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

The driving distance from Saint Cloud, MN to Paynesville, MN is about 34.2 miles (55.1 km), with a travel time of about 00h 45m by car.

  • The straight-line flight distance is about 29.4 miles (47.3 km).
  • For a round trip, plan for roughly 01h 31m 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
34.23 mi
00h 45m
Flight
29.39 mi
47.3 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
29.39 mi
Kilometers
47.3 km
Flight Time
00h 03m

Driving Distance

Road route
34.23 mi
Kilometers
55.08 km
Drive Time
00h 45m

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 00h 45m.

Arrival Snapshot
Arrive in Paynesville
Sun, Apr 12, 5:53 PM CDT
Return by in Saint Cloud
Sun, Apr 12, 6:39 PM CDT
Useful when you're deciding between a quick errand, a day trip, or a longer stop.
Leave Saint Cloud
2026-04-12T17:07
Arrive Paynesville
Sun, Apr 12, 5:53 PM CDT
Route Timing
00h 45m
One way by road
Best Departure Window
8:00 AM to 10:00 AM CDT
Aim for a morning departure
Arrive between
8:46 AM to 10:46 AM CDT

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

Leave by
4:58 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
Cold Spring
MN

City in Minnesota, United States

From Saint Cloud
17.1 mi
00h 22m
To Paynesville
17.1 mi
00h 22m

Route Weather Snapshot

Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.

Origin
80°F
Sunday

Rain Showers Likely

Starts
Sun, Apr 12 6:00 AM CDT
Wind
10 to 15 mph SSW
Destination
77°F
Sunday

Showers And Thunderstorms Likely

Starts
Sun, Apr 12 1:00 AM CDT
Wind
10 to 15 mph SW

Driving Route Map

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

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

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

  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

    9.2 mi · 11 min

  14. 14

    Turn left onto Lake Avenue North

    2711 ft · 1 min · Lake Avenue North

  15. 15

    Turn slight left onto Washburne Avenue

    1026 ft · 37 sec · Washburne Avenue

  16. 16

    Turn left onto Business 23

    159 m · 11 sec · Business 23

  17. 17

    Turn right onto Lake Avenue South

    2 m · 1 sec · Lake Avenue South

  18. 18

    Arrive at your destination

    0 m · 1 sec · Lake Avenue South

Car Route Details

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

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
18 steps
12 turns on the saved route
Ramps & Exits
0
0 merges, 0 ramps or exits
Navigation Density
52.6 / 100 mi
Decision points by distance
Main Roads
2nd Street South
18 mi · 53%
MN 23
10.3 mi · 30%
3rd Street North
1.59 mi · 5%
Division Street
1.18 mi · 3%
4th Street Southwest
0.88 mi · 3%
2nd Street North
0.52 mi · 2%
Longest Stretch

2nd Street South

Turn right onto 2nd Street South

18 mi · 00h 22m

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
00h 45m
Day trip friendly
Same-Day Return
01h 32m
Round-trip wheel time
Road vs Air
+4.8 mi
29.4 mi direct line
Halfway Stop
Cold Spring
00h 22m from Saint Cloud
Leave By
4:58 PM CDT
Morning start is best
Weather Watch

Rain Showers Likely leaving Saint Cloud and Showers And Thunderstorms Likely near Paynesville.

Trip Questions

Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.

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

The road trip is about 34.2 miles (55.1 km) and usually takes 00h 45m 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?

Cold Spring is a useful midpoint, sitting about 17.1 miles from Saint Cloud and 17.1 miles from Paynesville.

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

The direct path is about 29.4 miles (47.3 km), while the road route adds roughly 4.8 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 4:58 PM CDT.

How much will gas cost for this route?

Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $4.32 one way or $8.64 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 10.8 kg one way.

What should you check before leaving?

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

Stop Ideas Near Cold Spring

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

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

RAIL

St. Cloud

25 mi away
555 East St. Germain Street
RAIL

Staples

104 mi away
First & Fourth Aves
RAIL

Saint Paul Union Depot

112 mi away
Midway Station

Flight Path Map

This map shows the direct air route between Saint Cloud and Paynesville. Straight-line distance: 29.39 mi (47.3 km).

Photo coming soon

#1 Saint Cloud

City in Minnesota

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

#2 Paynesville

City in Stearns County, Minnesota, United States

Population1,527
Coordinates45.3805200, -94.7119500
Altitude357
CountryUnited States
Start: Saint Cloud (-94.16249, 45.5608)
End: Paynesville (-94.71195, 45.38052)

Estimated Travel Time

Distance: 55 km by road

SpeedTime
30 mph (48.3 km/h)01h 08m
40 mph (64.37 km/h)00h 51m
50 mph (80.47 km/h)00h 41m
60 mph (96.56 km/h)00h 34m
70 mph (112.65 km/h)00h 29m
80 mph (129 km/h)00h 25m

Fuel, Round Trip and CO2

Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.

One-way fuel
1.21 gal
4.57 L · about $4.32
Round trip
$8.64
2.42 gal · 9.14 L
Estimated CO2
10.8 kg one way
Round trip: 21.5 kg / 47 lb CO2, using regular gasoline.
Fuel$/galOne wayRound trip
Regular gas $3.57 $4.32 $8.64
Mid-grade $3.92 $4.74 $9.49
Premium $4.39 $5.31 $10.63
Diesel $4.86 $5.89 $11.77

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 12, 2026

There is no time difference between Saint Cloud and Paynesville. The current time is 17:07:54.

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.