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

Trip Tools

Reverse, save, or send this route

This is an easy same-day return drive. Copy the route link, send it to another device, or print a clean version before you head out.

Reverse Route
Quick Snapshot
Road
27.18 mi
00h 34m
Flight
25.62 mi
41.23 km direct

This is an easy same-day return drive.

Learn Distance

Choose another destination from Saint Cloud.

Flight Distance

Direct air line
25.62 mi
Kilometers
41.23 km
Flight Time
00h 03m

Driving Distance

Road route
27.18 mi
Kilometers
43.75 km
Drive Time
00h 34m

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 00h 34m.

Arrival Snapshot
Arrive in Big Lake
Fri, Apr 10, 4:04 AM CDT
Return by in Saint Cloud
Fri, Apr 10, 4:38 AM CDT
Useful when you're deciding between a quick errand, a day trip, or a longer stop.
Leave Saint Cloud
2026-04-10T03:29
Arrive Big Lake
Fri, Apr 10, 4:04 AM CDT
Route Timing
00h 34m
One way by road
Best Departure Window
7:00 AM to 7:00 PM CDT
Leave when it suits your day
Arrive between
7:34 AM to 7:34 PM CDT

This is a short drive, so your comfort window is wide. Traffic and current weather matter more than the clock.

Leave by
7:22 PM CDT
Keeps a same-day return open with about 01h 30m at the destination.
Back in Saint Cloud
10:00 PM CDT
Flexible departure

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
Clear Lake
MN

City in Sherburne County, Minnesota, United States

From Saint Cloud
13.5 mi
00h 17m
To Big Lake
13.6 mi
00h 17m

Route Weather Snapshot

Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.

Origin
29°F
Overnight

Mostly Cloudy

Starts
Fri, Apr 10 1:00 AM CDT
Wind
0 to 5 mph WNW
Destination
55°F
Friday

Sunny

Starts
Fri, Apr 10 6:00 AM CDT
Wind
0 to 5 mph WNW

Driving Route Map

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

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

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

  1. 1

    Start on Courthouse Square

    2 m · 2 sec · Courthouse Square

  2. 2

    Turn right onto 8th Avenue North

    77 m · 14 sec · 8th Avenue North

  3. 3

    Turn right onto 2nd Street North

    120 m · 10 sec · 2nd Street North

  4. 4

    Continue on 1st Street North

    1165 ft · 27 sec · 1st Street North

  5. 5

    Continue on Veterans Bridge

    809 ft · 23 sec · Veterans Bridge

  6. 6

    Continue on East Saint Germain Street

    1.2 km · 2 min · East Saint Germain Street

  7. 7

    Turn right onto US-10 E

    25.9 mi · 31 min · US-10 E

  8. 8

    Arrive at your destination

    0 m · 1 sec · Jefferson Boulevard

Route Summary

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

Trip Read

A short regional drive

This route is short enough to handle as a quick errand, commute, or easy same-day return without much planning overhead.

Drive Time
00h 34m
Quick drive
Same-Day Return
01h 08m
Round-trip wheel time
Road vs Air
+1.6 mi
25.6 mi direct line
Halfway Stop
Clear Lake
00h 17m from Saint Cloud
Leave By
7:22 PM CDT
Flexible departure
Weather Watch

Mostly Cloudy leaving Saint Cloud and Sunny near Big Lake.

Trip Questions

Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.

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

The road trip is about 27.2 miles (43.8 km) and usually takes 00h 34m in normal driving conditions.

Is this a same-day trip or an overnight route?

This route is short enough to handle as a quick errand, commute, or easy same-day return without much planning overhead.

What is the halfway point on this route?

Clear Lake is a useful midpoint, sitting about 13.5 miles from Saint Cloud and 13.6 miles from Big Lake.

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

The direct path is about 25.6 miles (41.2 km), while the road route adds roughly 1.6 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 7:00 AM to 7:00 PM CDT. If you want a more comfortable same-day return, try to leave by 7:22 PM CDT.

How much will gas cost for this route?

Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $3.43 one way or $6.85 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 8.5 kg one way.

What should you check before leaving?

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

Stop Ideas Near Clear Lake

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

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

RAIL

St. Cloud

18 mi away
555 East St. Germain Street
RAIL

Saint Paul Union Depot

83 mi away
Midway Station
RAIL

Staples

118 mi away
First & Fourth Aves

Flight Path Map

This map shows the direct air route between Saint Cloud and Big Lake. Straight-line distance: 25.62 mi (41.23 km).

Photo coming soon

#1 Saint Cloud

City in Minnesota

Population68,510
Coordinates45.5608000, -94.1624900
Altitude314
CountryUnited States
Big Lake

#2 Big Lake

City in Texas, USA

Population8,134
Coordinates45.3324600, -93.7460800
Altitude286
CountryUnited States
Start: Saint Cloud (-94.16249, 45.5608)
End: Big Lake (-93.74608, 45.33246)

Estimated Travel Time

Distance: 44 km by road

SpeedTime
30 mph (48.3 km/h)00h 54m
40 mph (64.37 km/h)00h 40m
50 mph (80.47 km/h)00h 32m
60 mph (96.56 km/h)00h 27m
70 mph (112.65 km/h)00h 23m
80 mph (129 km/h)00h 20m

Fuel, Round Trip and CO2

Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.

One-way fuel
0.96 gal
3.63 L · about $3.43
Round trip
$6.85
1.92 gal · 7.26 L
Estimated CO2
8.5 kg one way
Round trip: 17.1 kg / 38 lb CO2, using regular gasoline.
Fuel$/galOne wayRound trip
Regular gas $3.57 $3.43 $6.85
Mid-grade $3.92 $3.76 $7.53
Premium $4.39 $4.22 $8.43
Diesel $4.86 $4.67 $9.34

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 Saint Cloud and Big Lake. The current time is 03:29:57.

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.