Origin
Afton, MN
Afternoon in Afton on Sunday
Local time
4:22 PM
CDT
Current temp
71°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Afton, MN to Maple Grove, MN
Drive Time
59m
Distance
46.1 mi
74 km
Drive Score
8/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$7
one way
EV Charging
Loading...
station data
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
0h 55m
★
6 AM
1h 0m
8 AM
1h 9m
10 AM
1h 3m
12 PM
1h 2m
3 PM
1h 3m
5 PM
1h 9m
8 PM
0h 57m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Afton, MN
Tom Fisk
Maple Grove, MN
Tom Fisk
Trip Overview
Spanning 46.1 miles across the Minnesota landscape, this drive from Afton to Maple Grove is a straightforward journey that typically takes about 59 minutes. Because the trip is short, you can easily complete it as a single-day excursion without needing an overnight stay. Expect to spend roughly $7 on fuel, making this an affordable transit between the eastern edge of the state and the northwestern suburbs. You will primarily navigate via Saint Croix Trail South, I-494, and I-694. This route is best viewed as a practical connection through the Midwest rather than a scenic getaway, offering a reliable path for those looking to reach their destination efficiently.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.
Break Rhythm
0 planned breaks
A short stop every 2 to 3 hours is enough for this drive.
Midpoint
23.1 miles from Afton, MN
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 30m into the drive .
Drive Character
Expect a highway-focused experience, as 67% of your travel time will be spent on major roads. The journey kicks off with local transitions before settling into a more consistent pace on the interstate system. You will encounter your longest uninterrupted stretch along I-694, which spans 29.9 miles of the total distance. While the route lacks the complexity of winding backroads, the transition from Saint Croix Trail South onto the busy highway loops provides a clear change in driving intensity. It is a functional, no-nonsense drive that rewards drivers who appreciate a steady, high-speed flow once they merge onto the main arterial roads.
Most of the miles stay on highways, which makes pacing and fuel planning easier than turn-by-turn city driving.
There are about 18 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.
I 694 is the longest continuous segment at about 29.9 miles.
How Hard Is This Drive?
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 694 and Saint Croix Trail South. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 4.3 miles in.
Route Complexity
8/10
Demanding - plan breaks and stay ahead of the key maneuvers
This is a demanding drive. With 15 significant decision points across 46.1 miles, you will need to stay alert — especially through interchange areas and urban stretches. Consider splitting it into segments if you are not comfortable with fast highway navigation.
Where does it get tricky?
The main spots that need attention: at 4.3 miles: Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 13.1 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 13.4 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
Critical Maneuvers
5 of 15 key pointsThese are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
8
4.3 mi into trip
|
~7m in
Turn left toward I 94 West, US 12 West, MN 95 South: Saint Paul
Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the left lane.
Toward I 94 West, US 12 West, MN 95 South: Sain...
8
13.1 mi into trip
|
~17m in
Take the exit toward I 694 North, I 494 South
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the slight right lane.
Exit 249
Toward I 694 North, I 494 South
7
13.4 mi into trip
|
~17m in
Keep slight right at fork toward I 694 North
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight right lane.
Toward I 694 North
6
25.3 mi into trip
|
~33m in
|
I 694
Keep slight right at fork onto I 694
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight right lane.
7
45.4 mi into trip
|
~58m in
Take the exit toward CR 10: Bass Lake Road
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight right lane.
Exit 26
Toward CR 10: Bass Lake Road
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| I 694 | 29.9 mi | 37m |
| Saint Croix Trail South | 3.4 mi | 5m |
| I 494 | 1.2 mi | 1m |
| Saint Croix Trail North | 1 mi | 1m |
| Bass Lake Road | 0.5 mi | <1m |
| Afton Boulevard | <0.1 mi | <1m |
Longest stretch:
I 694
— 29.9 mi, about 37m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Afton, MN and Maple Grove, MN.
1
Start on CH 18
80 ft
·
7 sec
·
Afton Boulevard
2
Turn left onto CH 18; CH 21
2.9 mi
·
4 min
·
Saint Croix Trail South
Use the straight lane.
3
Enter roundabout onto CH 18
99 ft
·
1 sec
·
Saint Croix Trail South
4
Continue on CH 18
0.4 mi
·
48 sec
·
Saint Croix Trail South
Use the straight lane.
5
Enter roundabout onto CH 18
104 ft
·
2 sec
·
Saint Croix Trail North
6
Continue on CH 18
0.4 mi
·
41 sec
·
Saint Croix Trail North
Use the straight lane.
7
Enter roundabout onto CH 18
116 ft
·
2 sec
·
Saint Croix Trail North
8
Continue on CH 18
0.6 mi
·
1 min
·
Saint Croix Trail North
Use the straight lane.
9
Turn left
8.8 mi
·
9 min
Toward I 94 West, US 12 West, MN 95 South: Saint Paul
Use the left lane.
10
Take the exit
0.3 mi
·
38 sec
Exit 249
Toward I 694 North, I 494 South
Use the slight right lane.
11
Keep slight right at fork
0.4 mi
·
49 sec
Toward I 694 North
Use the slight right lane.
12
Merge onto I 694
12 mi
·
14 min
·
I 694
Use the none lane.
13
Keep slight right at fork onto I 694
18 mi
·
22 min
·
I 694
Use the slight right lane.
