If you are planning a trip from Waconia to Saint Cloud, you can expect a straightforward journey covering 66.6 miles. The drive typically takes about 1 hour and 35 minutes, making it a perfect candidate for a single-day excursion. You will primarily navigate via I-94, State Highway 25, and County Road 10 as you traverse the Minnesota landscape. With a fuel budget of approximately $10, this is an economical choice for travelers moving between these two Midwest hubs. Because the duration is relatively short, there is no need to plan for an overnight stay unless you have specific business or social commitments at your destination. Overall, this route offers a practical and efficient way to connect the two locations without excessive travel time.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.
Midpoint
33.3 miles from Waconia, MN
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 51m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
I 94
21.9 mi
23m
State Highway 25
16.2 mi
23m
County Road 10
7.6 mi
10m
MN 25
6.6 mi
8m
Roosevelt Road
3.1 mi
4m
MN 55
1.5 mi
2m
US 12
1.4 mi
1m
Waconia Parkway North
1.4 mi
3m
Longest stretch:
I 94
— 21.9 mi, about 23m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Waconia, MN and Saint Cloud, MN.
1
Start on this road
50 ft·9 sec·this road
2
Turn left
175 ft·18 sec
3
Turn left onto North Olive Street
210 ft·11 sec·North Olive Street
4
Turn right onto Main Street West
0.3 mi·45 sec·Main Street West
5
At end of road, turn right onto North Walnut Street
407 ft·11 sec·North Walnut Street
6
Continue on Waconia Parkway North
1.4 mi·3 min·Waconia Parkway North
7
Enter roundabout onto CR 10
15 ft·0 sec·County Road 10
8
Continue on CR 10
3.6 mi·4 min·County Road 10
9
Enter roundabout onto County Road 10
189 ft·3 sec·County Road 10
10
Continue on County Road 10
4.0 mi·5 min·County Road 10
11
Continue on CR 10
0.3 mi·42 sec·White Street Southeast
12
Enter roundabout onto CR 10
153 ft·4 sec·Territorial Street East
13
Continue on CR 10
0.2 mi·27 sec·Territorial Street East
14
Enter roundabout onto CR 10
127 ft·3 sec·Territorial Street West
15
Continue on CR 10
0.3 mi·46 sec·Territorial Street West
16
At end of road, turn right onto MN 25; CR 10
0.2 mi·23 sec·Jefferson Avenue Northwest
17
Turn left onto MN 25
1.2 mi·1 min·18th Street
18
Continue on MN 25
6.8 mi·9 min·State Highway 25
19
Continue on MN 25
0.4 mi·56 sec·Buffalo Avenue South
20
Turn right onto US 12; MN 25
0.5 mi·52 sec·Nelson Boulevard
21
Continue on US 12; MN 25
1.4 mi·1 min·US 12; MN 25
22
Take the exit onto MN 25
0.1 mi·21 sec·MN 25
23
Turn left onto MN 25
6.5 mi·8 min·MN 25
Use the straight lane.
24
Continue on MN 25
0.3 mi·25 sec·State Highway 25
Use the straight / left lanes.
25
Enter roundabout onto Settlers Parkway
15 ft·0 sec·Settlers Parkway
26
Continue on Settlers Parkway
0.5 mi·1 min·Settlers Parkway
Use the straight / right lanes.
27
Turn left onto MN 55
1.1 mi·2 min·MN 55
Use the left / straight lanes.
28
Continue on MN 55; CR 35
0.4 mi·41 sec·MN 55; CR 35
Use the straight lane.
29
Turn right onto MN 25
9.2 mi·13 min·State Highway 25
Use the right lane.
30
Turn left
0.4 mi·48 sec
31
Merge onto I 94
22 mi·23 min·I 94
32
Take the exit
0.3 mi·42 sec
Exit 171Toward CR 7, CR 75: Saint Augusta, Saint Cloud
33
Keep slight right at fork
521 ft·12 sec
34
Turn straight onto CR 75
3.1 mi·4 min·Roosevelt Road
35
Turn right onto 22nd Street South
127 ft·7 sec·22nd Street South
36
Turn left onto 11th Avenue South
0.5 mi·1 min·11th Avenue South
37
Turn right onto 15th Street South
0.1 mi·22 sec·15th Street South
38
At end of road, turn left onto 9th Avenue South
0.9 mi·2 min·9th Avenue South
39
Continue on 10th Avenue South
0.3 mi·49 sec·10th Avenue South
40
Turn right onto 1st Street North
0.1 mi·29 sec·1st Street North
41
At end of road, turn left onto Courthouse Square
270 ft·11 sec·Courthouse Square
42
Arrive at destination
Courthouse Square
Trip Plan
Since this 66.6-mile trip is quite manageable, you have the flexibility to depart whenever fits your schedule best. While there are no formal stops mandated by the 1 hour and 35-minute duration, use the transition between County Road 10 and I-94 as a mental checkpoint to ensure you are ready for the longest 21.9-mile stretch of the drive. Keep your fuel budget of $10 in mind, and consider filling up before you leave Waconia to avoid any mid-trip errands. Because the route is short, you can easily adapt your departure time to avoid peak traffic hours on the interstate segments. A helpful tip is to check traffic reports specifically for the I-94 portion of the route before you head out, as this will be the busiest section of your drive.
