How far is Cross Lake, MN from North Mankato, MN?
The driving distance from Cross Lake, MN to North Mankato, MN is about 199.8 miles (321.5 km), with a travel time of about 04h 19m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 171.8 miles (276.5 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 08h 38m of driving time before adding stops, traffic, or weather delays.
- A comfortable departure window is usually 6:00 AM to 8:00 AM CDT.
Reverse, save, or send this route
This drive is better planned with a longer stop or an overnight stay. Copy the route link, send it to another device, or print a clean version before you head out.
This drive is better planned with a longer stop or an overnight stay.
Flight Distance
Driving Distance
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 04h 19m.
An early departure helps you fit a real stop into the day without turning the return into a late-night drive.
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.
Human settlement in Stearns County, Minnesota, United States of America
Route Weather Snapshot
Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.
Mostly Sunny
Mostly Sunny
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Cross Lake and North Mankato.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Cross Lake and North Mankato.
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1
Start on County Road 11
3.2 mi · 4 min · County Road 11
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2
Keep slight right to continue on County Road 3
104 m · 6 sec · County Road 3
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3
Enter the roundabout and take exit 2 toward County Road 3
37 m · 3 sec · County Road 3
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4
Exit the roundabout onto County Road 3
10.3 mi · 15 min · County Road 3
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5
Enter the roundabout and take exit 2 toward County Road 3
48 m · 5 sec · County Road 3
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6
Exit the roundabout onto County Road 3
5.8 mi · 8 min · County Road 3
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7
Turn right onto Wise Road
135 m · 19 sec · Wise Road
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8
Turn left onto Riverside Drive
3.5 mi · 9 min · Riverside Drive
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9
Enter the roundabout and take exit 2 toward Northwest 4th Street
45 m · 4 sec · Northwest 4th Street
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10
Exit the roundabout onto Northwest 4th Street
1113 ft · 35 sec · Northwest 4th Street
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11
Turn right onto West Washington Street
2433 ft · 59 sec · West Washington Street
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12
Continue on State Highway 210
1.5 km · 2 min · State Highway 210
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13
Turn left onto C. Elmer Anderson Memorial Highway
27.4 mi · 32 min · C. Elmer Anderson Memorial Highway
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14
Merge slight right
28.3 mi · 33 min
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15
Keep slight right
52.6 mi · 1 hr 8 min
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16
Enter the roundabout and take exit 2 toward Main Street North
31 m · 1 sec · Main Street North
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17
Exit the roundabout onto Main Street North
1.7 mi · 4 min · Main Street North
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18
Continue on State Highway 15
1.5 mi · 3 min · State Highway 15
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19
Enter the roundabout and take exit 2 toward State Highway 15
35 m · 5 sec · State Highway 15
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20
Exit the roundabout onto State Highway 15
38.2 mi · 48 min · State Highway 15
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21
Take the exit slight right toward US 14 South, CSAH 21
1677 ft · 46 sec
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22
Enter the roundabout and take exit 3 toward US Highway 14
115 m · 6 sec · US Highway 14
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23
Exit the roundabout onto US Highway 14
18 m · 1 sec · US Highway 14
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24
Enter the roundabout and take exit 1 toward US Highway 14
64 m · 3 sec · US Highway 14
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25
Exit the roundabout onto US Highway 14
24 mi · 28 min · US Highway 14
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26
Take the exit slight right
1553 ft · 38 sec
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27
Turn right onto Lor Ray Drive
2641 ft · 1 min · Lor Ray Drive
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28
Turn right onto Lee Boulevard
15 m · 1 sec · Lee Boulevard
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29
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · Lee Boulevard
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Cross Lake and North Mankato.
Highway-focused drive
Most of the mileage stays on named highways, so the important moments are ramps, exits, merges, and the final local approach.
C. Elmer Anderson Memorial Highway
Keep slight right
52.6 mi · 01h 08m
Route Summary
A quick read on whether this route feels easy, ambitious, or worth planning around.
A longer out-and-back drive
This is still possible in one day, but it becomes a long driving day. Leaving early and planning your stop window matters more here.
Mostly Sunny leaving Cross Lake and Mostly Sunny near North Mankato.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Cross Lake to North Mankato?
The road trip is about 199.8 miles (321.5 km) and usually takes 04h 19m in normal driving conditions.
Is this a same-day trip or an overnight route?
This is still possible in one day, but it becomes a long driving day. Leaving early and planning your stop window matters more here.
What is the halfway point on this route?
Kimball is a useful midpoint, sitting about 99.8 miles from Cross Lake and 99.9 miles from North Mankato.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 171.8 miles (276.5 km), while the road route adds roughly 28 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 6:00 AM to 8:00 AM CDT. If you want a more comfortable same-day return, try to leave by 8:22 AM CDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $30.91 one way or $61.81 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 62.7 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Mostly Sunny around Cross Lake and Mostly Sunny near North Mankato.
Stop Ideas Near Kimball
Useful break, food, and waypoint ideas within about 15 miles of the route midpoint.
Transit and Meeting Points
Useful pickup, handoff, or rendezvous points close to Kimball.
St. Cloud
Saint Paul Union Depot
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Cross Lake and North Mankato. Straight-line distance: 171.82 mi (276.51 km).
#1 Cross Lake
City in Crow Wing County, Minnesota, United States of America
| Population | 2,141 |
| Coordinates | 46.6594100, -94.1138700 |
| Altitude | 378 |
| Country | United States |
#2 North Mankato
City in Nicollet County, Minnesota, United States of America
| Population | 14,052 |
| Coordinates | 44.1733000, -94.0338500 |
| Altitude | 305 |
| Country | United States |
End: North Mankato (-94.03385, 44.1733)
Estimated Travel Time
Distance: 321 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 06h 39m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 04h 59m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 03h 59m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 03h 19m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 02h 51m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 02h 29m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $4.38 | $30.91 | $61.81 |
| Mid-grade | $4.82 | $34.01 | $68.02 |
| Premium | $5.35 | $37.72 | $75.45 |
| Diesel | $6.35 | $44.76 | $89.52 |
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 · Sep 23, 2026