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

The driving distance from Saint Cloud, MN to Dawson, MN is about 119.2 miles (191.9 km), with a travel time of about 02h 37m by car.

  • The straight-line flight distance is about 101.8 miles (163.8 km).
  • For a round trip, plan for roughly 05h 14m 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
119.25 mi
02h 37m
Flight
101.75 mi
163.75 km direct

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

Learn Distance

Choose another destination from Saint Cloud.

Flight Distance

Direct air line
101.75 mi
Kilometers
163.75 km
Flight Time
00h 12m

Driving Distance

Road route
119.25 mi
Kilometers
191.92 km
Drive Time
02h 37m

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 02h 37m.

Arrival Snapshot
Arrive in Dawson
Thu, Apr 23, 6:32 AM CDT
Return by in Saint Cloud
Thu, Apr 23, 9:09 AM CDT
Useful when you're deciding between a quick errand, a day trip, or a longer stop.
Leave Saint Cloud
2026-04-23T03:55
Arrive Dawson
Thu, Apr 23, 6:32 AM CDT
Route Timing
02h 37m
One way by road
Best Departure Window
8:00 AM to 10:00 AM CDT
Aim for a morning departure
Arrive between
10:37 AM to 12:37 PM CDT

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

Leave by
1:16 PM CDT
Keeps a same-day return open with about 03h 00m at the destination.
Back in Saint Cloud
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
Willmar
MN

City in Minnesota, USA

From Saint Cloud
59.5 mi
01h 18m
To Dawson
59.7 mi
01h 18m

Route Weather Snapshot

Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.

Origin
75°F
Thursday

Showers And Thunderstorms Likely

Starts
Thu, Apr 23 6:00 AM CDT
Wind
15 mph S
Destination
80°F
Thursday

Chance Rain Showers

Starts
Thu, Apr 23 6:00 AM CDT
Wind
20 to 25 mph SSW

Driving Route Map

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

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

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

  1. 1

    Start on Courthouse Square

    2 m · 2 sec · Courthouse Square

  2. 2

    Turn right onto 8th Avenue North

    77 m · 16 sec · 8th Avenue North

  3. 3

    Turn left onto 2nd Street North

    2749 ft · 1 min · 2nd Street North

  4. 4

    Turn right onto 16th Avenue North

    124 m · 16 sec · 16th Avenue North

  5. 5

    Turn left onto 3rd Street North

    1.6 mi · 3 min · 3rd Street North

  6. 6

    Turn left onto MN-15 S

    1862 ft · 36 sec · MN-15 S

  7. 7

    Turn right onto Division Street

    1.2 mi · 2 min · Division Street

  8. 8

    Turn left onto 10th Avenue South

    1423 ft · 35 sec · 10th Avenue South

  9. 9

    Turn right onto 2nd Street South

    18 mi · 22 min · 2nd Street South

  10. 10

    Continue on 4th Street West

    713 ft · 12 sec · 4th Street West

  11. 11

    Continue on 4th Street Southwest

    1.4 km · 1 min · 4th Street Southwest

  12. 12

    Continue on MN 23

    1.1 mi · 1 min · MN 23

  13. 13

    Continue straight

    35.1 mi · 42 min

  14. 14

    Keep slight left to continue on US 71, MN 23

    25.1 mi · 32 min

  15. 15

    Turn right

    18.2 mi · 24 min

  16. 16

    Continue straight

    917 ft · 15 sec

  17. 17

    Turn right

    16.2 mi · 24 min

  18. 18

    Turn left onto 5th Street

    1419 ft · 41 sec · 5th Street

  19. 19

    Turn right onto Locust Street

    112 m · 18 sec · Locust Street

  20. 20

    Turn right onto 6th Street

    98 m · 9 sec · 6th Street

  21. 21

    Arrive at your destination

    0 m · 1 sec · 6th Street

Car Route Details

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

OSRM road route
Drive Character

Straightforward drive

The saved road route has a manageable number of maneuvers and should be easy to follow with normal attention to signs.

Directions
21 steps
13 turns on the saved route
Ramps & Exits
0
0 merges, 0 ramps or exits
Navigation Density
17.6 / 100 mi
Decision points by distance
Main Roads
MN 23
36.2 mi · 30%
US 71
25.2 mi · 21%
2nd Street South
18 mi · 15%
3rd Street North
1.59 mi · 1%
Division Street
1.18 mi · 1%
4th Street Southwest
0.88 mi · 1%
Longest Stretch

MN 23

Continue straight

35.1 mi · 00h 42m

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
02h 37m
Day trip friendly
Same-Day Return
05h 14m
Round-trip wheel time
Road vs Air
+17.4 mi
101.8 mi direct line
Halfway Stop
Willmar
01h 18m from Saint Cloud
Leave By
1:16 PM CDT
Morning start is best
Weather Watch

Showers And Thunderstorms Likely leaving Saint Cloud and Chance Rain Showers near Dawson.

Trip Questions

Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.

How long does it take to drive from Saint Cloud to Dawson?

The road trip is about 119.2 miles (191.9 km) and usually takes 02h 37m 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?

Willmar is a useful midpoint, sitting about 59.5 miles from Saint Cloud and 59.7 miles from Dawson.

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

The direct path is about 101.8 miles (163.8 km), while the road route adds roughly 17.4 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 8:00 AM to 10:00 AM CDT. If you want a more comfortable same-day return, try to leave by 1:16 PM CDT.

How much will gas cost for this route?

Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $15.03 one way or $30.05 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 37.4 kg one way.

What should you check before leaving?

Before you leave, expect Showers And Thunderstorms Likely around Saint Cloud and Chance Rain Showers near Dawson.

Stop Ideas Near Willmar

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

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

RAIL

St. Cloud

86 mi away
555 East St. Germain Street

Flight Path Map

This map shows the direct air route between Saint Cloud and Dawson. Straight-line distance: 101.75 mi (163.75 km).

Photo coming soon

#1 Saint Cloud

City in Minnesota

Population68,510
Coordinates45.5608000, -94.1624900
Altitude314
CountryUnited States
Photo coming soon

#2 Dawson

Human settlement in Lac qui Parle County, Minnesota, United States of America

Population1,378
Coordinates44.9327400, -96.0544800
Altitude319
CountryUnited States
Start: Saint Cloud (-94.16249, 45.5608)
End: Dawson (-96.05448, 44.93274)

Estimated Travel Time

Distance: 192 km by road

SpeedTime
30 mph (48.3 km/h)03h 58m
40 mph (64.37 km/h)02h 58m
50 mph (80.47 km/h)02h 23m
60 mph (96.56 km/h)01h 59m
70 mph (112.65 km/h)01h 42m
80 mph (129 km/h)01h 29m

Fuel, Round Trip and CO2

Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.

One-way fuel
4.21 gal
15.93 L · about $15.03
Round trip
$30.05
8.42 gal · 31.86 L
Estimated CO2
37.4 kg one way
Round trip: 74.8 kg / 165 lb CO2, using regular gasoline.
Fuel$/galOne wayRound trip
Regular gas $3.57 $15.03 $30.05
Mid-grade $3.92 $16.51 $33.01
Premium $4.39 $18.49 $36.98
Diesel $4.86 $20.48 $40.95

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 Saint Cloud and Dawson. The current time is 03:55:09.

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.