Origin
Gilbert, MN
Afternoon in Gilbert on Thursday
Local time
3:39 PM
CDT
Current temp
32°F
Unavailable
Last recalculated Apr 16, 2026
Drive Time
3h 48m
Distance
199.1 mi
320 km
Drive Score
8/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$30
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Gilbert, MN
Wikimedia Commons
Maple Grove, MN
Wikimedia Commons
The drive from Gilbert, MN to Maple Grove, MN covers 199.1 miles and takes about 3h 48m behind the wheel. This route is realistic as a one-day drive if you keep your stops efficient.
The route leans on I 35, US 53, MN 33 for much of the mileage, and the overall profile is highway-focused drive. The longest uninterrupted segment is about 109.7 miles on I 35. At current regular gas prices, budget about $29.63 one way before food or hotel costs.
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
99.5 miles from Gilbert, MN
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h 57m into the drive .
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 3h 48m. Total distance: 199.1 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
3h 48m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (98%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
This is a 3h 48m highway drive covering 199.1 miles, with most of the trip on I 35 and US 53. The longest continuous stretch is about 109.7 miles on I 35.
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 35 and US 53. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes early in the drive near MN 37; FH 11 / North Broadway.
Demanding - plan breaks and stay ahead of the key maneuvers
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This is a demanding drive. With 11 significant decision points across 199.1 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: near the start (MN 37; FH 11 / North Broadway): Lane positioning matters here; at 3.4 miles (MN 37): Lane positioning matters here; at 169 miles (I 35W): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
These are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
Turn left onto MN 37; FH 11 / North Broadway
Lane positioning matters here
Take the ramp onto MN 37 toward US 53 South
Lane positioning matters here
Keep slight right at fork onto I 35W toward I 35W: Minneapolis
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Take the exit toward I 694 West
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 |
|---|---|---|
| I 35 | 109.7 mi | 1h 57m |
| US 53 | 27.4 mi | 31m |
| MN 33 | 19.7 mi | 26m |
| I 35W | 14.7 mi | 16m |
| I 694 | 12.4 mi | 15m |
| MN 37 | 8.8 mi | 10m |
| State Highway 37 | 1.9 mi | 2m |
| North Broadway | 1.6 mi | 2m |
Step-by-step road directions between Gilbert, MN and Maple Grove, MN.
Start on Minnesota Avenue East
Turn left onto MN 37; FH 11
Continue on MN 37
Take the ramp onto MN 37
Continue on US 53
Take the exit onto MN 33
Continue on MN 33
Enter roundabout onto MN 33
Continue on MN 33
Merge onto I 35
Keep slight right at fork onto I 35W
Take the exit
Merge onto I 694
Take the exit
Continue on I 494
Take the exit
Turn right onto CR 10
Arrive at destination
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 44 miles or 53m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 99.5 miles or 1h 57m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 3h 5m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Maple Grove, MN than in the middle of the route.
Open the route before leaving Gilbert, 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 Gilbert, MN
This is one driving day of about 199.1 miles and 3h 48m.
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 99.5 mi from Gilbert, MN · 1h 57m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
100 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 44 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
The midpoint is around 99.5 miles from Gilbert, MN, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Before the longest stretch
Fuel checkTop up before I 35 if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 109.7 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.
After long uninterrupted mileage, take five minutes before the last urban segment to reset and refocus on exits, merges, and city traffic.
These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.
Regular Gas
$29.63 one way
$59.26 round trip
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.07 | $31.93 | $63.85 |
| premium | $4.53 | $35.52 | $71.05 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $43.96 | $87.92 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$30
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$55–$80
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 69.7 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $21 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 59.7 | 0 | $20.91 | $9.56 |
| Efficient EV | 49.8 | 0 | $17.42 | $7.96 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 79.6 | 0 | $27.87 | $12.74 |
Gas CO2
70 kg
EV CO2
23 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.
Current conditions at both ends of the drive.
Origin
Afternoon in Gilbert on Thursday
Local time
3:39 PM
CDT
Current temp
32°F
Unavailable
Destination
Afternoon in Maple Grove on Thursday
Local time
3:39 PM
CDT
Current temp
46°F
Unavailable
39°F
Hinckley, MN
100 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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