How far is Empire, MN from Saint Cloud, MN?
The driving distance from Empire, MN to Saint Cloud, MN is about 97.7 miles (157.3 km), with a travel time of about 01h 58m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 83.8 miles (134.8 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 03h 57m of driving time before adding stops, traffic, or weather delays.
- A comfortable departure window is usually 8:00 AM to 10:00 AM CDT.
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.
This route works well as a day trip with time at the destination.
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 01h 58m.
A morning start gives you useful time at the destination and keeps the return out of the late evening.
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.
The second most populous city in Hennepin County, Minnesota.
Route Weather Snapshot
Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.
Areas Of Frost then Mostly Sunny
Widespread Frost then Mostly Sunny
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Empire and Saint Cloud.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Empire and Saint Cloud.
-
1
Start on 200th Street East
2106 ft · 42 sec · 200th Street East
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2
Take the ramp straight toward US 52 South
56 m · 7 sec
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3
Merge slight left
855 ft · 14 sec
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4
Take the exit left toward US 52 North
32 m · 10 sec
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5
Turn left
11.9 mi · 14 min
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6
Keep slight right to continue on US 52 North: Saint Paul
9.4 mi · 12 min
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7
Keep slight right
2755 ft · 1 min
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8
Merge slight left
1000 ft · 15 sec
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9
Take the exit slight right toward I 35E North, US 10 West
5.1 mi · 7 min
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10
Keep slight right to continue on US 10 West, I 694 West, I 694 East
1620 ft · 20 sec
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11
Continue on I 694 West, US 10 West
18.5 mi · 23 min
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12
Continue on I-94 W
17.1 mi · 19 min · I-94 W
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13
Keep slight left
28.6 mi · 31 min
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14
Take the exit slight right toward CR 7, CR 75: Saint Augusta, Saint Cloud
1752 ft · 43 sec
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15
Keep slight right
159 m · 13 sec
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16
Turn straight onto Roosevelt Road
3.1 mi · 5 min · Roosevelt Road
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17
Turn right onto 22nd Street South
39 m · 7 sec · 22nd Street South
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18
Turn left onto 11th Avenue South
2729 ft · 1 min · 11th Avenue South
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19
Turn right onto 15th Street South
630 ft · 22 sec · 15th Street South
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20
At the end of the road, turn left onto 9th Avenue South
1.4 km · 2 min · 9th Avenue South
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21
Continue on 10th Avenue South
1530 ft · 50 sec · 10th Avenue South
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22
Turn right onto 1st Street North
541 ft · 29 sec · 1st Street North
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23
At the end of the road, turn left onto Courthouse Square
82 m · 12 sec · Courthouse Square
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24
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · Courthouse Square
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Empire and Saint Cloud.
Highway-focused drive
Most of the mileage stays on named highways, so the important moments are ramps, exits, merges, and the final local approach.
I-94 W
Keep slight left
28.6 mi · 00h 31m
Route Summary
A quick read on whether this route feels easy, ambitious, or worth planning around.
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.
Areas Of Frost then Mostly Sunny leaving Empire and Widespread Frost then Mostly Sunny near Saint Cloud.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Empire to Saint Cloud?
The road trip is about 97.7 miles (157.3 km) and usually takes 01h 58m 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?
Maple Grove is a useful midpoint, sitting about 48.8 miles from Empire and 48.9 miles from Saint Cloud.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 83.8 miles (134.8 km), while the road route adds roughly 13.9 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 2:32 PM CDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $12.31 one way or $24.63 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 30.7 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Areas Of Frost then Mostly Sunny around Empire and Widespread Frost then Mostly Sunny near Saint Cloud.
Stop Ideas Near Maple Grove
Useful break, food, and waypoint ideas within about 15 miles of the route midpoint.
Minneapolis City Hall
St. Louis Park City Hall
Champlin Utility Billing
Transit and Meeting Points
Useful pickup, handoff, or rendezvous points close to Maple Grove.
Saint Paul Union Depot
St. Cloud
Red Wing station
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Empire and Saint Cloud. Straight-line distance: 83.75 mi (134.78 km).
#1 Empire
Township in Dakota County, Minnesota
| Population | 3,071 |
| Coordinates | 44.6591300, -93.0146600 |
| Altitude | 260 |
| 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: 157 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 03h 15m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 02h 26m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 01h 57m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 01h 37m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 01h 23m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 01h 13m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $3.57 | $12.31 | $24.63 |
| Mid-grade | $3.92 | $13.53 | $27.05 |
| Premium | $4.39 | $15.15 | $30.30 |
| Diesel | $4.86 | $16.78 | $33.56 |
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 · May 01, 2026
Distance to Other Cities
Planning a road trip? See the full trip guide on Trip.ovh — stops, fuel costs, weather, and departure timing.