14
Take the exit
0.5 mi
·
35 sec
Toward I 494 South
Use the left / straight lanes.
15
Continue on I 494
1.2 mi
·
1 min
·
I 494
16
Take the exit
0.3 mi
·
40 sec
Exit 26
Toward CR 10: Bass Lake Road
Use the slight right lane.
17
Turn right onto CR 10
0.5 mi
·
50 sec
·
Bass Lake Road
Use the right lane.
18
Arrive at destination
CR 10
Trip Plan
Since this is a quick sub-one-hour trip, you have the advantage of total flexibility in your departure time. However, because you are utilizing major interstates like I-494 and I-694, try to avoid peak rush hours to ensure you maintain that 59-minute arrival estimate. There are no mandatory stops required for such a short distance, allowing you to drive straight through if you prefer. Keep your $7 fuel budget in mind before you head out, as filling up in Afton or Maple Grove is more convenient than searching for stations along the highway corridor. For the smoothest experience, check live traffic reports for the I-694 stretch specifically, as that 29.9-mile segment is the most likely area to encounter delays.
Morning Departure
Leave by 9 AM and you'll arrive before lunch.
Evening Departure
Even a 4 PM departure gets you there before dark in summer.
You can normally do this drive in one day.
You may only need one short stretch break if traffic stays light.
The halfway point lands around 23.1 miles from Afton, MN, or about 30m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 29.9 miles.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
Departure
Before you leave
Start with fuel, water, and navigation already sorted so the first hour feels easy.
First stop
Around 46.1 miles or 59m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 23.1 miles or 30m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 50m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Maple Grove, MN than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving Afton, MN so your first major turns are already loaded.
+
Leave with enough water and a charging cable within reach, not packed away.
+
Check your fuel range against the first long segment, especially if you are starting outside city service areas.
Day 1
Settle into the route from Afton, MN
This is one driving day of about 46.1 miles and 59m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 80 miles from Afton, MN.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
You may only need one short stretch stop if conditions stay smooth.
The longest stretch is on I 694 for about 29.9 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 23.1 mi from Afton, MN · 30m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
23 mi into the route
Best for: Lunch, fuel, and a longer reset
This sits close to the middle of the route, so it works well for the longest stop of the day.
Pacing Suggestions
Fuel and coffee
A short stop after about 46.1 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 23.1 miles from Afton, MN, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Arriving in Maple Grove, MN
The final approach into Maple Grove, MN usually feels slower than the middle of the drive, so avoid planning your tightest schedule at the very end.
Try to arrive with enough fuel left to skip an immediate station stop unless you already know the area around Maple Grove, MN.
These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$6.59 one way
$13.19 round trip
$3.63/gal
25.4 MPG avg
16 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $3.92 | $7.12 | $14.23 |
| premium | $4.39 | $7.97 | $15.94 |
| diesel | $5.64 | $10.24 | $20.48 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$7
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$32–$57
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 16.1 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-06.
Driving Electric?
About $5 in charging · 0 stops · 69% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 13.8 | 0 | $4.84 | $2.21 |
| Efficient EV | 11.5 | 0 | $4.03 | $1.84 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 18.4 | 0 | $6.45 | $2.95 |
Gas CO2
16 kg
EV CO2
5 kg (69% less)
This trip is well within single-charge range for most EVs. No charging stops needed if you start fully charged.
DC fast charging avg $0.35/kWh. Home charging avg $0.16/kWh. US grid CO2: 0.39 kg/kWh.
Travel Intel
Current conditions at both ends of the drive.
Destination
Maple Grove, MN
Afternoon in Maple Grove on Sunday
Local time
4:22 PM
CDT
Current temp
39°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Seasonal Notes
Summer travel usually means heavier construction, hotter rest stops, and busier weekend traffic around major cities.
Winter travel shortens daylight, so a route that looks manageable on paper can feel much longer after dark.
Holiday weekends tend to make both departure and arrival windows slower than the raw route time suggests.
Time zone
Same local time
Origin and destination are on the same clock, so arrival timing is easier to judge at a glance.
Temperature spread
32 degrees cooler at arrival
A meaningful temperature swing is a good cue to rethink layers, water, and how soon you want to arrive.
Road read
59m on the road
Use the two city cards together: check the sky where you start, then compare it with the local time and temperature at arrival.
Weather data from the National Weather Service. Conditions may change; check closer to your travel date.
Frequently Asked Questions
The drive from Afton, MN to Maple Grove, MN covers 46.1 miles and takes about 59m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are I 694, Saint Croix Trail South, I 494. Most of the drive stays on highways, so watch for ramps and exits.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 23.1 miles from Afton, MN. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $6.59 one way. This estimate uses 25.4 MPG — your actual cost will vary with your vehicle's fuel efficiency and current gas prices.
Leave by 9 AM and you'll arrive before lunch. Even a 4 PM departure gets you there before dark in summer.
This is a demanding drive. With 15 significant decision points across 46.1 miles, you will need to stay alert — especially through interchange areas and urban stretches. Consider splitting it into segments if you are not comfortable with fast highway navigation.
The main spots that need attention: at 4.3 miles: Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 13.1 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 13.4 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
The route from Afton, MN to Maple Grove, MN does not surface many named destination signs beyond the main corridor.
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