Origin
Cottonwood, MN
Afternoon in Cottonwood on Sunday
Local time
3:16 PM
CDT
Current temp
71°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Cottonwood, MN to Maple Grove, MN
Drive Time
2h 28m
Distance
140.7 mi
226 km
Drive Score
8/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$20
one way
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
2h 19m
★
6 AM
2h 29m
8 AM
2h 49m
10 AM
2h 36m
12 PM
2h 34m
3 PM
2h 37m
5 PM
2h 48m
8 PM
2h 23m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Cottonwood, MN
Tom Fisk
Maple Grove, MN
Tom Fisk
Trip Overview
Spanning 140.7 miles across the Minnesota landscape, this drive from Cottonwood to Maple Grove typically takes about 2 hours and 28 minutes to complete. Because the duration is relatively short, it functions perfectly as a single-day excursion without the need for an overnight stay. You should budget approximately $20 for fuel to cover the distance. Navigating through the heart of the Midwest, this route utilizes a mix of Barstad Road, 390th Street, and Highway 23 to reach your destination. It is a straightforward trip for those looking to move between these two points efficiently. Whether you are heading out for business or a quick visit, this straightforward transit offers a reliable way to cross 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
70.4 miles from Cottonwood, MN
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h 14m into the drive .
Drive Character
Expect a turn-heavy local drive rather than a monotonous interstate cruise, as this route features a 0% highway share. You will find yourself navigating local roads like Barstad Road and 390th Street, which demand more attention than a standard highway trek. Because there are no long, uninterrupted stretches on this path, the driving experience is constant and engaging. The roads shift frequently, requiring you to stay alert through the various turns along the way. It is a hands-on driving experience that trades high-speed efficiency for a more localized, winding journey through the state.
This route has more turning and local-road decision points than a simple highway run.
There are about 14 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.
Barstad Road is one of the defining roads on this drive.
How Hard Is This Drive?
Expect a hands-on drive with frequent turns and local roads rather than long highway stretches. Navigation is very simple — set it and forget it for most of the drive.
Route Complexity
1/10
Very easy - short and simple to drive
The drive from Cottonwood, MN to Maple Grove, MN is easy. At 2h 28m with 0% highway, most drivers will find it relaxed and low-stress.
Where does it get tricky?
This route does not have any notably tricky sections. Most of the drive from Cottonwood, MN to Maple Grove, MN is straightforward, with well-signed roads and simple exits.
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| Barstad Road | Unavailable | Refreshing |
| 390th Street | Unavailable | Refreshing |
| Highway 23 | Unavailable | Refreshing |
| the route | Unavailable | Refreshing |
| I 494 North | Unavailable | Refreshing |
| CR 10 | Unavailable | Refreshing |
| Bass Lake Road | Unavailable | Refreshing |
Per-road distance and duration are being refreshed from OSRM for this route.
Longest stretch:
Barstad Road
— detailed segment metrics are refreshing.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Cottonwood, MN and Maple Grove, MN.
1
Start on Main Street
456 ft
·
13 sec
·
Main Street
2
Turn left onto Barstad Road
0.6 mi
·
1 min
·
Barstad Road
3
Turn right onto 390th Street
0.1 mi
·
23 sec
·
390th Street
4
Turn left onto State Highway 23
15 mi
·
18 min
·
State Highway 23
5
Turn right
72 mi
·
1 hr 34 min
6
Enter the roundabout and take exit 2 toward the route
154 ft
·
2 sec
·
the route
7
Exit the roundabout
10 mi
·
11 min
8
Keep slight right
28 mi
·
32 min
9
Take the exit slight right toward I 494 North
440 ft
·
11 sec
·
I 494 North
10
Keep slight right to continue on I 494 North
0.2 mi
·
29 sec
·
I 494 North
11
Merge slight left
14 mi
·
17 min
12
Take the exit slight right toward CR 10: Bass Lake Road
0.3 mi
·
37 sec
·
CR 10: Bass Lake Road
13
Turn left onto Bass Lake Road
0.6 mi
·
1 min
·
Bass Lake Road
14
Arrive at your destination
Trip Plan
Since this is a compact 2.5-hour journey, you have plenty of flexibility regarding your departure time. Aim to start your drive during daylight hours to better manage the turn-heavy nature of the local roads, especially if you are unfamiliar with the specific path. Although the trip is short enough to drive in one go, you should account for the lack of major highway stretches when calculating your travel time. Keep your $20 fuel budget in mind and ensure your tank is ready before you depart Cottonwood, as local roads may offer fewer refueling options than an interstate. Given the lack of designated stops, plan for a comfortable, steady pace that allows you to remain focused on the road ahead.
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 70.4 miles from Cottonwood, MN, or about 1h 14m into the drive.
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 24m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 70.4 miles or 1h 14m 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 1m
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 Cottonwood, 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 Cottonwood, MN
This is one driving day of about 140.7 miles and 2h 28m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 80 miles from Cottonwood, 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.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 70.4 mi from Cottonwood, MN · 1h 14m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
70 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 70.4 miles from Cottonwood, 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
$20.12 one way
$40.25 round trip
$3.63/gal
25.4 MPG avg
49 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $3.92 | $21.72 | $43.44 |
| premium | $4.39 | $24.33 | $48.66 |
| diesel | $5.64 | $31.26 | $62.52 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$20
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$45–$70
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 49.2 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-06.
Driving Electric?
About $15 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 42.2 | 0 | $14.77 | $6.75 |
| Efficient EV | 35.2 | 0 | $12.31 | $5.63 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 56.3 | 0 | $19.70 | $9.00 |
Gas CO2
49 kg
EV CO2
16 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
Afternoon in Maple Grove on Sunday
Local time
3:16 PM
CDT
Current temp
39°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Along the Route
38°F
Albertville, MN
70 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
32 degrees cooler at arrival
A meaningful temperature swing is a good cue to rethink layers, water, and how soon you want to arrive.
Road read
2h 28m 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 Cottonwood, MN to Maple Grove, MN covers 140.7 miles and takes about 2h 28m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are Barstad Road, 390th Street, Highway 23. Expect a mix of highway and local road driving.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 70.4 miles from Cottonwood, MN. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $20.12 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.
The drive from Cottonwood, MN to Maple Grove, MN is easy. At 2h 28m with 0% highway, most drivers will find it relaxed and low-stress.
This route does not have any notably tricky sections. Most of the drive from Cottonwood, MN to Maple Grove, MN is straightforward, with well-signed roads and simple exits.
The route from Cottonwood, MN to Maple Grove, MN does not surface many named destination signs beyond the main corridor.
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