Origin
Turtle River, MN
Evening in Turtle River on Friday
Local time
7:48 PM
CDT
Current temp
47°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Turtle River, MN to Saint Cloud, 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
3h 27m
Distance
166.2 mi
267 km
Drive Score
9/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$27
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
3h 15m
★
6 AM
3h 27m
8 AM
3h 52m
10 AM
3h 36m
12 PM
3h 33m
3 PM
3h 37m
5 PM
3h 50m
8 PM
3h 20m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Turtle River, MN
Tom Fisk
Saint Cloud, MN
Wikimedia Commons
Trip Overview
Turtle River to Saint Cloud is 166.2 miles and takes about 3 hours 27 minutes via US 10 and State Highway 64, with a fuel budget near $26 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This route stays within Minnesota, traversing the Midwest region. It's a straightforward drive, mostly on highways, making it a convenient option for a single day. Plan for a relatively smooth trip with minimal complications, ideal for a 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
83.1 miles from Turtle River, MN
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h 48m into the drive .
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| US 10 | 64.2 mi | 1h 13m |
| State Highway 64 Southwest | 33.7 mi | 42m |
| State 64 | 28.6 mi | 35m |
| Washington Avenue South | 13.7 mi | 17m |
| Voyageur Highway | 11.2 mi | 14m |
| State Highway 200 | 4.6 mi | 5m |
| Paul Bunyan Expressway | 4.5 mi | 5m |
| Marie Avenue Southeast | 0.9 mi | 1m |
Longest stretch:
US 10
— 64.2 mi, about 1h 13m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Turtle River, MN and Saint Cloud, MN.
1
Start on Main Avenue East
0.8 mi
·
3 min
·
Main Avenue East
2
Turn right onto CR 57
0.6 mi
·
1 min
·
Island View Drive Northeast
3
Turn left onto US 71
9.6 mi
·
11 min
·
Voyageur Highway
4
Enter roundabout onto US 71
120 ft
·
1 sec
·
Voyageur Highway
5
Continue on US 71
1.7 mi
·
2 min
·
Voyageur Highway
6
Merge onto US 2; US 71
4.5 mi
·
5 min
·
Paul Bunyan Expressway;Voyageur Highway
7
Take the exit onto US 71
0.4 mi
·
48 sec
·
US 71
Toward US 71 South, MN 197: Park Rapids, Bemidji
8
Turn right onto US 71
14 mi
·
17 min
·
Washington Avenue South
9
Continue on MN 200
4.6 mi
·
5 min
·
State Highway 200
10
Turn right onto MN 64
16 mi
·
19 min
·
State 64
11
At end of road, turn right onto MN 34; MN 64
0.6 mi
·
58 sec
·
Broadway Street East
12
Turn left onto MN 64
0.9 mi
·
1 min
·
Marie Avenue Southeast
13
Continue on MN 64
13 mi
·
16 min
·
State 64
14
Continue on MN 64; MN 87
0.9 mi
·
1 min
·
State Highway 87 Southwest / State 64
15
Turn right onto MN 64
34 mi
·
42 min
·
State Highway 64 Southwest
16
At end of road, turn right onto MN 210
0.3 mi
·
20 sec
·
State Highway 210
17
At end of road, turn left onto US 10
60 mi
·
1 hr 8 min
·
US 10
Use the right lane.
18
Keep slight left at fork onto US 10
4.3 mi
·
5 min
·
US 10
19
Turn right onto East Saint Germain Street
0.7 mi
·
1 min
·
East Saint Germain Street
20
Continue on Veterans Bridge
0.2 mi
·
23 sec
·
Veterans Bridge
21
Continue on 1st Street North
0.2 mi
·
29 sec
·
1st Street North
22
Continue on 2nd Street North
393 ft
·
13 sec
·
2nd Street North
23
Turn left onto 8th Avenue North
253 ft
·
16 sec
·
8th Avenue North
24
Turn left onto Courthouse Square
7 ft
·
0 sec
·
Courthouse Square
25
Arrive at destination
Courthouse Square
Trip Plan
Given this is a single-day trip totaling 166.2 miles and around 3.5 hours of driving, you have a lot of flexibility with departure time. Consider leaving mid-morning to avoid any early rush and to have ample daylight. The longest stretch without a significant break is 64.2 miles on US 10, so plan a quick stop around that point if needed. With a fuel cost estimated at $26, it's an economical drive, but always check your fuel gauge before departing Turtle River, especially since you'll be on highways for a good portion.
