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

The driving distance from Saint Cloud, MN to Lake City, MN is about 137.6 miles (221.4 km), with a travel time of about 02h 53m by car.

  • The straight-line flight distance is about 120.2 miles (193.5 km).
  • For a round trip, plan for roughly 05h 47m 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
137.58 mi
02h 53m
Flight
120.24 mi
193.5 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
120.24 mi
Kilometers
193.5 km
Flight Time
00h 14m

Driving Distance

Road route
137.58 mi
Kilometers
221.41 km
Drive Time
02h 53m

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 53m.

Arrival Snapshot
Arrive in Lake City
Sat, Apr 18, 11:59 PM CDT
Return by in Saint Cloud
Sun, Apr 19, 2:52 AM CDT
Useful when you're deciding between a quick errand, a day trip, or a longer stop.
Leave Saint Cloud
2026-04-18T21:05
Arrive Lake City
Sat, Apr 18, 11:59 PM CDT
Route Timing
02h 53m
One way by road
Best Departure Window
8:00 AM to 10:00 AM CDT
Aim for a morning departure
Arrive between
10:54 AM to 12:54 PM CDT

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

Leave by
12:42 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
Little Canada
MN

City in Ramsey County, Minnesota

From Saint Cloud
68.7 mi
01h 26m
To Lake City
68.9 mi
01h 26m

Route Weather Snapshot

Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.

Origin
41°F
Saturday

Partly Sunny then Slight Chance Snow Showers

Starts
Sat, Apr 18 6:00 AM CDT
Wind
15 mph NW
Destination
43°F
Saturday

Chance Rain And Snow Showers

Starts
Sat, Apr 18 6:00 AM CDT
Wind
15 mph NW

Driving Route Map

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

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

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

  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

    52.3 mi · 57 min

  9. 9

    Keep slight left

    11.7 mi · 13 min

  10. 10

    Keep slight right to continue on Voyageur Highway

    5.5 mi · 7 min · Voyageur Highway

  11. 11

    Keep slight left to continue on US 10 East, I 94 East, US 52 South: 10th Street, Wacouta Street

    2.5 mi · 3 min

  12. 12

    Take the exit slight right toward US 10 East, US 61 South

    20.2 mi · 27 min

  13. 13

    Turn left onto Red Wing Boulevard

    760 ft · 13 sec · Red Wing Boulevard

  14. 14

    Enter the roundabout and take exit 1 toward Red Wing Boulevard

    19 m · 1 sec · Red Wing Boulevard

  15. 15

    Exit the roundabout onto Red Wing Boulevard

    1930 ft · 32 sec · Red Wing Boulevard

  16. 16

    Enter the roundabout and take exit 2 toward Red Wing Boulevard

    22 m · 1 sec · Red Wing Boulevard

  17. 17

    Exit the roundabout onto Red Wing Boulevard

    2574 ft · 44 sec · Red Wing Boulevard

  18. 18

    Enter the roundabout and take exit 2 toward Red Wing Boulevard

    23 m · 1 sec · Red Wing Boulevard

  19. 19

    Exit the roundabout onto Red Wing Boulevard

    4.9 mi · 7 min · Red Wing Boulevard

  20. 20

    Continue on Polk Avenue

    1.8 mi · 3 min · Polk Avenue

  21. 21

    Continue on Highway 316 Boulevard

    2 mi · 3 min · Highway 316 Boulevard

  22. 22

    Enter the roundabout and take exit 3 toward Route 61

    75 m · 3 sec · Route 61

  23. 23

    Exit the roundabout onto Route 61

    5.6 mi · 7 min · Route 61

  24. 24

    Keep slight right to continue on Route 61

    6.1 mi · 9 min · Route 61

  25. 25

    Continue on Main Street

    1.7 mi · 4 min · Main Street

  26. 26

    Continue on Route 61/Route 63

    14.8 mi · 19 min · Route 61/Route 63

  27. 27

    Continue on North Lakeshore Drive

    1.6 mi · 3 min · North Lakeshore Drive

  28. 28

    Turn right onto West Chestnut Street

    55 m · 8 sec · West Chestnut Street

  29. 29

    Arrive at your destination

    0 m · 1 sec · West Chestnut Street

Car Route Details

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

OSRM road route
Drive Character

Interchange-aware route

The drive includes several ramps, exits, or merges, so checking the next few maneuvers before busy interchanges is useful.