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 33.3 miles from Waconia, MN, or about 51m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 21.9 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 15 miles or 24m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 33.3 miles or 51m 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 18m
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 Waconia, MN so your first major turns are already loaded.
Day 1
Settle into the route from Waconia, MN
This is one driving day of about 66.6 miles and 1h 35m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 15 miles from Waconia, MN.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
The longest stretch is on I 94 for about 21.9 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 27
5 decision points cluster between mile 0 and 66.6 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
5
0 mi into trip|~0m in|North Olive Street
Turn left onto North Olive Street
Navigation decision point
5
0.1 mi into trip|~0m in|Main Street West
Turn right onto Main Street West
Navigation decision point
6
0.4 mi into trip|~1m in|North Walnut Street
At end of road, turn right onto North Walnut Street
Complex interchange - multiple decisions in a short stretch
6
61.1 mi into trip|~1h 23m in
Take the exit toward CR 7, CR 75: Saint Augusta, Saint Cloud
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Exit 171
Toward CR 7, CR 75: Saint Augusta, Saint Cloud
6
66.6 mi into trip|~1h 34m in|Courthouse Square
At end of road, turn left onto Courthouse Square
Complex interchange - multiple decisions in a short stretch
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$9.91 one way
$19.82 round trip
$3.78/gal25.4 MPG avg23 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.07
$10.68
$21.36
premium
$4.53
$11.88
$23.77
diesel
$5.61
$14.70
$29.41
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$10
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$35–$60
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 23.3 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $7 in charging
· 0 stops
· 65% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
20
0
$6.99
$3.20
Efficient EV
16.7
0
$5.83
$2.66
EV Truck/SUV
26.6
0
$9.32
$4.26
Gas CO2
23 kg
EV CO2
8 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.
Forecast as of Apr 15, 2026
Origin
Waconia, MN
Night
in Waconia on Saturday
Local time
11:37 PM
CDT
Current temp
45°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
Saint Cloud, MN
Night
in Saint Cloud on Saturday
Local time
11:37 PM
CDT
Current temp
67°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
46°F
Delano, MN
33 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
22 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
1h 35m 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.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
Expect a highway-focused experience, as 74% of your travel time will be spent on major thoroughfares. The road provides a mix of quick highway segments and local road transitions, keeping the pace consistent throughout the 1 hour and 35-minute drive. You will encounter your longest uninterrupted stretch while navigating 21.9 miles on I-94, which serves as the backbone of your journey. As you transition between the state and county roads, the character of the drive shifts from regional connectivity to more focused interstate travel. Behind the wheel, you should feel comfortable with a route that prioritizes efficiency and direct navigation over winding, technical backroads.
74% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
42 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 21.9 mi on I 94.
How Hard Is This Drive?
7/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 94 and State Highway 25. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes early in the drive near North Olive Street.
Driving Effort7/10
Demanding - plan breaks and stay ahead of the key maneuvers
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This drive requires moderate attention. Across 66.6 miles you will encounter 27 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: near the start (North Olive Street): Navigation decision point; at 0.1 miles (Main Street West): Navigation decision point; at 0.4 miles (North Walnut Street): Complex interchange - multiple decisions in a short stretch.
Elevation Profile
Mostly flat terrain
1,037 ft948 ft
Total Climb
184 ft
Total Descent
158 ft
Highest Point
1,037 ft
~66.6 mi in
Elevation Range
89 ft
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
Between Waconia, MN and Saint Cloud, MN, road signs point toward Cr 7 and Cr 75: Saint Augusta.
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.
Doable as a same-day drive at 1h 35m. Total distance: 66.6 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 0 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
1h 35m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (74%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 21.9 miles on I 94. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
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 Saint Cloud, 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: near the start (North Olive Street): Navigation decision point; at 0.1 miles (Main Street West): Navigation decision point; at 0.4 miles (North Walnut Street): Complex interchange - multiple decisions in a short stretch.
Yes. A round trip is manageable in a single day if you plan a break at Saint Cloud, MN before heading back.
