Origin
Elk River, MN
Evening in Elk River on Sunday
Local time
5:43 PM
CDT
Current temp
38°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Elk River, MN to Maple Grove, MN
Drive Time
21m
Distance
19.6 mi
32 km
Drive Score
6/10
Good drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$3
one way
EV Charging
Loading...
station data
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
0h 20m
★
6 AM
0h 22m
8 AM
0h 25m
10 AM
0h 23m
12 PM
0h 23m
3 PM
0h 23m
5 PM
0h 25m
8 PM
0h 21m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Maple Grove, MN
Tom Fisk
Trip Overview
If you are looking for a quick commute between Elk River and Maple Grove, this 19.6-mile trip is an efficient way to navigate through Minnesota’s Midwest corridor. You can easily complete the drive in about 21 minutes, making it a perfect candidate for a single-day journey. With a fuel budget of just $3, this is an incredibly economical route that requires zero intermediate stops. The path relies on a combination of Main Street Northwest, Voyageur Highway, and I-94 East to get you to your destination quickly. Because the total duration is so short, there is no need to worry about overnight accommodations or complex travel planning. It is a straightforward, practical transition between these two communities.
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
9.8 miles from Elk River, MN
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 10m into the drive .
Drive Character
Expect a turn-heavy local drive that demands your full attention as you transition between roads. Unlike long-haul interstate routes, this trip features a 0% highway share, meaning you will be navigating surface streets and local connectors for the duration of the 19.6-mile trek. You will not find any long, monotonous stretches here, as the longest uninterrupted segment is 0 miles on Main Street Northwest. The personality of this drive is defined by its frequent transitions rather than high-speed cruising. You should prepare for a dynamic experience behind the wheel where the road environment changes constantly as you move toward Maple Grove.
This route has more turning and local-road decision points than a simple highway run.
There are about 13 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.
Main Street Northwest 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 Elk River, MN to Maple Grove, MN is easy. At 21m 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 Elk River, MN to Maple Grove, MN is straightforward, with well-signed roads and simple exits.
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| Main Street Northwest | Unavailable | Refreshing |
| Voyageur Highway | Unavailable | Refreshing |
| I 94 East | Unavailable | Refreshing |
| I 494 South | 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:
Main Street Northwest
— detailed segment metrics are refreshing.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Elk River, MN and Maple Grove, MN.
1
Start on Jackson Avenue Northwest
262 ft
·
12 sec
·
Jackson Avenue Northwest
2
Turn left onto Main Street Northwest
0.1 mi
·
19 sec
·
Main Street Northwest
3
Take the ramp slight right
167 ft
·
5 sec
4
Merge slight left onto Voyageur Highway
0.7 mi
·
58 sec
·
Voyageur Highway
5
Take the exit slight right
0.4 mi
·
48 sec
6
Merge slight left
6.7 mi
·
8 min
7
Take the exit slight right toward I 94 East: Minneapolis, Saint Paul
0.7 mi
·
1 min
·
I 94 East: Minneapolis, Saint Paul
8
Merge slight left
8.3 mi
·
9 min
9
Take the exit slight right toward I 494 South
0.4 mi
·
32 sec
·
I 494 South
10
Continue straight
1.2 mi
·
1 min
11
Take the exit slight right toward CR 10: Bass Lake Road
0.3 mi
·
41 sec
·
CR 10: Bass Lake Road
12
Turn right onto Bass Lake Road
0.5 mi
·
51 sec
·
Bass Lake Road
13
Arrive at your destination
Trip Plan
Since this is such a short, 21-minute trip, you have maximum flexibility regarding your departure time. You do not need to worry about pacing stops or planning for fatigue, as the total distance is manageable in one go. Keep in mind that because the route is turn-heavy, you should double-check your navigation before pulling away to ensure you stay on the correct path through the local road segments. With a fuel cost of only $3, you can easily top off your tank in Elk River before you head out without needing to budget for mid-trip refueling. Take advantage of the short travel time to enjoy a stress-free transition between these two Minnesota locations.
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 9.8 miles from Elk River, MN, or about 10m 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 19.6 miles or 21m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 9.8 miles or 10m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 18m
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 Elk River, 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 Elk River, MN
This is one driving day of about 19.6 miles and 21m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 80 miles from Elk River, 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 9.8 mi from Elk River, MN · 10m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
10 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 19.6 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 9.8 miles from Elk River, 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
$2.80 one way
$5.61 round trip
$3.63/gal
25.4 MPG avg
7 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $3.92 | $3.03 | $6.05 |
| premium | $4.39 | $3.39 | $6.78 |
| diesel | $5.64 | $4.35 | $8.71 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$3
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$28–$53
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 6.9 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-06.
Driving Electric?
About $2 in charging · 0 stops · 71% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 5.9 | 0 | $2.06 | $0.94 |
| Efficient EV | 4.9 | 0 | $1.72 | $0.78 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 7.8 | 0 | $2.74 | $1.25 |
Gas CO2
7 kg
EV CO2
2 kg (71% 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
Evening in Maple Grove on Sunday
Local time
5:43 PM
CDT
Current temp
39°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Along the Route
38°F
Albertville, MN
10 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
1 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
21m 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 Elk River, MN to Maple Grove, MN covers 19.6 miles and takes about 21m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are Main Street Northwest, Voyageur Highway, I 94 East. Expect a mix of highway and local road driving.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 9.8 miles from Elk River, MN. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $2.80 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 Elk River, MN to Maple Grove, MN is easy. At 21m 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 Elk River, MN to Maple Grove, MN is straightforward, with well-signed roads and simple exits.
The route from Elk River, MN to Maple Grove, MN does not surface many named destination signs beyond the main corridor.
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