Origin
Mankato, MN
Afternoon in Mankato on Sunday
Local time
4:23 PM
CDT
Current temp
73°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Mankato, MN to Apple Valley, MN
Drive Time
1h 20m
Distance
74.6 mi
120 km
Drive Score
7/10
Good drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$11
one way
EV Charging
Loading...
station data
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
1h 14m
★
6 AM
1h 20m
8 AM
1h 33m
10 AM
1h 25m
12 PM
1h 24m
3 PM
1h 26m
5 PM
1h 32m
8 PM
1h 17m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Mankato, MN
Tom Fisk
Apple Valley, MN
Tom Fisk
Trip Overview
If you are traveling from Mankato to Apple Valley, you are looking at a straightforward 74.6-mile journey across the Minnesota Midwest. Expect the drive to take approximately 1 hour and 20 minutes, making it a perfect candidate for a single-day trip that doesn't require an overnight stay. You should budget about $10 for fuel to complete the trek. Because this route avoids highways entirely, you will find it is a dedicated local drive that moves through the heart of the region. It is an ideal option if you prefer to stay off the interstates and enjoy a more direct, ground-level travel experience between these two points.
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
37.3 miles from Mankato, MN
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 40m into the drive .
Drive Character
This trip is defined by its turn-heavy, local nature, offering a stark contrast to a typical interstate cruise. You will spend your time navigating through local streets like South 2nd Street, North 2nd Street, and East Mulberry Street rather than maintaining high speeds on a freeway. Since the highway share for this route is 0%, your focus will remain on the rhythm of local driving throughout the entire 1 hour and 20 minutes. There is no long-haul highway stretch here, as the longest segment is 0 miles on South 2nd Street. Expect a hands-on driving experience that requires your full attention as you transition between these specific local roads.
This route has more turning and local-road decision points than a simple highway run.
There are about 22 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.
South 2nd Street 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 Mankato, MN to Apple Valley, MN is easy. At 1h 20m 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 Mankato, MN to Apple Valley, MN is straightforward, with well-signed roads and simple exits.
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| South 2nd Street | Unavailable | Refreshing |
| North 2nd Street | Unavailable | Refreshing |
| EastMulberry Street | Unavailable | Refreshing |
| South Minnesota Avenue | Unavailable | Refreshing |
| 2nd Street West | Unavailable | Refreshing |
| East 2nd Street /Richard J | Unavailable | Refreshing |
| Country Trail West /Richard J | Unavailable | Refreshing |
| Country Trail East /Richard J | Unavailable | Refreshing |
Per-road distance and duration are being refreshed from OSRM for this route.
Longest stretch:
South 2nd Street
— detailed segment metrics are refreshing.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Mankato, MN and Apple Valley, MN.
1
Start on Van Brunt Street
135 ft
·
8 sec
·
Van Brunt Street
2
Turn left onto South 2nd Street
0.6 mi
·
1 min
·
South 2nd Street
3
Continue on North 2nd Street
449 ft
·
20 sec
·
North 2nd Street
4
Turn left onto EastMulberry Street
0.2 mi
·
31 sec
·
EastMulberry Street
5
Take the ramp slight right
0.3 mi
·
34 sec
6
Merge slight left
11 mi
·
14 min
7
Continue on South Minnesota Avenue
12 mi
·
15 min
·
South Minnesota Avenue
8
Continue straight
12 mi
·
13 min
9
Continue straight
9.6 mi
·
11 min
10
Turn right onto 2nd Street West
0.2 mi
·
21 sec
·
2nd Street West
11
Enter the roundabout and take exit 2 toward 2nd Street West
98 ft
·
2 sec
·
2nd Street West
12
Exit the roundabout onto 2nd Street West
0.6 mi
·
1 min
·
2nd Street West
13
Continue on East 2nd Street /Richard J. Ames Memorial Highway
0.5 mi
·
50 sec
·
East 2nd Street /Richard J. Ames Memorial Highway
14
Continue on Country Trail West /Richard J. Ames Memorial Highway
5.0 mi
·
6 min
·
Country Trail West /Richard J. Ames Memorial Highway
15
Continue on Country Trail East /Richard J. Ames Memorial Highway
1.3 mi
·
1 min
·
Country Trail East /Richard J. Ames Memorial Highway
16
At the end of the road, turn left onto Langford Boulevard
3.5 mi
·
4 min
·
Langford Boulevard
17
Continue on Richard J. Ames Memorial Highway
0.8 mi
