How far is Forest Lake, MN from Saint Cloud, MN?
The driving distance from Forest Lake, MN to Saint Cloud, MN is about 80.7 miles (129.8 km), with a travel time of about 01h 21m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 60.3 miles (97.1 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 02h 42m 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 21m.
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.
City in Minnesota, United States
Route Weather Snapshot
Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.
Showers And Thunderstorms Likely
Showers And Thunderstorms Likely
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Forest Lake and Saint Cloud.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Forest Lake and Saint Cloud.
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1
Start on Lake Street South
83 m · 15 sec · Lake Street South
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2
Continue on Lake Street South
93 m · 9 sec · Lake Street South
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3
Enter the roundabout and take exit 3 toward West Broadway Avenue
59 m · 11 sec · West Broadway Avenue
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4
Exit the roundabout onto West Broadway Avenue
1.5 km · 2 min · West Broadway Avenue
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5
Take the ramp left toward CR 2: Forest Lake
1345 ft · 35 sec
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6
Merge slight left
4 mi · 4 min
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7
Keep slight right to continue on I 35W: Minneapolis
11.3 mi · 12 min
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8
Take the exit slight right toward US 10 West
2437 ft · 59 sec
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9
Merge slight left
3.5 mi · 4 min
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10
Keep slight right to continue on MN-610
12.8 mi · 15 min · MN-610
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11
Merge slight left onto I-94 W
12.6 mi · 13 min · I-94 W
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12
Keep slight right to continue on MnRoad Mainline
28.6 mi · 31 min · MnRoad Mainline
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13
Take the exit slight right toward CR 7, CR 75: Saint Augusta, Saint Cloud
1752 ft · 43 sec
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14
Keep slight left
67 m · 6 sec
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15
Turn right onto Roosevelt Road
3.1 mi · 5 min · Roosevelt Road
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16
Turn right onto 22nd Street South
39 m · 7 sec · 22nd Street South
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17
Turn left onto 11th Avenue South
2729 ft · 1 min · 11th Avenue South
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18
Turn right onto 15th Street South
630 ft · 22 sec · 15th Street South
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19
At the end of the road, turn left onto 9th Avenue South
1.4 km · 2 min · 9th Avenue South
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20
Continue on 10th Avenue South
1530 ft · 50 sec · 10th Avenue South
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21
Turn right onto 1st Street North
541 ft · 29 sec · 1st Street North
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22
At the end of the road, turn left onto Courthouse Square
82 m · 12 sec · Courthouse Square
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23
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · Courthouse Square
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Forest Lake and Saint Cloud.
Turn-heavy local drive
The route has frequent decision points for its length, so lane choice and turn timing will matter more than cruising speed.
MnRoad Mainline
Keep slight right to continue on MnRoad Mainline
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.
Showers And Thunderstorms Likely leaving Forest Lake and Showers And Thunderstorms Likely near Saint Cloud.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Forest Lake to Saint Cloud?
The road trip is about 80.7 miles (129.8 km) and usually takes 01h 21m 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?
Rogers is a useful midpoint, sitting about 40 miles from Forest Lake and 40.6 miles from Saint Cloud.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 60.3 miles (97.1 km), while the road route adds roughly 20.4 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 8:00 AM to 10:00 AM CDT. If you want a more comfortable same-day return, try to leave by 3:48 PM CDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $10.17 one way or $20.34 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 25.3 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Showers And Thunderstorms Likely around Forest Lake and Showers And Thunderstorms Likely near Saint Cloud.
Stop Ideas Near Rogers
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 Rogers.
Saint Paul Union Depot
St. Cloud
Red Wing station
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Forest Lake and Saint Cloud. Straight-line distance: 60.32 mi (97.08 km).
#1 Forest Lake
City in Washington County, Minnesota, United States
| Population | 21,285 |
| Coordinates | 45.2788600, -92.9852200 |
| Altitude | 278 |
| Country | United States |
#2 Saint Cloud
City in Minnesota
| Population | 68,510 |
| Coordinates | 45.5608000, -94.1624900 |
| Altitude | 314 |
| Country | United States |
End: Courthouse Square (-94.162654, 45.560987)
Estimated Travel Time
Distance: 130 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 02h 41m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 02h 00m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 01h 36m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 01h 20m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 01h 09m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 01h 00m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $3.57 | $10.17 | $20.34 |
| Mid-grade | $3.92 | $11.17 | $22.35 |
| Premium | $4.39 | $12.52 | $25.03 |
| Diesel | $4.86 | $13.86 | $27.72 |
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.