How far is Atwater, MN from Saint Cloud, MN?

The driving distance from Atwater, MN to Saint Cloud, MN is about 56.4 miles (90.8 km), with a travel time of about 01h 16m by car.

  • The straight-line flight distance is about 41.8 miles (67.2 km).
  • For a round trip, plan for roughly 02h 32m of driving time before adding stops, traffic, or weather delays.
  • A comfortable departure window is usually 8:00 AM to 10:00 AM CDT.
Trip Tools

Reverse, save, or send this route

This route works well as a day trip with time at the destination. Copy the route link, send it to another device, or print a clean version before you head out.

Reverse Route
Quick Snapshot
Road
56.45 mi
01h 16m
Flight
41.76 mi
67.2 km direct

This route works well as a day trip with time at the destination.

Learn Distance

Choose another destination from Atwater.

Flight Distance

Direct air line
41.76 mi
Kilometers
67.2 km
Flight Time
00h 05m

Driving Distance

Road route
56.45 mi
Kilometers
90.84 km
Drive Time
01h 16m

Gas Cost Calculator

Leave and Arrive Planner

Pick a departure time to see your estimated arrival and same-day return window.

Drive time stays fixed at 01h 16m.

Arrival Snapshot
Arrive in Saint Cloud
Thu, Apr 16, 3:03 AM CDT
Return by in Atwater
Thu, Apr 16, 4:19 AM CDT
Useful when you're deciding between a quick errand, a day trip, or a longer stop.
Leave Atwater
2026-04-16T01:47
Arrive Saint Cloud
Thu, Apr 16, 3:03 AM CDT
Route Timing
01h 16m
One way by road
Best Departure Window
8:00 AM to 10:00 AM CDT
Aim for a morning departure
Arrive between
9:16 AM to 11:16 AM CDT

A morning start gives you useful time at the destination and keeps the return out of the late evening.

Leave by
3:58 PM CDT
Keeps a same-day return open with about 03h 00m at the destination.
Back in Atwater
9:30 PM CDT
Morning start is best

You are leaving earlier than the recommended window, which gives you extra margin for breaks and traffic.

Halfway Point

A useful midpoint for breaks, coffee, or meeting in the middle.

Mid-route stop
Watkins
MN

City in Meeker County, Minnesota, United States

From Atwater
28.2 mi
00h 38m
To Saint Cloud
28.3 mi
00h 38m

Route Weather Snapshot

Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.

Origin
77°F
Thursday

Sunny

Starts
Thu, Apr 16 6:00 AM CDT
Wind
5 to 20 mph S
Destination
75°F
Thursday

Sunny

Starts
Thu, Apr 16 6:00 AM CDT
Wind
5 to 15 mph SSE

Driving Route Map

The map below follows the saved road route between Atwater and Saint Cloud.

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between Atwater and Saint Cloud.

  1. 1

    Start on the route

    41 m · 15 sec

  2. 2

    Turn left onto Minnesota Avenue

    47 m · 12 sec · Minnesota Avenue

  3. 3

    Turn left onto Main Street North

    44 m · 6 sec · Main Street North

  4. 4

    Turn right onto Pleasant Avenue East

    11.7 mi · 16 min · Pleasant Avenue East

  5. 5

    Turn left onto State Highway 22

    11.5 mi · 14 min · State Highway 22

  6. 6

    Continue on State Street

    1665 ft · 49 sec · State Street

  7. 7

    Turn right onto Meeker Avenue East

    12.5 mi · 16 min · Meeker Avenue East

  8. 8

    Turn left

    18.1 mi · 23 min

  9. 9

    Turn right onto 3rd Street North

    1.6 mi · 3 min · 3rd Street North

  10. 10

    Turn right onto 16th Avenue North

    124 m · 17 sec · 16th Avenue North

  11. 11

    Turn left onto 2nd Street North

    2749 ft · 1 min · 2nd Street North

  12. 12

    Turn right onto 8th Avenue North

    77 m · 16 sec · 8th Avenue North

  13. 13

    Turn left onto Courthouse Square

    2 m · 1 sec · Courthouse Square

  14. 14

    Arrive at your destination

    0 m · 1 sec · Courthouse Square

Car Route Details

A richer read on the saved driving route between Atwater and Saint Cloud.

OSRM road route
Drive Character

Straightforward drive

The saved road route has a manageable number of maneuvers and should be easy to follow with normal attention to signs.

