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

The driving distance from Lakefield, MN to Saint Cloud, MN is about 170.1 miles (273.8 km), with a travel time of about 03h 41m by car.

  • The straight-line flight distance is about 139.2 miles (224.1 km).
  • For a round trip, plan for roughly 07h 22m of driving time before adding stops, traffic, or weather delays.
  • A comfortable departure window is usually 6:00 AM to 8:00 AM CDT.
Trip Tools

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.

Reverse Route
Quick Snapshot
Road
170.16 mi
03h 41m
Flight
139.27 mi
224.13 km direct

This drive is better planned with a longer stop or an overnight stay.

Learn Distance

Choose another destination from Lakefield.

Flight Distance

Direct air line
139.27 mi
Kilometers
224.13 km
Flight Time
00h 16m

Driving Distance

Road route
170.16 mi
Kilometers
273.85 km
Drive Time
03h 41m

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 03h 41m.

Arrival Snapshot
Arrive in Saint Cloud
Thu, Apr 23, 3:53 AM CDT
Return by in Lakefield
Thu, Apr 23, 7:34 AM CDT
Useful when you're deciding between a quick errand, a day trip, or a longer stop.
Leave Lakefield
2026-04-23T00:12
Arrive Saint Cloud
Thu, Apr 23, 3:53 AM CDT
Route Timing
03h 41m
One way by road
Best Departure Window
6:00 AM to 8:00 AM CDT
Leave early for more breathing room
Arrive between
9:41 AM to 11:41 AM CDT

An early departure helps you fit a real stop into the day without turning the return into a late-night drive.

Leave by
9:38 AM CDT
Keeps a same-day return open with about 04h 00m at the destination.
Back in Lakefield
9:00 PM CDT
Early departure recommended

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
Lafayette
MN

Human settlement in Nicollet County, Minnesota, United States of America

From Lakefield
85.1 mi
01h 50m
To Saint Cloud
85.1 mi
01h 50m

Route Weather Snapshot

Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.

