Origin
Little Falls, MN
Afternoon in Little Falls on Sunday
Local time
3:25 PM
CDT
Current temp
67°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Little Falls, MN to Maple Grove, MN
Drive Time
1h 40m
Distance
83 mi
134 km
Drive Score
7/10
Good drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$12
one way
EV Charging
Loading...
station data
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
1h 33m
★
6 AM
1h 41m
8 AM
1h 56m
10 AM
1h 46m
12 PM
1h 45m
3 PM
1h 47m
5 PM
1h 55m
8 PM
1h 36m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Little Falls, MN
Tom Fisk
Maple Grove, MN
Tom Fisk
Trip Overview
If you are planning a trip from Little Falls to Maple Grove, expect a straightforward drive covering 83 miles of Minnesota terrain. You can easily complete this journey in about 1 hour and 40 minutes, making it an ideal day trip that doesn't require an overnight stay. Your route primarily utilizes US 10 and I-94 to move you efficiently through the Midwest. Budgeting about $12 for fuel should cover your needs for this direct transit. Since there are no mandatory stops required, you have the flexibility to head straight to your destination or build in your own breaks along the way.
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
41.5 miles from Little Falls, MN
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 50m into the drive .
Drive Character
This is a highway-focused drive, with 88% of your journey spent on high-speed roads. You will settle into a steady rhythm quickly, highlighted by a 50.3-mile stretch along US 10 that serves as the longest uninterrupted portion of the trip. The transition from the more rural feel of Little Falls toward the suburban environment of Maple Grove is marked by a shift onto I-94. While the route is functional rather than scenic, the heavy reliance on major highways ensures a consistent pace throughout the 1 hour and 40-minute duration. Expect a predictable experience behind the wheel as you navigate these primary transit corridors.
Most of the miles stay on highways, which makes pacing and fuel planning easier than turn-by-turn city driving.
There are about 19 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.
US 10 is the longest continuous segment at about 50.3 miles.
How Hard Is This Drive?
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on US 10 and I 94. You will hit about 9 points where you need to pay attention to lane position or signs. The trickiest moment comes around 2.8 miles in near US 10.
Route Complexity
6/10
Moderate - straightforward overall, but long enough or busy enough to require pacing
This drive requires moderate attention. Across 83 miles you will encounter 9 spots where lane choice or exit timing matters. Not difficult for experienced highway drivers, but worth previewing the tricky sections before you go.
Where does it get tricky?
The main spots that need attention: at 2.8 miles (US 10): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here; at 59.5 miles (I 94): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here; at 80.6 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here.
Critical Maneuvers
5 of 9 key pointsThese are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
5
2.8 mi into trip
|
~5m in
|
US 10
Merge onto US 10
Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here
Use the none / right lanes.
5
59.5 mi into trip
|
~1h 14m in
|
I 94
Merge onto I 94
Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here
Use the none / straight / slight right lanes.
7
80.6 mi into trip
|
~1h 37m in
Take the exit toward I 494 South
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Exit 216
Toward I 494 South
7
82.3 mi into trip
|
~1h 39m in
Take the exit toward CR 10: Bass Lake Road
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight right lane.
Exit 26
Toward CR 10: Bass Lake Road
6
82.6 mi into trip
|
~1h 40m in
|
CR 10 / Bass Lake Road
Turn right onto CR 10 / Bass Lake Road
Lane positioning matters here
Use the right lane.
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| US 10 | 50.3 mi | 58m |
| I 94 | 21.1 mi | 22m |
| 165th Avenue Southeast | 1.8 mi | 2m |
| Broadway Street East | 1.5 mi | 2m |
| 1st Street Southeast | 1.5 mi | 2m |
| Park Boulevard Southeast | 1.4 mi | 1m |
| I 494 | 1.2 mi | 1m |
| Haven Road | 1.1 mi | 1m |
Longest stretch:
US 10
— 50.3 mi, about 58m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Little Falls, MN and Maple Grove, MN.
1
Start on 1st Street Southeast
1.5 mi
·
2 min
·
1st Street Southeast
2
Continue on CR 76
1.1 mi
·
1 min
·
Haven Road
3
Take the ramp
0.3 mi
·
33 sec
4
Merge onto US 10
24 mi
·
27 min
·
US 10
Use the none / right lanes.
