Trip from Afton, MN to Lakeville, MN

Drive Time

44m

Distance

38.4 mi

Route Type

Turn-heavy local drive

Quick day trip

Trip Overview

The drive from Afton, MN to Lakeville, MN covers 38.4 miles and takes about 44m behind the wheel. This route is realistic as a one-day drive if you keep your stops efficient.

The route leans on 40th Street South, Bailey Road, Maxwell Avenue for much of the mileage, and the overall profile is turn-heavy local drive. At current regular gas prices, budget about $5.40 one way before food or hotel costs.

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

19.2 miles from Afton, MN

A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 22m into the drive .

Drive Character

Expect a 44m drive with frequent turns across 38.4 miles of local and secondary roads.

This route has more turning and local-road decision points than a simple highway run.

There are about 27 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.

40th Street South is one of the defining roads on this drive.

Main Roads

Road	Distance	Duration
40th Street South	Unavailable	Refreshing
Bailey Road	Unavailable	Refreshing
Maxwell Avenue	Unavailable	Refreshing
I 494 West	Unavailable	Refreshing
Wakota Bridge	Unavailable	Refreshing
I 35E South	Unavailable	Refreshing
CR 5	Unavailable	Refreshing
Kenwood Trail	Unavailable	Refreshing

Per-road distance and duration are being refreshed from OSRM for this route.

Longest stretch: 40th Street South — detailed segment metrics are refreshing.

Step-by-Step Directions

1

Start on Afton Boulevard

2

Continue on 40th Street South

3

Continue on Bailey Road

4

Enter the roundabout and take exit 2 toward Bailey Road

5

Exit the roundabout onto Bailey Road

6

Enter the roundabout and take exit 2 toward Bailey Road

7

Exit the roundabout onto Bailey Road

8

Enter the roundabout and take exit 2 toward Bailey Road

9

Exit the roundabout onto Bailey Road

10

Continue on Maxwell Avenue

11

Take the ramp right toward I 494 West

12

Continue on Wakota Bridge

13

Merge slight left onto Wakota Bridge

14

Keep slight left

15

Take the exit slight right toward I 35E South, I 35E North: Albert Lea, Saint Paul

16

Keep slight left to continue on I 35E South: Albert Lea

17

Merge slight left

18

Take the exit slight right toward CR 5, CR 50

19

Turn left onto Kenwood Trail

20

Enter the roundabout and take exit 2 toward Kenwood Trail /Richard J. Ames Memorial Highway

21

Exit the roundabout onto Kenwood Trail /Richard J. Ames Memorial Highway

22

Continue on Kenwood Trai/Richard J. Ames Memorial Highway

23

Continue on 202nd Street West / Richard J. Ames Memorial Highway

24

Enter the roundabout and take exit 1 toward 202nd Street West

25

Exit the rotary onto Holyoke Avenue

26

Turn left onto 207th Street West

27

Arrive at your destination

When to Leave

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 19.2 miles from Afton, MN, or about 22m into the drive.

This is a comfortable same-day trip.

Drive Plan

Departure

Before you leave

Start with fuel, water, and navigation already sorted so the first hour feels easy.

First stop

Around 38.4 miles or 44m in

Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.

Halfway reset

Around 19.2 miles or 22m in

This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.

Final approach

Final hour starts around 37m

Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Lakeville, 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.

Trip Strategy

Day 1

Settle into the route from Afton, MN

This is one driving day of about 38.4 miles and 44m.

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.

Best Stop Towns on This Route

These towns line up with the pace of this drive and give you clearer places to stop with a purpose.

Late stop town

Meal stop

Saint Paul, MN

19 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.

Travel Advice

Arrival Notes

The final approach into Lakeville, 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 Lakeville, MN.

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.

Stops Along the Way

Halfway Point

Midpoint

About 19.2 mi from Afton, MN

Bloomington, MN

Fuel and coffee

A short stop after about 38.4 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.

Saint Paul, MN

Meal break

The midpoint is around 19.2 miles from Afton, MN, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.

These stop ideas are pacing suggestions for the drive, so the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.

Fuel & Cost

Fuel Type	$/gal	One Way	Round Trip
regular	$3.57	$5.40	$10.79
midgrade	$3.92	$5.93	$11.86
premium	$4.39	$6.64	$13.28
diesel	$4.86	$7.35	$14.71

Based on 25.4 MPG average. Estimated CO2 emission: 13.4 kg one way.

Frequently Asked Questions

The drive from Afton, MN to Lakeville, MN covers 38.4 miles and takes about 44m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.

The main roads are 40th Street South, Bailey Road, Maxwell Avenue. Expect a mix of highway and local road driving.

This is a comfortable same-day trip.

The midpoint is about 19.2 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 $5.40 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.