Origin
Cloquet, MN
Afternoon in Cloquet on Sunday
Local time
3:16 PM
CDT
Current temp
29°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Cloquet, MN to Apple Valley, MN
Drive Time
2h 55m
Distance
151.7 mi
244 km
Drive Score
8/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$22
one way
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
2h 44m
★
6 AM
2h 55m
8 AM
3h 18m
10 AM
3h 3m
12 PM
3h 1m
3 PM
3h 4m
5 PM
3h 17m
8 PM
2h 49m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Cloquet, MN
Tom Fisk
Apple Valley, MN
Tom Fisk
Trip Overview
Traveling from Cloquet to Apple Valley is a straightforward 151.7-mile journey that typically takes about 2 hours and 55 minutes. Since this is a single-day trip, you can easily complete it in one go without needing an overnight stay. You will primarily navigate via I-35 and I-35E before transitioning onto Cedar Avenue for the final leg. With an estimated fuel cost of $22, it remains a budget-friendly way to cross the state. Because both locations are situated in the Midwest, you won't encounter major regional shifts, but you will move from the northern reaches of the state toward the heart of the Twin Cities metro area. It is a highly practical route for those prioritizing efficiency over rural detours.
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
75.9 miles from Cloquet, MN
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h 23m into the drive .
Drive Character
This trip is a quintessential highway-focused drive, with 95% of your travel spent on high-speed roads. You will settle into a rhythm quickly, as the longest uninterrupted stretch covers 109.7 miles along I-35. Expect a steady, interstate-heavy experience that favors consistent speeds and direct navigation. While the initial portion offers an open-road feel, the character of the drive shifts as you merge into the busier corridors of I-35E and eventually transition to the local flow of Cedar Avenue. It is a functional, no-nonsense route that keeps you moving toward your destination with minimal technical driving requirements.
Most of the miles stay on highways, which makes pacing and fuel planning easier than turn-by-turn city driving.
There are about 22 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 109.7 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 112.5 miles in near I 35E.
Route Complexity
10/10
High effort - long or complex enough to need steady focus all day
This is a demanding drive. With 18 significant decision points across 151.7 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 112.5 miles (I 35E): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 122.3 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here; at 125.5 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
Critical Maneuvers
5 of 18 key pointsThese are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
7
112.5 mi into trip
|
~2h 2m 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
122.3 mi into trip
|
~2h 13m 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
125.5 mi into trip
|
~2h 19m in
Keep slight left at fork toward I 35E South
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the none / straight / slight right lanes.
Toward I 35E South
8
127.3 mi into trip
|
~2h 22m 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 none lane.
Toward I 35E South, US 10 East: St Paul
7
133.5 mi into trip
|
~2h 30m 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 Along This Route
Between Cloquet, MN and Apple Valley, MN, road signs point toward Saint Paul and Cr 96.
Saint Paul
112.5 mi in
|
~2h 2m
|
via I 35E
Cr 96
122.3 mi in
|
~2h 13m
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| I 35 | 109.7 mi | 1h 57m |
| I 35E | 31.7 mi | 38m |
| Cedar Avenue | 3.2 mi | 4m |
| MN 33 | 2.7 mi | 4m |
| Centerville Road | 2.3 mi | 4m |
| County Road E | 0.4 mi | 1m |
| Cloquet Avenue | <0.1 mi | <1m |
| CH 96 | <0.1 mi | <1m |
Longest stretch:
I 35
— 109.7 mi, about 1h 57m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Cloquet, MN and Apple Valley, MN.
1
Start on 4th Street
26 ft
·
1 sec
·
4th Street
2
Turn left onto CR 45
519 ft
·
22 sec
·
Cloquet Avenue
3
Turn left onto MN 33
2.1 mi
·
3 min
·
MN 33
4
Enter roundabout onto MN 33
77 ft
·
1 sec
·
MN 33
Toward I 35 South
5
Continue on MN 33
0.5 mi
·
40 sec
·
MN 33
Toward I 35 South
6
Merge onto I 35
110 mi
·
1 hr 57 min
·
I 35
Use the none / straight / slight right lanes.