·
1 min
·
Richard J. Ames Memorial Highway
18
Enter the roundabout and take exit 2 toward Highway 13 South
135 ft
·
2 sec
·
Highway 13 South
19
Exit the roundabout onto Highway 13 South
3.3 mi
·
5 min
·
Highway 13 South
20
Turn right onto Egan Drive
2.5 mi
·
3 min
·
Egan Drive
21
Continue on County Road 42 West
5.8 mi
·
10 min
·
County Road 42 West
22
Arrive at your destination
Trip Plan
Since this is a relatively short 74.6-mile trip with zero mandatory stops, you have plenty of flexibility in your schedule. Aim to leave during off-peak hours to avoid potential local traffic congestion that can impact these smaller streets. Because you won't be hitting any major highway rest areas, make sure to handle any personal needs before you depart Mankato. Keep your $10 fuel budget in mind, and consider fueling up before you head out to ensure a smooth, uninterrupted ride. The best approach is to treat this as a simple point-to-point transit, utilizing the lack of required stops to arrive at your destination in Apple Valley as efficiently as possible.
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 37.3 miles from Mankato, MN, or about 40m 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 74.6 miles or 1h 20m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 37.3 miles or 40m 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 8m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Apple Valley, MN than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving Mankato, 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 Mankato, MN
This is one driving day of about 74.6 miles and 1h 20m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 80 miles from Mankato, 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 37.3 mi from Mankato, MN · 40m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
37 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 74.6 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 37.3 miles from Mankato, MN, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Arriving in Apple Valley, MN
The final approach into Apple Valley, 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 Apple Valley, 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
$10.67 one way
$21.34 round trip
$3.63/gal
25.4 MPG avg
26 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $3.92 | $11.52 | $23.03 |
| premium | $4.39 | $12.90 | $25.80 |
| diesel | $5.64 | $16.57 | $33.15 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$11
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$36–$61
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 26.1 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-06.
Driving Electric?
About $8 in charging · 0 stops · 65% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 22.4 | 0 | $7.83 | $3.58 |
| Efficient EV | 18.7 | 0 | $6.53 | $2.98 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 29.8 | 0 | $10.44 | $4.77 |
Gas CO2
26 kg
EV CO2
9 kg (65% 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
Apple Valley, MN
Afternoon in Apple Valley on Sunday
Local time
4:23 PM
CDT
Current temp
55°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Along the Route
39°F
Plymouth, MN
37 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
18 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 20m 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 Mankato, MN to Apple Valley, MN covers 74.6 miles and takes about 1h 20m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are South 2nd Street, North 2nd Street, EastMulberry Street. Expect a mix of highway and local road driving.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 37.3 miles from Mankato, MN. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $10.67 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 Mankato, MN to Apple Valley, MN is easy. At 1h 20m 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 Mankato, MN to Apple Valley, MN is straightforward, with well-signed roads and simple exits.
The route from Mankato, MN to Apple Valley, MN does not surface many named destination signs beyond the main corridor.
Was this route helpful?
Thanks for your feedback!
Your tip has been submitted. Thanks!
/500
Recent Tips
·
Explore More
Continue From Apple Valley, MN
More from Mankato, MN
More trips to Apple Valley, MN
Explore more options from Mankato, MN or browse trips ending in Apple Valley, MN.
Looking for more statewide routes? Browse MN road trips.
Explore maps for Mankato, MN or Apple Valley, MN on MapSof.net.