Origin
Atwater, MN
Evening in Atwater on Thursday
Local time
7:07 PM
CDT
Current temp
44°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Atwater, MN to Maple Grove, MN
Last recalculated Apr 17, 2026
Drive Time
1h 45m
Distance
77.5 mi
125 km
Drive Score
8/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$12
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
1h 38m
★
6 AM
1h 45m
8 AM
2h 1m
10 AM
1h 51m
12 PM
1h 49m
3 PM
1h 52m
5 PM
2h 0m
8 PM
1h 41m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Atwater, MN
Tom Fisk
Maple Grove, MN
Wikimedia Commons
Trip Overview
The drive from Atwater, MN to Maple Grove, MN covers 77.5 miles and takes about 1h 45m behind the wheel. This route is realistic as a one-day drive if you keep your stops efficient.
The route leans on US 12, Babcock Boulevard, Pleasant Avenue East for much of the mileage, and the overall profile is turn-heavy local drive. The longest uninterrupted segment is about 15.9 miles on US 12. At current regular gas prices, budget about $11.53 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.
Midpoint
38.7 miles from Atwater, MN
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 50m into the drive .
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 1h 45m. Total distance: 77.5 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 0 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
1h 45m drive, comfortable solo distance.
Scenic Drive
Turn-heavy local drive route profile.
Drive Character
Expect a 1h 45m drive with frequent turns across 77.5 miles of local and secondary roads.
This route has more turning and local-road decision points than a simple highway run.
There are about 32 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.
US 12 is the longest continuous segment at about 15.9 miles.
How Hard Is This Drive?
Expect a hands-on drive with frequent turns and local roads rather than long highway stretches. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 68.9 miles in.
Driving Effort
8/10
Demanding - plan breaks and stay ahead of the key maneuvers
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This drive requires moderate attention. Across 77.5 miles you will encounter 14 spots where lane choice or exit timing matters. Not difficult for experienced highway drivers, but worth previewing the tricky sections before you go.
Where does it get tricky?
The main spots that need attention: at 68.9 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 69.2 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 69.6 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Critical Maneuvers
5 of 14 key pointsThese are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
8
68.9 mi into trip
|
~1h 32m in
Take the exit toward I 494: Carlson Parkway, Linner Road
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 1A-B
Toward I 494: Carlson Parkway, Linner Road
7
69.2 mi into trip
|
~1h 33m in
Keep slight left at fork toward I 494
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Toward I 494
8
69.6 mi into trip
|
~1h 34m in
Keep slight left at fork toward I 394 East, I 494 North
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Toward I 394 East, I 494 North
7
69.9 mi into trip
|
~1h 34m in
Take the exit toward I 494 North
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the right lane.
Toward I 494 North
7
76.6 mi into trip
|
~1h 43m in
Take the exit toward CR 10: Bass Lake Road
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Exit 26
Toward CR 10: Bass Lake Road
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| US 12 | 15.9 mi | 21m |
| Babcock Boulevard | 13.2 mi | 17m |
| Pleasant Avenue East | 12.8 mi | 17m |
| East Depot Street | 11.8 mi | 13m |
| I 494 | 6.4 mi | 7m |
| Babcock Boulevard West | 3.9 mi | 5m |
| 60th Street Southwest | 3.5 mi | 4m |
| 50th Street Southwest | 2.7 mi | 3m |
Longest stretch:
US 12
— 15.9 mi, about 21m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Atwater, MN and Maple Grove, MN.
