How far is Lester Prairie, MN from Saint Cloud, MN?

The driving distance from Lester Prairie, MN to Saint Cloud, MN is about 59.7 miles (96 km), with a travel time of about 01h 27m by car.

  • The straight-line flight distance is about 47.2 miles (75.9 km).
  • For a round trip, plan for roughly 02h 54m 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
59.66 mi
01h 27m
Flight
47.14 mi
75.87 km direct

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

Learn Distance

Choose another destination from Lester Prairie.

Flight Distance

Direct air line
47.14 mi
Kilometers
75.87 km
Flight Time
00h 05m

Driving Distance

Road route
59.66 mi
Kilometers
96.02 km
Drive Time
01h 27m

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 27m.

Arrival Snapshot
Arrive in Saint Cloud
Wed, Apr 15, 8:14 AM CDT
Return by in Lester Prairie
Wed, Apr 15, 9:41 AM CDT
Useful when you're deciding between a quick errand, a day trip, or a longer stop.
Leave Lester Prairie
2026-04-15T06:47
Arrive Saint Cloud
Wed, Apr 15, 8:14 AM CDT
Route Timing
01h 27m
One way by road
Best Departure Window
8:00 AM to 10:00 AM CDT
Aim for a morning departure
Arrive between
9:27 AM to 11:27 AM CDT

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

Leave by
3:36 PM CDT
Keeps a same-day return open with about 03h 00m at the destination.
Back in Lester Prairie
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
Annandale
MN

City in Minnesota, United States

From Lester Prairie
29.8 mi
00h 43m
To Saint Cloud
29.8 mi
00h 43m

Route Weather Snapshot

Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.

Origin
61°F
Wednesday

Chance Rain Showers

Starts
Wed, Apr 15 6:00 AM CDT
Wind
10 mph NW
Destination
64°F
Wednesday

Chance Rain Showers

Starts
Wed, Apr 15 6:00 AM CDT
Wind
5 to 10 mph W

Driving Route Map

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

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between Lester Prairie and Saint Cloud.

  1. 1

    Start on 1st Avenue South

    27 m · 10 sec · 1st Avenue South

  2. 2

    Turn left onto Juniper Street South

    552 ft · 26 sec · Juniper Street South

  3. 3

    Turn right onto 2nd Avenue South

    2315 ft · 1 min · 2nd Avenue South

  4. 4

    At the end of the road, turn right onto Babcock Avenue

    1.7 mi · 3 min · Babcock Avenue

  5. 5

    Enter the roundabout and take exit 2 toward Babcock Avenue

    45 m · 2 sec · Babcock Avenue

  6. 6

    Exit the roundabout onto Babcock Avenue

    3 mi · 5 min · Babcock Avenue

  7. 7

    Continue on 6th Street South

    2 mi · 3 min · 6th Street South

  8. 8

    Continue on County Road 6 Southwest

    5.5 mi · 8 min · County Road 6 Southwest

  9. 9

    Continue on 7th Avenue

    1.1 km · 2 min · 7th Avenue

  10. 10

    At the end of the road, turn left onto 6th Street

    2555 ft · 1 min · 6th Street

  11. 11

    Continue on 60th Street Southwest

    1.8 mi · 3 min · 60th Street Southwest

  12. 12

    Turn right onto County Road 5 Southwest

    6 mi · 8 min · County Road 5 Southwest

  13. 13

    Continue on County Road 5 Northwest

    7.7 mi · 11 min · County Road 5 Northwest

  14. 14

    Continue on Excelsior Avenue South

    2320 ft · 1 min · Excelsior Avenue South

  15. 15

    Turn left onto Elm Street West

    9.4 mi · 12 min · Elm Street West

  16. 16

    Turn sharp right

    18.1 mi · 23 min

  17. 17

    Turn right onto 3rd Street North

    1.6 mi · 3 min · 3rd Street North

  18. 18

    Turn right onto 16th Avenue North

    124 m · 17 sec · 16th Avenue North

  19. 19

    Turn left onto 2nd Street North

    2749 ft · 1 min · 2nd Street North

  20. 20

    Turn right onto 8th Avenue North

    77 m · 16 sec · 8th Avenue North

  21. 21

    Turn left onto Courthouse Square

    2 m · 1 sec · Courthouse Square

  22. 22

    Arrive at your destination

    0 m · 1 sec · Courthouse Square

Car Route Details

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

OSRM road route
Drive Character

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.

