How far is North Mankato, MN from Cross Lake, MN?
The driving distance from North Mankato, MN to Cross Lake, MN is about 206.2 miles (331.9 km), with a travel time of about 04h 26m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 171.8 miles (276.5 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 08h 52m of driving time before adding stops, traffic, or weather delays.
- A comfortable departure window is usually 6:00 AM to 8:00 AM CDT.
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.
This drive is better planned with a longer stop or an overnight stay.
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 04h 26m.
An early departure helps you fit a real stop into the day without turning the return into a late-night drive.
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.
Township in Stearns County, Minnesota
Route Weather Snapshot
Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.
Mostly Sunny
Mostly Sunny
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between North Mankato and Cross Lake.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between North Mankato and Cross Lake.
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1
Start on Lee Boulevard
15 m · 8 sec · Lee Boulevard
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2
Turn left onto Lor Ray Drive
1 km · 2 min · Lor Ray Drive
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3
Turn left
1141 ft · 30 sec
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4
Merge slight left
24 mi · 28 min
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5
Take the exit slight right toward MN 15 North
1628 ft · 45 sec
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6
Merge slight left onto State Highway 15
38.3 mi · 48 min · State Highway 15
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7
Enter the roundabout and take exit 2 toward State Highway 15
36 m · 5 sec · State Highway 15
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8
Exit the roundabout onto State Highway 15
1.5 mi · 3 min · State Highway 15
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9
Continue on Main Street South
1.7 mi · 4 min · Main Street South
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10
Enter the roundabout and take exit 2 toward Main Street North
32 m · 1 sec · Main Street North
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11
Exit the roundabout onto Main Street North
1669 ft · 33 sec · Main Street North
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12
Continue on State Highway 15
52.3 mi · 1 hr 8 min · State Highway 15
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13
Merge slight left
28.2 mi · 33 min
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14
Keep slight right
32.4 mi · 39 min
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15
Keep slight right
2133 ft · 30 sec
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16
Keep slight right
1 mi · 1 min
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17
Keep slight right
6.5 mi · 8 min
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18
Turn right onto County Road 18
542 ft · 17 sec · County Road 18
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19
Enter the roundabout and take exit 1 toward County Road 18
42 m · 4 sec · County Road 18
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20
Exit the roundabout onto County Road 18
4.4 mi · 7 min · County Road 18
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21
At the end of the road, turn left onto Red Pine Drive
4.5 mi · 7 min · Red Pine Drive
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22
Continue straight
3.9 mi · 5 min
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23
Turn left onto County Road 39
1.3 mi · 3 min · County Road 39
-
24
Turn right onto Fawn Lake Road
1.9 mi · 5 min · Fawn Lake Road
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25
Turn left onto County Road 11
2.1 mi · 3 min · County Road 11
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26
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · County Road 11
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between North Mankato and Cross Lake.
Highway-focused drive
Most of the mileage stays on named highways, so the important moments are ramps, exits, merges, and the final local approach.
State Highway 15
Continue on State Highway 15
52.3 mi · 01h 08m
Route Summary
A quick read on whether this route feels easy, ambitious, or worth planning around.
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.
Mostly Sunny leaving North Mankato and Mostly Sunny near Cross Lake.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from North Mankato to Cross Lake?
The road trip is about 206.2 miles (331.9 km) and usually takes 04h 26m 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?
Luxemburg is a useful midpoint, sitting about 103 miles from North Mankato and 103.2 miles from Cross Lake.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 171.8 miles (276.5 km), while the road route adds roughly 34.4 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 6:00 AM to 8:00 AM CDT. If you want a more comfortable same-day return, try to leave by 8:08 AM CDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $31.92 one way or $63.83 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 64.7 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Mostly Sunny around North Mankato and Mostly Sunny near Cross Lake.
Stop Ideas Near Luxemburg
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 Luxemburg.
St. Cloud
Saint Paul Union Depot
Staples
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between North Mankato and Cross Lake. Straight-line distance: 171.82 mi (276.51 km).
#1 North Mankato
City in Nicollet County, Minnesota, United States of America
| Population | 14,052 |
| Coordinates | 44.1733000, -94.0338500 |
| Altitude | 305 |
| Country | United States |
#2 Cross Lake
City in Crow Wing County, Minnesota, United States of America
| Population | 2,141 |
| Coordinates | 46.6594100, -94.1138700 |
| Altitude | 378 |
| Country | United States |
End: Cross Lake (-94.11387, 46.65941)
Estimated Travel Time
Distance: 332 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 06h 52m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 05h 09m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 04h 07m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 03h 26m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 02h 56m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 02h 34m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $4.38 | $31.92 | $63.83 |
| Mid-grade | $4.82 | $35.12 | $70.24 |
| Premium | $5.35 | $38.96 | $77.91 |
| Diesel | $6.35 | $46.22 | $92.44 |
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 · Sep 23, 2026