1
Start on this road
135 ft
·
15 sec
·
this road
2
Turn left onto Minnesota Avenue
154 ft
·
11 sec
·
Minnesota Avenue
3
Turn left onto CR 2
144 ft
·
6 sec
·
Main Street North
4
Turn right onto US 12
13 mi
·
17 min
·
Pleasant Avenue East
5
Continue on US 12; MN 22
0.9 mi
·
2 min
·
North Sibley Avenue
6
Turn left onto US 12
12 mi
·
13 min
·
East Depot Street
7
Continue on US 12
2.0 mi
·
2 min
·
US 12
8
Continue on US 12
2.7 mi
·
3 min
·
50th Street Southwest
9
Continue on US 12
1.1 mi
·
1 min
·
Cokato Street West
10
Continue on US 12
1.9 mi
·
2 min
·
US 12
11
Continue on US 12
3.5 mi
·
4 min
·
60th Street Southwest
12
Continue on US 12
1.0 mi
·
2 min
·
6th Street
13
Continue on US 12
4.1 mi
·
5 min
·
US 12
14
Continue on US 12
0.7 mi
·
1 min
·
Pacific Avenue
15
Continue on US 12
1.9 mi
·
2 min
·
US 12
16
Continue on US 12
1.1 mi
·
2 min
·
Nelson Boulevard
17
Continue on US 12; MN 25
2.4 mi
·
3 min
·
US 12; MN 25
18
Continue on US 12
0.2 mi
·
19 sec
·
60th Street Southeast
19
Continue on US 12
3.6 mi
·
5 min
·
US 12
20
Continue on US 12
3.9 mi
·
5 min
·
Babcock Boulevard West
21
Enter roundabout onto US 12
140 ft
·
1 sec
·
Babcock Boulevard
22
Continue on US 12
2.1 mi
·
2 min
·
Babcock Boulevard
23
Enter roundabout onto US 12
140 ft
·
1 sec
·
Babcock Boulevard
24
Continue on US 12
11 mi
·
14 min
·
Babcock Boulevard
Use the straight lane.
25
Take the exit
0.3 mi
·
36 sec
Exit 1A-B
Toward I 494: Carlson Parkway, Linner Road
Use the slight right lane.
26
Keep slight left at fork
0.4 mi
·
50 sec
Toward I 494
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
27
Keep slight left at fork
0.3 mi
·
36 sec
Toward I 394 East, I 494 North
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
28
Take the exit
0.2 mi
·
33 sec
Toward I 494 North
Use the right lane.
29
Merge onto I 494
6.4 mi
·
7 min
·
I 494
Use the straight / right lanes.
30
Take the exit
0.3 mi
·
36 sec
Exit 26
Toward CR 10: Bass Lake Road
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
31
Turn left onto CR 10
0.6 mi
·
1 min
·
Bass Lake Road
Use the left / straight lanes.
32
Arrive at destination
CR 10
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 38.7 miles from Atwater, MN, or about 50m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 15.9 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 17 miles or 23m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 38.7 miles or 50m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 1h 28m
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 Atwater, MN so your first major turns are already loaded.
Day 1
Settle into the route from Atwater, MN
This is one driving day of about 77.5 miles and 1h 45m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 17 miles from Atwater, MN.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
The longest stretch is on US 12 for about 15.9 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 38.7 mi from Atwater, MN · 50m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
39 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 17 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 38.7 miles from Atwater, MN, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Arriving in Maple Grove, MN
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.
These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$11.53 one way
$23.07 round trip
$3.78/gal
25.4 MPG avg
27 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.07 | $12.43 | $24.85 |
| premium | $4.53 | $13.83 | $27.66 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $17.11 | $34.22 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$12
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$37–$62
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 27.1 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $8 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 23.3 | 0 | $8.14 | $3.72 |
| Efficient EV | 19.4 | 0 | $6.78 | $3.10 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 31 | 0 | $10.85 | $4.96 |
Gas CO2
27 kg
EV CO2
9 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.
Destination
Maple Grove, MN
Evening in Maple Grove on Thursday
Local time
7:07 PM
CDT
Current temp
46°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
69°F
Rockford, MN
39 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
Same local time
Origin and destination are on the same clock, so arrival timing is easier to judge at a glance.
Temperature spread
2 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
1h 45m 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 Atwater, MN to Maple Grove, MN covers 77.5 miles and takes about 1h 45m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are US 12, Babcock Boulevard, Pleasant Avenue East. Expect a mix of highway and local road driving.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 38.7 miles from Atwater, MN. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $11.53 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.
This drive requires moderate attention. Across 77.5 miles you will encounter 14 spots where lane choice or exit timing matters. Not difficult for experienced highway drivers, but worth previewing the tricky sections before you go.
The main spots that need attention: at 68.9 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 69.2 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 69.6 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
The route from Atwater, MN to Maple Grove, MN does not surface many named destination signs beyond the main corridor.
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