How far is Lake Elmo, MN from Saint Cloud, MN?

The driving distance from Lake Elmo, MN to Saint Cloud, MN is about 82.1 miles (132.1 km), with a travel time of about 01h 24m by car.

  • The straight-line flight distance is about 73.6 miles (118.4 km).
  • For a round trip, plan for roughly 02h 49m 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
82.08 mi
01h 24m
Flight
73.59 mi
118.43 km direct

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

Learn Distance

Choose another destination from Lake Elmo.

Flight Distance

Direct air line
73.59 mi
Kilometers
118.43 km
Flight Time
00h 08m

Driving Distance

Road route
82.08 mi
Kilometers
132.1 km
Drive Time
01h 24m

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 24m.

Arrival Snapshot
Arrive in Saint Cloud
Fri, Apr 10, 11:07 AM CDT
Return by in Lake Elmo
Fri, Apr 10, 12:32 PM CDT
Useful when you're deciding between a quick errand, a day trip, or a longer stop.
Leave Lake Elmo
2026-04-10T09:42
Arrive Saint Cloud
Fri, Apr 10, 11:07 AM CDT
Route Timing
01h 24m
One way by road
Best Departure Window
8:00 AM to 10:00 AM CDT
Aim for a morning departure
Arrive between
9:25 AM to 11:25 AM CDT

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

Leave by
3:40 PM CDT
Keeps a same-day return open with about 03h 00m at the destination.
Back in Lake Elmo
9:30 PM CDT
Morning start is best

This departure sits inside the recommended comfort window for the route.

Halfway Point

A useful midpoint for breaks, coffee, or meeting in the middle.

Mid-route stop
Rogers
MN

City in Minnesota, United States

From Lake Elmo
41.1 mi
00h 42m
To Saint Cloud
41 mi
00h 42m

Route Weather Snapshot

Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.

Origin
54°F
Friday

Sunny

Starts
Fri, Apr 10 1:00 AM CDT
Wind
5 mph NW
Destination
29°F
Overnight

Mostly Cloudy

Starts
Fri, Apr 10 1:00 AM CDT
Wind
0 to 5 mph WNW

Driving Route Map

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

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between Lake Elmo and Saint Cloud.

  1. 1

    Start on Lake Elmo Avenue North

    2364 ft · 1 min · Lake Elmo Avenue North

  2. 2

    At the end of the road, turn left onto Stillwater Boulevard North

    2.2 mi · 4 min · Stillwater Boulevard North

  3. 3

    Enter the roundabout and take exit 2 toward 34th Street North

    45 m · 3 sec · 34th Street North

  4. 4

    Exit the roundabout onto 34th Street North

    1.7 mi · 2 min · 34th Street North

  5. 5

    Take the ramp right toward I 694 North

    1046 ft · 26 sec

  6. 6

    Merge slight left

    8.2 mi · 10 min

  7. 7

    Keep slight right

    18.4 mi · 23 min

  8. 8

    Continue on I-94 W

    17.1 mi · 19 min · I-94 W

  9. 9

    Keep slight right to continue on MnRoad Mainline

    28.6 mi · 31 min · MnRoad Mainline

  10. 10

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

    1752 ft · 43 sec

  11. 11

    Keep slight left

    67 m · 6 sec

  12. 12

    Turn right onto Roosevelt Road

    3.1 mi · 5 min · Roosevelt Road

  13. 13

    Turn right onto 22nd Street South

    39 m · 7 sec · 22nd Street South

  14. 14

    Turn left onto 11th Avenue South

    2729 ft · 1 min · 11th Avenue South

  15. 15

    Turn right onto 15th Street South

    630 ft · 22 sec · 15th Street South

  16. 16

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

    1.4 km · 2 min · 9th Avenue South

  17. 17

    Continue on 10th Avenue South

    1530 ft · 50 sec · 10th Avenue South

  18. 18

    Turn right onto 1st Street North

    541 ft · 29 sec · 1st Street North

  19. 19

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

    82 m · 12 sec · Courthouse Square

  20. 20

    Arrive at your destination

    0 m · 1 sec · Courthouse Square

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 24m
Day trip friendly
Same-Day Return
02h 50m
Round-trip wheel time
Road vs Air
+8.5 mi
73.6 mi direct line
Halfway Stop
Rogers
00h 42m from Lake Elmo
Leave By
3:40 PM CDT
Morning start is best
Weather Watch

Sunny leaving Lake Elmo and Mostly Cloudy near Saint Cloud.

Trip Questions

Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.

How long does it take to drive from Lake Elmo to Saint Cloud?

The road trip is about 82.1 miles (132.1 km) and usually takes 01h 24m 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 41.1 miles from Lake Elmo and 41 miles from Saint Cloud.

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

The direct path is about 73.6 miles (118.4 km), while the road route adds roughly 8.5 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 3:40 PM CDT.

How much will gas cost for this route?

Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $10.35 one way or $20.70 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 25.8 kg one way.

What should you check before leaving?

Before you leave, expect Sunny around Lake Elmo and Mostly Cloudy near Saint Cloud.

Stop Ideas Near Rogers

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

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

RAIL

Saint Paul Union Depot

38 mi away
Midway Station
RAIL

St. Cloud

63 mi away
555 East St. Germain Street
RAIL

Red Wing station

106 mi away
420 Levee Street

Flight Path Map

This map shows the direct air route between Lake Elmo and Saint Cloud. Straight-line distance: 73.59 mi (118.43 km).

Lake Elmo

#1 Lake Elmo

City in Washington County, Minnesota

Population9,280
Coordinates44.9958000, -92.8793800
Altitude278
CountryUnited States
Photo coming soon

#2 Saint Cloud

City in Minnesota

Population68,510
Coordinates45.5608000, -94.1624900
Altitude314
CountryUnited States
Start: Lake Elmo Avenue North (-92.879405, 44.9958)
End: Courthouse Square (-94.162654, 45.560987)

Estimated Travel Time

Distance: 132 km by road

SpeedTime
30 mph (48.3 km/h)02h 44m
40 mph (64.37 km/h)02h 03m
50 mph (80.47 km/h)01h 38m
60 mph (96.56 km/h)01h 22m
70 mph (112.65 km/h)01h 10m
80 mph (129 km/h)01h 01m

Fuel, Round Trip and CO2

Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.

One-way fuel
2.9 gal
10.96 L · about $10.35
Round trip
$20.70
5.8 gal · 21.92 L
Estimated CO2
25.8 kg one way
Round trip: 51.5 kg / 114 lb CO2, using regular gasoline.
Fuel$/galOne wayRound trip
Regular gas $3.57 $10.35 $20.70
Mid-grade $3.92 $11.37 $22.74
Premium $4.39 $12.74 $25.47
Diesel $4.86 $14.11 $28.21

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 10, 2026

There is no time difference between Lake Elmo and Saint Cloud. The current time is 09:42:37.

Distance to Other Cities

How did we calculate? Place names are translated into coordinates. The Haversine formula calculates straight-line distance; driving distance uses road network data.