Drive Time
4h 5m
Distance
197 mi
317 km
Drive Score
8/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$28
one way
The drive from Apple Valley, MN to Grand Rapids, MN covers 197 miles and takes about 4h 5m 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 $27.68 one way before food or hotel costs.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is possible, but it will make for a full day on the road.
Break Rhythm
1 planned break
Plan on a short reset every 3 to 4 hours to stay fresh behind the wheel.
Midpoint
98.5 miles from Apple Valley, MN
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 2h 2m into the drive .
Expect a 4h 5m drive with frequent turns across 197 miles of local and secondary roads.
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| Cedar Avenue | Unavailable | Refreshing |
| MN 62 West | Unavailable | Refreshing |
| Crosstown Highway | Unavailable | Refreshing |
| I 35W North | Unavailable | Refreshing |
| MN 36 | Unavailable | Refreshing |
| US 10 West | Unavailable | Refreshing |
| MN 65 | Unavailable | Refreshing |
| Central Avenue Northeast | Unavailable | Refreshing |
Per-road distance and duration are being refreshed from OSRM for this route.
Step-by-step road directions between Apple Valley, MN and Grand Rapids, MN.
Start on County Road 42
Turn right onto Cedar Avenue
Take the exit slight right toward MN 62 West
Merge slight left onto Crosstown Highway
Keep slight right to continue on I 35W North
Merge slight left
Keep slight right
Take the exit slight right toward MN 36
Merge slight left
Keep slight left
Keep slight right to continue on US 10 West
Take the exit slight right toward MN 65: Central Avenue
Keep slight left
Turn right onto Central Avenue Northeast
At the end of the road, turn left onto East Highway 210
Turn right onto State Highway 65
Enter the roundabout and take exit 3 toward the route
Exit the roundabout
Continue on Northeast 6th Avenue
Turn left onto Northeast 5th Street
Continue on Northwest 5th Street
Arrive at your destination
Morning Departure
An early start around 7-8 AM gets you there with plenty of daylight left.
Evening Departure
A late afternoon start means arriving after dark. Morning is better.
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 39m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 98.5 miles or 2h 2m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 3h 21m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Grand Rapids, MN than in the middle of the route.
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 197 miles and 4h 5m.
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 98.5 mi from Apple Valley, MN · 2h 2m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
99 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.
A short stop after about 80 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
The midpoint is around 98.5 miles from Apple Valley, MN, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
The final approach into Grand Rapids, 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 Grand Rapids, MN.
These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.
Regular Gas
$27.68 one way
$55.36 round trip
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $3.92 | $30.41 | $60.82 |
| premium | $4.39 | $34.06 | $68.13 |
| diesel | $4.86 | $37.72 | $75.45 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$28
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$53–$78
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 68.9 kg one way.
Driving Electric?
About $21 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 59.1 | 0 | $20.68 | $9.46 |
| Efficient EV | 49.3 | 0 | $17.24 | $7.88 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 78.8 | 0 | $27.58 | $12.61 |
Gas CO2
69 kg
EV CO2
23 kg (67% 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. If you're planning ahead, check the forecast closer to your travel date.
Origin
Morning in Apple Valley on Saturday
Local time
8:04 AM
CDT
Current temp
55°F
Forecast unavailable right now
Destination
Morning in Grand Rapids on Saturday
Local time
8:04 AM
CDT
Current temp
36°F
Forecast unavailable right now
Along the Route
68°F
Braham, MN
99 mi in
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
Origin and destination are on the same clock, so arrival timing is easier to judge at a glance.
Temperature spread
A meaningful temperature swing is a good cue to rethink layers, water, and how soon you want to arrive.
Road read
An early start around 7-8 AM gets you there with plenty of daylight left.
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