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

The driving distance from Saint Cloud, MN to Rochester, MN is about 155.9 miles (250.9 km), with a travel time of about 03h 09m by car.

  • The straight-line flight distance is about 134.9 miles (217.1 km).
  • For a round trip, plan for roughly 06h 19m 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
155.88 mi
03h 09m
Flight
134.89 mi
217.09 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
134.89 mi
Kilometers
217.09 km
Flight Time
00h 16m

Driving Distance

Road route
155.88 mi
Kilometers
250.87 km
Drive Time
03h 09m

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 09m.

Arrival Snapshot
Arrive in Rochester
Wed, Apr 15, 4:52 AM CDT
Return by in Saint Cloud
Wed, Apr 15, 8:02 AM CDT
Useful when you're deciding between a quick errand, a day trip, or a longer stop.
Leave Saint Cloud
2026-04-15T01:42
Arrive Rochester
Wed, Apr 15, 4:52 AM CDT
Route Timing
03h 09m
One way by road
Best Departure Window
6:00 AM to 8:00 AM CDT
Leave early for more breathing room
Arrive between
9:10 AM to 11:10 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
10:40 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
West Saint Paul
MN

City in Dakota County, Minnesota, United States

From Saint Cloud
77.9 mi
01h 34m
To Rochester
78 mi
01h 34m

Route Weather Snapshot

Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.

Origin
64°F
Wednesday

Chance Rain Showers

Starts
Wed, Apr 15 6:00 AM CDT
Wind
5 to 10 mph W
Destination
64°F
Wednesday

Chance Rain Showers

Starts
Wed, Apr 15 1:00 AM CDT
Wind
12 mph W

Driving Route Map

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

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

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

  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

    2918 ft · 37 sec

  12. 12

    Take the exit slight right toward US 52

    1604 ft · 39 sec

  13. 13

    Merge slight left onto Lafayette Freeway

    13.3 mi · 17 min · Lafayette Freeway

  14. 14

    Keep slight right to continue on Rochester

    21 mi · 24 min

  15. 15

    Take the exit slight right toward CR 24: Cannon Falls

    1601 ft · 39 sec

  16. 16

    Enter the roundabout and take exit 1 toward County 24 Boulevard

    8 m · 1 sec · County 24 Boulevard

  17. 17

    Exit the roundabout onto County 24 Boulevard

    681 ft · 19 sec · County 24 Boulevard

  18. 18

    Enter the roundabout and take exit 3 toward County 14 Boulevard

    67 m · 6 sec · County 14 Boulevard

  19. 19

    Exit the roundabout onto County 14 Boulevard

    5.8 mi · 9 min · County 14 Boulevard

  20. 20

    Turn left onto County 9 Boulevard

    4.1 mi · 6 min · County 9 Boulevard

  21. 21

    Take the ramp left toward US 52 South

    1133 ft · 42 sec

  22. 22

    Merge slight left

    16.9 mi · 19 min

  23. 23

    Continue straight

    16.9 mi · 20 min

  24. 24

    Take the exit slight right toward 2nd Street SW

    1192 ft · 31 sec

  25. 25

    Turn left onto 2nd Street Southwest

    1.4 km · 2 min · 2nd Street Southwest

  26. 26

    Turn right

    57 m · 5 sec

  27. 27

    Turn straight onto 6th Avenue Southwest

    75 m · 12 sec · 6th Avenue Southwest

  28. 28

    Turn left onto 3rd Street Southwest

    132 m · 18 sec · 3rd Street Southwest

  29. 29

    Turn left onto 5th Avenue Southwest

    123 m · 14 sec · 5th Avenue Southwest

  30. 30

    Arrive at your destination

    0 m · 1 sec · 5th Avenue Southwest

Car Route Details

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

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
30 steps
15 turns on the saved route
Ramps & Exits
12
3 merges, 9 ramps or exits
Navigation Density
19.2 / 100 mi
Decision points by distance
Main Roads
Roosevelt Road
68.2 mi · 44%
Lafayette Freeway
34.3 mi · 22%
US 52 South
34 mi · 22%
County 14 Boulevard
5.84 mi · 4%
Voyageur Highway
5.51 mi · 4%
County 9 Boulevard
4.07 mi · 3%
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 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 09m
Long day trip
Same-Day Return
06h 20m
Round-trip wheel time
Road vs Air
+21 mi
134.9 mi direct line
Halfway Stop
West Saint Paul
01h 34m from Saint Cloud
Leave By
10:40 AM CDT
Early departure recommended
Weather Watch

Chance Rain Showers leaving Saint Cloud and Chance Rain Showers near Rochester.

Trip Questions

Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.

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

The road trip is about 155.9 miles (250.9 km) and usually takes 03h 09m 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?

West Saint Paul is a useful midpoint, sitting about 77.9 miles from Saint Cloud and 78 miles from Rochester.

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

The direct path is about 134.9 miles (217.1 km), while the road route adds roughly 21 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 10:40 AM CDT.

How much will gas cost for this route?

Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $19.63 one way or $39.26 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 48.9 kg one way.

What should you check before leaving?

Before you leave, expect Chance Rain Showers around Saint Cloud and Chance Rain Showers near Rochester.

Stop Ideas Near West Saint Paul

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 West Saint Paul and the surrounding midpoint area.
Minneapolis City Hall
Scenic stop 10.4 mi away

Minneapolis City Hall

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

City of Bloomington

Bloomington , MN
1800 W Old Shakopee Rd, Bloomington, MN 55431
Rating 3.6/5 25 reviews City Hall,City government office
Mall of America®
Nearby stop 9.8 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 West Saint Paul.

RAIL

Saint Paul Union Depot

8 mi away
Midway Station
RAIL

Red Wing station

59 mi away
420 Levee Street
BUS

Menomonie, WI

93 mi away
302 10th Avenue East
RAIL

St. Cloud

109 mi away
555 East St. Germain Street

Flight Path Map

This map shows the direct air route between Saint Cloud and Rochester. Straight-line distance: 134.89 mi (217.09 km).

Photo coming soon

#1 Saint Cloud

City in Minnesota

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

#2 Rochester

City in Minnesota, United States of America

Population1,909
Coordinates44.0216300, -92.4699000
Altitude312
CountryUnited States
Start: Saint Cloud (-94.16249, 45.5608)
End: Rochester (-92.4699, 44.02163)

Estimated Travel Time

Distance: 251 km by road

SpeedTime
30 mph (48.3 km/h)05h 11m
40 mph (64.37 km/h)03h 53m
50 mph (80.47 km/h)03h 07m
60 mph (96.56 km/h)02h 35m
70 mph (112.65 km/h)02h 13m
80 mph (129 km/h)01h 56m

Fuel, Round Trip and CO2

Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.

One-way fuel
5.5 gal
20.82 L · about $19.63
Round trip
$39.26
11 gal · 41.64 L
Estimated CO2
48.9 kg one way
Round trip: 97.8 kg / 216 lb CO2, using regular gasoline.
Fuel$/galOne wayRound trip
Regular gas $3.57 $19.63 $39.26
Mid-grade $3.92 $21.57 $43.13
Premium $4.39 $24.16 $48.31
Diesel $4.86 $26.75 $53.50

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 Rochester. The current time is 01:42:50.

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.