Origin
Apple Valley, MN
Afternoon in Apple Valley on Sunday
Local time
4:23 PM
CDT
Current temp
55°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Apple Valley, MN to Cloquet, MN
Drive Time
2h 50m
Distance
150.6 mi
242 km
Drive Score
8/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$22
one way
EV Charging
Loading...
station data
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
2h 40m
★
6 AM
2h 51m
8 AM
3h 13m
10 AM
2h 58m
12 PM
2h 56m
3 PM
3h 0m
5 PM
3h 12m
8 PM
2h 44m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Apple Valley, MN
Tom Fisk
Cloquet, MN
Tom Fisk
Trip Overview
If you are planning a trip from Apple Valley to Cloquet, expect a straightforward 150.6-mile journey through the heart of Minnesota. You will spend roughly 2 hours and 50 minutes on the road, making this an ideal candidate for a single-day excursion. By utilizing I-35, I-35E, and Cedar Avenue, you can complete the transit efficiently without the need for an overnight stay. Budgeting around $22 for fuel should cover your travel costs comfortably. Since both cities are located within the Midwest, the transition between them is seamless and familiar. This route prioritizes speed and directness, allowing you to reach your destination with minimal fuss.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.
Break Rhythm
1 planned break
A short stop every 2 to 3 hours is enough for this drive.
Midpoint
75.3 miles from Apple Valley, MN
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h 27m into the drive .
Drive Character
This trip is a highway-focused drive, with 97% of your travel occurring on major thoroughfares. You will quickly settle into a rhythm, as the route features a dominant 105-mile uninterrupted stretch along I-35. Expect a consistent interstate experience rather than a winding backroads adventure, as the infrastructure is designed for steady, high-speed transit. While the initial leg involves navigating through local traffic via Cedar Avenue, the vast majority of your time behind the wheel will be spent on wide, multi-lane highways. It is a functional and efficient drive that rewards you with predictable road conditions.
Most of the miles stay on highways, which makes pacing and fuel planning easier than turn-by-turn city driving.
There are about 19 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.
I 35 is the longest continuous segment at about 105 miles.
How Hard Is This Drive?
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 35 and I 35E. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 2.9 miles in.
Route Complexity
9/10
High effort - long or complex enough to need steady focus all day
This is a demanding drive. With 16 significant decision points across 150.6 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 2.9 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here; at 18.1 miles (I 35E): Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 23.3 miles (US 10): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Critical Maneuvers
5 of 16 key pointsThese are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
7
2.9 mi into trip
|
~4m in
Take the exit toward I 35E North: Saint Paul
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Exit 2A
Toward I 35E North: Saint Paul
8
18.1 mi into trip
|
~25m in
|
I 35E
Take the exit onto I 35E toward I 35E North, US 10 West
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the none lane.
Exit 242B
Toward I 35E North, US 10 West
9
23.3 mi into trip
|
~31m in
|
US 10
Keep slight right at fork onto US 10 toward US 10 West, I 694 West, I 694 East
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Exit 113-114
Toward US 10 West, I 694 West, I 694 East
8
23.6 mi into trip
|
~32m in
Take the exit toward I 35E North, I 694 East
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 114
Toward I 35E North, I 694 East
7
24.9 mi into trip
|
~33m in
|
I 35E
Keep slight left at fork onto I 35E toward I 35E North: Duluth
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight left lane.
Toward I 35E North: Duluth
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| I 35 | 105 mi | 1h 52m |
| I 35E | 37.4 mi | 44m |
| Cedar Avenue | 2.9 mi | 4m |
| MN 33 | 2.7 mi | 4m |
| I 694 | 0.8 mi | <1m |
| US 10 | 0.3 mi | <1m |
| Cloquet Avenue | <0.1 mi | <1m |
| Purple Heart Memorial Highway | <0.1 mi | <1m |
Longest stretch:
I 35
— 105 mi, about 1h 52m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Apple Valley, MN and Cloquet, MN.
1
Start on CR 42
35 ft
·
6 sec
·
County Road 42
2
Turn right onto CR 23
2.9 mi
·
4 min
·
Cedar Avenue
Use the left lane.
3
Take the exit
0.9 mi
·
1 min
Exit 2A
Toward I 35E North: Saint Paul
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
4
Merge onto I 35E
11 mi
·
13 min
·
I 35E
Use the none / straight / slight right lanes.
5
Keep slight left at fork onto I 35E
2.7 mi
·
4 min
·
I 35E
Use the none lane.
