budget near $30 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This trip stays within Minnesota, traversing the Midwest region. It's a straightforward drive that doesn't require an overnight stay, making it a good option for a single-day excursion. You'll encounter mostly highway driving, so expect a relatively quick transit between these two points.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.
Break Rhythm
1 planned break
A short stop every 2 to 3 hours is enough for this drive.
Midpoint
92 miles from Saint Cloud, MN
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 1h 50m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
Route 61
54.1 mi
1h 8m
I 94
52.3 mi
57m
US 10
22.7 mi
30m
Route 61/Route 63
14.8 mi
19m
I 694
11.7 mi
12m
Red Wing Boulevard
6 mi
8m
Voyageur Highway
5.5 mi
6m
Roosevelt Road
3.9 mi
6m
Longest stretch:
Route 61
— 54.1 mi, about 1h 8m
Traffic on I-94
Hour-of-day weekday pattern from 24 FHWA count stations on your route.
Peak
4 PM
~3,434 veh/hr typical
· worst 3,965
Quietest
2 AM
~208 veh/hr
Peak-to-quiet ratio
16.5×
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 Winona, 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
52 mi·57 min·I 94
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
9
Keep slight left at fork onto I 694
12 mi·12 min·I 694
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
10
Keep slight right at fork onto US 10
5.5 mi·6 min·Voyageur Highway
Exit 46Toward US 10 East, I 35 South: St PaulUse the slight right lane.
11
Keep slight left at fork onto US 10
2.5 mi·3 min·US 10
Exit 107AToward US 10 East, I 94 East, US 52 South: 10th Street, Wacouta StreetUse the slight left / straight lanes.
12
Take the exit onto US 10; US 61
20 mi·26 min·US 10; US 61
Exit 244Toward US 10 East, US 61 SouthUse the slight right lane.
13
Turn left onto MN 316
0.1 mi·13 sec·Red Wing Boulevard
14
Enter roundabout onto MN 316
62 ft·1 sec·Red Wing Boulevard
15
Continue on MN 316
0.4 mi·32 sec·Red Wing Boulevard
16
Enter roundabout onto MN 316
71 ft·0 sec·Red Wing Boulevard
17
Continue on MN 316
0.5 mi·43 sec·Red Wing Boulevard
18
Enter roundabout onto MN 316
76 ft·1 sec·Red Wing Boulevard
19
Continue on MN 316
4.9 mi·7 min·Red Wing Boulevard
20
Continue on MN 316
1.8 mi·2 min·Polk Avenue
21
Continue on MN 316
2.0 mi·2 min·Highway 316 Boulevard
22
Enter roundabout onto US 61
247 ft·3 sec·Route 61
23
Continue on US 61
5.6 mi·6 min·Route 61
Use the straight lane.
24
Keep slight right at fork onto US 61
6.1 mi·8 min·Route 61
Use the straight lane.
25
Continue on US 61
1.7 mi·3 min·Main Street
Use the straight lane.
26
Continue on US 61; US 63
15 mi·19 min·Route 61/Route 63
Use the straight lane.
27
Continue on US 61; US 63
2.8 mi·5 min·North Lakeshore Drive
28
Continue on US 61
9.5 mi·13 min·Route 61
29
Continue on US 61
0.2 mi·17 sec·2nd Street
30
Continue on US 61
33 mi·39 min·Route 61
Use the straight lane.
31
Turn left onto Pelzer Street
0.3 mi·38 sec·Pelzer Street
Use the left lane.
32
Turn right onto CR 32
0.4 mi·41 sec·West 5th Street
Use the right lane.
33
Continue on County Highway 32
0.1 mi·17 sec·County Highway 32
34
Turn left onto West Broadway Street
2.0 mi·4 min·West Broadway Street
35
Turn left onto MN 43
41 ft·1 sec·Main Street
36
Arrive at destination
MN 43
Trip Plan
Given the 3h 56m estimated drive time, you can easily complete this trip in one day. Leaving in the morning from Saint Cloud should give you plenty of daylight to reach Winona. With only one recommended stop and a fuel cost around $30, you won't need to plan extensive breaks. Keep an eye on your fuel gauge, especially during the 54.1-mile stretch on Route 61, as services might be less frequent than on the interstate sections. This drive is flexible enough that you can depart when it's most convenient for you.
Morning Departure
An early start around 7-8 AM gets you there with plenty of daylight left.
Evening Departure
A late afternoon start means arriving after dark. Morning is better.
You can normally do this drive in one day.
Plan roughly 1 meaningful break for fuel, food, and rest.
