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Trip from Apple Valley, MN to Co on Rapids, MN

Last recalculated Apr 15, 2026

Drive Time

42m

Distance

37.8 mi

61 km

Drive Score

6/10

Good drive

Same Day?

Yes, doable

Fuel Cost

$6

one way

Best Time to Leave

Save up to 10 min
4 AM
0h 39m ★
6 AM
0h 42m
8 AM
0h 49m
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.

city in Dakota County, Minnesota, United States

Apple Valley, MN

Wikimedia Commons

Downtown Co on Rapids, MN, MN

Co on Rapids, MN

Tom Fisk

Trip Overview

The drive from Apple Valley, MN to Co on Rapids, MN covers 37.8 miles and takes about 42m behind the wheel. This route is realistic as a one-day drive if you keep your stops efficient.

The route leans on Cedar Avenue, MN 62 West, Crosstown Highway for much of the mileage, and the overall profile is turn-heavy local drive. At current regular gas prices, budget about $5.63 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

This drive is short enough that no stops are needed.

Midpoint

18.9 miles from Apple Valley, MN

A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 21m into the drive .

Drive Character

Expect a 42m drive with frequent turns across 37.8 miles of local and secondary roads.

This route has more turning and local-road decision points than a simple highway run.
There are about 17 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.
Cedar Avenue is one of the defining roads on this drive.

How Hard Is This Drive?

Expect a hands-on drive with frequent turns and local roads rather than long highway stretches. Navigation is very simple - set it and forget it for most of the drive.

Route Complexity 1/10

Very easy - short and simple to drive

The drive from Apple Valley, MN to Co on Rapids, MN is easy. At 42m with 0% highway, most drivers will find it relaxed and low-stress.

Where does it get tricky?

This route does not have any notably tricky sections. Most of the drive from Apple Valley, MN to Co on Rapids, MN is straightforward, with well-signed roads and simple exits.

Main Roads

Road Distance Duration
Cedar Avenue
MN 62 West
Crosstown Highway
I 35W North
I 94 West
I 694 East
East River Road
Mississippi Boulevard Northwest

Some road-level metrics are being recalculated.

Longest stretch: Cedar Avenue — detailed segment metrics are refreshing.

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between Apple Valley, MN and Co on Rapids, MN.

1

Start on County Road 42

36 ft · 6 sec · County Road 42
2

Turn right onto Cedar Avenue

12 mi · 14 min · Cedar Avenue
3

Take the exit slight right toward MN 62 West

0.2 mi · 26 sec · MN 62 West
4

Merge slight left onto Crosstown Highway

1.4 mi · 1 min · Crosstown Highway
5

Keep slight right to continue on I 35W North

0.3 mi · 35 sec · I 35W North
6

Merge slight left

4.6 mi · 6 min
7

Keep slight left to continue on I 94 West

0.3 mi · 17 sec · I 94 West
8

Take the exit slight right toward I 94 West

0.4 mi · 54 sec · I 94 West
9

Merge slight right

7.7 mi · 9 min
10

Take the exit slight right toward MN 252, I 694 East

318 ft · 8 sec · MN 252, I 694 East
11

Keep slight right to continue on I 694 East

0.4 mi · 53 sec · I 694 East
12

Merge slight left

436 ft · 5 sec
13

Take the exit slight right toward East River Road

0.2 mi · 25 sec · East River Road
14

Keep slight right

410 ft · 10 sec
15

Continue on East River Road

3.9 mi · 7 min · East River Road
16

Turn left onto Mississippi Boulevard Northwest

0.1 mi · 33 sec · Mississippi Boulevard Northwest
17

Arrive at your destination

Trip Plan

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 18.9 miles from Apple Valley, MN, or about 21m into the drive.

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 37.8 miles or 42m in

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

Halfway reset

Around 18.9 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 35m

Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Co on Rapids, MN than in the middle of the route.

Before You Leave

+

Have your navigation ready before leaving Apple Valley, MN.

Day 1

Settle into the route from Apple Valley, MN

This is one driving day of about 37.8 miles and 42m.

At 37.8 miles this is a quick drive — no planned stops needed.

Where to Stop

Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.

Halfway Point

Midpoint

About 18.9 mi from Apple Valley, MN · 21m into the drive

Pacing Suggestions

Blaine, MN

Fuel and coffee

A short stop after about 37.8 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.

Minneapolis, MN

Meal break

The midpoint is around 18.9 miles from Apple Valley, MN, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.

Arriving in Co on Rapids, MN

Allow a few extra minutes for the final approach into Co on Rapids, MN if you are unfamiliar with the area.

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

Fuel & Cost

Regular Gas

$5.63 one way

$11.25 round trip

$3.78/gal 25.4 MPG avg 13 kg CO2
Fuel Type $/gal One Way Round Trip
midgrade $4.07 $6.06 $12.12
premium $4.53 $6.74 $13.49
diesel $5.61 $8.35 $16.69

No toll roads detected on this route.

Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)

Fuel

$6

Meals

$25–$50

Total

$31–$56

Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.

Estimated CO2 emission: 13.2 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.

Driving Electric?

About $4 in charging · 0 stops · 69% less CO2

Vehicle Type kWh Stops DC Fast Home Charge
Average EV 11.3 0 $3.97 $1.81
Efficient EV 9.5 0 $3.31 $1.51
EV Truck/SUV 15.1 0 $5.29 $2.42

Gas CO2

13 kg

EV CO2

4 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.

Forecast as of Apr 15, 2026

Origin

Apple Valley, MN

Evening in Apple Valley on Wednesday

Local time

5:31 PM

CDT

Current temp

66°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

Destination

Co on Rapids, MN

Evening in Co on Rapids on Wednesday

Local time

5:31 PM

CDT

Current temp

67°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

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

1 degrees warmer 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 Apple Valley, MN to Co on Rapids, MN covers 37.8 miles and takes about 42m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are Cedar Avenue, MN 62 West, Crosstown Highway. Expect a mix of highway and local road driving.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 18.9 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 $5.63 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.
The drive from Apple Valley, MN to Co on Rapids, MN is easy. At 42m with 0% highway, most drivers will find it relaxed and low-stress.
This route does not have any notably tricky sections. Most of the drive from Apple Valley, MN to Co on Rapids, MN is straightforward, with well-signed roads and simple exits.
The route from Apple Valley, MN to Co on Rapids, MN does not surface many named destination signs beyond the main corridor.

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