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

The driving distance from Saint Cloud, MN to Independence, MN is about 53.3 miles (85.8 km), with a travel time of about 01h 13m by car.

  • The straight-line flight distance is about 43.1 miles (69.4 km).
  • For a round trip, plan for roughly 02h 27m 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
53.29 mi
01h 13m
Flight
43.11 mi
69.38 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
43.11 mi
Kilometers
69.38 km
Flight Time
00h 05m

Driving Distance

Road route
53.29 mi
Kilometers
85.76 km
Drive Time
01h 13m

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 13m.

Arrival Snapshot
Arrive in Independence
Thu, Apr 23, 3:20 AM CDT
Return by in Saint Cloud
Thu, Apr 23, 4:34 AM CDT
Useful when you're deciding between a quick errand, a day trip, or a longer stop.
Leave Saint Cloud
2026-04-23T02:06
Arrive Independence
Thu, Apr 23, 3:20 AM CDT
Route Timing
01h 13m
One way by road
Best Departure Window
8:00 AM to 10:00 AM CDT
Aim for a morning departure
Arrive between
9:14 AM to 11:14 AM CDT

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

Leave by
4:02 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
Monticello
MN

City in Jefferson County, Florida, United States

From Saint Cloud
26.6 mi
00h 36m
To Independence
26.7 mi
00h 36m

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
75°F
Thursday

Showers And Thunderstorms Likely

Starts
Thu, Apr 23 6:00 AM CDT
Wind
15 to 20 mph S

Driving Route Map

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

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

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

  1. 1

    Start on Courthouse Square

    82 m · 14 sec · Courthouse Square

  2. 2

    Turn right onto 1st Street North

    66 m · 15 sec · 1st Street North

  3. 3

    Turn left onto 9th Avenue North

    122 m · 13 sec · 9th Avenue North

  4. 4

    Turn right onto West Saint Germain Street

    2899 ft · 1 min · West Saint Germain Street

  5. 5

    Turn left onto Washington Memorial Drive

    1.1 km · 2 min · Washington Memorial Drive

  6. 6

    Turn left onto Roosevelt Road

    3.9 mi · 6 min · Roosevelt Road

  7. 7

    Take the ramp straight

    2008 ft · 49 sec

  8. 8

    Merge slight left

    22.1 mi · 24 min

  9. 9

    Take the exit slight right

    2023 ft · 52 sec

  10. 10

    Turn right onto State Highway 25

    7.5 mi · 11 min · State Highway 25

  11. 11

    Continue on State Highway 25

    1.5 mi · 3 min · State Highway 25

  12. 12

    Turn left

    1.9 mi · 3 min

  13. 13

    Continue straight

    9.4 mi · 14 min

  14. 14

    Turn right onto Dogwood Street

    3.4 mi · 5 min · Dogwood Street

  15. 15

    Continue straight

    1258 ft · 25 sec

  16. 16

    Continue on County Road 92

    1052 ft · 23 sec · County Road 92

  17. 17

    Turn right

    804 ft · 16 sec

  18. 18

    Enter the roundabout and take exit 1 toward Babcock Boulevard

    7 m · 1 sec · Babcock Boulevard

  19. 19

    Exit the roundabout onto Babcock Boulevard

    1.3 km · 1 min · Babcock Boulevard

  20. 20

    Turn left onto Valley Road

    949 ft · 42 sec · Valley Road

  21. 21

    Arrive at your destination

    0 m · 1 sec · Valley Road

Car Route Details

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

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
21 steps
12 turns on the saved route
Ramps & Exits
5
1 merges, 4 ramps or exits
Navigation Density
39.4 / 100 mi
Decision points by distance
Main Roads
Roosevelt Road
26.7 mi · 50%
State Highway 25
18.3 mi · 34%
Dogwood Street
3.67 mi · 7%
Babcock Boulevard
0.79 mi · 1%
Washington Memorial Drive
0.67 mi · 1%
West Saint Germain Street
0.55 mi · 1%
Longest Stretch

Roosevelt Road

Merge slight left

22.1 mi · 00h 24m

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 13m
Day trip friendly
Same-Day Return
02h 28m
Round-trip wheel time
Road vs Air
+10.2 mi
43.1 mi direct line
Halfway Stop
Monticello
00h 36m from Saint Cloud
Leave By
4:02 PM CDT
Morning start is best
Weather Watch

Showers And Thunderstorms Likely leaving Saint Cloud and Showers And Thunderstorms Likely near Independence.

Trip Questions

Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.

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

The road trip is about 53.3 miles (85.8 km) and usually takes 01h 13m 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?

Monticello is a useful midpoint, sitting about 26.6 miles from Saint Cloud and 26.7 miles from Independence.

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

The direct path is about 43.1 miles (69.4 km), while the road route adds roughly 10.2 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 4:02 PM CDT.

How much will gas cost for this route?

Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $6.71 one way or $13.42 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 16.7 kg one way.

What should you check before leaving?

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

Stop Ideas Near Monticello

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

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

RAIL

St. Cloud

40 mi away
555 East St. Germain Street
RAIL

Saint Paul Union Depot

61 mi away
Midway Station

Flight Path Map

This map shows the direct air route between Saint Cloud and Independence. Straight-line distance: 43.11 mi (69.38 km).

Photo coming soon

#1 Saint Cloud

City in Minnesota

Population68,510
Coordinates45.5608000, -94.1624900
Altitude314
CountryUnited States
Independence

#2 Independence

City in Hennepin County, Minnesota, United States

Population3,786
Coordinates45.0252400, -93.7074600
Altitude298
CountryUnited States
Start: Saint Cloud (-94.16249, 45.5608)
End: Independence (-93.70746, 45.02524)

Estimated Travel Time

Distance: 86 km by road

SpeedTime
30 mph (48.3 km/h)01h 46m
40 mph (64.37 km/h)01h 19m
50 mph (80.47 km/h)01h 03m
60 mph (96.56 km/h)00h 53m
70 mph (112.65 km/h)00h 45m
80 mph (129 km/h)00h 39m

Fuel, Round Trip and CO2

Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.

One-way fuel
1.88 gal
7.12 L · about $6.71
Round trip
$13.42
3.76 gal · 14.24 L
Estimated CO2
16.7 kg one way
Round trip: 33.4 kg / 74 lb CO2, using regular gasoline.
Fuel$/galOne wayRound trip
Regular gas $3.57 $6.71 $13.42
Mid-grade $3.92 $7.37 $14.74
Premium $4.39 $8.26 $16.51
Diesel $4.86 $9.14 $18.29

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 Independence. The current time is 02:06:56.

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.