Origin
Detroit Lakes, MN
Afternoon in Detroit Lakes on Sunday
Local time
3:26 PM
CDT
Current temp
38°F
Unavailable
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Create accountDrive Time
3h 37m
Distance
186.3 mi
300 km
Drive Score
9/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$27
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.
Detroit Lakes, MN
Tom Fisk
Maple Grove, MN
Tom Fisk
Traveling from Detroit Lakes to Maple Grove covers 186.3 miles across the Minnesota landscape, making for a manageable 3-hour and 37-minute journey. Because the total duration is quite reasonable, you can easily complete this trip in a single day without needing an overnight stay. Expect to spend approximately $27 on fuel for the trek, which takes you from the heart of the Midwest toward the busier outskirts of the Twin Cities. You will primarily utilize West Mason Avenue, US 10, and I-94 to reach your destination. This route is ideal if you are looking for a straightforward, efficient connection between these two Minnesota locations.
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
93.1 miles from Detroit Lakes, MN
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h 47m into the drive .
This trip offers a mixed-drive experience, balancing local roads with major interstate travel. You will spend about 50 percent of your time on highways, providing a blend of steady cruising and slower-paced sections. The most significant portion of the journey is a 78.4-mile stretch along West Mason Avenue, which serves as your longest uninterrupted segment. As you transition from the local stretches onto the heavy-duty flow of I-94, the driving environment shifts from more relaxed secondary roads to the higher-speed, multi-lane conditions typical of major corridors. Prepare for this shift in pace as you head toward Maple Grove.
This route mixes highway mileage with some local-road sections near the start or finish. There are only a few real navigation decisions along the way. The trickiest moment comes around 44.5 miles in.
Easy - simple navigation with a manageable amount of wheel time
This is a straightforward 3h 37m drive. You will face about 10 decision points, but nothing that requires special attention if you follow navigation.
Where does it get tricky?
The main spots that need attention: at 44.5 miles: Roundabout - know your exit number before entering; at 162.7 miles (I 94): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here; at 183.9 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here.
These are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
Enter roundabout
Roundabout - know your exit number before entering
Merge onto I 94
Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here
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
Turn right onto CR 10 / Bass Lake Road
Lane positioning matters here
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| West Mason Avenue | 78.4 mi | 1h 29m |
| US 10 | 70.5 mi | 1h 21m |
| I 94 | 21.1 mi | 22m |
| Ash Avenue Northwest | 7.3 mi | 8m |
| 165th Avenue Southeast | 1.8 mi | 2m |
| Broadway Street East | 1.5 mi | 2m |
| Park Boulevard Southeast | 1.4 mi | 1m |
| I 494 | 1.2 mi | 1m |
Step-by-step road directions between Detroit Lakes, MN and Maple Grove, MN.
Start on CR 22
Turn right onto US 10
Enter roundabout
Continue
Turn straight onto US 10
Continue on US 10
Keep slight left at fork onto US 10
Turn right onto 165th Avenue Southeast
Continue on Park Boulevard Southeast
Continue on County Road 11
Turn right onto MN 25
Continue on MN 25
Turn left onto CR 75
Turn right onto CR 18
Take the ramp
Merge onto I 94
Take the exit
Continue on I 494
Take the exit
Turn right onto CR 10
Arrive at destination
Planning your departure is simple since the trip fits comfortably into one day of travel. With only one recommended stop, you have plenty of flexibility to stretch your legs or grab a quick bite whenever you feel the need. Keep a close eye on your fuel gauge before leaving Detroit Lakes, as the $27 estimate assumes steady driving conditions. Since you are navigating through a mix of highway and local road types, try to time your departure to avoid peak traffic hours when merging onto I-94 near your destination. Using your single stop strategically around the midway point will keep you refreshed for the final leg of the 186.3-mile drive.
Morning Departure
An early start around 7-8 AM gets you there with plenty of daylight left.
Evening Departure
A late afternoon start means arriving after dark. Morning is better.
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 32m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 93.1 miles or 1h 47m 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 56m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Maple Grove, MN than in the middle of the route.
Open the route before leaving Detroit Lakes, 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 Detroit Lakes, MN
This is one driving day of about 186.3 miles and 3h 37m.
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 93.1 mi from Detroit Lakes, MN · 1h 47m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
93 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 80 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
The midpoint is around 93.1 miles from Detroit Lakes, MN, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Before the longest stretch
Fuel checkTop up before West Mason Avenue if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 78.4 miles.
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
$26.65 one way
$53.29 round trip
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $3.92 | $28.76 | $57.52 |
| premium | $4.39 | $32.21 | $64.43 |
| diesel | $5.64 | $41.39 | $82.78 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$27
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$52–$77
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 65.2 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-06.
Driving Electric?
About $20 in charging · 0 stops · 66% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 55.9 | 0 | $19.56 | $8.94 |
| Efficient EV | 46.6 | 0 | $16.30 | $7.45 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 74.5 | 0 | $26.08 | $11.92 |
Gas CO2
65 kg
EV CO2
22 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.
Current conditions at both ends of the drive.
Origin
Afternoon in Detroit Lakes on Sunday
Local time
3:26 PM
CDT
Current temp
38°F
Unavailable
Destination
Afternoon in Maple Grove on Sunday
Local time
3:26 PM
CDT
Current temp
39°F
Unavailable
Along the Route
37°F
Avon, MN
93 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
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
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.
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