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

The driving distance from Saint Cloud, MN to Lakefield, MN is about 169.8 miles (273.3 km), with a travel time of about 03h 40m by car.

  • The straight-line flight distance is about 139.2 miles (224.1 km).
  • For a round trip, plan for roughly 07h 21m of driving time before adding stops, traffic, or weather delays.
  • A comfortable departure window is usually 6:00 AM to 8:00 AM CDT.
Trip Tools

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.

Reverse Route
Quick Snapshot
Road
169.83 mi
03h 40m
Flight
139.27 mi
224.13 km direct

This drive is better planned with a longer stop or an overnight stay.

Learn Distance

Choose another destination from Saint Cloud.

Flight Distance

Direct air line
139.27 mi
Kilometers
224.13 km
Flight Time
00h 16m

Driving Distance

Road route
169.83 mi
Kilometers
273.31 km
Drive Time
03h 40m

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 03h 40m.

Arrival Snapshot
Arrive in Lakefield
Thu, Apr 23, 8:18 AM CDT
Return by in Saint Cloud
Thu, Apr 23, 11:58 AM CDT
Useful when you're deciding between a quick errand, a day trip, or a longer stop.
Leave Saint Cloud
2026-04-23T04:37
Arrive Lakefield
Thu, Apr 23, 8:18 AM CDT
Route Timing
03h 40m
One way by road
Best Departure Window
6:00 AM to 8:00 AM CDT
Leave early for more breathing room
Arrive between
9:41 AM to 11:41 AM CDT

An early departure helps you fit a real stop into the day without turning the return into a late-night drive.

Leave by
9:38 AM CDT
Keeps a same-day return open with about 04h 00m at the destination.
Back in Saint Cloud
9:00 PM CDT
Early departure recommended

