How far is Saint Cloud, MN from Lester Prairie, MN?

The driving distance from Saint Cloud, MN to Lester Prairie, MN is about 59.8 miles (96.2 km), with a travel time of about 01h 27m by car.

  • The straight-line flight distance is about 47.2 miles (75.9 km).
  • For a round trip, plan for roughly 02h 55m 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
59.74 mi
01h 27m
Flight
47.14 mi
75.87 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
47.14 mi
Kilometers
75.87 km
Flight Time
00h 05m

Driving Distance

Road route
59.74 mi
Kilometers
96.15 km
Drive Time
01h 27m

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 27m.

Arrival Snapshot
Arrive in Lester Prairie
Wed, Apr 15, 10:02 AM CDT
Return by in Saint Cloud
Wed, Apr 15, 11:30 AM CDT
Useful when you're deciding between a quick errand, a day trip, or a longer stop.
Leave Saint Cloud
2026-04-15T08:35
Arrive Lester Prairie
Wed, Apr 15, 10:02 AM CDT
Route Timing
01h 27m
One way by road
Best Departure Window
8:00 AM to 10:00 AM CDT
Aim for a morning departure
Arrive between
9:28 AM to 11:28 AM CDT

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

Leave by
3:34 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

This departure sits inside the recommended comfort window for the route.

Halfway Point

A useful midpoint for breaks, coffee, or meeting in the middle.

Mid-route stop
Annandale
MN

City in Minnesota, United States

From Saint Cloud
29.9 mi
00h 43m
To Lester Prairie
29.9 mi
00h 43m

Route Weather Snapshot

Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.

Origin
68°F
Today

Areas Of Fog then Mostly Sunny

Starts
Wed, Apr 15 8:00 AM CDT
Wind
0 to 5 mph SE
Destination
61°F
Wednesday

Chance Rain Showers

Starts
Wed, Apr 15 6:00 AM CDT
Wind
10 mph NW

Driving Route Map

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

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between Saint Cloud and Lester Prairie.

  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

    18.2 mi · 23 min · MN-15 S

  7. 7

    Turn sharp left

    9.5 mi · 12 min

  8. 8

    Turn right onto Excelsior Avenue South

    2320 ft · 1 min · Excelsior Avenue South

  9. 9

    Continue on County Road 5 Northwest

    7.7 mi · 11 min · County Road 5 Northwest

  10. 10

    Continue on County Road 5 Southwest

    6 mi · 8 min · County Road 5 Southwest

  11. 11

    At the end of the road, turn left onto 60th Street Southwest

    1.8 mi · 2 min · 60th Street Southwest

  12. 12

    Continue on 6th Street

    2555 ft · 1 min · 6th Street

  13. 13

    Turn right onto 7th Avenue

    1.1 km · 2 min · 7th Avenue

  14. 14

    Continue on County Road 6 Southwest

    5.5 mi · 8 min · County Road 6 Southwest

  15. 15

    Continue on 6th Street North

    2 mi · 3 min · 6th Street North

  16. 16

    Continue on Babcock Avenue

    3 mi · 5 min · Babcock Avenue

  17. 17

    Enter the roundabout and take exit 2 toward Babcock Avenue

    40 m · 2 sec · Babcock Avenue

  18. 18

    Exit the roundabout onto Babcock Avenue

    1.7 mi · 3 min · Babcock Avenue

  19. 19

    Turn left onto 2nd Avenue South

    2315 ft · 1 min · 2nd Avenue South

  20. 20

    Turn left onto Juniper Street South

    552 ft · 27 sec · Juniper Street South

  21. 21

    Turn right onto 1st Avenue South

    27 m · 4 sec · 1st Avenue South

  22. 22

    Arrive at your destination

    0 m · 1 sec · 1st Avenue South

Car Route Details

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

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
22 steps
14 turns on the saved route
Ramps & Exits
2
0 merges, 2 ramps or exits
Navigation Density
36.9 / 100 mi
Decision points by distance
Main Roads
MN-15 S
18.2 mi · 30%
County Road 5 Northwest
7.67 mi · 13%
County Road 5 Southwest
5.99 mi · 10%
County Road 6 Southwest
5.51 mi · 9%
Babcock Avenue
4.68 mi · 8%
6th Street North
2 mi · 3%
Longest Stretch

MN-15 S

Turn left onto MN-15 S

18.2 mi · 00h 23m

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 27m
Day trip friendly
Same-Day Return
02h 56m
Round-trip wheel time
Road vs Air
+12.6 mi
47.2 mi direct line
Halfway Stop
Annandale
00h 43m from Saint Cloud
Leave By
3:34 PM CDT
Morning start is best
Weather Watch

Areas Of Fog then Mostly Sunny leaving Saint Cloud and Chance Rain Showers near Lester Prairie.

Trip Questions

Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.

How long does it take to drive from Saint Cloud to Lester Prairie?

The road trip is about 59.8 miles (96.2 km) and usually takes 01h 27m 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?

Annandale is a useful midpoint, sitting about 29.9 miles from Saint Cloud and 29.9 miles from Lester Prairie.

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

The direct path is about 47.2 miles (75.9 km), while the road route adds roughly 12.6 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 8:00 AM to 10:00 AM CDT. If you want a more comfortable same-day return, try to leave by 3:34 PM CDT.

How much will gas cost for this route?

Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $7.53 one way or $15.06 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 18.8 kg one way.

What should you check before leaving?

Before you leave, expect Areas Of Fog then Mostly Sunny around Saint Cloud and Chance Rain Showers near Lester Prairie.

Stop Ideas Near Annandale

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

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

RAIL

St. Cloud

34 mi away
555 East St. Germain Street
RAIL

Saint Paul Union Depot

81 mi away
Midway Station

Flight Path Map

This map shows the direct air route between Saint Cloud and Lester Prairie. Straight-line distance: 47.14 mi (75.87 km).

Photo coming soon

#1 Saint Cloud

City in Minnesota

Population68,510
Coordinates45.5608000, -94.1624900
Altitude314
CountryUnited States
Lester Prairie

#2 Lester Prairie

City in McLeod County, Minnesota, United States of America

Population1,724
Coordinates44.8838500, -94.0416400
Altitude299
CountryUnited States
Start: Saint Cloud (-94.16249, 45.5608)
End: Lester Prairie (-94.04164, 44.88385)

Estimated Travel Time

Distance: 96 km by road

SpeedTime
30 mph (48.3 km/h)01h 59m
40 mph (64.37 km/h)01h 29m
50 mph (80.47 km/h)01h 11m
60 mph (96.56 km/h)00h 59m
70 mph (112.65 km/h)00h 51m
80 mph (129 km/h)00h 44m

Fuel, Round Trip and CO2

Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.

One-way fuel
2.11 gal
7.98 L · about $7.53
Round trip
$15.06
4.22 gal · 15.96 L
Estimated CO2
18.8 kg one way
Round trip: 37.5 kg / 83 lb CO2, using regular gasoline.
Fuel$/galOne wayRound trip
Regular gas $3.57 $7.53 $15.06
Mid-grade $3.92 $8.27 $16.55
Premium $4.39 $9.27 $18.53
Diesel $4.86 $10.26 $20.53

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 15, 2026

There is no time difference between Saint Cloud and Lester Prairie. The current time is 08:35:16.

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.