Origin
Cottage Grove, MN
Morning in Cottage Grove on Wednesday
Local time
7:15 AM
CDT
Current temp
45°F
Unavailable
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Drive Time
52m
Distance
39.7 mi
64 km
Drive Score
6/10
Good drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$6
one way
EV Charging
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station data
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Cottage Grove, MN
Tom Fisk
Maple Grove, MN
Wikimedia Commons
Spanning 39.7 miles across the Minnesota landscape, this drive connects Cottage Grove to Maple Grove in about 52 minutes. Given the short duration, it is perfectly suited for a single-day trip, requiring no overnight stays. You can expect to spend approximately $6 on fuel for the journey, making it a highly economical commute. Since both cities are located within the Midwest, the transition between these two points is seamless and straightforward. This route is designed for efficiency rather than leisure, prioritizing speed as you navigate from the southeastern suburbs to the northwestern reaches of the region.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.
Break Rhythm
0 planned breaks
A short stop every 2 to 3 hours is enough for this drive.
Midpoint
19.8 miles from Cottage Grove, MN
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 27m into the drive .
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Expect a focused, highway-heavy experience as this route consists of 93% highway driving. You will primarily navigate via US 10, I-94, and I-494, which keeps the pace steady throughout the nearly hour-long transit. The longest uninterrupted stretch occurs on US 10, where you will cover 33.5 miles without needing to exit. Because this is an interstate-focused drive, the character of the road remains consistent and predictable from start to finish. It is a utilitarian experience, ideal if you prefer a direct, no-nonsense path between these two suburban hubs.
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on US 10 and I 94. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 1.4 miles in.
High effort - long or complex enough to need steady focus all day
This is a demanding drive. With 14 significant decision points across 39.7 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 1.4 miles: Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 13.2 miles (US 10): Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 18.4 miles (US 10): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
These are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
Take the ramp toward US 10 West, US 61 North
Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Take the exit onto US 10 toward I 35E North, US 10 West
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Keep slight right at fork onto US 10 toward US 10 West, I 694 West, I 694 East
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Take the exit toward I 494 South
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Take the exit toward CR 10: Bass Lake Road
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| US 10 | 33.5 mi | 41m |
| I 94 | 2.1 mi | 2m |
| I 494 | 1.2 mi | 1m |
| Hillside Trail | 0.7 mi | 1m |
| Bass Lake Road | 0.5 mi | <1m |
| East Point Douglas Road South | 0.4 mi | 1m |
| 80th Street South | 0.2 mi | <1m |
| Hyde Avenue South | <0.1 mi | <1m |
Step-by-step road directions between Cottage Grove, MN and Maple Grove, MN.
Start on Hyde Avenue South
Turn left onto Hillside Trail
At end of road, turn right onto East Point Douglas Road South
Turn slight right
Turn straight onto East Point Douglas Road South
Turn left onto 80th Street South
Take the ramp
Merge onto US 10; US 61
Take the exit onto US 10; US 61
Merge onto I 94
Take the exit onto US 10
Keep slight right at fork onto US 10
Continue on US 10
Take the exit
Continue on I 494
Take the exit
Turn right onto CR 10
Arrive at destination
Because the entire trip takes less than an hour, you have significant flexibility in your departure time to avoid the worst of the local traffic. While there are no scheduled stops required for a journey of this length, you should keep an eye on your fuel gauge before merging onto the major interstates to avoid unnecessary detours. Since you are spending the vast majority of your time on highways, stay alert for merging traffic at the interchanges between US 10 and the interstate system. Planning your departure to avoid peak rush hours will help ensure you hit that 52-minute estimate. With a low $6 fuel budget, this is an easy, low-stress drive that allows you to reach your destination quickly without complex 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.
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 39.7 miles or 52m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 19.8 miles or 27m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 44m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Maple Grove, MN than in the middle of the route.
Open the route before leaving Cottage Grove, 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 Cottage Grove, MN
This is one driving day of about 39.7 miles and 52m.
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 19.8 mi from Cottage Grove, MN · 27m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
20 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 39.7 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
The midpoint is around 19.8 miles from Cottage Grove, MN, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
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.
Try to arrive with enough fuel left to skip an immediate station stop unless you already know the area around Maple Grove, MN.
These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.
Regular Gas
$5.91 one way
$11.82 round trip
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.07 | $6.37 | $12.73 |
| premium | $4.53 | $7.08 | $14.17 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $8.77 | $17.53 |
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: 13.9 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $4 in charging · 0 stops · 64% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 11.9 | 0 | $4.17 | $1.91 |
| Efficient EV | 9.9 | 0 | $3.47 | $1.59 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 15.9 | 0 | $5.56 | $2.54 |
Gas CO2
14 kg
EV CO2
5 kg (64% 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.
Current conditions at both ends of the drive.
Origin
Morning in Cottage Grove on Wednesday
Local time
7:15 AM
CDT
Current temp
45°F
Unavailable
Destination
Morning in Maple Grove on Wednesday
Local time
7:15 AM
CDT
Current temp
49°F
Showers And Thunderstorms Likely
Severe Thunderstorm Warning
Severe Thunderstorm Warning issued April 13 at 8:39PM CDT until April 13 at 9:00PM CDT by NWS Sioux Falls SD
Severe Thunderstorm Warning
Severe Thunderstorm Warning issued April 13 at 8:39PM CDT until April 13 at 9:45PM CDT by NWS La Crosse WI
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
The weather snapshot is not static. If you are leaving later, give both cities one more quick forecast check before departure.
Weather data from the National Weather Service. Conditions may change; check closer to your travel date.
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