Origin
Mankato, MN
Afternoon in Mankato on Sunday
Local time
4:28 PM
CDT
Current temp
73°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Mankato, MN to Maple Grove, MN
Drive Time
1h 45m
Distance
82.2 mi
132 km
Drive Score
8/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$12
one way
EV Charging
Loading...
station data
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
1h 38m
★
6 AM
1h 45m
8 AM
2h 1m
10 AM
1h 51m
12 PM
1h 49m
3 PM
1h 52m
5 PM
2h 0m
8 PM
1h 41m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Mankato, MN
Tom Fisk
Maple Grove, MN
Tom Fisk
Trip Overview
If you are planning a trip from Mankato to Maple Grove, you are looking at a straightforward 82.2-mile journey that typically takes about 1 hour and 45 minutes. This Midwest transit is perfectly suited for a single-day excursion, as it is short enough to avoid the need for an overnight stay. You can expect to spend approximately $12 on fuel, making it a budget-friendly option for your schedule. By utilizing US 169, I-494, and US 212, you will navigate through the heart of Minnesota with ease. Whether you are traveling for business or a quick visit, this drive offers a reliable connection between these two locations without requiring extensive travel time.
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
41.1 miles from Mankato, MN
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 52m into the drive .
Drive Character
Expect a highway-focused experience, as roughly 75% of this route is dedicated to high-speed travel. You will spend a significant portion of your time on US 169, which features a longest uninterrupted stretch of 32.8 miles. The road transition between these primary arteries keeps the drive efficient rather than tedious. While you won't encounter major technical road changes, the mix of US 169 and interstate segments ensures a steady pace for the duration of the 1 hour and 45-minute trip. It is a functional, direct drive that keeps you moving toward your destination with minimal distractions.
Most of the miles stay on highways, which makes pacing and fuel planning easier than turn-by-turn city driving.
There are about 22 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.
US 169 is the longest continuous segment at about 32.8 miles.
How Hard Is This Drive?
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on US 169 and I 494. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 0.7 miles in near EastMulberry Street.
Route Complexity
7/10
Demanding - plan breaks and stay ahead of the key maneuvers
This is a demanding drive. With 14 significant decision points across 82.2 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: at 0.7 miles (EastMulberry Street): Lane positioning matters here; at 1 miles: Lane positioning matters here; at 67 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here.
Critical Maneuvers
5 of 14 key pointsThese are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
6
0.7 mi into trip
|
~2m in
|
EastMulberry Street
Turn left onto EastMulberry Street
Lane positioning matters here
Use the left / straight / right lanes.
5
1 mi into trip
|
~2m in
Take the ramp
Lane positioning matters here
Use the right lane.
6
67 mi into trip
|
~1h 25m in
Take the exit toward I 494 North
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / right lanes.
Toward I 494 North
6
67.1 mi into trip
|
~1h 25m in
Keep slight right at fork toward I 494 North
Highway fork - watch signs carefully
Toward I 494 North
7
81.3 mi into trip
|
~1h 43m in
Take the exit toward CR 10: Bass Lake Road
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Exit 26
Toward CR 10: Bass Lake Road
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| US 169 | 32.8 mi | 39m |
| I 494 | 14 mi | 17m |
| US 212 | 13.1 mi | 15m |
| South Minnesota Avenue | 11.6 mi | 15m |
| Quaker Avenue | 5.4 mi | 8m |
| Jonathan Carver Parkway | 1.9 mi | 2m |
| South 2nd Street | 0.6 mi | 1m |
| Bass Lake Road | 0.6 mi | 1m |
Longest stretch:
US 169
— 32.8 mi, about 39m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Mankato, MN and Maple Grove, MN.
1
Start on Van Brunt Street
134 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
·
30 sec
·
EastMulberry Street
Use the left / straight / right lanes.
5
Take the ramp
0.3 mi
·
34 sec
Use the right lane.
6
Merge onto US 169; MN 60
11 mi
·
14 min
·
US 169; MN 60
Use the none lane.
7
Continue on US 169; MN 22; MN 99
12 mi
·
15 min
·
South Minnesota Avenue
Use the straight lane.
8
Continue on US 169; MN 93
12 mi
·
13 min
·
US 169; MN 93
Use the straight lane.
9
Continue on US 169
9.6 mi
·
11 min
·
US 169
Use the none lane.
10
Turn left onto CR 9
5.4 mi
·
8 min
·
Quaker Avenue
Use the none lane.
11
At end of road, turn right onto CR 11; CR 40
0.6 mi
·
52 sec
·
County Road 40
12
Continue on CR 11
0.9 mi
·
1 min
·
Jonathan Carver Parkway
13
Enter roundabout onto CR 11
99 ft
·
1 sec
·
Jonathan Carver Parkway
14
Continue on CR 11
1.0 mi
·
1 min
·
Jonathan Carver Parkway
15
Take the ramp
0.4 mi
·
55 sec
Toward US 212 East
16
Merge onto US 212
13 mi
·
15 min
·
US 212
Use the none / straight / slight right lanes.
17
Take the exit
439 ft
·
10 sec
Toward I 494 North
Use the straight / right lanes.
18
Keep slight right at fork
0.2 mi
·
28 sec
Toward I 494 North
19
Merge onto I 494; MN 5
14 mi
·
17 min
·
I 494; MN 5
Use the none / straight / right lanes.
20
Take the exit
0.3 mi
·
36 sec
Exit 26
Toward CR 10: Bass Lake Road
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
21
Turn left onto CR 10
0.6 mi
·
1 min
·
Bass Lake Road
Use the left / straight lanes.
22
Arrive at destination
CR 10
Trip Plan
Because this is a relatively short drive, you have plenty of flexibility regarding your departure time. Since the trip takes under two hours, you can easily complete the 82.2-mile distance without needing formal stops, though taking a break remains an option if you prefer a more relaxed pace. Keep in mind that traffic flow on I-494 can be heavy, so checking local traffic reports before you leave can help you avoid unnecessary delays. Budget about $12 for fuel to ensure you are covered for the full round trip. A helpful tip for this specific route is to stay alert when transitioning from the stretches of US 169 onto the interstate, as traffic volume often increases significantly at those junctions.
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 41.1 miles from Mankato, MN, or about 52m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 32.8 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 41m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 41.1 miles or 52m 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 29m
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 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 82.2 miles and 1h 45m.
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.
The longest stretch is on US 169 for about 32.8 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 41.1 mi from Mankato, MN · 52m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
41 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 41.1 miles from Mankato, 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
$11.76 one way
$23.51 round trip
$3.63/gal
25.4 MPG avg
29 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $3.92 | $12.69 | $25.38 |
| premium | $4.39 | $14.21 | $28.43 |
| diesel | $5.64 | $18.26 | $36.52 |
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: 28.8 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 | 24.7 | 0 | $8.63 | $3.95 |
| Efficient EV | 20.6 | 0 | $7.19 | $3.29 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 32.9 | 0 | $11.51 | $5.26 |
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
4:28 PM
CDT
Current temp
39°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Along the Route
39°F
Plymouth, MN
41 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
34 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 45m 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 Maple Grove, MN covers 82.2 miles and takes about 1h 45m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are US 169, I 494, US 212. Most of the drive stays on highways, so watch for ramps and exits.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 41.1 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 $11.76 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 is a demanding drive. With 14 significant decision points across 82.2 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.
The main spots that need attention: at 0.7 miles (EastMulberry Street): Lane positioning matters here; at 1 miles: Lane positioning matters here; at 67 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here.
The route from Mankato, MN to Maple Grove, MN does not surface many named destination signs beyond the main corridor.
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