7
Keep slight left at fork onto I 35E
9.9 mi
·
10 min
·
I 35E
Toward Saint Paul
Use the straight / right lanes.
8
Take the exit
0.3 mi
·
38 sec
Exit 117
Toward CR 96
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
9
Turn right onto CH 96
492 ft
·
12 sec
·
CH 96
Use the right lane.
10
Turn left onto CH 59
2.3 mi
·
4 min
·
Centerville Road
Use the left lane.
11
Turn left onto CH 15
0.4 mi
·
1 min
·
County Road E
Use the straight lane.
12
Take the ramp
226 ft
·
5 sec
Toward I 35E South: Saint Paul
Use the right lane.
13
Keep slight left at fork
0.3 mi
·
37 sec
Toward I 35E South
Use the none / straight / slight right lanes.
14
Merge onto I 35E
1.6 mi
·
2 min
·
I 35E
Use the none lane.
15
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 none lane.
16
Keep slight right at fork onto I 35E
0.7 mi
·
48 sec
·
I 35E
Use the straight / slight left / none lanes.
17
Take the exit onto I 35E
14 mi
·
18 min
·
I 35E
Exit 241C
Toward I 35E South
Use the slight left lane.
18
Take the exit
0.3 mi
·
37 sec
Exit 92
Toward MN 77: Cedar Avenue
Use the slight right lane.
19
Keep slight left at fork
0.3 mi
·
44 sec
Toward MN 77 South: Cedar Avenue
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
20
Keep slight right at fork
0.3 mi
·
34 sec
Toward MN 77 South: Cedar Avenue
Use the right lane.
21
Merge onto MN 77
3.2 mi
·
4 min
·
Cedar Avenue
Use the none / straight / right lanes.
22
Arrive at destination
CR 42
Trip Plan
To keep your travel efficient, plan for at least one dedicated stop during your 2-hour and 55-minute transit. Leaving early in the day is your best bet to avoid potential congestion as you approach the Twin Cities area on I-35E. Since fuel costs are manageable at around $22, filling your tank in Cloquet before departure allows you to bypass extra stops if you prefer a direct run. Keep in mind that the high percentage of highway travel means you should stay alert during the long 109.7-mile stretch. Use the flexibility of this one-day route to choose a departure time that best aligns with your personal schedule rather than worrying about overnight logistics.
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 75.9 miles from Cloquet, MN, or about 1h 23m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 109.7 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 27m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 75.9 miles or 1h 23m 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 17m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Apple Valley, MN than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving Cloquet, 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 Cloquet, MN
This is one driving day of about 151.7 miles and 2h 55m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 80 miles from Cloquet, 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 109.7 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 75.9 mi from Cloquet, MN · 1h 23m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
76 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 75.9 miles from Cloquet, 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 109.7 miles.
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.
Try to arrive with enough fuel left to skip an immediate station stop unless you already know the area around Apple Valley, 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
$21.70 one way
$43.40 round trip
$3.63/gal
25.4 MPG avg
53 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $3.92 | $23.42 | $46.84 |
| premium | $4.39 | $26.23 | $52.46 |
| diesel | $5.64 | $33.70 | $67.40 |
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: 53.1 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 | 45.5 | 0 | $15.93 | $7.28 |
| Efficient EV | 37.9 | 0 | $13.27 | $6.07 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 60.7 | 0 | $21.24 | $9.71 |
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
Apple Valley, MN
Afternoon in Apple Valley on Sunday
Local time
3:16 PM
CDT
Current temp
55°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 warmer at arrival
A meaningful temperature swing is a good cue to rethink layers, water, and how soon you want to arrive.
Road read
2h 55m 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 Cloquet, MN to Apple Valley, MN covers 151.7 miles and takes about 2h 55m 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 75.9 miles from Cloquet, MN. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $21.70 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 18 significant decision points across 151.7 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 112.5 miles (I 35E): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 122.3 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here; at 125.5 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
Between Cloquet, MN and Apple Valley, MN, road signs point toward Saint Paul and Cr 96.
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