How far is Ely, MN from Saint Cloud, MN?
The driving distance from Ely, MN to Saint Cloud, MN is about 235.3 miles (378.6 km), with a travel time of about 04h 46m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 194.9 miles (313.7 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 09h 32m 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 46m.
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.
Unincorporated community in Carlton County, Minnesota
Route Weather Snapshot
Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.
Sunny
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Ely and Saint Cloud.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Ely and Saint Cloud.
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1
Start on West Sheridan Street
20.1 mi · 29 min · West Sheridan Street
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2
Continue on Main Street
1.4 mi · 2 min · Main Street
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3
Turn straight
21.5 mi · 29 min
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4
Keep slight left to continue on US 53 South: Virginia
3038 ft · 1 min
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5
Continue on US 53 South: Virginia
1664 ft · 22 sec
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6
Merge slight left onto Speaker Irvin N. Anderson Memorial Highway
5.5 mi · 7 min · Speaker Irvin N. Anderson Memorial Highway
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7
Continue straight
4.6 mi · 7 min
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8
Enter the roundabout and take exit 2 toward the route
35 m · 1 sec
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9
Exit the roundabout
37.3 mi · 43 min
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10
Take the exit slight right
15.3 mi · 19 min
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11
Continue straight
3.9 mi · 7 min
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12
Enter the roundabout and take exit 2 toward I 35 South
24 m · 1 sec
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13
Exit the roundabout onto I 35 South
2829 ft · 40 sec
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14
Merge slight left
56.6 mi · 1 hr 1 min
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15
Take the exit slight right toward MN 23 West, CR 61: Mora
1085 ft · 27 sec · Veterans' Evergreen Memorial Drive
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16
Continue on Veterans' Evergreen Memorial Drive
16.3 mi · 19 min · Veterans' Evergreen Memorial Drive
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17
Continue straight
1.2 mi · 1 min
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18
Turn left
1.7 mi · 2 min
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19
Turn right
32.7 mi · 37 min
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20
Enter the roundabout and take exit 2 toward the route
38 m · 2 sec
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21
Exit the roundabout
15.1 mi · 19 min
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22
Turn right onto 7th Avenue South
1060 ft · 39 sec · 7th Avenue South
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23
Turn left onto Courthouse Square
68 m · 12 sec · Courthouse Square
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24
Continue on Courthouse Square
111 m · 16 sec · Courthouse Square
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25
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · Courthouse Square
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Ely and Saint Cloud.
Interchange-aware route
The drive includes several ramps, exits, or merges, so checking the next few maneuvers before busy interchanges is useful.
I 35 South
Merge slight left
56.6 mi · 01h 01m
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.
Sunny leaving Ely 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 Ely to Saint Cloud?
The road trip is about 235.3 miles (378.6 km) and usually takes 04h 46m 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?
Atkinson is a useful midpoint, sitting about 117.5 miles from Ely and 117.7 miles from Saint Cloud.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 194.9 miles (313.7 km), while the road route adds roughly 40.4 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 7:28 AM CDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $29.62 one way or $59.25 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 73.8 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Sunny around Ely and Sunny near Saint Cloud.
Stop Ideas Near Atkinson
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 Atkinson.
Duluth (Greyhound Station), Minnesota
Duluth (University of Minnesota), Minnesota
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Ely and Saint Cloud. Straight-line distance: 194.94 mi (313.73 km).
#1 Ely
City in Minnesota, United States
| Population | 3,325 |
| Coordinates | 47.9032400, -91.8670900 |
| Altitude | 436 |
| Country | United States |
#2 Saint Cloud
City in Minnesota
| Population | 68,510 |
| Coordinates | 45.5608000, -94.1624900 |
| Altitude | 314 |
| Country | United States |
End: Saint Cloud (-94.16249, 45.5608)
Estimated Travel Time
Distance: 379 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 07h 50m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 05h 52m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 04h 42m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 03h 55m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 03h 21m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 02h 56m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $3.57 | $29.62 | $59.25 |
| Mid-grade | $3.92 | $32.54 | $65.09 |
| Premium | $4.39 | $36.45 | $72.91 |
| Diesel | $4.86 | $40.37 | $80.74 |
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 23, 2026
Distance to Other Cities
Planning a road trip? See the full trip guide on Trip.ovh — stops, fuel costs, weather, and departure timing.