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

The driving distance from Saint Francis, MN to Saint Cloud, MN is about 52.2 miles (84 km), with a travel time of about 01h 08m by car.

  • The straight-line flight distance is about 40.7 miles (65.5 km).
  • For a round trip, plan for roughly 02h 16m 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
52.2 mi
01h 08m
Flight
40.72 mi
65.54 km direct

This route works well as a day trip with time at the destination.

Learn Distance

Choose another destination from Saint Francis.

Flight Distance

Direct air line
40.72 mi
Kilometers
65.54 km
Flight Time
00h 04m

Driving Distance

Road route
52.2 mi
Kilometers
84.01 km
Drive Time
01h 08m

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 08m.

Arrival Snapshot
Arrive in Saint Cloud
Wed, Apr 15, 12:30 PM CDT
Return by in Saint Francis
Wed, Apr 15, 1:38 PM CDT
Useful when you're deciding between a quick errand, a day trip, or a longer stop.
Leave Saint Francis
2026-04-15T11:22
Arrive Saint Cloud
Wed, Apr 15, 12:30 PM CDT
Route Timing
01h 08m
One way by road
Best Departure Window
8:00 AM to 10:00 AM CDT
Aim for a morning departure
Arrive between
9:08 AM to 11:08 AM CDT

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

Leave by
4:14 PM CDT
Keeps a same-day return open with about 03h 00m at the destination.
Back in Saint Francis
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
Big Lake
MN

City in Texas, USA

From Saint Francis
26.2 mi
00h 34m
To Saint Cloud
26 mi
00h 34m

Route Weather Snapshot

Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.

