Origin
Chisago City, MN
Morning in Chisago City on Saturday
Local time
11:42 AM
CDT
Current temp
65°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Chisago City, MN to Apple Valley, MN
Compiled and reviewed by the Trip.ovh planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Apr 18, 2026 · Editorial standards
Drive Time
1h 9m
Distance
53.4 mi
86 km
Drive Score
9/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$8
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
1h 4m
★
6 AM
1h 10m
8 AM
1h 21m
10 AM
1h 14m
12 PM
1h 13m
3 PM
1h 14m
5 PM
1h 20m
8 PM
1h 7m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Chisago City, MN
Tom Fisk
Apple Valley, MN
Wikimedia Commons
Trip Overview
The drive from Chisago City, MN to Apple Valley, MN covers 53.4 miles and takes about 1h 9m behind the wheel. This route is realistic as a one-day drive if you keep your stops efficient.
The route leans on I 35E, Lake Boulevard, I 35 for much of the mileage, and the overall profile is highway-focused drive. The longest uninterrupted segment is about 31.7 miles on I 35E. At current regular gas prices, budget about $7.95 one way before food or hotel costs.
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 1h 9m. Total distance: 53.4 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 0 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
1h 9m drive, comfortable solo distance.
EV Driver
0 DC fast chargers along the route. Coverage: unknown.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (69%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Drive Character
This is a 1h 9m highway drive covering 53.4 miles, with most of the trip on I 35E and Lake Boulevard. The longest continuous stretch is about 31.7 miles on I 35E.
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 35E is the longest continuous segment at about 31.7 miles.
How Hard Is This Drive?
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 35E and Lake Boulevard. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 14.1 miles in near I 35E.
Driving Effort
10/10
Demanding - stay alert through the decision-heavy sections
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This drive requires moderate attention. Across 53.4 miles you will encounter 16 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 14.1 miles (I 35E): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 24 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here; at 27.1 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
Critical Maneuvers
5 of 16 key pointsThese are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
7
14.1 mi into trip
|
~16m in
|
I 35E
Keep slight left at fork onto I 35E toward Saint Paul
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / right lanes.
Toward Saint Paul
7
24 mi into trip
|
~27m in
Take the exit toward CR 96
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Exit 117
Toward CR 96
8
27.1 mi into trip
|
~34m in
Keep slight left at fork toward I 35E South
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Toward I 35E South
8
29 mi into trip
|
~37m in
|
I 35E
Keep slight left at fork onto I 35E toward I 35E South, US 10 East: St Paul
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Toward I 35E South, US 10 East: St Paul
7
35.2 mi into trip
|
~44m in
|
I 35E
Take the exit onto I 35E toward I 35E South
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight left lane.
Exit 241C
Toward I 35E South
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
Between Chisago City, MN and Apple Valley, MN, road signs point toward Saint Paul and Cr 96.
Saint Paul
14.1 mi in
|
~16m
|
via I 35E
Cr 96
24 mi in
|
~27m
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| I 35E | 31.7 mi | 38m |
| Lake Boulevard | 9.1 mi | 11m |
| I 35 | 5 mi | 5m |
| Cedar Avenue | 3.2 mi | 4m |
| Centerville Road | 2.3 mi | 4m |
| County Road E | 0.4 mi | 1m |
| CH 96 | <0.1 mi | <1m |
| County Road 42 | — | — |
Some road-level metrics are being recalculated.
Longest stretch:
I 35E
— 31.7 mi, about 38m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Chisago City, MN and Apple Valley, MN.
1
Start on US 8
53 ft
·
2 sec
·
Lake Boulevard
2
Continue on US 8
9.1 mi
·
11 min
·
Lake Boulevard
3
Merge onto I 35
5.0 mi
·
5 min
·
I 35
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
4
Keep slight left at fork onto I 35E
9.9 mi
·
10 min
·
I 35E
Toward Saint Paul
Use the straight / right lanes.
5
Take the exit
0.3 mi
·
38 sec
Exit 117
Toward CR 96
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
6
Turn right onto CH 96
492 ft
·
12 sec
·
CH 96
Use the right lane.
7
Turn left onto CH 59
2.3 mi
·
4 min
·
Centerville Road
Use the left lane.
8
Turn left onto CH 15
0.4 mi
·
1 min
·
County Road E
Use the straight lane.
9
Take the ramp
226 ft
·
5 sec
Toward I 35E South: Saint Paul
Use the right lane.
10
Keep slight left at fork
0.3 mi
·
37 sec
Toward I 35E South
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
11
Merge onto I 35E
1.6 mi
·
2 min
·
I 35E
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
12
Keep slight left at fork onto I 35E
5.5 mi
·
6 min
·
I 35E
Toward I 35E South, US 10 East: St Paul
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
13
Keep slight right at fork onto I 35E
0.7 mi
·
48 sec
·
I 35E
Use the straight / slight left lanes.
14
Take the exit onto I 35E
14 mi
·
18 min
·
I 35E
Exit 241C
Toward I 35E South
Use the slight left lane.
15
Take the exit
0.3 mi
·
37 sec
Exit 92
Toward MN 77: Cedar Avenue
Use the slight right lane.
16
Keep slight left at fork
0.3 mi
·
44 sec
Toward MN 77 South: Cedar Avenue
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
17
Keep slight right at fork
0.3 mi
·
34 sec
Toward MN 77 South: Cedar Avenue
Use the right lane.
18
Merge onto MN 77
3.2 mi
·
4 min
·
Cedar Avenue
Use the straight / right lanes.
19
Arrive at destination
CR 42
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 26.7 mi from Chisago City, MN · 33m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
27 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 12 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 26.7 miles from Chisago City, MN, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Arriving in Apple Valley, MN
The final approach into Apple Valley, 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
$7.95 one way
$15.89 round trip
$3.78/gal
25.4 MPG avg
19 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.07 | $8.56 | $17.13 |
| premium | $4.53 | $9.53 | $19.06 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $11.79 | $23.58 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Drive Cost (one way)
Fuel
$8
Estimated CO2 emission: 18.7 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $6 in charging · 0 stops · 68% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 16 | 0 | $5.61 | $2.56 |
| Efficient EV | 13.4 | 0 | $4.67 | $2.14 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 21.4 | 0 | $7.48 | $3.42 |
Gas CO2
19 kg
EV CO2
6 kg (68% 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
Apple Valley, MN
Morning in Apple Valley on Saturday
Local time
11:42 AM
CDT
Current temp
66°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
1h 9m 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 Chisago City, MN to Apple Valley, MN covers 53.4 miles and takes about 1h 9m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are I 35E, Lake Boulevard, I 35. Most of the drive stays on highways, so watch for ramps and exits.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 26.7 miles from Chisago City, MN. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $7.95 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 53.4 miles you will encounter 16 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 14.1 miles (I 35E): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 24 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here; at 27.1 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
Between Chisago City, MN and Apple Valley, MN, road signs point toward Saint Paul and Cr 96.
How this page is built
Compiled by the Trip.ovh planning team at COD Solutions Oy from open government datasets — OSRM over OpenStreetMap for geometry, and EIA for fuel prices. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.
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