Moving to Central Minnesota: Highways, Commutes and Counties

A practical relocation guide to the I-94 and Highway 10 corridors between the Twin Cities and St. Cloud, county by county.

The stretch of Minnesota between the Twin Cities and St. Cloud has drawn a lot of new residents, and it is easy to see why. You get small-town neighborhoods, the Mississippi River and plenty of parks while keeping the metro within reach. Here is a practical look at how the region fits together.

Three counties, one region

Most of the area falls in three counties. 2020 Census counts were 141,337 for Wright County, 97,183 for Sherburne County and 158,292 for Stearns County. Wright County calls itself one of the fastest-growing counties in the state because it sits close to the Twin Cities metro. St. Cloud itself crosses county lines, so a St. Cloud address can be in Stearns, Benton or Sherburne County.

The I-94 corridor

Interstate 94 runs northwest from the Twin Cities through Wright County toward St. Cloud. Along the way:

Albertville describes itself as halfway between the Twin Cities and St. Cloud on the I-94 corridor. It had 7,896 residents in 2020.
Monticello sits at the connection between I-94 and Highway 25, about 2 miles from Highway 10. The city puts the drive at about 45 minutes to Minneapolis-St. Paul International Airport and 20 minutes to St. Cloud Regional Airport.
St. Cloud is about a 1 hour 6 minute drive from Minneapolis, according to Visit Greater St. Cloud.

North of the river

On the Sherburne and Benton county side of the Mississippi:

Elk River, the Sherburne County seat, sits where the Elk and Mississippi rivers meet and is served by Highways 10, 169 and 101, close to I-94.
Big Lake says it is about 45 miles from Minneapolis-St. Paul International Airport and 24 miles from St. Cloud Regional Airport.
Becker is on Highway 10, a few minutes from I-94, roughly 20 minutes from St. Cloud and about 45 minutes from Minneapolis-St. Paul.
Sauk Rapids lies along Highway 10 in Benton County, with Highway 15 connecting to I-94.

Tips for planning a move

Drive it at rush hour. Test the commute on a weekday morning before you commit to a neighborhood.
Check the county and school district. City names and school boundaries don't always line up, especially near the edges of town.
Think about winter. Long driveways, rural roads and garage space all matter more in January.
Look at what's nearby. Parks, trails, river access and the hospital location all shape daily life.

Selling before you buy

Many people moving within the region need to sell one home and buy another. Timing those two sales takes planning, especially if you are moving from the metro to a rural property or the other way around. A clear plan for pricing, preparation and possession dates reduces stress on moving day.

How David helps

David Olson is a Realtor | Broker with Tri-County Property Finder, working as a team with Twin Cities Property Finder. He grew up in Monticello, has more than 20 years in the business and 3,127 homes sold, and he is a licensed general contractor and fourth-generation builder. He helps families moving along the I-94 and Highway 10 corridors. If you need to sell first, David builds a timeline around your next move and helps you price and prepare your current home so it is ready when buyers are.

Seller-first pricing and preparation advice built on what buyers in this market notice
A builder's eye for repairs worth doing before listing, and those that are not
Help gathering disclosures, well and septic paperwork and permit history early
Straight answers from someone who knows these river towns personally

Call David at 952-314-9446 to talk through your plans.

Sources

This guide is general information, not legal or tax advice. Rules change; confirm details for a specific property with the local office that has authority there.

Thinking about selling your home in Wright, Sherburne or Stearns County?
You don’t have to figure it out alone. David will listen, explain your options and guide you through every step, from pricing to closing. Call or text 952-314-9446.
Talk with David