Directions
22 steps
14 turns on the saved route
Ramps & Exits
2
0 merges, 2 ramps or exits
Navigation Density
36.9 / 100 mi
Decision points by distance
Main Roads
Elm Street West
9.44 mi · 16%
County Road 5 Northwest
7.67 mi · 13%
County Road 5 Southwest
5.99 mi · 10%
County Road 6 Southwest
5.51 mi · 9%
Babcock Avenue
4.68 mi · 8%
6th Street South
2 mi · 3%
Longest Stretch

Longest stretch

Turn sharp right

18.1 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 27m
Day trip friendly
Same-Day Return
02h 54m
Round-trip wheel time
Road vs Air
+12.5 mi
47.2 mi direct line
Halfway Stop
Annandale
00h 43m from Lester Prairie
Leave By
3:36 PM CDT
Morning start is best
Weather Watch

Chance Rain Showers leaving Lester Prairie and Chance Rain Showers near Saint Cloud.

Trip Questions

Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.

How long does it take to drive from Lester Prairie to Saint Cloud?

The road trip is about 59.7 miles (96 km) and usually takes 01h 27m 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?

Annandale is a useful midpoint, sitting about 29.8 miles from Lester Prairie and 29.8 miles from Saint Cloud.

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

The direct path is about 47.2 miles (75.9 km), while the road route adds roughly 12.5 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 3:36 PM CDT.

How much will gas cost for this route?

Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $7.53 one way or $15.06 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 18.8 kg one way.

What should you check before leaving?

Before you leave, expect Chance Rain Showers around Lester Prairie and Chance Rain Showers near Saint Cloud.

Stop Ideas Near Annandale

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

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

RAIL

St. Cloud

34 mi away
555 East St. Germain Street
RAIL

Saint Paul Union Depot

81 mi away
Midway Station

Flight Path Map

This map shows the direct air route between Lester Prairie and Saint Cloud. Straight-line distance: 47.14 mi (75.87 km).

Lester Prairie

#1 Lester Prairie

City in McLeod County, Minnesota, United States of America

Population1,724
Coordinates44.8838500, -94.0416400
Altitude299
CountryUnited States
Photo coming soon

#2 Saint Cloud

City in Minnesota

Population68,510
Coordinates45.5608000, -94.1624900
Altitude314
CountryUnited States
Start: Lester Prairie (-94.04164, 44.88385)
End: Saint Cloud (-94.16249, 45.5608)

Estimated Travel Time

Distance: 96 km by road

SpeedTime
30 mph (48.3 km/h)01h 59m
40 mph (64.37 km/h)01h 29m
50 mph (80.47 km/h)01h 11m
60 mph (96.56 km/h)00h 59m
70 mph (112.65 km/h)00h 51m
80 mph (129 km/h)00h 44m

Fuel, Round Trip and CO2

Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.

One-way fuel
2.11 gal
7.97 L · about $7.53
Round trip
$15.06
4.22 gal · 15.94 L
Estimated CO2
18.8 kg one way
Round trip: 37.5 kg / 83 lb CO2, using regular gasoline.
Fuel$/galOne wayRound trip
Regular gas $3.57 $7.53 $15.06
Mid-grade $3.92 $8.27 $16.55
Premium $4.39 $9.27 $18.53
Diesel $4.86 $10.26 $20.53

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 15, 2026

There is no time difference between Lester Prairie and Saint Cloud. The current time is 06:47:44.

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.