Trip from International Falls, MN to Maple Grove, MN

Drive Time

4h 48m

Distance

301.8 mi

Route Type

Turn-heavy local drive

Long day trip

Trip Overview

The drive from International Falls, MN to Maple Grove, MN covers 301.8 miles and takes about 4h 48m behind the wheel. This route is realistic as a one-day drive if you keep your stops efficient.

The route leans on 8th Avenue, 5th Street, 3rd Avenue for much of the mileage, and the overall profile is turn-heavy local drive. At current regular gas prices, budget about $42.41 one way before food or hotel costs.

Trip Pace

Same-day drive is realistic

A same-day return is possible, but it will make for a full day on the road.

Break Rhythm

1 planned break

Plan on a short reset every 3 to 4 hours to stay fresh behind the wheel.

Midpoint

150.9 miles from International Falls, MN

A natural place for your longest stop of the day@if(!empty($enrichment->halfway_point['drive_time'])), about 0m into the drive@endif.

Drive Character

Expect a 4h 48m drive with frequent turns across 301.8 miles of local and secondary roads.

This route has more turning and local-road decision points than a simple highway run.

There are about 24 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.

8th Avenue is one of the defining roads on this drive.

Main Roads

Road	Distance	Duration
8th Avenue	0 mi	0m
5th Street	0 mi	0m
3rd Avenue	0 mi	0m
2nd Avenue	0 mi	0m
Speaker Irvin N	0 mi	0m
the route	0 mi	0m
I 35 South	0 mi	0m
I 35W	0 mi	0m

Longest stretch: 8th Avenue — 0 mi, about 0m

Step-by-Step Directions

1

Start on the route

2

Turn left onto 8th Avenue

3

Turn left onto 5th Street

4

Turn right onto 3rd Avenue

5

Continue on 2nd Avenue

6

Continue on Speaker Irvin N. Anderson Memorial Highway

7

Enter the roundabout and take exit 2 toward Speaker Irvin N. Anderson Memorial Highway

8

Exit the roundabout onto Speaker Irvin N. Anderson Memorial Highway

9

Continue straight

10

Enter the roundabout and take exit 2 toward the route

11

Exit the roundabout

12

Take the exit slight right

13

Continue straight

14

Enter the roundabout and take exit 2 toward I 35 South

15

Exit the roundabout onto I 35 South

16

Merge slight left

17

Keep slight right to continue on I 35W: Minneapolis

18

Take the exit slight right toward I 694 West

19

Merge slight left

20

Take the exit slight left toward I 494 South

21

Continue straight

22

Take the exit slight right toward CR 10: Bass Lake Road

23

Turn right onto Bass Lake Road

24

Arrive at your destination

When to Leave

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.

You can normally do this drive in one day.

Plan roughly 1 meaningful break for fuel, food, and rest.

The halfway point lands around 150.9 miles from International Falls, MN, or about 0m into the drive.

This is a comfortable same-day trip.

Drive Plan

Departure

Before you leave

Start with fuel, water, and navigation already sorted so the first hour feels easy.

First stop

Around 80 miles or 0m in

Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.

Halfway reset

Around 150.9 miles or 0m in

This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.

Final approach

Final hour starts around 0m

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 International Falls, 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.

Trip Strategy

Day 1

Settle into the route from International Falls, MN

This is one driving day of about 301.8 miles and 4h 48m.

Your first comfortable stop window is around 80 miles from International Falls, MN.

This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.

Plan about 1 real break rather than only quick fuel stops.

Best Stop Towns on This Route

These towns line up with the pace of this drive and give you clearer places to stop with a purpose.

Late stop town

Meal stop

Cloquet, MN

151 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.

Travel Advice

Arrival Notes

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.

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.

Stops Along the Way

Halfway Point

Midpoint

About 150.9 mi from International Falls, MN

Cloquet, MN

Fuel and coffee

A short stop after about 80 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.

Cloquet, MN

Meal break

The midpoint is around 150.9 miles from International Falls, MN, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.

These stop ideas are pacing suggestions for the drive, so the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.

Fuel & Cost

Fuel Type	$/gal	One Way	Round Trip
regular	$3.57	$42.41	$84.81
midgrade	$3.92	$46.59	$93.18
premium	$4.39	$52.19	$104.37
diesel	$4.86	$57.79	$115.59

Based on 25.4 MPG average. Estimated CO2 emission: 105.6 kg one way.

Frequently Asked Questions

The drive from International Falls, MN to Maple Grove, MN covers 301.8 miles and takes about 4h 48m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.

The main roads are 8th Avenue, 5th Street, 3rd Avenue. Expect a mix of highway and local road driving.

This is a comfortable same-day trip.

The midpoint is about 150.9 miles from International Falls, MN. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.

At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $42.41 one way. This estimate uses 25.4 MPG — your actual cost will vary with your vehicle's fuel efficiency and current gas prices.

An early start around 7-8 AM gets you there with plenty of daylight left. A late afternoon start means arriving after dark. Morning is better.

Plan about 1 meaningful break for fuel, food, or rest. Plan on a short reset every 3 to 4 hours to stay fresh behind the wheel.