How far is Sauk Centre, MN from Cold Spring, MN?

The driving distance from Sauk Centre, MN to Cold Spring, MN is about 48.2 miles (77.6 km), with a travel time of about 00h 55m by car.

  • The straight-line flight distance is about 31.9 miles (51.4 km).
  • For a round trip, plan for roughly 01h 50m 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
48.21 mi
00h 55m
Flight
31.93 mi
51.39 km direct

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

Learn Distance

Choose another destination from Sauk Centre.

Flight Distance

Direct air line
31.93 mi
Kilometers
51.39 km
Flight Time
00h 03m

Driving Distance

Road route
48.21 mi
Kilometers
77.59 km
Drive Time
00h 55m

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 55m.

Arrival Snapshot
Arrive in Cold Spring
Fri, Apr 17, 11:06 AM CDT
Return by in Sauk Centre
Fri, Apr 17, 12:01 PM CDT
Useful when you're deciding between a quick errand, a day trip, or a longer stop.
Leave Sauk Centre
2026-04-17T10:10
Arrive Cold Spring
Fri, Apr 17, 11:06 AM CDT
Route Timing
00h 55m
One way by road
Best Departure Window
8:00 AM to 10:00 AM CDT
Aim for a morning departure
Arrive between
8:55 AM to 10:55 AM CDT

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

Leave by
4:40 PM CDT
Keeps a same-day return open with about 03h 00m at the destination.
Back in Sauk Centre
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
Albany
MN

City in Stearns County, Minnesota, United States

From Sauk Centre
24 mi
00h 27m
To Cold Spring
24.2 mi
00h 27m

Route Weather Snapshot

Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.

Origin
59°F
Friday

Chance Rain Showers

Starts
Fri, Apr 17 6:00 AM CDT
Wind
10 to 20 mph W
Destination
63°F
Friday

Showers And Thunderstorms Likely

Starts
Fri, Apr 17 6:00 AM CDT
Wind
10 to 15 mph WSW

Driving Route Map

The map below follows the saved road route between Sauk Centre and Cold Spring.

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between Sauk Centre and Cold Spring.

  1. 1

    Start on Sinclair Lewis Avenue

    45 m · 6 sec · Sinclair Lewis Avenue

  2. 2

    Turn right onto Main Street South

    1.1 mi · 2 min · Main Street South

  3. 3

    Continue on Main St S

    160 m · 17 sec · Main St S

  4. 4

    Take the ramp left toward I 94 East: St. Cloud

    1642 ft · 40 sec

  5. 5

    Merge slight left

    36.6 mi · 39 min

  6. 6

    Take the exit slight right toward MN 23 West: Rockville

    2095 ft · 53 sec

  7. 7

    Merge slight left

    9 mi · 11 min

  8. 8

    Turn right onto Main Street East

    2880 ft · 1 min · Main Street East

  9. 9

    Arrive at your destination

    0 m · 1 sec · Main Street

Car Route Details

A richer read on the saved driving route between Sauk Centre and Cold Spring.

OSRM road route
Drive Character

Highway-focused drive

Most of the mileage stays on named highways, so the important moments are ramps, exits, merges, and the final local approach.

Directions
9 steps
2 turns on the saved route
Ramps & Exits
4
2 merges, 2 ramps or exits
Navigation Density
18.7 / 100 mi
Decision points by distance
Main Roads
I 94 East
37 mi · 77%
MN 23 West
9.44 mi · 20%
Main Street South
1.14 mi · 2%
Main Street East
0.55 mi · 1%
Main St S
0.1 mi
Sinclair Lewis Avenue
0.03 mi
Longest Stretch

I 94 East

Merge slight left

36.6 mi · 00h 39m

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 55m
Day trip friendly
Same-Day Return
01h 50m
Round-trip wheel time
Road vs Air
+16.3 mi
31.9 mi direct line
Halfway Stop
Albany
00h 27m from Sauk Centre
Leave By
4:40 PM CDT
Morning start is best
Weather Watch

Chance Rain Showers leaving Sauk Centre and Showers And Thunderstorms Likely near Cold Spring.

Trip Questions

Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.

How long does it take to drive from Sauk Centre to Cold Spring?

The road trip is about 48.2 miles (77.6 km) and usually takes 00h 55m 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?

Albany is a useful midpoint, sitting about 24 miles from Sauk Centre and 24.2 miles from Cold Spring.

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

The direct path is about 31.9 miles (51.4 km), while the road route adds roughly 16.3 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 4:40 PM CDT.

How much will gas cost for this route?

Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $6.07 one way or $12.13 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 15.1 kg one way.

What should you check before leaving?

Before you leave, expect Chance Rain Showers around Sauk Centre and Showers And Thunderstorms Likely near Cold Spring.

Stop Ideas Near Albany

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

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

RAIL

St. Cloud

34 mi away
555 East St. Germain Street
RAIL

Staples

82 mi away
First & Fourth Aves

Flight Path Map

This map shows the direct air route between Sauk Centre and Cold Spring. Straight-line distance: 31.93 mi (51.39 km).

Sauk Centre

#1 Sauk Centre

City in Stearns County, Minnesota, USA

Population1,172
Coordinates45.7374700, -94.9525200
Altitude381
CountryUnited States
Cold Spring

#2 Cold Spring

City in Minnesota, United States

Population4,350
Coordinates45.4558000, -94.4288800
Altitude335
CountryUnited States
Start: Sauk Centre (-94.95252, 45.73747)
End: Cold Spring (-94.42888, 45.4558)

Estimated Travel Time

Distance: 78 km by road

SpeedTime
30 mph (48.3 km/h)01h 36m
40 mph (64.37 km/h)01h 12m
50 mph (80.47 km/h)00h 57m
60 mph (96.56 km/h)00h 48m
70 mph (112.65 km/h)00h 41m
80 mph (129 km/h)00h 36m

Fuel, Round Trip and CO2

Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.

One-way fuel
1.7 gal
6.44 L · about $6.07
Round trip
$12.13
3.4 gal · 12.88 L
Estimated CO2
15.1 kg one way
Round trip: 30.2 kg / 67 lb CO2, using regular gasoline.
Fuel$/galOne wayRound trip
Regular gas $3.57 $6.07 $12.13
Mid-grade $3.92 $6.67 $13.33
Premium $4.39 $7.47 $14.93
Diesel $4.86 $8.27 $16.54

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 17, 2026

There is no time difference between Sauk Centre and Cold Spring. The current time is 10:10:49.

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.