How far is Saint Cloud, MN from Thief River Falls, MN?
The driving distance from Saint Cloud, MN to Thief River Falls, MN is about 230.7 miles (371.3 km), with a travel time of about 04h 26m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 200.8 miles (323.2 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 08h 53m of driving time before adding stops, traffic, or weather delays.
- A comfortable departure window is usually 6:00 AM to 8:00 AM CDT.
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.
This drive is better planned with a longer stop or an overnight stay.
Flight Distance
Driving Distance
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 04h 26m.
An early departure helps you fit a real stop into the day without turning the return into a late-night drive.
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.
City in Otter Tail County, Minnesota, United States of America
Route Weather Snapshot
Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.
Sunny
Mostly Sunny
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Saint Cloud and Thief River Falls.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Saint Cloud and Thief River Falls.
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1
Start on Courthouse Square
2 m · 2 sec · Courthouse Square
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2
Turn right onto 8th Avenue North
77 m · 14 sec · 8th Avenue North
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3
Turn right onto 2nd Street North
120 m · 10 sec · 2nd Street North
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4
Continue on 1st Street North
1165 ft · 27 sec · 1st Street North
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5
Continue on Veterans Bridge
809 ft · 23 sec · Veterans Bridge
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6
Continue on East Saint Germain Street
1.2 km · 2 min · East Saint Germain Street
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7
Turn left
32.6 mi · 38 min
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8
Keep slight left
38 mi · 43 min
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9
Turn straight
8.5 mi · 10 min
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10
Continue straight
10.9 mi · 12 min
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11
Turn slight right
20 m · 2 sec
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12
Enter the roundabout and take exit 2 toward the route
30 m · 2 sec
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13
Exit the roundabout
29 m · 1 sec
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14
Turn straight
44.9 mi · 52 min
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15
Turn right
85 mi · 1 hr 37 min
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16
Turn left
147 m · 6 sec
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17
Merge slight left
9.4 mi · 12 min
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18
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · 3rd Street East
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Saint Cloud and Thief River Falls.
Straightforward drive
The saved road route has a manageable number of maneuvers and should be easy to follow with normal attention to signs.
Longest stretch
Turn right
85 mi · 01h 37m
Route Summary
A quick read on whether this route feels easy, ambitious, or worth planning around.
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.
Sunny leaving Saint Cloud and Mostly Sunny near Thief River Falls.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Saint Cloud to Thief River Falls?
The road trip is about 230.7 miles (371.3 km) and usually takes 04h 26m 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?
Perham is a useful midpoint, sitting about 115.3 miles from Saint Cloud and 115.5 miles from Thief River Falls.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 200.8 miles (323.2 km), while the road route adds roughly 29.9 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 8:06 AM CDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $29.05 one way or $58.10 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 72.3 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Sunny around Saint Cloud and Mostly Sunny near Thief River Falls.
Stop Ideas Near Perham
Useful break, food, and waypoint ideas within about 15 miles of the route midpoint.
Transit and Meeting Points
Useful pickup, handoff, or rendezvous points close to Perham.
Detroit Lakes
Staples
Fargo
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Saint Cloud and Thief River Falls. Straight-line distance: 200.85 mi (323.24 km).
#1 Saint Cloud
City in Minnesota
| Population | 68,510 |
| Coordinates | 45.5608000, -94.1624900 |
| Altitude | 314 |
| Country | United States |
#2 Thief River Falls
City in Pennington County, Minnesota, USA
| Population | 8,688 |
| Coordinates | 48.1191400, -96.1811500 |
| Altitude | 345 |
| Country | United States |
End: Thief River Falls (-96.18115, 48.11914)
Estimated Travel Time
Distance: 371 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 07h 41m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 05h 46m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 04h 36m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 03h 50m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 03h 17m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 02h 52m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $3.57 | $29.05 | $58.10 |
| Mid-grade | $3.92 | $31.92 | $63.83 |
| Premium | $4.39 | $35.75 | $71.50 |
| Diesel | $4.86 | $39.59 | $79.19 |
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 16, 2026
Distance to Other Cities
Planning a road trip? See the full trip guide on Trip.ovh — stops, fuel costs, weather, and departure timing.