5
Keep slight left at fork onto US 10
26 mi
·
30 min
·
US 10
6
Turn right onto 165th Avenue Southeast
1.8 mi
·
2 min
·
165th Avenue Southeast
7
Continue on Park Boulevard Southeast
1.4 mi
·
1 min
·
Park Boulevard Southeast
8
Continue on County Road 11
0.7 mi
·
57 sec
·
County Road 11
9
Turn right onto MN 25
0.1 mi
·
11 sec
·
State Highway 25
10
Continue on MN 25
0.3 mi
·
42 sec
·
Pine Street
11
Turn left onto CR 75
1.5 mi
·
2 min
·
Broadway Street East
12
Turn right onto CR 18
0.3 mi
·
40 sec
·
Fenning Avenue
13
Take the ramp
0.4 mi
·
54 sec
14
Merge onto I 94
21 mi
·
22 min
·
I 94
Use the none / straight / slight right lanes.
15
Take the exit
0.4 mi
·
31 sec
Exit 216
Toward I 494 South
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
16
Continue on I 494
1.2 mi
·
1 min
·
I 494
17
Take the exit
0.3 mi
·
40 sec
Exit 26
Toward CR 10: Bass Lake Road
Use the slight right lane.
18
Turn right onto CR 10
0.5 mi
·
50 sec
·
Bass Lake Road
Use the right lane.
19
Arrive at destination
CR 10
Trip Plan
Because this is a relatively short drive, you have the advantage of choosing a departure time that best fits your personal schedule. Keep in mind that since the route is primarily highway-based, traffic patterns on I-94 will likely dictate your actual travel time more than any other factor. You don't need to worry about complex refueling logistics, as a simple $12 fill-up will get you through the 83-mile distance with ease. Since there are no designated stops on this itinerary, use the 165th Avenue Southeast connector to adjust your route if you encounter congestion on the main highways. Staying flexible with your departure window will help you avoid the busiest commute hours as you approach the Maple Grove area.
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 41.5 miles from Little Falls, MN, or about 50m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 50.3 miles.
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 36m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 41.5 miles or 50m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 1h 26m
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 Little 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.
Day 1
Settle into the route from Little Falls, MN
This is one driving day of about 83 miles and 1h 40m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 80 miles from Little Falls, 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.
The longest stretch is on US 10 for about 50.3 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 41.5 mi from Little Falls, MN · 50m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
42 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 41.5 miles from Little Falls, 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
$11.87 one way
$23.74 round trip
$3.63/gal
25.4 MPG avg
29 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $3.92 | $12.81 | $25.63 |
| premium | $4.39 | $14.35 | $28.70 |
| diesel | $5.64 | $18.44 | $36.88 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$12
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$37–$62
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 29 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-06.
Driving Electric?
About $9 in charging · 0 stops · 66% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 24.9 | 0 | $8.71 | $3.98 |
| Efficient EV | 20.8 | 0 | $7.26 | $3.32 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 33.2 | 0 | $11.62 | $5.31 |
Gas CO2
29 kg
EV CO2
10 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.
Travel Intel
Current conditions at both ends of the drive.
Destination
Maple Grove, MN
Afternoon in Maple Grove on Sunday
Local time
3:25 PM
CDT
Current temp
39°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Along the Route
38°F
Albertville, MN
42 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
28 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
1h 40m 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 Little Falls, MN to Maple Grove, MN covers 83 miles and takes about 1h 40m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are US 10, I 94, 165th Avenue Southeast. Most of the drive stays on highways, so watch for ramps and exits.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 41.5 miles from Little Falls, MN. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $11.87 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.
This drive requires moderate attention. Across 83 miles you will encounter 9 spots where lane choice or exit timing matters. Not difficult for experienced highway drivers, but worth previewing the tricky sections before you go.
The main spots that need attention: at 2.8 miles (US 10): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here; at 59.5 miles (I 94): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here; at 80.6 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here.
The route from Little Falls, MN to Maple Grove, MN does not surface many named destination signs beyond the main corridor.
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