Directions
14 steps
11 turns on the saved route
Ramps & Exits
0
0 merges, 0 ramps or exits
Navigation Density
24.8 / 100 mi
Decision points by distance
Main Roads
Meeker Avenue East
12.5 mi · 22%
Pleasant Avenue East
11.7 mi · 21%
State Highway 22
11.5 mi · 20%
3rd Street North
1.63 mi · 3%
2nd Street North
0.52 mi · 1%
State Street
0.32 mi · 1%
Longest Stretch

Longest stretch

Turn left

18.1 mi · 00h 23m

Route Summary

A quick read on whether this route feels easy, ambitious, or worth planning around.

Trip Read

A comfortable day-trip route

This route works well as a day trip. You can leave in the morning, spend meaningful time at the destination, and still return the same day.

Drive Time
01h 16m
Day trip friendly
Same-Day Return
02h 32m
Round-trip wheel time
Road vs Air
+14.6 mi
41.8 mi direct line
Halfway Stop
Watkins
00h 38m from Atwater
Leave By
3:58 PM CDT
Morning start is best
Weather Watch

Sunny leaving Atwater and Sunny near Saint Cloud.

Trip Questions

Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.

How long does it take to drive from Atwater to Saint Cloud?

The road trip is about 56.4 miles (90.8 km) and usually takes 01h 16m in normal driving conditions.

Is this a same-day trip or an overnight route?

This route works well as a day trip. You can leave in the morning, spend meaningful time at the destination, and still return the same day.

What is the halfway point on this route?

Watkins is a useful midpoint, sitting about 28.2 miles from Atwater and 28.3 miles from Saint Cloud.

How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?

The direct path is about 41.8 miles (67.2 km), while the road route adds roughly 14.6 extra miles because roads do not follow the straight air line.

When is the best time to leave for this route?

A good departure window is usually 8:00 AM to 10:00 AM CDT. If you want a more comfortable same-day return, try to leave by 3:58 PM CDT.

How much will gas cost for this route?

Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $7.10 one way or $14.20 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 17.7 kg one way.

What should you check before leaving?

Before you leave, expect Sunny around Atwater and Sunny near Saint Cloud.

Stop Ideas Near Watkins

Useful break, food, and waypoint ideas within about 15 miles of the route midpoint.

Mid-route Guidance
Local place coverage is thin around Watkins, so nearby transit and meeting points are shown instead.
Reviewed stop coverage is still thin around this midpoint, so practical transit waypoints are shown on the right.

Transit and Meeting Points

Useful pickup, handoff, or rendezvous points close to Watkins.

RAIL

St. Cloud

35 mi away
555 East St. Germain Street
RAIL

Saint Paul Union Depot

104 mi away
Midway Station
RAIL

Staples

119 mi away
First & Fourth Aves

Flight Path Map

This map shows the direct air route between Atwater and Saint Cloud. Straight-line distance: 41.76 mi (67.2 km).

Photo coming soon

#1 Atwater

Human settlement in Kandiyohi County, Minnesota, United States of America

Population1,113
Coordinates45.1388500, -94.7780600
Altitude372
CountryUnited States
Photo coming soon

#2 Saint Cloud

City in Minnesota

Population68,510
Coordinates45.5608000, -94.1624900
Altitude314
CountryUnited States
Start: Atwater (-94.77806, 45.13885)
End: Saint Cloud (-94.16249, 45.5608)

Estimated Travel Time

Distance: 91 km by road

SpeedTime
30 mph (48.3 km/h)01h 52m
40 mph (64.37 km/h)01h 24m
50 mph (80.47 km/h)01h 07m
60 mph (96.56 km/h)00h 56m
70 mph (112.65 km/h)00h 48m
80 mph (129 km/h)00h 42m

Fuel, Round Trip and CO2

Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.

One-way fuel
1.99 gal
7.54 L · about $7.10
Round trip
$14.20
3.98 gal · 15.08 L
Estimated CO2
17.7 kg one way
Round trip: 35.4 kg / 78 lb CO2, using regular gasoline.
Fuel$/galOne wayRound trip
Regular gas $3.57 $7.10 $14.20
Mid-grade $3.92 $7.80 $15.61
Premium $4.39 $8.74 $17.48
Diesel $4.86 $9.68 $19.36

Assumes 8.3 L/100 km (about 28.3 MPG). CO2 is an estimate and varies by vehicle, fuel blend, traffic, and terrain.

Prices in Minnesota · Apr 16, 2026

There is no time difference between Atwater and Saint Cloud. The current time is 01:47:08.

Distance to Other Cities

Planning a road trip? See the full trip guide on Trip.ovh — stops, fuel costs, weather, and departure timing.

How did we calculate? Place names are translated into coordinates. The Haversine formula calculates straight-line distance; driving distance uses road network data.