Trip from Afton, MN to Maple Grove, MN

Drive Time

48m

Distance

45.7 mi

Route Type

Turn-heavy local drive

Quick day trip

Trip Overview

The drive from Afton, MN to Maple Grove, MN covers 45.7 miles and takes about 48m behind the wheel. This route is realistic as a one-day drive if you keep your stops efficient.

The route leans on Saint Croix Trail South, Saint Croix Trail North, I 94 West for much of the mileage, and the overall profile is turn-heavy local drive. At current regular gas prices, budget about $6.42 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

22.9 miles from Afton, MN

A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 24m into the drive .

Drive Character

Expect a 48m drive with frequent turns across 45.7 miles of local and secondary roads.

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

There are about 18 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.

Saint Croix Trail South is one of the defining roads on this drive.

Main Roads

Road	Distance	Duration
Saint Croix Trail South	Unavailable	Refreshing
Saint Croix Trail North	Unavailable	Refreshing
I 94 West	Unavailable	Refreshing
I 694 North	Unavailable	Refreshing
I 494 South	Unavailable	Refreshing
CR 10	Unavailable	Refreshing
Bass Lake Road	Unavailable	Refreshing

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

Longest stretch: Saint Croix Trail South — detailed segment metrics are refreshing.

Step-by-Step Directions

1

Start on Afton Boulevard

2

Turn left onto Saint Croix Trail South

3

Enter the roundabout and take exit 2 toward Saint Croix Trail South

4

Exit the roundabout onto Saint Croix Trail South

5

Enter the roundabout and take exit 2 toward Saint Croix Trail North

6

Exit the roundabout onto Saint Croix Trail North

7

Enter the roundabout and take exit 2 toward Saint Croix Trail North

8

Exit the roundabout onto Saint Croix Trail North

9

Turn left onto I 94 West, US 12 West, MN 95 South: Saint Paul

10

Take the exit slight right toward I 694 North, I 494 South

11

Keep slight right to continue on I 694 North

12

Merge slight left

13

Keep slight right

14

Take the exit slight left toward I 494 South

15

Continue straight

16

Take the exit slight right toward CR 10: Bass Lake Road

17

Turn right onto Bass Lake Road

18

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 22.9 miles from Afton, MN, or about 24m 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 45.7 miles or 48m in

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

Halfway reset

Around 22.9 miles or 24m in

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

Final approach

Final hour starts around 41m

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.

Trip Strategy

Day 1

Settle into the route from Afton, MN

This is one driving day of about 45.7 miles and 48m.

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

Birchwood, MN

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.

Travel Advice

Arrival Notes

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.

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 22.9 mi from Afton, MN

Plymouth, MN

Fuel and coffee

A short stop after about 45.7 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.

Birchwood, MN

Meal break

The midpoint is around 22.9 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	$6.42	$12.84
midgrade	$3.92	$7.05	$14.11
premium	$4.39	$7.90	$15.80
diesel	$4.86	$8.75	$17.50

Based on 25.4 MPG average. Estimated CO2 emission: 16 kg one way.

Frequently Asked Questions

The drive from Afton, MN to Maple Grove, MN covers 45.7 miles and takes about 48m 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, I 94 West. Expect a mix of highway and local road driving.

This is a comfortable same-day trip.

The midpoint is about 22.9 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 $6.42 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.