Directions
29 steps
15 turns on the saved route
Ramps & Exits
11
1 merges, 10 ramps or exits
Navigation Density
21.1 / 100 mi
Decision points by distance
Main Roads
Roosevelt Road
68.2 mi · 50%
US 10 East
22.7 mi · 16%
Route 61/Route 63
14.8 mi · 11%
Route 61
11.8 mi · 9%
Red Wing Boulevard
5.97 mi · 4%
Voyageur Highway
5.51 mi · 4%
Longest Stretch

Roosevelt Road

Merge slight left

52.3 mi · 00h 57m

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 53m
Day trip friendly
Same-Day Return
05h 48m
Round-trip wheel time
Road vs Air
+17.4 mi
120.2 mi direct line
Halfway Stop
Little Canada
01h 26m from Saint Cloud
Leave By
12:42 PM CDT
Morning start is best
Weather Watch

Partly Sunny then Slight Chance Snow Showers leaving Saint Cloud and Chance Rain And Snow Showers near Lake City.

Trip Questions

Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.

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

The road trip is about 137.6 miles (221.4 km) and usually takes 02h 53m 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?

Little Canada is a useful midpoint, sitting about 68.7 miles from Saint Cloud and 68.9 miles from Lake City.

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

The direct path is about 120.2 miles (193.5 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 12:42 PM CDT.

How much will gas cost for this route?

Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $17.35 one way or $34.69 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 43.2 kg one way.

What should you check before leaving?

Before you leave, expect Partly Sunny then Slight Chance Snow Showers around Saint Cloud and Chance Rain And Snow Showers near Lake City.

Stop Ideas Near Little Canada

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

Mid-route Guidance
These suggestions come from reviewed places and nearby services around Little Canada and the surrounding midpoint area.
Minneapolis City Hall
Scenic stop 9.1 mi away

Minneapolis City Hall

Minneapolis , MN
350 S 5th St, Minneapolis, MN 55415
Rating 4.3/5 28 reviews City Hall,Tourist attraction
St. Louis Park City Hall
Meeting point 13.4 mi away

St. Louis Park City Hall

Saint Louis Park , MN
5005 Minnetonka Blvd, St Louis Park, MN 55416
Rating 2.9/5 21 reviews City government office
Mall of America®
Nearby stop 14.7 mi away

Mall of America®

Bloomington , MN
60 E Broadway, Bloomington, MN 55425, United States
Rating 4.6/5 44,911 reviews Shopping mall

Transit and Meeting Points

Useful pickup, handoff, or rendezvous points close to Little Canada.

RAIL

Saint Paul Union Depot

10 mi away
Midway Station
RAIL

Red Wing station

67 mi away
420 Levee Street
BUS

Menomonie, WI

93 mi away
302 10th Avenue East
RAIL

St. Cloud

102 mi away
555 East St. Germain Street

Flight Path Map

This map shows the direct air route between Saint Cloud and Lake City. Straight-line distance: 120.24 mi (193.5 km).

Photo coming soon

#1 Saint Cloud

City in Minnesota

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

#2 Lake City

City in Minnesota, USA

Population4,357
Coordinates44.4496800, -92.2682000
Altitude210
CountryUnited States
Start: Saint Cloud (-94.16249, 45.5608)
End: Lake City (-92.2682, 44.44968)

Estimated Travel Time

Distance: 221 km by road

SpeedTime
30 mph (48.3 km/h)04h 35m
40 mph (64.37 km/h)03h 26m
50 mph (80.47 km/h)02h 45m
60 mph (96.56 km/h)02h 17m
70 mph (112.65 km/h)01h 57m
80 mph (129 km/h)01h 42m

Fuel, Round Trip and CO2

Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.

One-way fuel
4.86 gal
18.38 L · about $17.35
Round trip
$34.69
9.72 gal · 36.76 L
Estimated CO2
43.2 kg one way
Round trip: 86.4 kg / 190 lb CO2, using regular gasoline.
Fuel$/galOne wayRound trip
Regular gas $3.57 $17.35 $34.69
Mid-grade $3.92 $19.06 $38.11
Premium $4.39 $21.35 $42.69
Diesel $4.86 $23.64 $47.28

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 19, 2026

There is no time difference between Saint Cloud and Lake City. The current time is 21:05:48.

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.