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
Lafayette
MN

Human settlement in Nicollet County, Minnesota, United States of America

From Saint Cloud
84.9 mi
01h 50m
To Lakefield
84.9 mi
01h 50m

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
77°F
Thursday

Showers And Thunderstorms Likely

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

Driving Route Map

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

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

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

  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

    47.4 mi · 1 hr 1 min · MN-15 S

  7. 7

    Continue on Main Street North

    1669 ft · 34 sec · Main Street North

  8. 8

    Enter the roundabout and take exit 2 toward Main Street North

    31 m · 1 sec · Main Street North

  9. 9

    Exit the roundabout onto Main Street North

    1.7 mi · 4 min · Main Street North

  10. 10

    Continue on State Highway 15

    1.5 mi · 3 min · State Highway 15

  11. 11

    Enter the roundabout and take exit 2 toward State Highway 15

    35 m · 5 sec · State Highway 15

  12. 12

    Exit the roundabout onto State Highway 15

    38.2 mi · 48 min · State Highway 15

  13. 13

    Take the exit slight right toward US 14 South, CSAH 21

    1677 ft · 46 sec

  14. 14

    Enter the roundabout and take exit 3 toward US Highway 14

    115 m · 6 sec · US Highway 14

  15. 15

    Exit the roundabout onto US Highway 14

    18 m · 1 sec · US Highway 14

  16. 16

    Enter the roundabout and take exit 1 toward US Highway 14

    64 m · 3 sec · US Highway 14

  17. 17

    Exit the roundabout onto US Highway 14

    1.6 mi · 2 min · US Highway 14

  18. 18

    Take the exit slight right toward CR 37

    1491 ft · 41 sec

  19. 19

    Continue on County Road 37

    945 ft · 18 sec · County Road 37

  20. 20

    Continue on Highway 37

    2039 ft · 39 sec · Highway 37

  21. 21

    Continue on 20th South Street

    2511 ft · 1 min · 20th South Street

  22. 22

    Turn left onto South Broadway

    17.4 mi · 22 min · South Broadway

  23. 23

    Take the exit right toward MN 60 West, MN 15: St. James, Fairmont

    1417 ft · 35 sec

  24. 24

    Merge slight left onto State Highway 60

    42.2 mi · 50 min · State Highway 60

  25. 25

    Continue on 2nd Avenue North

    2369 ft · 1 min · 2nd Avenue North

  26. 26

    Continue on State Highway 60

    1564 ft · 35 sec · State Highway 60

  27. 27

    Continue on MN 60 W

    3.8 mi · 5 min · MN 60 W

  28. 28

    Turn left onto 450th Ave; State Highway 86

    9.8 mi · 12 min · 450th Ave; State Highway 86

  29. 29

    Continue on North Highway 86

    1.3 km · 2 min · North Highway 86

  30. 30

    Turn left onto 2nd Avenue North

    784 ft · 22 sec · 2nd Avenue North

  31. 31

    Arrive at your destination

    0 m · 1 sec · 2nd Avenue North

Car Route Details

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

OSRM road route
Drive Character

Highway-focused drive

Most of the mileage stays on named highways, so the important moments are ramps, exits, merges, and the final local approach.

Directions
31 steps
16 turns on the saved route
Ramps & Exits
12
1 merges, 11 ramps or exits
Navigation Density
18.3 / 100 mi
Decision points by distance
Main Roads
MN-15 S
47.4 mi · 28%
State Highway 60
42.5 mi · 25%
State Highway 15
39.7 mi · 23%
South Broadway
17.4 mi · 10%
450th Ave
4.91 mi · 3%
State Highway 86
4.91 mi · 3%
Longest Stretch

MN-15 S

Turn left onto MN-15 S

47.4 mi · 01h 01m

Route Summary

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

Trip Read

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.

Drive Time
03h 40m
Long day trip
Same-Day Return
07h 22m
Round-trip wheel time
Road vs Air
+30.6 mi
139.2 mi direct line
Halfway Stop
Lafayette
01h 50m from Saint Cloud
Leave By
9:38 AM CDT
Early departure recommended
Weather Watch

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

Trip Questions

Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.

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

The road trip is about 169.8 miles (273.3 km) and usually takes 03h 40m 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?

Lafayette is a useful midpoint, sitting about 84.9 miles from Saint Cloud and 84.9 miles from Lakefield.

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

The direct path is about 139.2 miles (224.1 km), while the road route adds roughly 30.6 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 6:00 AM to 8:00 AM CDT. If you want a more comfortable same-day return, try to leave by 9:38 AM CDT.

How much will gas cost for this route?

Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $21.38 one way or $42.76 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 53.2 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 Lakefield.

Stop Ideas Near Lafayette

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

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

RAIL

Saint Paul Union Depot

111 mi away
Midway Station

Flight Path Map

This map shows the direct air route between Saint Cloud and Lakefield. Straight-line distance: 139.27 mi (224.13 km).

Photo coming soon

#1 Saint Cloud

City in Minnesota

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

#2 Lakefield

City in Jackson County, Minnesota, United States

Population1,602
Coordinates43.6774600, -95.1716600
Altitude452
CountryUnited States
Start: Saint Cloud (-94.16249, 45.5608)
End: Lakefield (-95.17166, 43.67746)

Estimated Travel Time

Distance: 273 km by road

SpeedTime
30 mph (48.3 km/h)05h 39m
40 mph (64.37 km/h)04h 14m
50 mph (80.47 km/h)03h 23m
60 mph (96.56 km/h)02h 49m
70 mph (112.65 km/h)02h 25m
80 mph (129 km/h)02h 07m

Fuel, Round Trip and CO2

Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.

One-way fuel
5.99 gal
22.68 L · about $21.38
Round trip
$42.76
11.98 gal · 45.36 L
Estimated CO2
53.2 kg one way
Round trip: 106.5 kg / 235 lb CO2, using regular gasoline.
Fuel$/galOne wayRound trip
Regular gas $3.57 $21.38 $42.76
Mid-grade $3.92 $23.49 $46.97
Premium $4.39 $26.31 $52.62
Diesel $4.86 $29.14 $58.27

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 Lakefield. The current time is 04:37:23.

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.