Origin
41°F
Overnight

Patchy Fog

Starts
Wed, Apr 15 5:00 AM CDT
Wind
0 mph
Destination
68°F
Today

Areas Of Fog then Mostly Sunny

Starts
Wed, Apr 15 8:00 AM CDT
Wind
0 to 5 mph SE

Driving Route Map

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

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

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

  1. 1

    Start on Bridge Street Northwest

    822 ft · 22 sec · Bridge Street Northwest

  2. 2

    Turn left onto Ambassador Boulevard Northwest

    844 ft · 19 sec · Ambassador Boulevard Northwest

  3. 3

    Turn right onto 229th Avenue Northwest

    1316 ft · 26 sec · 229th Avenue Northwest

  4. 4

    Turn left onto St Francis Boulevard

    2855 ft · 55 sec · St Francis Boulevard

  5. 5

    Continue on Saint Francis Boulevard

    2319 ft · 38 sec · Saint Francis Boulevard

  6. 6

    Turn right onto Norris Lake Road Northwest

    5 mi · 7 min · Norris Lake Road Northwest

  7. 7

    Continue on Nowthen Boulevard Northwest

    2 mi · 3 min · Nowthen Boulevard Northwest

  8. 8

    Turn right onto 201st Avenue Northwest

    1.2 mi · 2 min · 201st Avenue Northwest

  9. 9

    Continue on Baugh Street Northwest

    2.6 mi · 4 min · Baugh Street Northwest

  10. 10

    Turn right onto 181st Avenue Northwest

    1.3 mi · 2 min · 181st Avenue Northwest

  11. 11

    Enter the roundabout and take exit 1 toward 181st Avenue Northwest

    38 m · 3 sec · 181st Avenue Northwest

  12. 12

    Exit the roundabout onto 181st Avenue Northwest

    1.3 mi · 2 min · 181st Avenue Northwest

  13. 13

    Continue on Main Street Northwest

    3242 ft · 1 min · Main Street Northwest

  14. 14

    Turn right onto Voyageur Highway

    9 mi · 12 min · Voyageur Highway

  15. 15

    Continue on Jefferson Boulevard

    26.6 mi · 33 min · Jefferson Boulevard

  16. 16

    Turn left onto East Saint Germain Street

    1.2 km · 2 min · East Saint Germain Street

  17. 17

    Continue on Veterans Bridge

    809 ft · 23 sec · Veterans Bridge

  18. 18

    Continue on 1st Street North

    1165 ft · 29 sec · 1st Street North

  19. 19

    Continue on 2nd Street North

    120 m · 14 sec · 2nd Street North

  20. 20

    Turn left onto 8th Avenue North

    77 m · 16 sec · 8th Avenue North

  21. 21

    Turn left onto Courthouse Square

    2 m · 1 sec · Courthouse Square

  22. 22

    Arrive at your destination

    0 m · 1 sec · Courthouse Square

Car Route Details

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

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
12 turns on the saved route
Ramps & Exits
2
0 merges, 2 ramps or exits
Navigation Density
42.1 / 100 mi
Decision points by distance
Main Roads
Jefferson Boulevard
26.6 mi · 51%
Voyageur Highway
8.96 mi · 17%
Norris Lake Road Northwest
5.01 mi · 10%
Baugh Street Northwest
2.62 mi · 5%
181st Avenue Northwest
2.61 mi · 5%
Nowthen Boulevard Northwest
1.99 mi · 4%
Longest Stretch

Jefferson Boulevard

Continue on Jefferson Boulevard

26.6 mi · 00h 33m

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 08m
Day trip friendly
Same-Day Return
02h 16m
Round-trip wheel time
Road vs Air
+11.5 mi
40.7 mi direct line
Halfway Stop
Big Lake
00h 34m from Saint Francis
Leave By
4:14 PM CDT
Morning start is best
Weather Watch

Patchy Fog leaving Saint Francis and Areas Of Fog then Mostly Sunny near Saint Cloud.

Trip Questions

Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.

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

The road trip is about 52.2 miles (84 km) and usually takes 01h 08m 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?

Big Lake is a useful midpoint, sitting about 26.2 miles from Saint Francis and 26 miles from Saint Cloud.

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

The direct path is about 40.7 miles (65.5 km), while the road route adds roughly 11.5 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 4:14 PM CDT.

How much will gas cost for this route?

Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $6.57 one way or $13.13 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 16.4 kg one way.

What should you check before leaving?

Before you leave, expect Patchy Fog around Saint Francis and Areas Of Fog then Mostly Sunny near Saint Cloud.

Stop Ideas Near Big Lake

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

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

RAIL

St. Cloud

41 mi away
555 East St. Germain Street
RAIL

Saint Paul Union Depot

60 mi away
Midway Station

Flight Path Map

This map shows the direct air route between Saint Francis and Saint Cloud. Straight-line distance: 40.72 mi (65.54 km).

Saint Francis

#1 Saint Francis

City in Anoka and Isanti counties, Minnesota, United States

Population8,065
Coordinates45.3869100, -93.3594000
Altitude280
CountryUnited States
Photo coming soon

#2 Saint Cloud

City in Minnesota

Population68,510
Coordinates45.5608000, -94.1624900
Altitude314
CountryUnited States
Start: Bridge Street Northwest (-93.359393, 45.386986)
End: Courthouse Square (-94.162654, 45.560987)

Estimated Travel Time

Distance: 84 km by road

SpeedTime
30 mph (48.3 km/h)01h 44m
40 mph (64.37 km/h)01h 18m
50 mph (80.47 km/h)01h 02m
60 mph (96.56 km/h)00h 52m
70 mph (112.65 km/h)00h 44m
80 mph (129 km/h)00h 39m

Fuel, Round Trip and CO2

Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.

One-way fuel
1.84 gal
6.97 L · about $6.57
Round trip
$13.13
3.68 gal · 13.94 L
Estimated CO2
16.4 kg one way
Round trip: 32.7 kg / 72 lb CO2, using regular gasoline.
Fuel$/galOne wayRound trip
Regular gas $3.57 $6.57 $13.13
Mid-grade $3.92 $7.21 $14.43
Premium $4.39 $8.08 $16.16
Diesel $4.86 $8.95 $17.90

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 Francis and Saint Cloud. The current time is 11:22:20.

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.