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

The driving distance from Independence, MN to Saint Cloud, MN is about 53.1 miles (85.5 km), with a travel time of about 01h 13m by car.

  • The straight-line flight distance is about 43.1 miles (69.4 km).
  • For a round trip, plan for roughly 02h 27m 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
53.13 mi
01h 13m
Flight
43.11 mi
69.38 km direct

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

Learn Distance

Choose another destination from Independence.

Flight Distance

Direct air line
43.11 mi
Kilometers
69.38 km
Flight Time
00h 05m

Driving Distance

Road route
53.13 mi
Kilometers
85.5 km
Drive Time
01h 13m

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 13m.

Arrival Snapshot
Arrive in Saint Cloud
Thu, Apr 23, 12:18 AM CDT
Return by in Independence
Thu, Apr 23, 1:31 AM CDT
Useful when you're deciding between a quick errand, a day trip, or a longer stop.
Leave Independence
2026-04-22T23:04
Arrive Saint Cloud
Thu, Apr 23, 12:18 AM CDT
Route Timing
01h 13m
One way by road
Best Departure Window
8:00 AM to 10:00 AM CDT
Aim for a morning departure
Arrive between
9:14 AM to 11:14 AM CDT

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

Leave by
4:02 PM CDT
Keeps a same-day return open with about 03h 00m at the destination.
Back in Independence
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
Monticello
MN

City in Jefferson County, Florida, United States

From Independence
26.5 mi
00h 36m
To Saint Cloud
26.6 mi
00h 36m

Route Weather Snapshot

Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.

Origin
82°F
Wednesday

Sunny

Starts
Wed, Apr 22 6:00 AM CDT
Wind
5 to 15 mph SE
Destination
80°F
Wednesday

Sunny

Starts
Wed, Apr 22 6:00 AM CDT
Wind
5 to 15 mph SSE

Driving Route Map

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

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

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

  1. 1

    Start on Valley Road

    949 ft · 44 sec · Valley Road

  2. 2

    Turn right onto Babcock Boulevard

    1.1 km · 52 sec · Babcock Boulevard

  3. 3

    Keep slight left to continue on Babcock Boulevard

    676 ft · 9 sec · Babcock Boulevard

  4. 4

    Enter the roundabout and take exit 2 toward the route

    65 m · 3 sec

  5. 5

    Exit the roundabout

    804 ft · 21 sec

  6. 6

    At the end of the road, turn left onto County Road 92

    1323 ft · 26 sec · County Road 92

  7. 7

    Continue straight

    985 ft · 20 sec

  8. 8

    Continue on Dogwood Street

    3.4 mi · 5 min · Dogwood Street

  9. 9

    Turn left

    5.4 mi · 8 min

  10. 10

    Continue straight

    3.9 mi · 5 min

  11. 11

    Continue straight

    1.5 mi · 3 min

  12. 12

    Continue straight

    1962 ft · 41 sec

  13. 13

    Turn right onto State Highway 25

    9.2 mi · 13 min · State Highway 25

  14. 14

    Turn left

    1891 ft · 48 sec

  15. 15

    Merge slight left

    21.9 mi · 23 min

  16. 16

    Take the exit slight right toward CR 7, CR 75: Saint Augusta, Saint Cloud

    1752 ft · 43 sec

  17. 17

    Keep slight right

    159 m · 13 sec

  18. 18

    Turn straight onto Roosevelt Road

    3.1 mi · 5 min · Roosevelt Road

  19. 19

    Turn right onto 22nd Street South

    39 m · 7 sec · 22nd Street South

  20. 20

    Turn left onto 11th Avenue South

    2729 ft · 1 min · 11th Avenue South

  21. 21

    Turn right onto 15th Street South

    630 ft · 22 sec · 15th Street South

  22. 22

    At the end of the road, turn left onto 9th Avenue South

    1.4 km · 2 min · 9th Avenue South

  23. 23

    Continue on 10th Avenue South

    1530 ft · 50 sec · 10th Avenue South

  24. 24

    Turn right onto 1st Street North

    541 ft · 29 sec · 1st Street North

  25. 25

    At the end of the road, turn left onto Courthouse Square

    82 m · 12 sec · Courthouse Square

  26. 26

    Arrive at your destination

    0 m · 1 sec · Courthouse Square

Car Route Details

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

OSRM road route
Drive Character

Highway-focused drive

Most of the mileage stays on named highways, so the important moments are ramps, exits, merges, and the final local approach.

Directions
26 steps
14 turns on the saved route
Ramps & Exits
4
1 merges, 3 ramps or exits
Navigation Density
49 / 100 mi
Decision points by distance
Main Roads
State Highway 25
31 mi · 58%
Dogwood Street
9.22 mi · 17%
Roosevelt Road
3.08 mi · 6%
Babcock Boulevard
0.98 mi · 2%
9th Avenue South
0.88 mi · 2%
11th Avenue South
0.52 mi · 1%
Longest Stretch

State Highway 25

Merge slight left

21.9 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 13m
Day trip friendly
Same-Day Return
02h 28m
Round-trip wheel time
Road vs Air
+10 mi
43.1 mi direct line
Halfway Stop
Monticello
00h 36m from Independence
Leave By
4:02 PM CDT
Morning start is best
Weather Watch

Sunny leaving Independence 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 Independence to Saint Cloud?

The road trip is about 53.1 miles (85.5 km) and usually takes 01h 13m 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?

Monticello is a useful midpoint, sitting about 26.5 miles from Independence and 26.6 miles from Saint Cloud.

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

The direct path is about 43.1 miles (69.4 km), while the road route adds roughly 10 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 4:02 PM CDT.

How much will gas cost for this route?

Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $6.71 one way or $13.42 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 16.7 kg one way.

What should you check before leaving?

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

Stop Ideas Near Monticello

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

Mid-route Guidance
Local place coverage is thin around Monticello, 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 Monticello.

RAIL

St. Cloud

40 mi away
555 East St. Germain Street
RAIL

Saint Paul Union Depot

61 mi away
Midway Station

Flight Path Map

This map shows the direct air route between Independence and Saint Cloud. Straight-line distance: 43.11 mi (69.38 km).

Independence

#1 Independence

City in Hennepin County, Minnesota, United States

Population3,786
Coordinates45.0252400, -93.7074600
Altitude298
CountryUnited States
Photo coming soon

#2 Saint Cloud

City in Minnesota

Population68,510
Coordinates45.5608000, -94.1624900
Altitude314
CountryUnited States
Start: Independence (-93.70746, 45.02524)
End: Saint Cloud (-94.16249, 45.5608)

Estimated Travel Time

Distance: 86 km by road

SpeedTime
30 mph (48.3 km/h)01h 46m
40 mph (64.37 km/h)01h 19m
50 mph (80.47 km/h)01h 03m
60 mph (96.56 km/h)00h 53m
70 mph (112.65 km/h)00h 45m
80 mph (129 km/h)00h 39m

Fuel, Round Trip and CO2

Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.

One-way fuel
1.88 gal
7.1 L · about $6.71
Round trip
$13.42
3.76 gal · 14.2 L
Estimated CO2
16.7 kg one way
Round trip: 33.4 kg / 74 lb CO2, using regular gasoline.
Fuel$/galOne wayRound trip
Regular gas $3.57 $6.71 $13.42
Mid-grade $3.92 $7.37 $14.74
Premium $4.39 $8.26 $16.51
Diesel $4.86 $9.14 $18.29

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

There is no time difference between Independence and Saint Cloud. The current time is 23:04:41.

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.