How far is Sauk Centre, MN from Minneapolis, MN?

The driving distance from Sauk Centre, MN to Minneapolis, MN is about 106.6 miles (171.6 km), with a travel time of about 01h 42m by car.

  • The straight-line flight distance is about 97.2 miles (156.5 km).
  • For a round trip, plan for roughly 03h 24m 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
106.63 mi
01h 42m
Flight
97.26 mi
156.53 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
97.26 mi
Kilometers
156.53 km
Flight Time
00h 11m

Driving Distance

Road route
106.63 mi
Kilometers
171.6 km
Drive Time
01h 42m

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 42m.

Arrival Snapshot
Arrive in Minneapolis
Thu, Apr 23, 3:57 AM CDT
Return by in Sauk Centre
Thu, Apr 23, 5:40 AM CDT
Useful when you're deciding between a quick errand, a day trip, or a longer stop.
Leave Sauk Centre
2026-04-23T02:15
Arrive Minneapolis
Thu, Apr 23, 3:57 AM CDT
Route Timing
01h 42m
One way by road
Best Departure Window
8:00 AM to 10:00 AM CDT
Aim for a morning departure
Arrive between
9:42 AM to 11:42 AM CDT

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

Leave by
3:06 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
Clearwater
MN

City in Minnesota, United States

From Sauk Centre
53.3 mi
00h 51m
To Minneapolis
53.4 mi
00h 51m

Route Weather Snapshot

Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.

Origin
77°F
Thursday

Rain Showers Likely

Starts
Thu, Apr 23 6:00 AM CDT
Wind
15 to 25 mph S
Destination
77°F
Thursday

Showers And Thunderstorms Likely

Starts
Thu, Apr 23 6:00 AM CDT
Wind
15 to 20 mph S

Driving Route Map

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

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between Sauk Centre and Minneapolis.

  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

    96.4 mi · 1 hr 45 min

  6. 6

    Keep slight right

    6.1 mi · 8 min

  7. 7

    Keep slight right

    2056 ft · 25 sec

  8. 8

    Keep slight left to continue on 4th Street North

    1.6 km · 2 min

  9. 9

    Keep slight right to continue on 2nd Avenue North

    1328 ft · 40 sec

  10. 10

    Turn left onto 2nd Avenue North

    861 ft · 36 sec · 2nd Avenue North

  11. 11

    Turn right onto North Washington Avenue

    3167 ft · 2 min · North Washington Avenue

  12. 12

    Continue on Washington Avenue South

    798 ft · 32 sec · Washington Avenue South

  13. 13

    Arrive at your destination

    0 m · 1 sec · Washington Avenue South

Car Route Details

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

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
13 steps
3 turns on the saved route
Ramps & Exits
2
1 merges, 1 ramps or exits
Navigation Density
12.2 / 100 mi
Decision points by distance
Main Roads
I 94 East
103 mi · 97%
Main Street South
1.14 mi · 1%
4th Street North
0.99 mi · 1%
North Washington Avenue
0.6 mi · 1%
2nd Avenue North
0.41 mi
Washington Avenue South
0.15 mi
Longest Stretch

I 94 East

Merge slight left

96.4 mi · 01h 45m

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 42m
Day trip friendly
Same-Day Return
03h 24m
Round-trip wheel time
Road vs Air
+9.4 mi
97.2 mi direct line
Halfway Stop
Clearwater
00h 51m from Sauk Centre
Leave By
3:06 PM CDT
Morning start is best
Weather Watch

Rain Showers Likely leaving Sauk Centre and Showers And Thunderstorms Likely near Minneapolis.

Trip Questions

Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.

How long does it take to drive from Sauk Centre to Minneapolis?

The road trip is about 106.6 miles (171.6 km) and usually takes 01h 42m 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?

Clearwater is a useful midpoint, sitting about 53.3 miles from Sauk Centre and 53.4 miles from Minneapolis.

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

The direct path is about 97.2 miles (156.5 km), while the road route adds roughly 9.4 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 3:06 PM CDT.

How much will gas cost for this route?

Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $13.42 one way or $26.84 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 33.4 kg one way.

What should you check before leaving?

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

Stop Ideas Near Clearwater

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

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

RAIL

St. Cloud

18 mi away
555 East St. Germain Street
RAIL

Saint Paul Union Depot

85 mi away
Midway Station
RAIL

Staples

119 mi away
First & Fourth Aves

Flight Path Map

This map shows the direct air route between Sauk Centre and Minneapolis. Straight-line distance: 97.26 mi (156.53 km).

Sauk Centre

#1 Sauk Centre

City in Stearns County, Minnesota, USA

Population1,172
Coordinates45.7374700, -94.9525200
Altitude381
CountryUnited States
Minneapolis

#2 Minneapolis

The largest city in Minnesota, Minneapolis is a major center for business, finance, and culture.

Population433,111
Coordinates44.9799700, -93.2638400
Altitude253
CountryUnited States
Start: Sinclair Lewis Avenue (-94.952508, 45.737137)
End: Washington Avenue South (-93.263838, 44.979973)

Estimated Travel Time

Distance: 172 km by road

SpeedTime
30 mph (48.3 km/h)03h 33m
40 mph (64.37 km/h)02h 39m
50 mph (80.47 km/h)02h 07m
60 mph (96.56 km/h)01h 46m
70 mph (112.65 km/h)01h 31m
80 mph (129 km/h)01h 19m

Fuel, Round Trip and CO2

Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.

One-way fuel
3.76 gal
14.24 L · about $13.42
Round trip
$26.84
7.52 gal · 28.48 L
Estimated CO2
33.4 kg one way
Round trip: 66.8 kg / 147 lb CO2, using regular gasoline.
Fuel$/galOne wayRound trip
Regular gas $3.57 $13.42 $26.84
Mid-grade $3.92 $14.74 $29.49
Premium $4.39 $16.51 $33.03
Diesel $4.86 $18.29 $36.58

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 23, 2026

There is no time difference between Sauk Centre and Minneapolis. The current time is 02:15:30.

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.