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 83.1 miles from Turtle River, MN, or about 1h 48m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 64.2 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 37 miles or 49m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 83.1 miles or 1h 48m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 2h 50m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Saint Cloud, MN than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving Turtle River, 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 Turtle River, MN
This is one driving day of about 166.2 miles and 3h 27m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 37 miles from Turtle River, 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 US 10 for about 64.2 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Mid-route town
Meal stop
83 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 37 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 83.1 miles from Turtle River, MN, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Before the longest stretch
Fuel checkTop up before US 10 if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 64.2 miles.
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 165 decision points cluster between mile 0.8 and 166.1 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
4
0.8 mi into trip
|
~3m in
|
CR 57 / Island View Drive Northeast
Turn right onto CR 57 / Island View Drive Northeast
Navigation decision point
5
11 mi into trip
|
~16m in
|
US 71 / Voyageur Highway
Enter roundabout onto US 71 / Voyageur Highway
Roundabout - know your exit number before entering
5
17.1 mi into trip
|
~24m in
|
US 71
Take the exit onto US 71 toward US 71 South, MN 197: Park Rapids, Bemidji
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Toward US 71 South, MN 197: Park Rapids, Bemidj...
5
100.8 mi into trip
|
~2h 10m in
|
US 10
At end of road, turn left onto US 10
Lane positioning matters here
Use the right lane.
5
166.1 mi into trip
|
~3h 26m in
|
8th Avenue North
Turn left onto 8th Avenue North
Navigation decision point
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$27.13 one way
$54.26 round trip
$4.15/gal
25.4 MPG avg
58 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.46 | $29.20 | $58.39 |
| premium | $4.95 | $32.41 | $64.82 |
| diesel | $5.97 | $39.04 | $78.09 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$27
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$52–$77
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 58.2 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-09-07.
Driving Electric?
About $17 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 49.9 | 0 | $17.45 | $7.98 |
| Efficient EV | 41.6 | 0 | $14.54 | $6.65 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 66.5 | 0 | $23.27 | $10.64 |
Gas CO2
58 kg
EV CO2
19 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.
Destination
Saint Cloud, MN
Evening in Saint Cloud on Friday
Local time
7:48 PM
CDT
Current temp
50°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
49°F
Cushing, MN
83 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
3 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 27m 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 spend about 65% of this 166.2-mile trip on highways. The longest continuous stretch on a highway is 64.2 miles along US 10. Expect a more rural cruising feel for a significant portion of the drive before transitioning to surface roads. This means you'll encounter fewer exits and a more open road experience for most of your time behind the wheel.
65% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
25 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 64.2 mi on US 10.
How Hard Is This Drive?
3/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on US 10 and State Highway 64 Southwest. There are only a few real navigation decisions along the way. The trickiest moment comes around 0.8 miles in near CR 57 / Island View Drive Northeast.
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 3h 27m drive. You will face about 16 decision points, but nothing that requires special attention if you follow navigation.
Where does it get tricky?
The main spots that need attention: at 0.8 miles (CR 57 / Island View Drive Northeast): Navigation decision point; at 11 miles (US 71 / Voyageur Highway): Roundabout - know your exit number before entering; at 17.1 miles (US 71): Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
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 Turtle River, MN to Saint Cloud, MN, road signs begin pointing toward Bemidji along the way.
Bemidji
17.1 mi in
|
~24m
|
via US 71
About the Cities
Arriving 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
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 3h 27m. Total distance: 166.2 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
3h 27m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (65%). Straightforward navigation.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 64.2 miles on US 10. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
We did not find dedicated rest areas on this route. For a drive this long, plan bathroom and stretch breaks around gas stations, fast-food stops, or small-town downtowns — check the Nearby Places section for options.
Yes, with realistic expectations. Build in a stop roughly every 2 hours, have snacks and activities ready, and check the Nearby Places tabs for kid-friendly stops along the way.
The main spots that need attention: at 0.8 miles (CR 57 / Island View Drive Northeast): Navigation decision point; at 11 miles (US 71 / Voyageur Highway): Roundabout - know your exit number before entering; at 17.1 miles (US 71): Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Possible but tiring. At 3.5 hours each way, an in-and-out day trip would put you behind the wheel for 6.9 hours — manageable with a long break at Saint Cloud, MN, but most travelers stay overnight.
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.
Was this helpful?
Thanks for your feedback!
Your tip has been submitted. Thanks!
/500
Recent Tips
·
Explore More
Continue From Saint Cloud, MN
More from Turtle River, MN
More trips to Saint Cloud, MN
Explore more options from Turtle River, MN or browse trips ending in Saint Cloud, MN.
Looking for more statewide routes? Browse MN road trips.