Origin
Afton, MN
Afternoon in Afton on Sunday
Local time
4:23 PM
CDT
Current temp
71°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Afton, MN to Minneapolis, MN
Drive Time
42m
Distance
29.9 mi
48 km
Drive Score
6/10
Good drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$4
one way
EV Charging
Loading...
station data
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
0h 39m
★
6 AM
0h 43m
8 AM
0h 50m
10 AM
0h 45m
12 PM
0h 44m
3 PM
0h 45m
5 PM
0h 49m
8 PM
0h 40m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Afton, MN
Tom Fisk
Trip Overview
If you are looking to travel from Afton to Minneapolis, this 29.9-mile journey is an efficient trip that clocks in at approximately 42 minutes. Because of the manageable distance, this route works perfectly as a quick day trip, requiring only one day to complete. You will navigate primarily via Saint Croix Trail South, Saint Croix Trail North, and Washington Avenue South to reach your destination within the Midwest. With a fuel budget of just $4, this is an incredibly economical drive. It is a straightforward trip that avoids complex planning, making it an ideal choice if you want to get from the quiet outskirts of Afton into the heart of Minneapolis without any mandatory stops.
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
15 miles from Afton, MN
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 21m into the drive .
Drive Character
Expect a turn-heavy local drive rather than a high-speed interstate haul, as this entire 29.9-mile route consists of 0% highway driving. You will stay focused on the road as you navigate local stretches, with the longest uninterrupted segment covering only 3.4 miles along Saint Croix Trail South. The personality of this drive is defined by consistent local turns rather than monotonous highway cruising. Because the route relies entirely on local roads, you should prepare for a more hands-on driving experience that changes rhythm frequently. It is a steady, rhythmic journey that keeps you engaged from start to finish.
This route has more turning and local-road decision points than a simple highway run.
There are about 13 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.
Saint Croix Trail South is the longest continuous segment at about 3.4 miles.
How Hard Is This Drive?
Expect a hands-on drive with frequent turns and local roads rather than long highway stretches. You will hit about 10 points where you need to pay attention to lane position or signs. The trickiest moment comes early in the drive near CH 18; CH 21 / Saint Croix Trail South.
Route Complexity
5/10
Moderate - straightforward overall, but long enough or busy enough to require pacing
This drive requires moderate attention. Across 29.9 miles you will encounter 10 spots where lane choice or exit timing matters. Not difficult for experienced highway drivers, but worth previewing the tricky sections before you go.
Where does it get tricky?
The main spots that need attention: near the start (CH 18; CH 21 / Saint Croix Trail South): Lane positioning matters here; at 2.9 miles (CH 18 / Saint Croix Trail South): Roundabout - know your exit number before entering; at 4.3 miles: Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Critical Maneuvers
5 of 10 key pointsThese are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
5
0 mi into trip
|
~0m in
|
CH 18; CH 21 / Saint Croix Trail South
Turn left onto CH 18; CH 21 / Saint Croix Trail South
Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight lane.
4
2.9 mi into trip
|
~4m in
|
CH 18 / Saint Croix Trail South
Enter roundabout onto CH 18 / Saint Croix Trail South
Roundabout - know your exit number before entering
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...
7
28.3 mi into trip
|
~38m in
Take the exit toward Cedar Avenue
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Exit 234C
Toward Cedar Avenue
5
28.5 mi into trip
|
~38m in
|
CR 152 / Cedar Avenue South
Turn right onto CR 152 / Cedar Avenue South
Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / right lanes.
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| Saint Croix Trail South | 3.4 mi | 5m |
| Saint Croix Trail North | 1 mi | 1m |
| Washington Avenue South | 0.9 mi | 2m |
| Cedar Avenue South | 0.5 mi | 1m |
| Afton Boulevard | <0.1 mi | <1m |
Longest stretch:
Saint Croix Trail South
— 3.4 mi, about 5m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Afton, MN and Minneapolis, 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
24 mi
·
30 min
Toward I 94 West, US 12 West, MN 95 South: Saint Paul
Use the left lane.
10
Take the exit
0.2 mi
·
25 sec
Exit 234C
Toward Cedar Avenue
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
11
Turn right onto CR 152
0.5 mi
·
1 min
·
Cedar Avenue South
Use the straight / right lanes.
12
Continue on CR 152
0.9 mi
·
2 min
·
Washington Avenue South
Use the none lane.
13
Arrive at destination
CR 152
Trip Plan
Since this is a short, 42-minute drive, you have plenty of flexibility regarding your departure time, though avoiding peak traffic hours is always a smart move. Because there are no mandatory stops scheduled, you can easily pace the trip to suit your own schedule without feeling rushed. Keep in mind that the route is entirely local, so maintain your awareness through the various turns along Saint Croix Trail. With a fuel cost of only $4, you won't need to worry about complex refueling logistics or budgeting for multiple tanks. Take advantage of the trip's brevity to enjoy a relaxed departure, as the lack of highway miles means you won't be dealing with high-speed merging or heavy interstate congestion.
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 15 miles from Afton, MN, or about 21m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 3.4 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 29.9 miles or 42m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 15 miles or 21m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 34m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Minneapolis, 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 29.9 miles and 42m.
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 Saint Croix Trail South for about 3.4 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 15 mi from Afton, MN · 21m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
15 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 29.9 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 15 miles from Afton, MN, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Arriving in Minneapolis, MN
The final approach into Minneapolis, 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 Minneapolis, 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
$4.28 one way
$8.55 round trip
$3.63/gal
25.4 MPG avg
11 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $3.92 | $4.62 | $9.23 |
| premium | $4.39 | $5.17 | $10.34 |
| diesel | $5.64 | $6.64 | $13.29 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$4
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$29–$54
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 10.5 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-06.
Driving Electric?
About $3 in charging · 0 stops · 70% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 9 | 0 | $3.14 | $1.44 |
| Efficient EV | 7.5 | 0 | $2.62 | $1.20 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 12 | 0 | $4.19 | $1.91 |
Gas CO2
10 kg
EV CO2
3 kg (70% 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
Minneapolis, MN
Afternoon in Minneapolis on Sunday
Local time
4:23 PM
CDT
Current temp
40°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
31 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
42m 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 Minneapolis, MN covers 29.9 miles and takes about 42m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are Saint Croix Trail South, Saint Croix Trail North, Washington Avenue South. Expect a mix of highway and local road driving.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 15 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 $4.28 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 drive requires moderate attention. Across 29.9 miles you will encounter 10 spots where lane choice or exit timing matters. Not difficult for experienced highway drivers, but worth previewing the tricky sections before you go.
The main spots that need attention: near the start (CH 18; CH 21 / Saint Croix Trail South): Lane positioning matters here; at 2.9 miles (CH 18 / Saint Croix Trail South): Roundabout - know your exit number before entering; at 4.3 miles: Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
The route from Afton, MN to Minneapolis, MN does not surface many named destination signs beyond the main corridor.
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