Origin
77°F
Thursday

Showers And Thunderstorms Likely

Starts
Thu, Apr 23 6:00 AM CDT
Wind
20 to 25 mph S
Destination
75°F
Thursday

Showers And Thunderstorms Likely

Starts
Thu, Apr 23 6:00 AM CDT
Wind
15 mph S

Driving Route Map

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

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

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

  1. 1

    Start on 2nd Avenue North

    784 ft · 24 sec · 2nd Avenue North

  2. 2

    At the end of the road, turn right onto North Highway 86

    1.3 km · 2 min · North Highway 86

  3. 3

    Continue on 450th Ave; State Highway 86

    9.8 mi · 12 min · 450th Ave; State Highway 86

  4. 4

    Turn right onto MN 60 E

    3.8 mi · 5 min · MN 60 E

  5. 5

    Continue on State Highway 60

    1586 ft · 37 sec · State Highway 60

  6. 6

    Continue on 2nd Avenue North

    2369 ft · 1 min · 2nd Avenue North

  7. 7

    Continue on State Highway 60

    42.4 mi · 50 min · State Highway 60

  8. 8

    Take the exit slight right toward MN 15: New Ulm

    17.8 mi · 23 min

  9. 9

    Take the exit slight right

    83 m · 8 sec

  10. 10

    Turn straight onto 20th South Street

    2295 ft · 1 min · 20th South Street

  11. 11

    Continue on Highway 37

    2039 ft · 39 sec · Highway 37

  12. 12

    Turn straight onto County Road 37

    945 ft · 19 sec · County Road 37

  13. 13

    Continue on County Road 37

    837 ft · 18 sec · County Road 37

  14. 14

    Take the ramp straight toward US 14 West

    1274 ft · 35 sec

  15. 15

    Merge slight left

    1.6 mi · 2 min

  16. 16

    Take the exit slight right toward MN 15 North

    1628 ft · 45 sec

  17. 17

    Merge slight left onto State Highway 15

    38.3 mi · 48 min · State Highway 15

  18. 18

    Enter the roundabout and take exit 2 toward State Highway 15

    36 m · 5 sec · State Highway 15

  19. 19

    Exit the roundabout onto State Highway 15

    1.5 mi · 3 min · State Highway 15

  20. 20

    Continue on Main Street South

    1.7 mi · 4 min · Main Street South

  21. 21

    Enter the roundabout and take exit 2 toward Main Street North

    32 m · 1 sec · Main Street North

  22. 22

    Exit the roundabout onto Main Street North

    1669 ft · 33 sec · Main Street North

  23. 23

    Continue on State Highway 15

    47.3 mi · 1 hr 1 min · State Highway 15

  24. 24

    Turn right onto 3rd Street North

    1.6 mi · 3 min · 3rd Street North

  25. 25

    Turn right onto 16th Avenue North

    124 m · 17 sec · 16th Avenue North

  26. 26

    Turn left onto 2nd Street North

    2749 ft · 1 min · 2nd Street North

  27. 27

    Turn right onto 8th Avenue North

    77 m · 16 sec · 8th Avenue North

  28. 28

    Turn left onto Courthouse Square

    2 m · 1 sec · Courthouse Square

  29. 29

    Arrive at your destination

    0 m · 1 sec · Courthouse Square

Car Route Details

A richer read on the saved driving route between Lakefield 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
29 steps
13 turns on the saved route
Ramps & Exits
10
2 merges, 8 ramps or exits
Navigation Density
17 / 100 mi
Decision points by distance
Main Roads
State Highway 15
87.1 mi · 51%
State Highway 60
42.7 mi · 25%
MN 15
17.9 mi · 10%
450th Ave
4.89 mi · 3%
State Highway 86
4.89 mi · 3%
MN 60 E
3.79 mi · 2%
Longest Stretch

State Highway 15

Continue on State Highway 15

47.3 mi · 01h 01m

Route Summary

A quick read on whether this route feels easy, ambitious, or worth planning around.

Trip Read

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.

Drive Time
03h 41m
Long day trip
Same-Day Return
07h 22m
Round-trip wheel time
Road vs Air
+30.9 mi
139.2 mi direct line
Halfway Stop
Lafayette
01h 50m from Lakefield
Leave By
9:38 AM CDT
Early departure recommended
Weather Watch

Showers And Thunderstorms Likely leaving Lakefield 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 Lakefield to Saint Cloud?

The road trip is about 170.1 miles (273.8 km) and usually takes 03h 41m 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?

Lafayette is a useful midpoint, sitting about 85.1 miles from Lakefield and 85.1 miles from Saint Cloud.

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

The direct path is about 139.2 miles (224.1 km), while the road route adds roughly 30.9 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 6:00 AM to 8:00 AM CDT. If you want a more comfortable same-day return, try to leave by 9:38 AM CDT.

How much will gas cost for this route?

Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $21.41 one way or $42.83 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 53.3 kg one way.

What should you check before leaving?

Before you leave, expect Showers And Thunderstorms Likely around Lakefield and Showers And Thunderstorms Likely near Saint Cloud.

Stop Ideas Near Lafayette

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

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

RAIL

Saint Paul Union Depot

111 mi away
Midway Station

Flight Path Map

This map shows the direct air route between Lakefield and Saint Cloud. Straight-line distance: 139.27 mi (224.13 km).

Lakefield

#1 Lakefield

City in Jackson County, Minnesota, United States

Population1,602
Coordinates43.6774600, -95.1716600
Altitude452
CountryUnited States
Photo coming soon

#2 Saint Cloud

City in Minnesota

Population68,510
Coordinates45.5608000, -94.1624900
Altitude314
CountryUnited States
Start: Lakefield (-95.17166, 43.67746)
End: Saint Cloud (-94.16249, 45.5608)

Estimated Travel Time

Distance: 274 km by road

SpeedTime
30 mph (48.3 km/h)05h 40m
40 mph (64.37 km/h)04h 15m
50 mph (80.47 km/h)03h 24m
60 mph (96.56 km/h)02h 50m
70 mph (112.65 km/h)02h 25m
80 mph (129 km/h)02h 07m

Fuel, Round Trip and CO2

Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.

One-way fuel
6 gal
22.73 L · about $21.41
Round trip
$42.83
12 gal · 45.46 L
Estimated CO2
53.3 kg one way
Round trip: 106.6 kg / 235 lb CO2, using regular gasoline.
Fuel$/galOne wayRound trip
Regular gas $3.57 $21.41 $42.83
Mid-grade $3.92 $23.53 $47.05
Premium $4.39 $26.35 $52.70
Diesel $4.86 $29.18 $58.37

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 Lakefield and Saint Cloud. The current time is 00:12:03.

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.