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Trip from Cottage Grove, MN to Maple Grove, MN

Data updated 0 seconds ago

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

Best Time to Leave

Save up to 13 min
4 AM
0h 48m ★
6 AM
0h 53m
8 AM
1h 1m
10 AM
0h 56m
12 PM
0h 55m
3 PM
0h 56m
5 PM
1h 1m
8 PM
0h 50m

Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.

Downtown Cottage Grove, MN, MN

Cottage Grove, MN

Tom Fisk

city in Hennepin County, Minnesota, United States

Maple Grove, MN

Wikimedia Commons

Trip Overview

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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Drive Character

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.

Most of the miles stay on highways, which makes pacing and fuel planning easier than turn-by-turn city driving.
There are about 18 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.
US 10 is the longest continuous segment at about 33.5 miles.

How Hard Is This Drive?

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.

Route Complexity 9/10

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.

Critical Maneuvers

5 of 14 key points

These are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.

7
1.4 mi into trip | ~3m in

Take the ramp toward US 10 West, US 61 North

Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one

Use the right lane. Toward US 10 West, US 61 North
8
13.2 mi into trip | ~19m in | US 10

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

Use the slight right lane. Exit 242B Toward I 35E North, US 10 West
9
18.4 mi into trip | ~25m in | US 10

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

Use the straight / slight right lanes. Exit 113-114 Toward US 10 West, I 694 West, I 694 East
6
37.2 mi into trip | ~48m in

Take the exit toward I 494 South

Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here

Use the left / straight lanes. Toward I 494 South
7
38.9 mi into trip | ~51m in

Take the exit toward CR 10: Bass Lake Road

Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here

Use the slight right lane. Exit 26 Toward CR 10: Bass Lake Road

Main Roads

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
Longest stretch: US 10 — 33.5 mi, about 41m

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between Cottage Grove, MN and Maple Grove, MN.

1

Start on Hyde Avenue South

60 ft · 7 sec · Hyde Avenue South
2

Turn left onto Hillside Trail

0.7 mi · 1 min · Hillside Trail
3

At end of road, turn right onto East Point Douglas Road South

0.3 mi · 37 sec · East Point Douglas Road South
4

Turn slight right

219 ft · 11 sec
Use the right lane.
5

Turn straight onto East Point Douglas Road South

0.2 mi · 29 sec · East Point Douglas Road South
6

Turn left onto 80th Street South

0.2 mi · 35 sec · 80th Street South
Use the straight lane.
7

Take the ramp

0.3 mi · 37 sec
Toward US 10 West, US 61 North Use the right lane.
8

Merge onto US 10; US 61

8.9 mi · 11 min · US 10; US 61
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
9

Take the exit onto US 10; US 61

0.6 mi · 56 sec · US 10; US 61
10

Merge onto I 94

2.1 mi · 2 min · I 94
Use the straight / slight left lanes.
11

Take the exit onto US 10

5.1 mi · 6 min · US 10
Exit 242B Toward I 35E North, US 10 West Use the slight right lane.
12

Keep slight right at fork onto US 10

0.3 mi · 19 sec · US 10
Exit 113-114 Toward US 10 West, I 694 West, I 694 East Use the straight / slight right lanes.
13

Continue on US 10

19 mi · 22 min · US 10
Exit 113 Toward I 694 West, US 10 West Use the straight / slight right lanes.
14

Take the exit

0.5 mi · 35 sec
Toward I 494 South Use the left / straight lanes.
15

Continue on I 494

1.2 mi · 1 min · I 494
16

Take the exit

0.3 mi · 40 sec
Exit 26 Toward CR 10: Bass Lake Road Use the slight right lane.
17

Turn right onto CR 10

0.5 mi · 50 sec · Bass Lake Road
Use the right lane.
18

Arrive at destination

CR 10

Trip Plan

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.

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 19.8 miles from Cottage Grove, MN, or about 27m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 33.5 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 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.

Before You Leave

+

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.

Your first comfortable stop window is around 80 miles from Cottage Grove, MN.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
You may only need one short stretch stop if conditions stay smooth.
The longest stretch is on US 10 for about 33.5 miles.

Where to Stop

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

capital of the state of Minnesota, United States; county seat of Ramsey County, Minnesota

Mid-route town

Meal stop

Saint Paul, MN

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.

Pacing Suggestions

Plymouth, MN

Fuel and coffee

A short stop after about 39.7 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.

Saint Paul, MN

Meal break

The midpoint is around 19.8 miles from Cottage Grove, 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.

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.

Fuel & Cost

Regular Gas

$5.91 one way

$11.82 round trip

$3.78/gal 25.4 MPG avg 14 kg CO2
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.

Travel Intel

Current conditions at both ends of the drive.

Forecast data refreshed 1 day ago

Origin

Cottage Grove, MN

Morning in Cottage Grove on Wednesday

Local time

7:15 AM

CDT

Current temp

45°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

Destination

Maple Grove, MN

Morning in Maple Grove on Wednesday

Local time

7:15 AM

CDT

Current temp

49°F

Showers And Thunderstorms Likely

NNE 5 to 10 mph 59% chance Live forecast

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

Same local time

Origin and destination are on the same clock, so arrival timing is easier to judge at a glance.

Temperature spread

4 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

52m on the road

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.

Frequently Asked Questions

The drive from Cottage Grove, MN to Maple Grove, MN covers 39.7 miles and takes about 52m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are US 10, I 94, I 494. Most of the drive stays on highways, so watch for ramps and exits.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 19.8 miles from Cottage Grove, MN. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $5.91 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 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.
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.
The route from Cottage Grove, MN to Maple Grove, MN does not surface many named destination signs beyond the main corridor.

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