6
Keep slight left at fork onto I 35E
0.4 mi
·
35 sec
·
I 35E
Use the none lane.
7
Merge onto I 35E; I 94
350 ft
·
5 sec
·
Purple Heart Memorial Highway
8
Take the exit onto I 35E
5.2 mi
·
6 min
·
I 35E
Exit 242B
Toward I 35E North, US 10 West
Use the none lane.
9
Keep slight right at fork onto US 10
0.3 mi
·
19 sec
·
US 10
Exit 113-114
Toward US 10 West, I 694 West, I 694 East
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
10
Take the exit
0.5 mi
·
35 sec
Exit 114
Toward I 35E North, I 694 East
Use the slight right lane.
11
Merge onto I 694
0.8 mi
·
59 sec
·
I 694
12
Keep slight left at fork onto I 35E
18 mi
·
19 min
·
I 35E
Toward I 35E North: Duluth
Use the slight left lane.
13
Keep slight left at fork onto I 35
105 mi
·
1 hr 52 min
·
I 35
14
Take the exit onto MN 33
0.6 mi
·
58 sec
·
MN 33
Toward MN 33: Cloquet, Iron Range
15
Enter roundabout onto MN 33
127 ft
·
1 sec
·
MN 33
16
Continue on MN 33
2.1 mi
·
3 min
·
MN 33
17
Turn right onto CR 45
465 ft
·
14 sec
·
Cloquet Avenue
18
Turn right onto 4th Street
26 ft
·
1 sec
·
4th Street
19
Arrive at destination
4th Street
Trip Plan
To maximize your efficiency, plan for at least one stop during your 2-hour and 50-minute journey to break up the monotony of the interstate. Because the drive is relatively short, you have the flexibility to depart at your convenience, though leaving outside of peak traffic hours will help you clear the metro area more quickly. Keep an eye on your fuel gauge before leaving Apple Valley to ensure you stay within your $22 budget, as highway consumption can vary. Since the route relies heavily on I-35, check traffic reports for potential construction or delays on that main corridor before you head out. Embracing this as a direct, no-nonsense commute will help you arrive in Cloquet ready for whatever your itinerary holds.
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.
Plan roughly 1 meaningful break for fuel, food, and rest.
The halfway point lands around 75.3 miles from Apple Valley, MN, or about 1h 27m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 105 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 80 miles or 1h 32m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 75.3 miles or 1h 27m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 2h 19m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Cloquet, MN than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving Apple Valley, 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 Apple Valley, MN
This is one driving day of about 150.6 miles and 2h 50m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 80 miles from Apple Valley, MN.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
Plan about 1 real break rather than only quick fuel stops.
The longest stretch is on I 35 for about 105 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 75.3 mi from Apple Valley, MN · 1h 27m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
75 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 80 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 75.3 miles from Apple Valley, MN, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Before the longest stretch
Fuel checkTop up before I 35 if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 105 miles.
Arriving in Cloquet, MN
The final approach into Cloquet, 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 Cloquet, MN.
After long uninterrupted mileage, take five minutes before the last urban segment to reset and refocus on exits, merges, and city traffic.
These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$21.54 one way
$43.08 round trip
$3.63/gal
25.4 MPG avg
53 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $3.92 | $23.25 | $46.50 |
| premium | $4.39 | $26.04 | $52.08 |
| diesel | $5.64 | $33.46 | $66.92 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$22
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$47–$72
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 52.7 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-06.
Driving Electric?
About $16 in charging · 0 stops · 66% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 45.2 | 0 | $15.81 | $7.23 |
| Efficient EV | 37.7 | 0 | $13.18 | $6.02 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 60.2 | 0 | $21.08 | $9.64 |
Gas CO2
53 kg
EV CO2
18 kg (66% 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
Cloquet, MN
Afternoon in Cloquet on Sunday
Local time
4:23 PM
CDT
Current temp
29°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
26 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
2h 50m 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 Apple Valley, MN to Cloquet, MN covers 150.6 miles and takes about 2h 50m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are I 35, I 35E, Cedar Avenue. Most of the drive stays on highways, so watch for ramps and exits.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 75.3 miles from Apple Valley, MN. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $21.54 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.
Plan about 1 meaningful break for fuel, food, or rest. A short stop every 2 to 3 hours is enough for this drive.
This is a demanding drive. With 16 significant decision points across 150.6 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 2.9 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here; at 18.1 miles (I 35E): Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 23.3 miles (US 10): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
The route from Apple Valley, MN to Cloquet, MN does not surface many named destination signs beyond the main corridor.
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