The halfway point lands around 92 miles from Saint Cloud, MN, or about 1h 50m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 54.1 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 41 miles or 50m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 92 miles or 1h 50m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 3h 12m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Winona, 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 184.1 miles and 3h 56m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 41 miles from Saint Cloud, MN.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
Plan about 1 real break rather than only quick fuel stops.
The longest stretch is on Route 61 for about 54.1 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 20
5 decision points cluster between mile 57.9 and 97.9 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
6
57.9 mi into trip|~1h 8m in|I 694
Keep slight left at fork onto I 694
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
9
69.6 mi into trip|~1h 21m in|US 10 / Voyageur Highway
Keep slight right at fork onto US 10 / Voyageur Highway toward US 10 East, I 35 South: St Paul
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the slight right lane.
Exit 46
Toward US 10 East, I 35 South: St Paul
9
75.1 mi into trip|~1h 28m in|US 10
Keep slight left at fork onto US 10 toward US 10 East, I 94 East, US 52 South: 10th Street, Wacouta Street
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the slight left / straight lanes.
Exit 107A
Toward US 10 East, I 94 East, US 52 South: 10th...
8
77.6 mi into trip|~1h 31m in|US 10; US 61
Take the exit onto US 10; US 61 toward US 10 East, US 61 South
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the slight right lane.
Exit 244
Toward US 10 East, US 61 South
6
97.9 mi into trip|~1h 58m in|MN 316 / Red Wing Boulevard
Enter roundabout onto MN 316 / Red Wing Boulevard
Roundabout - know your exit number before entering
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$30.97 one way
$61.94 round trip
$4.27/gal25.4 MPG avg64 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.60
$33.36
$66.71
premium
$5.04
$36.50
$73.00
diesel
$5.64
$40.87
$81.74
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$31
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$56–$81
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 64.4 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-05-11.
Driving Electric?
About $19 in charging
· 0 stops
· 66% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
55.2
0
$19.33
$8.84
Efficient EV
46
0
$16.11
$7.36
EV Truck/SUV
73.6
0
$25.77
$11.78
Gas CO2
64 kg
EV CO2
22 kg (66% 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 10, 2026
Origin
Saint Cloud, MN
Afternoon
in Saint Cloud on Friday
Local time
12:20 PM
CDT
Current temp
58°F
Sunny
NW 10 mph0% chanceLive forecast
Destination
Winona, MN
Afternoon
in Winona on Friday
Local time
12:20 PM
CDT
Current temp
68°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
10 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
3h 56m 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 predominantly highway, with 86% of the drive on high-speed roads. You'll have a continuous stretch of 54.1 miles on Route 61, offering a chance for steady cruising. The remaining portion will transition to surface roads, so be prepared for more frequent intersections and potentially slower speeds as you approach your destination. Expect a steady flow of traffic typical of major interstates.
86% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
36 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 54.1 mi on Route 61.
How Hard Is This Drive?
7/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on Route 61 and I 94. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 57.9 miles in near I 694.
Driving Effort7/10
Demanding - plan breaks and stay ahead of the key maneuvers
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This is a demanding drive. With 20 significant decision points across 184.1 miles, you will need to stay alert - especially through interchange areas and urban stretches. Consider splitting it into segments if you are not comfortable with fast highway navigation.
Where does it get tricky?
The main spots that need attention: at 57.9 miles (I 694): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 69.6 miles (US 10 / Voyageur Highway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 75.1 miles (US 10): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
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
Winona, known as the Island City, is a historic river and college town in Southeastern Minnesota, located on a large sandbar among the bluffs along the Mississippi River. It is about 110 miles southeast of the Twin Cities.
Top landmarks
•Basilica of Saint Stanislaus Kostka — basilica church in Winona, Minnesota, United States
•Merchants National Bank — bank building in Winona, Minnesota, United States
•Sugar Loaf — bluff in Winona, Minnesota, United States
Doable as a same-day drive at 3h 56m. Total distance: 184.1 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
3h 56m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (86%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 54.1 miles on Route 61. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Yes — we found about 13 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 Winona, 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. Plan at least 1 meaningful breaks. There are 13 rest areas along the route for bathroom stops.
The main spots that need attention: at 57.9 miles (I 694): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 69.6 miles (US 10 / Voyageur Highway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 75.1 miles (US 10): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Possible but tiring. At 3.9 hours each way, an in-and-out day trip would put you behind the wheel for 7.9 hours — manageable with a long break at Winona, MN, but most travelers stay overnight.
